Mohamed Garba
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has issued a bombshell allegation, claiming that some Nigerian politicians and military personnel are allegedly actively aiding Boko Haram insurgents as informants and collaborators.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, Zulum vowed to dismantle internal sabotage networks through intensified intelligence operations and “ruthless” enforcement. His remarks come amid escalating violence in the northeastern state, where insurgents now threaten to overrun Marte Local Government Area (LGA), leaving only one town under government control .
Zulum explicitly accused politicians, soldiers, and community members of providing critical intelligence to Boko Haram, undermining counterinsurgency efforts. “We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, within the politicians, and within the communities,” he declared, pledging to “strengthen our intelligence and deal with them ruthlessly” . His statement echoes long-standing concerns about corruption and complicity within Nigeria’s security apparatus, highlighted in recent reports of insurgents seizing military equipment .
The governor lambasted the federal government’s approach to insecurity, urging President Bola Tinubu to prioritize professional military counsel over political calculations. “The President needs to listen to those who can differentiate their left from their right,” Zulum asserted, condemning the politicization of security challenges. He also criticized the military’s technological deficiencies, noting that insurgents often outgun troops with drones and advanced weaponry .
While Zulum praised the reintegration of over 500,000 surrendered fighters—99% of whom he claims no longer engage in terrorism—he acknowledged potential risks. “I cannot rule out the possibility of fewer of them going back to the bush,” he admitted, emphasizing the need for sustained non-kinetic measures, including economic support and community reconciliation programs . This aligns with broader stabilization efforts in the region, which stress social cohesion and governance reforms .
Zulum’s warning follows his urgent appeal to prevent Marte LGA’s collapse. Once home to 300 towns, only Marte town remains under government control after recent insurgent attacks displaced 20,000 residents. The governor spent a night in the besieged town to rally morale, crediting military and volunteer efforts for partial resettlement. The governor demanded an end to “contractocracy”—a term implying corruption in defense contracts—arguing that systemic reforms could defeat insurgency within six months. “We need not politicise insecurity,” he stressed, advocating for transparent resource allocation and grassroots intelligence networks .
Zulum’s allegations have reignited debates about Nigeria’s fractured security strategy. Critics, including lawmakers and analysts, warn that internal collusion exacerbates vulnerabilities, as seen in Marte’s near-total collapse . The governor’s clash with Information Minister Mohammed Idris, whom he dismissed as “naïve” about ground realities, further reveals tensions between state and federal authorities .
