Insurgents loot unripe crops in Gwoza – Ndume

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has raised concerns over Boko Haram terrorists resorting to looting unripe crops from the farms of returnee communities in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.

Ndume made the revelation to journalists in Maiduguri following a weeklong tour of 10 displaced and newly resettled communities. He called on the military to enhance their efforts in clearing the remnants of Boko Haram from the region.

The senator, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, noted that the recent insurgent attacks have significantly impacted the economic stability of the affected communities.

“The terrorists have begun looting unripe crops from resilient farmers who have recently returned to liberated areas such as Ngoshe, Kirawa, Warabe, Wala, Pulka, and Gwoza town,” Ndume said.

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He appealed to the military and other security agencies to intensify operations to eliminate the remaining terrorists hiding in Sambisa Forest and parts of the Mandara Mountains near the Cameroon-Nigeria border.

Ndume commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his efforts in rebuilding about 10 Gwoza communities that were devastated. He also praised the military for their role in restoring civil authority in the area.

“I witnessed a medical doctor deployed by the military providing free medical services to over 10,000 returnees in Ngoshe daily.

“Governor Zulum has surpassed our expectations, although we continue to ask for more support,” Ndume stated.

During his visit, Ndume distributed agricultural inputs, including bags of fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides, along with cash to thousands of farmers, women and youths.

He also provided solar street lights and inspected land designated for constructing 500 housing units for displaced persons in Warabe as part of Governor Zulum’s rebuilding initiative.