Politicians, Soldiers Among Boko Haram Informants, Alleges Zulum
Calls for Ruthless Action Against Saboteurs
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has raised the alarm over the presence of Boko Haram informants within the Nigerian military, political circles, and civilian communities, describing the situation as a critical obstacle in the fight against insurgency.
Speaking during an interview on Breakfast Central, a flagship program on News Central TV, Governor Zulum said that internal sabotage is one of the main reasons the Boko Haram insurgency has continued to thrive despite years of military operations in the North East.
“We have informants and collaborators within the Nigerian armed forces, among politicians, and within the communities. What we shall do is strengthen our intelligence and deal with them ruthlessly,” Zulum declared.
The governor’s remarks come amid renewed security concerns in Borno State, following recent attacks attributed to remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. Zulum warned that unless those providing information to terrorists from within government and security agencies are identified and prosecuted, the insurgency will persist regardless of military strength.
He called for a unified and depoliticized approach to national security and urged the government to move away from what he described as “contractocracy” — a system where security contracts and political interests overshadow operational effectiveness.
“Let’s remove contractocracy. In six months, we can put an end to this madness. We need not politicize insecurity,” he said.
Zulum emphasized that while military force remains essential, a successful counterinsurgency strategy must also include political, economic, and social components. According to him, the people must be empowered, communities rebuilt, and intelligence gathering improved from the grassroots up.
The governor noted that many former insurgents who have surrendered through the government’s de-radicalization programs are now contributing positively to peacebuilding efforts.
“I cannot completely say that 100% of those who have surrendered are doing the right thing, but I want to assure you that over 99% are doing well and are not participating in the ongoing terrorism,” he explained.
Zulum also criticized the inadequate equipping of frontline troops and revealed that insurgents are increasingly using advanced technologies, including drones, to carry out surveillance and attacks.
He urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to focus on field intelligence and rely more on military professionals than political advisors when making security decisions.
“Our military is under-equipped. The insurgents are now using technology to outmaneuver our soldiers. We need to match them not just in strength, but also in intelligence,” Zulum added.
Governor Zulum’s comments have sparked widespread reaction across the country, with many calling for an immediate investigation into the alleged infiltration of the military and political class by terrorist sympathizers. Security experts agree that if such claims are substantiated, they represent a serious threat to national stability and require urgent action.
The Federal Government has yet to respond publicly to the governor’s allegations.
