Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno State, has outlined key strategies for tackling the Boko Haram insurgency, emphasising the need for stronger regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sheriff stressed that sustainable peace in Nigeria’s northeast can only be achieved through coordinated efforts with Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Ali Modu Sheriff, who governed Borno from 2003 to 2011, recalled that the insurgency was initially misunderstood as a localised problem. “Even my counterpart in Yobe State at the time did not believe this was beyond Borno’s borders,” he said.
He explained that the crisis had external roots, with insurgents exploiting the region’s porous borders with Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. The former governor also alleged that local actors were being funded and manipulated under religious pretences, with foreign elements actively destabilising Nigeria during his tenure.
While acknowledging the current economic challenges under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Sheriff cautioned against attributing the nation’s hardships solely to the government. He noted that complex security and economic issues require collective solutions rather than blame.
Recent data from the Office of the National Security Adviser indicates progress in counterterrorism efforts, with over 13,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters neutralised and approximately 124,000 surrendering since May 2023.
However, Ali Modu Sheriff’s remarks highlight the ongoing need for cross-border collaboration to fully dismantle insurgent networks. His insights underscore the transnational nature of the conflict and the importance of diplomatic and military partnerships in achieving lasting security in the region.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
