The Borno State government has sounded the alarm over growing insecurity in the region, citing the infiltration of foreign terrorist elements among Boko Haram ranks.
This revelation was made by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, during an appearance on News Central on Thursday. Addressing the deteriorating security landscape, Tar highlighted that non-Nigerian militants were increasingly being identified among the insurgent group.
“We have in the rank and file of Boko Haram, militants who are not from Nigeria but from neighbouring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and other countries. That is what we mean by foreigners joining the rank and file of Boko Haram,” he said.
Tar emphasized that managing cross-border threats falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government and assured that steps are being taken to tighten national borders.
“It is a federal matter. We are aware that the federal government is taking steps to safeguard the territorial borders of the country. The relevant security agencies—the Army, the Police, Immigration, and others—are working hard to detect the entry of foreign assets into Nigeria.”
He further pointed to the porous nature of African borders, describing it as a continent-wide issue.
“We have cases where bandits and terrorists go in and out undetected. That appears to be an Africa-wide problem.”
The remarks follow heightened anxiety over the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in Borno State. Governor Babagana Zulum had earlier expressed deep concern about the deteriorating security, citing repeated attacks and the recent withdrawal of military forces from key locations such as Wajirko, Sabon Gari, Wulgo, and Izge.
Speaking at a Special Expanded Security Meeting earlier this April, Governor Zulum condemned the relentless assaults and abductions across the state, noting that such incidents were becoming a near-daily occurrence without sufficient military response.
He warned that the worsening situation poses a major setback not just for Borno, but for the entire North East region.
