RingTrue with Yemi Adebowale yemiadebowale@yahoo.com; 08054699539 (text only)
Boko Haram and ISWAP are still controlling Nigerian territories in Borno State. This is the truth that must be told if this country wants to get out of the mess. Unfortunately, President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, late Muhammadu Buhari, are usually economical with the truth when it comes to facing this reality. Our security chiefs have also been a big disappointment in this regard by persistently rolling out imaginary “degradation” and “bombardment” stories in these occupied territories. The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has likewise been playing politics with the occupation of a substantial part of his state by terrorists. Sometimes, one will see Zulum trying to be honest, the next moment, he would return to deceit, while his people’s anguish lingers.
Last Thursday, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) again punched holes in the Boko Haram security deceits by declaring that four local government areas in Borno are still no-go areas for its Continuous Voter Registration which commenced on August 18. It clearly cited security and safety concerns. As a result, INEC moved the exercise from its offices in the four Borno State local government areas to Maiduguri.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abubakar Ahmad, while officially announcing the commencement of the registration listed the local governments as Abadam, Guzamala, Kala Balge and Marte. He said, “for security and factors relating to safety, four INEC LGAs offices will conduct the physical registration at locations in Maiduguri. Ahmad moved the exercise in Abadam LGA to Baga Road while the one for Guzamala LGA was moved to Fire Service Department, 1,000 Housing Estate. The one for Kala Balge LGA was moved to Goni Kachalari Primary School and that of Marte LGA was moved to Kachamai, all in Maiduguri metropolis.
Yes, it is not the first time that INEC will run away from those occupied territories. For years, election for many local government areas in Borno State were conducted in Maiduguri, where a large number of their citizens are refugees. I can clearly remember that in 2015, elections were conducted for eight Borno LGAs in Maiduguri.
This nudge by INEC is a fresh wake up call for Tinubu and his legion of sycophants to face the reality and do the needful; a call to end the dishonesty about the security situation in Borno State; a call for decisive action against the terrorists. Yes, the security situation was very bad when Tinubu assumed office as President of Nigeria over two years ago, but he has pathetically failed to actualise his promise to safeguard Nigerians. I was livid when I saw “improved security” listed among the achievements of the Tinubu government while celebrating its atrocious two years. Clearly, terrorists have been emboldened by the failings of Mr. President.
Mr. President, the security situation in Borno State is still heart-wrenching. In this state, 20 of the 27 local government areas are not safe. Some are under the full control of terrorists with no legal civil authorites. Non-state actors dominate these places. Yes, Nigerian territories are truly still under the control of terrorists. Mr. President, forget about all the lies by your security chiefs.
These security deceits in Borno State and other parts of the country must end. I am particularly pained by the trickery led by our National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu Ribadu, who is always talking about improved security in Borno State and other ugly spots in Nigeria. Few weeks back, at All Progressives Congress’ National Policy and Development Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Ribadu declared: “No fewer than 124,408 fighters of Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa Province, along with their family members, have surrendered to Nigerian forces and are undergoing rehabilitation through the government’s de-radicalisation and reintegration programme.” What nonsense!
Ribadu’s declaration came amid ongoing battle with terrorists across multiple theatres of violence across Nigeria. Despite repeated claims of degrading Boko Haram, security agencies continue to grapple with attacks, ambushes and bombings, particularly in Borno and Yobe states. Mr. President, when will you recover Nigerian territories from terrorists? This is the big question. This epicenter of Boko Haram has never for one day stopped bleeding. Daily, scores of people are sent to early graves. According to Senator Ali Ndume, 252 attacks carried out by Boko Haram between November 2024 and April 2025, resulted in the deaths of 100 soldiers and 280 civilians. What a calamity!
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