Tinubu is confronting terrorism in all fronts', -Senator Ali Ndume

By Olawale Abideen/ ABUJA// Senator, representing Borno South, Ali Ndume terrorism and banditry will soon be a thing of the past.

Senator Ndume made this statement after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.

The Senator noted that bandits and terrorists across the North-West, North-East and other regions are now under intense pressure, with leaders killed and “some commanders surrendered yesterday.” He said if the tempo is maintained, “this thing will come to an end.”

Ndume’s 3pm appointment was delayed because Tinubu was in a over two-hour security meeting with service chiefs. “As you can see, the service chiefs came in. So that means the president is sitting up,” he told newsmen. He said the president appeared urgent and committed to confronting insecurity head-on.

The former Senate Leader urged Tinubu to speak directly to Nigerians about security and hardship, not through aides. “Nigerians would expect that your leader will tell you what is going on, instead of other people talking on behalf of Mr President,” he said. Tinubu, he added, promised to look into it and wants regular frank discussions.

Ndume said insecurity, once confined to the North-East, has spread to North-Central, North-West, South and even South-West, and remains the greatest concern. He also flagged cost of petrol, food and transport, saying “we have all it takes… we need to coordinate it.”

“You don’t spare a bandit, you don’t spare terrorists. If you don’t kill him, he will kill you,” Ndume said, backing tougher action. He welcomed the 19 northern governors’ security trust fund, saying “you should not leave the responsibility only to the federal government. Two heads are better than one.”