IN response to escalating insecurity in Adamawa and across the North-East, the Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in Hong Local Government Area.
This call follows a motion moved by Senator Aminu Abbas (PDP-Adamawa) and jointly sponsored by all senators representing the region.
The motion, titled “Resurgence of Boko Haram Activities in Hong and Gombi Local Government Areas, Adamawa and other North-East States”, highlights a troubling spike in attacks by the extremist group.
The Senate, while commending the efforts of security agencies, stressed the need for additional military reinforcement.
“We need a full-fledged military base in Hong to support existing personnel and repel further attacks,” Abbas argued during Wednesday’s plenary.
Recent violent incidents across Adamawa lend urgency to the Senate’s plea. On February 25, 2025, Kwapre and Zah communities were attacked—houses torched, schools destroyed, and civilians injured.
Barely two months later, on April 15, Banga and Lar were also hit, with five lives lost and churches and homes burned. On April 26, a fresh assault on Kwapre left 11 local vigilantes dead.
The most recent attack on May 16 in Kulda claimed 16 lives, with over 90 percent of houses, including places of worship, razed.
“Even Mayo Ladde in Gaya ward was not spared,” the Senator noted. “Six were killed there. Gombi LGA has also come under fire; four people were killed on January 17, and a hunter was murdered on February 17.”
In light of these recurring assaults, the Senate also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief to affected communities.
Senator Abbas, in presenting the motion, expressed concern over how the renewed wave of violence is crippling local economies.
“Thousands have been displaced. People can no longer farm or trade as they used to,” he said. “The resurgence is not limited to Adamawa alone. Borno and Yobe are also affected.”
Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Monguno, commended the military for their past efforts, saying, “At one time, two-thirds of local governments in Borno and Yobe were under Boko Haram control. But due to political will and military resilience, the territories were recovered.”
He warned, however, that the insurgency is making a dangerous comeback. “Just last week, one of our military bases was attacked and five soldiers were killed. They even carted away military equipment,” Monguno lamented.
In a particularly emotional moment, he added, “Mr. President, Distinguished Senators, there was a time I could not visit my hometown even in the wildest of my dreams. Today, I sleep there with both eyes closed—but this peace is under threat again.”
He also revealed disturbing new developments: “Just two days ago, Boko Haram attacked Kukawa and Baga in my constituency. In one community, they killed 23 people; in another, 30. It was reportedly due to a rivalry between factions, with one accusing locals of paying allegiance to a rival group.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his closing remarks, stressed the need for constant alertness. “There must be continual vigilance because, as you said, whenever the military appears to relax, these groups strike again,” he warned.
He added, “Our borders remain porous. Many of these attackers are not even Nigerians. They retreat, regroup, and cross back in to wreak havoc. We must remain prepared.”
The Senate’s motion underscores a growing consensus: without reinforcements and better security infrastructure, the North-East risks slipping back into the grip of terror.