Retired generals have expressed worries over the resurgence of terrorist attacks in the North-East, stressing the need to curtail the development.
Amnesty International, however, pointed out that the violent escalation indicates a failure of the current security measures.
At least 40 farmers were reportedly killed in the Dumba community in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on Sunday by suspected Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province fighters.
On Tuesday, Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Shikarkir community in the Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, burning a church and houses.
Speaking on the attacks, retired Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinibi blamed the porous borders for the influx of militants, urging the government to tighten security at the borders to contain the terrorists.
He also said a military solution without a political solution would lead the country nowhere in the fight against insecurity.
He said, “If our border is still porous, you don’t expect terrorists not to take advantage of it. We need to do something real quick about our porous borders if we want to terrorism to reduce in the country.
“As the military is bombarding them on the battlefield, we also need political solutions to complement the efforts of the military. The military and political class solutions, working simultaneously, is the only way we can totally curb terrorism in the country.”
Brig. Gen Aliyu Momoh (retd.) submitted that the armed forces had recorded remarkable progress against the terrorists, citing the peaceful yuletide celebration.
“If you look at the peaceful nature of our recent holidays, you will find out that there is a great improvement. So, let’s give it to the government and my colleagues that are in charge.’’
Momoh stressed the importance of better funding and mass support for the military, adding that the challenges impeding the military campaign should be identified and addressed.
“When you look at it, the government at various levels of leadership needs to come out and spend more on the military and then monitor the funding and all the movements of the terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and the rest.
“So, it’s just a collective effort for the whole country to come together and support our armed forces. We need to find out what the challenges are. Is the equipment enough for the armed forces to tackle the insurgency?
“Are we spending correctly on the insurgency to make sure that we subdue them? Are we being proactive? Are we improving on our successes or will it last? So, there are so many challenges and questions to be asked,’’ he suggested.
The Country Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, conceded that the military had made significant progress in degrading Boko Haram, but noted that the resurgence of violence signals desperation.
This, he noted, was due to the increasing military pressure from Nigeria, Chad, and Niger.
He suggested that the attacks are an attempt to divert attention from the growing threat in the North-West from the Lakurawa group.
Sanusi argued that the escalation reveals a failure of the current security measures, as attacks continue despite these efforts.
He emphasized the need to protect rural communities, as the violence is spreading closer to urban areas, indicating that the insurgents are not relenting.
Sanusi stated, “The military has succeeded a lot in pushing Boko Haram out as they have successfully dismantled their capacity to carry out large-scale terror attacks.
“However, this resurgence of attacks is a sign of desperation on their part because they are increasingly feeling the heat both from Nigeria, Chad and the Niger Republic. They are not finding things easy because of the escalation of attempts to counter terrorism in this country.’’
“But on another side, this recent escalation (you know what is happening in the North-West where the new insurgent group, Lakurawa, also have started following the footpath of Boko Haram), is part of a desperate effort to take the shine so that attention will not shift entirely to Lakurawa and other insurgents in the North-West.
“However, it shows that whatever security measures the government is taking is not working because if it is working, these attacks should not be happening.
“The rural communities must be protected. It means that more and more harm when this group moves to cities. It shows that they are not relenting,” he explained.
The AI director condemned the killing of 40 farmers by Boko Haram militants, insisting that the group must be held accountable for its crimes against humanity.
Speaking in an interview on Channel television, Sanusi said, “Our findings show that Boko Haram rounded up the farmers and fishermen, separated the men and shot them at close range.
“Those who attempted to flee were pursued and killed while dozens more were injured. A search for dead bodies is still ongoing while a mass burial is being planned for those killed.
“As well as killings targeting civilians, Boko Haram continues to abduct women and girls and extensively loot property. The fact that such atrocities remain commonplace shows that more needs to be done to protect civilians and ensure that families of victims receive reparation and justice.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed deep concern over the recent killing of fishermen and farmers in Borno State, describing the acts as horrific.
In a statement on Wednesday, , the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, extended condolences to the families of the victims and called for accountability.
“I am horrified by the recent mass killing of fishermen and farmers in Borno State’s Kukawa Local Government Area reportedly by members of a non-state armed group.
“On 12 January, at least 40 civilians, all men, were reportedly killed in the Dumba community in Kukawa after allegedly breaching an NSAG ban on farming activities. Several people remain missing, according to humanitarian partners operating in neighbouring Monguno LGA.
“On behalf of the UN in Nigeria, I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery. The UN stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of Borno State.
“The armed actors who perpetrated these attacks must be identified and brought to account in compliance with national and international human rights laws,” he said.
He emphasised the ongoing dangers faced by civilians in conflict-ridden parts of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
The UN reiterated its commitment to supporting affected communities while urging enhanced security measures. It also called on all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian laws to protect civilians.
“The UN remains committed to supporting affected people to complement government efforts. I also call for enhanced security measures and urge parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm,” he added.
In a move to prevent the use of attack drones against troops, the North-East Operation Hadin Kai has banned the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in the region.
The Air Component Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Air Commodore U. Idris, who gave the directive in a statement on Wednesday, explained that the drones pose a threat to military operations in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
He complained about government agencies and private individuals operating drones in the region without military consent.
The statement read, “The proliferation of drones for domestic and commercial purposes has led to serious security concerns. These concerns mainly stem from their possible use by non-state actors and criminal elements for subversive and offensive activities.
“More disturbing is that government agencies and private individuals operate these drones without due regard to the extant regulations on their operations.
“Also, the non-state actors have perfected the use of drones against military targets and Critical National Infrastructure as witnessed in other climes.
“Recently, there have been reports of drone sightings and unauthorized drone operations in the Theatre. On January 7, 2025, for instance, a passenger onboard an NGO flight from Maiduguri to Monguno was intercepted with a drone during a search at the helipad.”
The statement added that the drone was confiscated, and an investigation is ongoing.
“These incidents among others revealed trends by individuals to operate drones without due course to safety and security with detrimental consequences,” it noted.
Idris said the military banned drone operations because it had the responsibility of monitoring all aerial activities in the region.
“The Air Component OPERATION HADIN KAI is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and regulating aerial platform operations including aircraft and drones in the North East Theatre.
“This is aimed at de-conflicting the airspace to ensure safety and security for all operators in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa airspace. Considering this, it is pertinent to reiterate the ban on drone operations in the North East Theatre as directed by the Appropriate Superior Authority.
“It is noteworthy to state that breaches of this restriction no matter how insignificant would be viewed very seriously. In view of the aforementioned, you are please requested to strictly comply with the regulation on the ban on drone operation in the North-East Theatre comprising Borno, Yobe and Adamawa airspace in the interest of safety and security,” the statement read.
The Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party blamed President Bola Tinubu for the recent rise in insecurity incidents.
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, accused the government of failing to address the challenge.
Osadolor advocated a combination of carrot-and-stick approaches to tackling insecurity.
He stated “It is like keeping a snake in your pocket, feeding it, and expecting that it won’t eventually grow in size, strength, and eventually turn back to bite you. Instead of addressing the root causes of insecurity head-on, the government is pampering and sponsoring terrorists under the guise of paying them off. The truth is, our government is still far from effectively addressing the security issues in Borno and other parts of the country.’’
On his part, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, emphasized the importance of reviewing the intelligence-gathering processes.
Johnson expressed concern that despite the increased allocation of assets and resources to security agencies, insecurity continues to persist.
He stated “Well, I think this has been a recurring problem, and we really have to step up our intelligence efforts. More assets must be committed to the fight against insecurity and we are still talking about insecurity.
“We must bring together the police, military, DSS, and other intelligence agencies to examine this issue and try to incorporate technology and innovative solutions to curb the slide into insecurity.’’
The Labour Party said the incidents of terrorism and banditry are grossly under-reported.
The National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, explained that while the military should be given credit for sustaining the war on insecurity, heinous crimes such as kidnappings and killings remain.
He said, “Insecurity is assuming an alarming rate in Nigeria these days. You talked about terrorism going down and its sudden resurgence in the past one week. No, that is incorrect. It never did.
“They were not very well reported. Otherwise what we hear from the north is only the side of the military which will tell Nigerians they have neutralised them or carried out an airstrip on their target.’’
Meanwhile, the natives of Birnin-Gwari in Kaduna State, under the aegis of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union, have called on the Federal Government to extend the peace accord achieved in the area to all the states affected by banditry.
The PUNCH reports that the Kaduna State government, in collaboration with some federal agencies, established the ‘Peace Dialogue Group’ to engage stakeholders and facilitate the peace process.
With this, several senior bandit leaders, who had terrorised the Birnin-Gwari and environs for years, laid down their arms and embraced peace, along with their followers.
The repentant bandits assured Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, of their commitment to the peace pact.
Against this background, the Birnin-Gwari Progressive Union urged the Federal Government to replicate the peace accord in states ravaged by banditry.
The Chairman of BEPU, Dr. Isah Galadima, made the call in a statement in Kaduna on Wednesday.
He said, “We appeal to the Federal Government to extend this peace initiative to regions such as Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto States, which continue to face severe security challenges.
“This will consolidate the gains made in Kaduna State and foster broader national reconciliation, ensuring long-term peace across Nigeria.”
BEPU also called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments to expedite developmental and infrastructure development in the area.
“The people of Birnin Gwari have suffered greatly due to the insecurity, and it is time for the government to intervene and provide the necessary support for rebuilding and rehabilitation,” the association said.
The union specifically appealed for the rehabilitation of critical highways, restoration of communication networks, and resumption of financial services.
This is just as the union urged the state government to play an active role in the resettlement of internally displaced persons by providing housing, basic amenities and support services.
“The rehabilitation of our highways is crucial for facilitating trade, enhancing mobility, and supporting the region’s economic recovery.
“We believe that the resettlement of IDPs is a critical step towards restoring normalcy in our community, and we urge the State Government to take immediate action,” Galadima said. (Punch)
