By IDNN Security Desk
Dane Guns Won’t Work: Ndume Decries Borno Carnage, Calls for Armed Community Defence
Senator Mohammed Ndume has decried the worsening carnage in Borno State. He warned that civilians armed with dane guns and sticks are no match for heavily armed insurgents.
The lawmaker, representing Borno South, reacted after Friday’s raid on Darajamal in Bama Local Government Area. Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters killed 58 civilians and five soldiers during the assault.
CJTF Alone Cannot Defend Communities
Ndume praised the efforts of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and vigilantes. However, he stressed that their limited weapons could not repel terrorists.
“They only carry dane guns and sticks, which make it very difficult to confront the insurgents,” he said.
He added that the federal government must establish an armed community defence corps. Such a force, he argued, would complement military operations with stronger local resistance.
Federal Government Must Act Urgently
“The situation is worrisome,” Ndume declared. “Communities across Borno South, North and Central remain under siege.”
He urged authorities to deploy advanced technology, heavier arms, modern equipment, and better motivation for troops. Furthermore, he reiterated his call for a TEAAM strategy — Technology, Equipment, Arms, Ammunition, and Motivation — as the only way to defeat Boko Haram.
Governor Zulum Echoes Concern as Military Shortage Bites
Borno State governor Babagana Zulum, who visited the grieving community, raised concerns about limited manpower in the armed forces.
He said the state had already trained two sets of forest guards. In his view, deploying them to vulnerable locations was an immediate solution to protect lives and forests.
A Conflict That Defies Time
The latest Borno carnage highlights the persistence of insecurity in the North-East. More than a decade after counter-insurgency campaigns began, Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to inflict heavy civilian losses.
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