“Politicians, Uniformed Officers Are Informants To Bandits” – Gov. Zulum

By Ayodele Oni

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has revealed another impediment blocking the defeat of banditry in the country, accusing some Nigerian politicians and members of the armed forces of acting as informants for Boko Haram insurgents.

Zulum spoke on Wednesday, during an interview on Breakfast Central, a programme on News Central Television.

“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is to strengthen our intelligence and to deal with them ruthlessly.”

The governor lauded the federal government’s initiative to establish forest guards, describing it as a potential game-changer.

He, however, noted that these guards should be recruited from local communities within the states.

“This is very important, establishing forest guards will be a game changer. But I want to give an early warning, that these forest guards should be recruited from the communities within the states.”

Zulum, who also spoke on repentant insurgents, noted that most of them have actually turned over a new leaf.

“I cannot completely say that 100% of those people who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism.”

The governor stressed the importance of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in tackling insurgency.

“Insurgency will never be ended by kinetic measures alone. We must ensure that the non-kinetic measures are also properly put in place.”