Generals express worries over terrorist attacks in North-East

By Ibrahim Umar,

Kanrmpress News,

16th, January,2025

Nigerian 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.

Reports had it that at least 40 farmers were 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.

Boko Haram had on Tuesday insurgents attacked the Shikarkir community in the Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, burning a church and houses.

Speaking on the attacks, one of the retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinibi blamed the porous borders for the influx of militants.

AdeWinibi urged the government to tighten security at its borders to curtail the terrorists.

He also said a military solution without a political solution would get Nigeria nowhere in the fight against insecurity.

AdeWinibi 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,” he said.

Similarly, Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh (retd.) had 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,” he pointed out.

Momoh stressed the importance of better funding and mass support for the military.

He said that the challenges impeding the military campaign should be identified and tackled.

“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,” Momoh argued.

He said: “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.

On the other hand, 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, Sanusi 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 said that the escalation reveals a failure of the current security measures, as attacks continued despite the efforts.

Sanusi also emphasized the need to protect rural communities, as the violence is spreading closer to urban areas, indicating that the insurgents are not relenting.

He 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.

He said “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,” Sanusi said.

“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,” he said.

“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,” Sanusi 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 one of Nigeria’s private Television stations, 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,” Sanusi lamented.

“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,” Sanusi stated.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has expressed deep concern over the recent killing of fishermen and farmers in Borno State, describing the acts as horrific.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, on Wednesday 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,” Fall said.

“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,” Fall stated.

“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,” Fall said.