The Senate yesterday ordered the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and other Service Chiefs to launch a comprehensive operational and logistical audit into the recent deadly attacks on military formations in Borno State.
The parliament also demanded a review of the circumstances surrounding the attacks, an assessment of equipment adequacy and adherence to rules of engagement. At least 16 soldiers, including Brig. Gen. Oseni Braimoh, Col. Mohammed Isya, Capt. A.M Esmat and Lt. Kelvin Festus, were killed during the attacks by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Mohammed Monguno (Borno North) and co-sponsored by Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Shehu Lawan Kaka (Borno Central).
Monguno condemned the repeated attacks on Monguno and Benisheikh, a key location along the Damaturu–Maiduguri Expressway, saying the assaults were a deliberate move by insurgents to weaken military operations and disrupt vital humanitarian and commercial routes. The Upper House paid tribute to the slain troops, acknowledging the armed forces’ continued sacrifices to end insurgency.
The legislators warned that the resurgence of attacks on military bases and civilian communities could reverse hard-won gains, threaten national security and food security, as well as the return of internally displaced persons in Borno to their communities. The Senate said: “The protection of innocent civilians remains a fundamental obligation under national and international humanitarian law.”
The parliamentarians urged the armed forces to strengthen compliance with rules of engagement and international humanitarian law, including enhanced training in civilian protection. They appealed to local communities to cooperate with security forces by sharing timely intelligence on insurgent movements.
The parliament directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and North East Development Commission (NEDC) to provide displaced persons and victims’ families in Benisheikh, Monguno, and the surrounding areas with relief materials.
