The senator representing Borno south in the national assembly, Ali Ndume, has advised President Bola Tinubu to bring in military contractors to fight against insurgents and bandits.
He made this statement following a recent attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza LGA of Borno.
The said attack brought about the death of six farmers and the abduction of five.
However, via a phone conversation with newsmen on Wednesday, Senator Ndume said the mercenaries would be efficient in curbing insecurity in all hotspots across Nigeria.
“All across the world, governments hire the services of military contractors to engage in certain places,” he said.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can consider this as a short measure. These contractors will work with our military and civilian JTF, who understand the terrain.
“These contractors will come with their equipment and military hardware. In a very short time, they’ll eliminate those Boko Haram terrorists. The contractors can also be used to eliminate those bandits operating in the north-west.
“Over a period, the federal government can now recruit youths to join the military and raise the number to at least one million. But in the interim, I think the president should consider this option of hiring military contractors.”
The councillor of Ngoshe ward in Gwoza LGA, Filibus Yakubu, stated that Jubril Zarana, commander of the civilian joint task force (JTF) in the area, was murdered in the attack.
Yakubu explained that the terrorists ambushed farmers on their farms, killed some of them, and kidnapped others.
“The Boko Haram terrorists released three women from which this information was obtained. The released women further stated that the victims are being kept hostage by the terrorists,” Yakubu said.
“Moreover, some people were still missing as at this time that we’re talking, as a result of this incident. The people did not return to Ngoshe during the catastrophe, and as reported by the released women, they are not part of the ones abducted.
“Our people are severely suffering due to lack of essential life support, but they have chosen to remain in their fatherland because of the love they have for it.
“The state government has really tried for our people, but NGOs and others are not providing us with food supplies.”