Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has given an insight into the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in some parts of the country, saying some of the insurgents and bandits are not from Nigeria.
Speaking at a Senate plenary on Wednesday, Akpabio said insurgents and bandits returned to their countries after striking unprepared communities.
Speaking after discussions on a motion on resurgence of Boko Haram activities in Hong and Gombi Local Government Areas of Adamawa State and other North-East states in Abuja yesterday, Akpabio called for vigilance, especially against the backdrop of the nation’s porous borders.
He said: “From what the Chief Whip is describing, it will look like there must be continual vigilance because, like you said, any time the fight abates and they think the military has relaxed, then they take them unawares by sporadic attacks. “When they are unprepared, they end up losing their lives. Our borders are very porous So anytime they escape from Nigeria, because some of them are not from Nigeria, they still find their way in at any time to attack our people.”
On its part, the Senate asked the Federal Government to establish a military base in Hong Local Government Area to reinforce the existing personnel of the Army and other sister security agencies.
The Senate, while commending what it described as the brilliant performance of law enforcement agents, said a military base will stop Boko Haram insurgency from spreading to wider communities in the north and beyond.
It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to provide relief materials to cushion the effects of the attacks on the affected communities, just as it observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives.
Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion, titled “Resurgence of Boko Haram activities in Hong and Gombi Local Government Areas, Adamawa State and other North-East States,” sponsored by Senator Amunu Iya Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central), and co-sponsored by all the senators from the North-East.
In his presentation, Senator Abbas said: “The Senate notes that the incidences of successive Boko Haram attacks on communities in Hong LGA left thousands of innocent people homeless and displaced.
“Further notes that the frequent attacks directly affects the following communities among others; February 25, 2025, Kwapre and Zah were under attack and houses were burnt, schools destroyed, and many people injured.
“April 15, 2025, Banga and Lar communities were attacked, five were killed, houses and churches burnt down; on April 26, 2025, Kwapre in Yadul district Garaha ward was attacked again. This time, 11 members of the local vigilante were killed, houses and public properties were destroyed.
“On May 16, 2025, (just last week) Kulda in Yadul District, Garaha Ward was attacked, 16 people were killed, over 90 percent of the houses, including places of worship, were burned down and Mayo Ladde community in Gaya ward was also attacked. The attack left 6 people dead.
“Also notes that neighbouring Gombi LGA has as well been under Boko Haram attacks. January 17, 2025, four people were killed; February 17, 2025, one hunter was killed.
“Aware that the resurgence of Boko Haram activities cut across the North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
“Worried that the unfortunate activities of Boko Haram affect the economic activities of the affected areas and, by extension, the whole region and the country at large. People in the affected areas no longer go to the farms or engage in normal trading activities.
“Disturbed that if not proactively checked, the Boko Haram insurgency is capable of spreading to wider communities in the north and beyond.”
In his contribution, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno said: “I also want to seize this opportunity to commend the Nigerian military for their determination and enthusiasm in the fight against boko Haram insurgency and for the political will and support given to the Nigeria military by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, toward discharging their mandate
“Two-third of local government in Borno and Yobe states have said they are under the sub-control of Boko Haram, I don’t know. But as a result of the political will by the government and support, as well as the same determination and enthusiasm displayed by the military.and the gallantry . Boko Haram was decapitated, the local governments that were under the firm control of the Boko Haram insurgents were liberated and Nigerian authority was restored.
“Before, I could think of going to my constituency or my hometown but today, I can go to my hometown and sleep.
“Yes. It’s as a result of the fight, the gallantry and resilience displayed by the military but now, there is a resurgence of Boko Haram, to the extent that they attack our military formations, dislodged the soldiers and cart away military equipment. For example, last week, a military base in one of my communities was attacked and about five soldiers were killed.
‘’In one of the communities, they massacred 23 people and in another community, they killed 30 people and the main reason they did that is that there was a fight between the two factions of Boko Haram.’’
