By John Alechenu

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to scale up efforts to secure the release of over 400 residents of Ngoshe community in Borno State, mostly women and children, abducted by Boko Haram insurgents last month.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday. He noted that the Nigerian Army has since recaptured Ngoshe from the insurgents and now maintains control of the area.

He urged the Federal Government to work with the Borno State Government to facilitate the resettlement of displaced residents willing to return to the community.

“It is on record that the Nigerian Army has recovered Ngoshe from the insurgents and now occupies it. Those who escaped are currently taking refuge in Pulka,” Ndume said.

He expressed concern over what he described as the government’s failure to fully meet its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“It is appalling that those of us in authority at the federal level have not met our people’s expectations in fulfilling this sacred duty,” he added.

The lawmaker called for urgent action to secure the release of the abducted residents and appealed to the Tinubu administration to commence reconstruction of Ngoshe, which was destroyed during insurgent attacks.

According to him, many displaced residents have indicated willingness to return to Ngoshe, even if it means living in temporary shelters pending the rebuilding of their homes.

“The people want to go back and rebuild their lives in Ngoshe rather than remain in Pulka,” he said.

Ndume also urged the Federal Government to support the Borno State Government’s N100 million reconstruction initiative, while commending the resilience of the Nigerian Army in reclaiming the community.

He further called on the international community, particularly the United States, to assist Nigeria in tackling insurgency in the North-East.

Reiterating his advocacy for the TEAM strategy—Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Mobilisation—Ndume stressed the need to strengthen the operational capacity of the armed forces.

He also urged President Tinubu to reinvigorate his emergency declaration on security, noting that it appears to have lost momentum amid renewed insurgent attacks in parts of the region.