Zulum: Army Underequipped for Insurgency Fight, Points to Saboteurs and Boko Haram Sponsors

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised alarm over the Nigerian Army’s inability to adequately tackle the Boko Haram insurgency due to a lack of equipment and internal sabotage.

In an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central, Zulum stated that the military is at a disadvantage, lacking the necessary tools to effectively confront the insurgents.

“The army doesn’t have the necessary equipment on ground to fight the insurgency,” he said, adding that the situation is worsened by informants within the military, political circles, and local communities. “We have collaborators within the Nigerian Armed Forces, among politicians, and even in the communities. We need to strengthen our intelligence network and deal with these individuals decisively.”

The governor stressed the importance of combining military efforts with socio-political and economic strategies. “Insurgency will never end with kinetic measures alone. Non-kinetic approaches—like addressing economic and political grievances—are essential,” he explained.

Zulum also expressed concern about the risk posed by reintegrated ex-insurgents. “Among the over 300,000 who have surrendered, I can’t rule out the possibility that some may return to the bush,” he warned.

Despite the challenges, he commended the military’s support for non-kinetic strategies and called on President Bola Tinubu to focus on objective, informed advice rather than political considerations.

“The President must listen to those who can give sound, professional guidance. We must avoid politicising security issues and allow the army to do its job,” Zulum concluded.