Senator Ndume Condemns Faith-Based Profiling of Boko Haram Victims

Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has stated that Boko Haram terrorists are indiscriminate in their violence, targeting Christians, Muslims, and non-believers without regard to faith. He made this declaration in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, reacting to recent deadly attacks in his home state.

The lawmaker was responding to weekend assaults in Ngoshe and Mussa communities in Borno State, where insurgents killed five farmers. Two Muslims were killed in Ngoshe, while three Christians were murdered the following day in Mussa. The attacks also resulted in dozens of homes being razed.

In his statement, Senator Ndume, the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, appealed to Nigerians and the media to resist the temptation of profiling the victims of these atrocities.

“It is unethical and unconscionable for any media outlet to drive the narrative that Christians are the targets of these attacks by the terror group in Borno, or anywhere in North Eastern part of Nigeria,” Ndume said.

He emphasized the indiscriminate nature of the terror group, stating, “The forces behind these mindless killings are blind to faith and tribe. We should avoid this dangerous profiling which can distract us. It has the tendency of doing us more harm.”

Ndume further warned that such narratives could “inflame negative passion in our soldiers [and] dampen the morale of men, who toil day and night, determined to ensure that they wipe away this dangerous sect.”

The Senator commended the military’s efforts but restated his appeal for the federal government to increase funding and support for the armed forces to boost their morale. He concluded by honoring the victims, saying, “Our people, whose only pursuit is peace and livelihood, continue to fall victim to the cruelty of insurgents. These men and women deserved to live, to farm and to dream, but their lives are being cut short by those who thrive on violence and destruction.”