“Persistent Insurgency in Borno: A Security Analyst Speaks on Military Sacrifices and Government Response”

Interview with Abbas Yushau Yusuf
Featuring Security Analyst and Retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu

In this interview, retired captain and security analyst Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu sheds light on the tragic killing of soldiers in Borno.

What is your perspective on this incident?

Adamu: I can say the killing of soldiers in Borno is a tragic reminder of the persistent security challenges in the region. At this moment, such attacks are often driven by renewed insurgent regrouping, attempts to assert dominance, and exploit gaps in intelligence or security coordination.

It may also be linked to increased military pressure on insurgents, pushing them to retaliate, as well as the use of asymmetric tactics like ambushes.

This situation highlights the urgent need for stronger intelligence gathering, improved equipment, better inter-agency coordination, and enhanced welfare for troops on the Frontline. Their sacrifice must not be in vain—there must be a renewed, strategic, and sustained effort by all stakeholders to end insurgency and restore lasting peace in the Northeast.

But losing senior officers like that—isn’t it a failure on the part of the Nigerian military?

Adamu: Well losing senior officers in such attacks is deeply concerning and raises serious operational questions, but it should not be viewed in isolation as outright failure of the military.

Modern insurgencies, especially asymmetric warfare like in Borno, are unpredictable and often target high-value personnel to create psychological impact and gain propaganda advantage. Senior officers sometimes move close to the frontlines to boost morale and supervise operations, which can increase their exposure to risk.

However, incidents like this do point to possible gaps in intelligence, force protection, movement protocols, or coordination that must be critically reviewed. It underscores the need for stronger surveillance, better risk assessment, and stricter operational security when deploying high-ranking officers.

So, rather than labeling it simply as failure, it is more accurate to see it as a serious setback and a signal for the Nigerian military to reassess and strengthen its strategies, protection measures, and intelligence systems to prevent a recurrence.

But experts say when insecurity persists for many years, like the Northeastern insurgency, it shows the government is not serious. We are now in the 17th year—remember it started in 2009?

Adamu: Yes of course many experts argue that when insecurity persists for so many years, it raises legitimate concerns about the level of seriousness, consistency, and effectiveness of government response.

Seventeen years after the insurgency began in 2009, the continued attacks suggest that beyond military action, there have been gaps in strategy, coordination, and long-term planning. Prolonged conflicts like this often point to deeper issues such as weak intelligence systems, insufficient political will at critical moments, poor continuity of policies, and limited focus on root causes like poverty, governance, and community engagement.

While there have been undeniable efforts and sacrifices by the military, the duration of the crisis indicates that more decisive, well-coordinated, and sustained actions are needed. Ending such insurgency requires not just force, but a comprehensive approach that combines security operations with development, justice, and strong institutional accountability.

Ibrahim Ahmad

The Environment and Sanitation Sub-Committee for the 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been officially inaugurated, with a firm commitment to ensuring a clean, safe and environmentally sustainable convention.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, marks a significant milestone as the first sub-committee to be constituted by the Convention Central Working Committee.

Performing the inauguration, former Senate President and Deputy Chairman of the Convention Central Committee, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, described the development as a strategic step toward delivering a well-organized and successful national convention.

The sub-committee is chaired by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, who was unavoidably absent but represented by the Kogi State Commissioner for Environment.

In his remarks, Anyim commended the Secretary of the sub-committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, for her proven leadership capacity, organizational competence and dedication to duty. He expressed confidence that the committee, given the calibre of its members, would play a critical role in the success of the convention.

He stressed that maintaining a clean and orderly environment is essential, not only for the comfort of participants but also as a reflection of the discipline and image of the party.

Responding, Senator Ekwunife expressed appreciation to the party leadership for the confidence reposed in the committee, assuring that members are fully prepared to deliver on their mandate.

She disclosed that the sub-committee has already commenced strategic planning aimed at ensuring a hygienic and well-managed environment before, during and after the convention.

Ekwunife also invited the Deputy Chairman to the committee’s flagship awareness programme, tagged “Walk for Safe Environment and Safety,” which is designed to sensitize stakeholders and participants on the importance of environmental responsibility ahead of the convention.

The APC National Convention is scheduled to hold on March 28 and 29, 2026.

Reaffirming the committee’s vision, she emphasized that maintaining a clean and safe environment throughout the convention remains non-negotiable.

She further highlighted the sub-committee’s theme, “Cleaner Abuja, Great Convention,” under the broader “Keep APC Convention Clean Initiative,” as a guiding principle for its activities.

The committee also pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure environmental compliance throughout the convention period, with the aim of setting a standard for future political gatherings in Nigeria.

The inauguration signals the APC’s early and strategic preparations for its 2026 National Convention, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the sub-committee will deliver a model framework for environmental management at large-scale political events.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has sharply criticized the £746 million port rehabilitation agreement signed by President Bola Tinubu during his recent state visit to the United Kingdom, describing it as a “mugu” deal—a Nigerian slang term for a foolish or exploitative arrangement—that disproportionately benefits the British economy while saddling Nigeria with significant debt.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC argued that the agreement, which aims to rehabilitate the Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos, effectively functions as a commercial loan designed to channel Nigerian funds toward the preservation of UK industries.

“While the APC government has tried to pass off the deal as President Tinubu’s major achievement, it is in fact an achievement of the UK Government, which, through this deal, has managed to save its steel industry, protect thousands of UK jobs, and get Nigeria to pay for it,” the statement read.

According to details cited by the ADC from the UK Government’s official website, the agreement is structured through UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) Buyer Credit Facility, arranged by Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The party noted that such facilities are typically used to finance the procurement of UK goods and services.

The ADC highlighted specific contractual obligations, noting that at least £236 million of the total will be awarded to British companies. Additionally, British Steel is set to supply 120,000 tonnes of steel billets under a £70 million contract, described by UKEF as its largest export order of its kind.

The party expressed alarm that Nigeria appears to be assuming substantial debt to fund foreign industrial interests. The ADC called on the Federal Government to provide full transparency regarding the agreement, demanding details on interest rates, repayment terms, local content provisions, job creation for Nigerians, and skills transfer requirements.

“If the APC government has answers to these questions, it should make them available to Nigerians,” the statement added. “Otherwise, Nigerians are justified in concluding that, 66 years after independence, President Bola Tinubu has travelled to London to sign an agreement that resembles a colonial-era treaty, one that risks mortgaging the country’s future for limited value and symbolism.”