Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, has denied allegations that his convoy was targeted by suspected Boko Haram militants, clarifying that he was not the intended victim of the attack.
The Senator, who represents Southern Borno and the Gwoza senatorial district, made these statements at his residence in Maiduguri after returning from a condolence visit to families affected by recent terrorist attacks in Ngoshe, Kirawa, Ashigashiya, and other areas within the Gwoza local government.
Ndume explained that the ambush on the Kirawa road was aimed at a Cameroonian businessman, Alhaji Kadi, who tragically lost his life alongside an unidentified woman, while others in the vicinity suffered injuries.
He expressed deep concern over the inadequacies of the Nigerian military in combating Boko Haram and banditry effectively.
“On October 8, 2024, I, along with other stakeholders and a military escort, was en route to Ngoshe to offer condolences to victims’ families before heading to Kirawa. We received alarming news about an ambush involving Cameroonian soldiers and local motorists along the Pulka-Kirawa road,” Ndume stated.
“After our visit to Ngoshe, we decided to proceed to Kirawa, despite the recent attack on that route. We arrived safely in Kirawa, where we also offered condolences to the families of those who had been killed by terrorists in recent weeks. We urged the community to remain strong and not to be fearful of the renewed Boko Haram assaults.”
Further detailing his visit, he remarked, “As the Senator for Southern Borno and Gwoza, I had intended to visit Ngoshe and Kirawa previously, but the road to Kirawa had been impassable at that time. When we set out, the Theatre Commander and the GOC of the 7 Division had instructed the Brigade Commander in Gwoza to personally lead the escort team.
“It has been a long time since I received such extensive military protection from Maiduguri to Ngoshe. While traveling to Ngoshe, we reached a village called Wizza, where there is a junction leading to Kirawa. Unfortunately, we learned that Cameroonian soldiers in Kirawa had been ambushed by terrorists, but I was not the target; the casualties included the businessman and an unidentified woman. I also heard that other passengers were caught up in the ambush, given that Tuesday was a market day in Kirawa.
“I suspect that some individuals may be colluding with Boko Haram by relaying information to the terrorists. Nevertheless, the Nigerian Army dispatched reinforcements that secured the area, despite two military patrol vehicles being damaged by explosives left by the terrorists.”
“Undeterred, we visited Kirawa after the attack to encourage our people to resist Boko Haram. I also took the opportunity to lay the foundation for two classroom blocks in Kirawa before safely returning to Maiduguri.”
