Maiduguri bombs delivered by tricycles – Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume has raised the alarm over a dangerous new pattern in Borno State insurgency, revealing that the deadly bombs that killed 23 people and injured 108 in Maiduguri on Monday were delivered using tricycles, locally called Keke NAPEP.

The explosions struck a market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover, underscoring the boldness of terrorists operating in the city.

Speaking on Channels Television Thursday night, Ndume explained the chilling operational tactics of the insurgents.

“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.

He described how bombs are packaged and transported via Keke NAPEP to specific targets, a tactic the insurgents have used repeatedly.

Ndume also drew attention to the audacity of terrorists in the digital age, noting that some now record their atrocities on TikTok and share them online.

“If my phone can be tracked, why can’t the bandits?” he asked, highlighting what he sees as glaring intelligence gaps in Nigeria’s security apparatus.

Criticising government efforts, Ndume said the scale of the response has been inadequate.

“The government, I must say, are not walking the talk. Security agencies and soldiers still do not have the training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation they need,” he said, even as he acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity.

He stressed that troops cannot effectively combat insurgents without proper support, including air cover. Ndume pointed to recent military operations in Malam Fatori, Abadam LGA, where adequate air support helped troops reportedly kill 61 ISWAP insurgents, proving that targeted, well-supported action works