Emotions Run High as Borno Faces Renewed Terror Attacks

Last week's tragic bombings in Maiduguri involved multiple suicide attacks during iftar, tragically resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. These events were part of a sequenced series of assaults orchestrated by the notorious Boko Haram militants. The violence began weeks ago, originating in the peripheries of the state at places like Cross Kauwa along Lake Chad's shores, proceeding southward toward Pulka and Ngoshe in the Gwoza Hills, and extending westward to Mandagarau near Biu. In retrospect, these assaults were well-planned, primarily targeting military installations, which have been plundered, leading to considerable losses in military equipment.

The insurgents managed to take many soldiers' lives in these confrontations, including five high-ranking officers. Following the takeover of the Ngoshe barracks, the insurgents produced a video message on the spot that circulated widely. In the recording, their spokesperson, flanked by armed militants, parroted rhetoric reminiscent of the slain Boko Haram leader, Shekau, declaring their intent to seize Maiduguri en route to Abuja. For those unfamiliar with the context, such threats may have seemed trivial. However, early on Monday, residents were jolted awake by intense gunfire from the southwestern edges of the city, marking a critical moment when their threats materialized.

Clearly, Maiduguri was under siege from the Ajilari-Cross area. A combined defense involving our soldiers and the civilian Joint Task Force was able to repel these initial assaults. Nevertheless, the insurgents returned hours later, employing young children as suicide bombers to wreak further havoc in parts of the city. Tragically, these events have become increasingly commonplace throughout Borno. For the past 17 years, the shadow of Boko Haram has loomed large over the populace, which has continually implored for assistance, now with tears that may soon run dry.

Political leaders in the state have consistently expressed their powerlessness in combatting Boko Haram's attacks. Beyond simply being frustrated, they find themselves in a position where their only recourse is to appeal to the president for decisive action. Recalling a poignant moment in January 2019, just before the end of his tenure, then-Governor Kashim Shettima led a delegation of Borno dignitaries, which included all National Assembly members from the state and traditional leaders, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari. Their singular agenda was to discuss how to curb the horrific violence perpetrated by the resurgent insurgents who were overrunning northern Borno.

During this meeting, several security leaders were present, and one conveyed to me that Shettima delivered a powerful account of the ongoing tragedy in Borno. He depicted a state on the verge of collapse under the weight of insurgent violence, illustrating the distressing plight of countless citizens relegated to beggary in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. The insurgents had taken control of Baga, a key market town on Lake Chad's Nigerian shore, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee from there and adjacent towns like Kukawa into Maiduguri’s IDP camps. At one point, visibly overwhelmed with emotion, Shettima's voice faltered, and tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke. While President Buhari and his stern generals appeared unfazed, the gravity of the political leadership's helplessness became evident.

In response, President Buhari took immediate action to regain control of the situation. However, this resulted in a superficial peace. Urban areas were fortified under military presence, creating a facade of safety while the rural landscapes fell into lawlessness, becoming playgrounds for insurgents. The militants retreated to the many islands around Lake Chad and, from these bases, launched incessant attacks on northern Borno. They occupied territories in the Gwoza hills and parts of the Mandara mountains, making life increasingly untenable for communities in Ngoshe, Pulka, and Hambagda, reaching as far as Bama. Many remain holed up in the Sambisa Forest, threatening expanses from Biu to Goniri in Yobe State and Damboa, periodically venturing into Maiduguri.

Anticipation was high that Governor Kashim Shettima, having transitioned to a Senate role in the 9th National Assembly and currently serving as vice president, would take more significant actions to aid his beleaguered state. His history of facing down insurgent attacks while serving as governor and advocating for his beleaguered constituents during their dire moments made such expectations reasonable. While in the Senate, he was bound by procedural conventions that limited direct engagement with the president, but now, as a vice president, it is assumed he carries greater authority to address the pressing challenges facing the region.

However, acknowledging past challenges encountered by vice presidents in similar positions—like the well-documented conflicts during the Obasanjo/Atiku administration—one might deem it unreasonable to expect too much from the current vice president. Nevertheless, it may be beneficial for the current Governor Babagana Zulum to undertake a trip to stress the urgent need for interventions from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in light of the deteriorating circumstances.