Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has once again condemned a fresh Boko Haram attack on the recently resettled community of Yamtake in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The incident, which occurred Thursday night, led to the tragic death of two soldiers and an unconfirmed number of civilians.
Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, expressed deep concern over the persistent attacks in the region. In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, he said it was disheartening that insurgents continue to target peaceful communities, even after years of effort to restore normal life.
Yamtake, which is about 14 kilometers from Gwoza town, had only recently welcomed back residents who were displaced by years of violence. The latest attack not only caused loss of lives but also forced families to flee once again, undoing progress made in rebuilding their lives.
Ndume, who also served as the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, noted that the situation remains dire in many parts of Borno. “It is unfortunate to inform the public that our people in Yamtake village came under a deadly Boko Haram invasion last Thursday night,” he said. “The community had only recently welcomed back its IDPs, resettled by the Borno State Government.”
He praised the quick response of Brigadier General Nasir Abdullahi and the 26 Task Force Brigade, who pushed back the attackers before they could enter Gwoza town. “Let me commend Brig. Gen. Nasir Abdullahi and his brave troops for their resilience in pushing back the attackers.”
Ndume also repeated his call for a special Armed Community Defence unit to assist the military in protecting communities. He said local groups like the Civilian Joint Task Force, hunters, and vigilantes are doing their best, but are often poorly armed and need better support.
He stressed the importance of a new approach, which he called TEAAM—Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, and Motivation—to help the military combat insurgency effectively. “Only through the effective use of Technology, Equipment, Arms and Ammunition, and Motivation can we bring an end to over a decade of Boko Haram atrocities in Borno, the North East, and across Nigeria.”
Ndume ended his statement by mourning the loss of the soldiers and civilians. “It is very sad that two soldiers paid the supreme price, alongside an unknown number of civilians. May their souls rest in peace.”
