By MARK LONGYEN

A Nigerian ECOWAS Parliament member, Rep. Zainab Gimba, has raised an alarm over the surge in acts of terror and violent extremism across Nigeria, West Africa, and the Sahel.

Gimba raised the alarm while moving a motion titled, ?Strengthening Regional Security Cooperation In Response To The Escalating Threat Of Terrorism And Violent Extremism In West Africa and the Sahel.?

Speaking during the Parliament?s 2025 First Ordinary Session, the lawmaker noted that the upsurge in terrorism stemmed from the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS.

She said, ?It is with a deep sense of urgency and commitment to regional peace and stability that I rise under Rule 87 of our Rules of Procedure to address this august House on a matter of grave concern to Nigeria my country, and to West Africa and the Sahel.

?Mr Speaker, what concerns me most is not the existence of terrorism and violent extremism alone, it is the rapid escalation of such activities across West Africa,

?This is particularly in the wake of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).?

According to the lawmaker, the situation in Northeastern Nigeria is very dire because of its infiltration by Boko Haram, ISWAP and other foreign terrorists like Caucasian combatants who arrived in January.

She decried the use of advanced sophisticated weapons and ammunitions (drones, chemical agents, among others) that are capable of penetrating armored vehicles and igniting previously impenetrable metals by the terrorists.

Gimba said since March, the terrorists had launched coordinated offensives on communities in Gwoza, Pulka, Buni Gari, Buni Yadi, Alagarno, Damboa, Wajiroko, Sabongari, Gujiba, Wulgo, Rann, Dikwa, Nganzai, Gajibo, Baga, Doron Baga, and Marte.

?They have overrun multiple military battalions, seizing weapons and destroying security installations in Buni Gari, Alagarno, Pulka, Wulgo, Rann, Marte, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari in just 60 days.

?I have personally, in the company of my state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, visited some of these areas with military protection, and on May 15, five days before the commencement of this very Session, Boko Haram attacked farming communities near Baga.

?This resulted in the following casualties: In Dawoshi, 40 farmers were slaughtered; In Malam Karamti, 22 civilians killed; In Dabar Giwa, 15 individuals were executed,? she said.

She said that the terrorists carried out the atrocities as punishment for the non-payment of illegal ?taxes? which they imposed on the victims.

Gimba disclosed that a recently arrested terrorist in Zamfara confirmed that instability in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali facilitated their operations and provided them with direct sources of weaponry.

The parliamentarian said the impact of Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for about 59 per cent of all fatalities globally.

She said the Sahel alone accounted for 19 per cent of all terrorist attacks worldwide and 51 per cent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024, an increase from 48 per cent in 2023.

Gimba, therefore, moved a motion seeking a parliamentary resolution compelling ECOWAS member states to improve the funding of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad basin.

She also moved a motion seeking parliament?s resolution for the deployment of rapid-response forces to high-risk zones across West Africa and the Sahel to stop the spread of terrorists to coast.

Gimba also called for the strengthening of the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network to anticipate, track and disrupt arms trafficking and insurgent migration patterns to pre-empt the terrorism threat.

The lawmaker further prayed for a Resolution compelling member states to provide more support to the ECOWAS Regional Food and Agricultural Agency to enhance its capacity to support and supplement the food security needs of the region.

She also moved a motion for a Resolution for Parliament to endorse the dialogue that has been opened with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger with a view to reintegrating them into ECOWAS security frameworks.

?I dare say that we already know why and how terrorism and violent extremism is spreading and engulfing West Africa and the Sahel.

?It is pursuant to this, Mr Speaker, that I move for the adoption of a multifaceted approach, that:

?An urgent Resolution be passed by Parliament to endorse the dialogue that has been opened with the AES States (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) with a view to reintegrating them into ECOWAS security frameworks,? she said.

Gimba said the approach should also include supporting a collaborative security effort for the acceleration and full operationalisation of the Accra Initiative.

She added it should also include the ECOWAS Standby Force in line with its 2020?2024 action plan to combat terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel. (NAN)

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