Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has accused some Nigerian politicians and military personnel of colluding with Boko Haram insurgents by acting as informants and collaborators.
Speaking during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central on Wednesday, Zulum made the bold claim while discussing the persistent security challenges in the North-East.
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian Armed Forces, within the political class, and within local communities. What we must do now is strengthen our intelligence and deal with them ruthlessly,” the governor stated.
Zulum called for an end to what he described as “contractocracy,” insisting that if Nigeria focuses on the right strategies and avoids politicising insecurity, “we can put an end to this madness within six months.”
On Repentant Insurgents
The governor addressed concerns about the sincerity of the thousands of Boko Haram fighters who have surrendered. While he admitted that not all of them have reformed, he said the vast majority are no longer involved in violence.
“I won’t say 100% of them are reformed, but I can assure you that over 99% are not taking part in any ongoing terrorism,” he noted.
He stressed that military efforts alone will not defeat insurgency in Nigeria. According to him, non-kinetic approaches—such as social, political, and economic interventions—are also crucial.
“Insurgency will never end through military force alone. We must invest in social and economic solutions. The non-kinetic strategies we’ve implemented, with the support of the Nigerian military, are already showing results,” Zulum added.
He acknowledged the risk that some of the over 500,000 surrendered insurgents might relapse but maintained that the system is largely effective.
On Military Challenges and Presidential Advice
Zulum also criticised the Nigerian military’s lack of equipment, stating that insurgents sometimes possess superior technology on the battlefield.
“Our troops lack the necessary equipment to match the insurgents, who sometimes have better technological tools,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he praised the Armed Forces for their role in supporting peace and reintegration efforts.
“I commend the Nigerian military for backing our non-kinetic measures,” he said.
The governor urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rely on accurate, ground-level intelligence and to heed the advice of capable professionals.
“The President must surround himself with people who know what they’re doing. He should listen to those who can differentiate between right and wrong—and especially, he should listen to the military,” Zulum concluded.
