Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South, has raised fresh concerns over the evolving tactics of insurgents operating in Borno State, revealing that improvised explosive devices used in recent attacks in Maiduguri were transported using commercial tricycles, popularly known as “Keke NAPEP.”

At least 23 people were killed and 108 others injured on Monday when multiple explosions rocked three locations in Maiduguri, including a market, the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, Ndume described the attacks as part of a recurring “hit-and-run” strategy employed by insurgents. He noted that the attackers rely heavily on coordinated intelligence-sharing and support from informants within local communities.

“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.

The lawmaker further disclosed that the use of tricycles to convey explosive devices is a known tactic. “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 added.

Ndume warned that the growing sophistication of such attacks is being exacerbated by gaps in intelligence gathering. He stressed the need for security agencies to strengthen surveillance capabilities, arguing that inadequate intelligence remains a critical weakness in the fight against insurgency.

“The problem is a lack of adequate intelligence,” he said, adding that insurgents have become increasingly emboldened, at times recording and sharing their activities on platforms such as TikTok.

Questioning the effectiveness of existing monitoring systems, Ndume said authorities should be able to track insurgents just as public figures are monitored. “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 asked.

He also criticised the federal government’s response to insecurity, saying it has not matched the scale of the threat. According to him, security personnel continue to face significant challenges, including inadequate training, insufficient equipment, and low morale.

While acknowledging the commitment of Bola Tinubu, Ndume called for more decisive action, urging the government to prioritise security and citizens’ welfare above all else.

“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.

The senator emphasised that military operations cannot succeed without proper support, particularly air cover for ground troops. He cited a recent operation in Malam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area, where troops under Operation Hadin Kai reportedly killed 61 ISWAP fighters, attributing the success to adequate air 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, expressing optimism that consistent application of such strategies could significantly curb insurgency within months.

Ndume also welcomed planned support from the United States in the form of intelligence sharing and training, urging authorities to ensure that such assistance translates into tangible improvements on the ground.

“Now that the American government has agreed to give us intelligence support and training, let us see it working,” he said.