The Nigerian Senate observed a minute of silence on Wednesday to honour soldiers killed in a suspected Boko Haram attack on a military base in Kukawa, Borno State, as lawmakers expressed deep concern over a recent surge in insurgent violence in the North-East.
The motion, presented by Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North), detailed a coordinated assault that began in the early hours of March 9. Insurgents attacked from multiple directions, triggering a prolonged battle that lasted nearly 24 hours. Among the fallen was Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, described by Monguno as a pivotal figure in stabilising Kukawa and facilitating the return of displaced residents after a previous insurgent occupation.
The attack resulted in the destruction of several military vehicles and the looting of weapons. Monguno noted the incident occurred despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation Hadin Kai, which aims to dismantle extremist networks. He further reported a separate attack on the community of Doro in Kukawa LGA on Wednesday morning, which left one soldier dead, underscoring a troubling pattern of renewed offensives.
While commending the “bravery, determination and zeal” of the military for reclaiming territories once under Boko Haram control, Senator Monguno underscored the need for intensified efforts. Seconding the motion, Senator Shehu Lawal (APC-Borno Central) described the resurgence as alarming and urged that urgent measures be taken. He praised the military for maintaining its resolve to secure the region.
In its resolution, the Senate commended the troops of Operation Hadin Kai for their resilience. It called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and logistics support to strengthen the campaign to end the insurgency in the troubled North-East. The session concluded with a solemn tribute to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
