Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has reaffirmed the need for Nigeria to embrace both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency, noting that over 99% of repentant insurgents are no longer involved in terrorism.
Speaking on News Central’s Breakfast Central on Wednesday, May 21, Governor Zulum stated that while not all who surrendered have reformed fully, the overwhelming majority are contributing positively.
“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people that have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” Zulum declared.
He stressed that military force alone would never bring about a total end to insurgency.
“Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place,” he said.
Expanding on what non-kinetic measures entail, the governor explained:
“What I mean by non-kinetic measures are social, political, and economic dimensions of the crisis. Our ongoing non-kinetic measures have yielded positive results with the support of the Nigerian military.”
He acknowledged that not all 500,000-plus repentant fighters may stay reformed but believes the system is largely working:
“Yes, I believe among the 500,000 or more that have repented, I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush.”
Zulum also made a bold revelation on the presence of insiders aiding insurgency.
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.”
Nonetheless, he commended the Nigerian military’s role in supporting peacebuilding efforts:
“I want to commend the Nigerian armed forces for the support that they have been rendering to our non-kinetic measures.”
On the controversial subject of state police, Zulum expressed reservations.
“I don’t think the state police can do better than the forest guard.”
He criticised the lack of equipment for the military and accused insurgents of having superior technological advantage:
“The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency. The insurgents have the technology.”
Zulum also called for an urgent end to what he termed “contractocracy” and urged for direct, decisive action.
“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months we can put an end to this madness. We need not to politicise insecurity.”
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay attention to ground-level intelligence and professional advice from the military.
“The forest guard shall be provided immediately. The President of Nigeria needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right.”
“We should not politicise insecurity. The President needs to listen to the people that can tell him the right thing. The President should listen to the army.”
The governor concluded with a strong call for reforms in security equipment procurement:
“Remove bureaucracy in procurement of insurgency equipment.”
Governor Zulum hopes that the present roadmap for both immediate and long-term reform blending force, dialogue, and governance in the fight for peace would stem the tide of terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East.
