Senate Calls For Military Audit After Borno Attacks

The Senate has directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and other service chiefs to conduct a comprehensive operational and logistical audit following recent attacks on military bases in Benisheikh and Monguno, Borno State.

The resolution, adopted during plenary on Wednesday, calls for a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding the assaults, including the adequacy of military equipment and compliance with rules of engagement. Lawmakers also urged the Armed Forces to address any shortcomings identified during the audit.

The Senate further called for an investigation into allegations of civilian casualties during military operations to ensure accountability and prevent a recurrence.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Senator Tahir Monguno, who raised concerns over renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents on military formations.

While presenting the motion, Monguno expressed concern over recent incidents in which several officers and soldiers were killed, including Brigadier General Oseni Braimoh, Colonel Mohammed Isya, Captain A.M. Esmat, Lieutenant Kelvin Festus and 13 other personnel.

He noted that repeated assaults on Monguno, described as a strategic garrison town, and Benisheikh, an important point along the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway, suggested a deliberate attempt by insurgents to weaken military operations and disrupt humanitarian and commercial movement.

Senators commended the sacrifices of the Armed Forces in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign, while warning that renewed violence targeting military installations and civilian communities poses a threat to national security, food production and efforts to resettle internally displaced persons in Borno State.

The chamber stressed that protecting civilians remains a key obligation under national and international humanitarian law and is vital to sustaining public confidence.

As part of its resolutions, the Senate condemned the continued attacks by Boko Haram and observed a minute of silence in honour of fallen military personnel and affected civilians.

Lawmakers also urged the military to strengthen adherence to rules of engagement and humanitarian law through improved training on civilian protection.