If the government can track my phone, why can’t they monitor bandits, terrorists, asked Sen Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume, who represents southern Borno, questioned the effectiveness of the existing monitoring system, and suggested that authorities should be able to track rebels if similar surveillance could be applied to community figures.

Ndume, while speaking on Channels Television on Thursday evening, said, “If I can be monitored, what is stopping security and intelligence agencies from getting information about the whereabouts and activities of terrorists?” he asked.

On Monday, 23 people were killed, and 108 injured, following bomb explosions at three locations in Maiduguri.

Bombs exploded at the market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.

Ndume also criticized the government’s response to insecurity, saying efforts undertaken so far have not matched the scale of the challenge.

“I have to say, the government is not walking its talk,” he said.

“The security agencies and army still lack training, equipment, ammunition and motivation.”

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While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s commitment, the lawmaker insisted that firmer action was needed.

“You have to drop everything and concentrate on the security and well-being of citizens… even if that means shutting down the government, let it be done,” he said.

He stressed that troops cannot effectively fight the rebels without adequate support.

“They can’t do it with their bare hands. They can’t do it without air support if ground forces are going to engage the enemy.”

Referring to the recent military success in Malam Fatori, Abadam LGA in Borno state, where Operation Hadin Kai troops reportedly killed 61 ISWAP insurgents, Ndume said the results demonstrated the importance of adequate support.

“You can see from Malam Fatori that there was adequate air cover… and the military did what they needed to do and they were successful,” he said.

“If we continue like that consistently, this can be completed in less than six months.”

He expressed optimism following support from the United States, and urged authorities to ensure concrete results.

“Now that the American government has agreed to provide us with intelligence support and training, let’s see this work,” the senator added.