Senator Ali Ndume has revealed that the explosive device used in the recent Maiduguri attack was transported using a commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke NAPEP.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday amid growing concern over the resurgence of attacks in Maiduguri, the lawmaker said insurgents have adopted a calculated method of moving explosives undetected within civilian areas.
“You can imagine, even the bomb that exploded was delivered by a Keke NAPEP. This is not something new; they package it and use people in Keke NAPEP to deliver it to specific spots,” he said.
The attack, which occurred on Monday, left at least 23 people dead and 108 others injured after explosions hit a market, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital gate, and the Post Office flyover.
Ndume described the operations of the attackers as coordinated and intelligence-driven, warning that informants within communities are aiding their activities.
“What they do is hit and run. They gather, share information among themselves, and most dangerously, they also get information from some citizens. They have informants within society,” he said.
He stressed that the growing boldness of insurgents reflects serious intelligence lapses, adding that security agencies must improve surveillance and response mechanisms.
“The problem is a lack of adequate intelligence,” he said, noting that attackers now operate openly.
“You can imagine that bandits and terrorists in Nigeria now have the audacity to record their atrocities on TikTok and send them out.”
Questioning the effectiveness of existing monitoring systems, the senator asked why authorities are unable to track insurgents despite having surveillance capabilities.
“If I can be monitored, what stops the security and intelligence agencies from getting information about the whereabouts and the activities of the terrorists?” he queried.
Ndume also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, insisting that current efforts fall short of expectations.
“The government, I must say, are not walking the talk. The security agencies and soldiers up till now still do not have the training, equipment, ammunition and motivation.”
“You need to abandon everything and concentrate on security and welfare of citizens… even if that amounts to shutting down the government, let it be done,” he said.
He emphasised that troops require stronger operational support, particularly air cover, to effectively confront insurgents.
“They can’t do it with bare hands. They can’t do it without air support if the ground troops are going to face the enemies.”
Citing a recent military operation in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area, where troops reportedly neutralised dozens of insurgents, Ndume said success is possible with the right support.
“You could see from Malam Fatori that there was adequate air cover… and the military did what they needed to do and they were successful,” he said.
“If we continue like that consistently, this thing can be done in less than six months.”
