Act Now to Free Over 400 Abducted Women, Children- Ndume Urges Tinubu as Ngoshe Lies in Ruins

By Tgnews Reporter

Former Senate Leader Senator Ali Ndume has issued a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu, demanding intensified efforts to secure the immediate release of more than 400 residents — mostly women and children — abducted from Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents last month.

The residents were seized during a devastating attack by Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a faction of Boko Haram, which also razed the entire community and military posts there.

Survivors have since sought refuge in nearby Pulka, while the Nigerian Army has since reclaimed and now occupies Ngoshe.

Speaking with journalists on Monday, Ndume, who represents Borno South, expressed deep frustration over the federal government’s response.

“It is appalling that those of us in authority at the federal level have not met the expectations of our people in fulfilment of this sacred duty of securing lives and property, as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution,” he said.

“We call on the federal government to take urgent and prompt actions to secure the release of over 400 residents of Ngoshe in captivity.”

Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, urged the Tinubu administration to complement Borno State Government’s efforts, which has already released N100 million for immediate reconstruction, resettlement, and rehabilitation.

He noted that displaced residents are eager to return home despite the destruction, willing to live in improvised tents under military protection rather than remain in Pulka.

“The federal government should urgently support the Borno state government… The president should mandate its agencies, like NEMA, the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, FERMA, and the Ministry of Housing to move into Ngoshe community to support the state government,” Ndume added.

He praised the gallantry of Nigerian troops who have held the recaptured community amid challenges of training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation — what he termed the “TEAM” approach (Training, Equipment, Ammunitions, and Mobilization).

Ndume also called on the international community, particularly the United States, to focus on key terrorist havens: Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, and the Lake Chad region axis.

He urged sustained military operations, supported by the US, until the insurgents are fully neutralized, and reminded President Tinubu to reinvigorate his November 2025 declaration of emergency on security, which he said has since “lost steam” as attacks resumed.

This latest plea comes amid ongoing security concerns in Borno, where Boko Haram factions continue to exploit remote areas for attacks and abductions despite military gains in recent years.

Ndume’s intervention highlights the urgent humanitarian crisis facing displaced families and the broader challenge of restoring normalcy to terror-affected communities in Nigeria’s northeast.