The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has cautioned against profiling victims of Boko Haram attacks along religious lines, stressing that the terror group targets Muslims, Christians, and even non-believers indiscriminately.

Naijaonpoint reports that Ndume stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while reacting to the killing of five farmers over the weekend in Ngoshe village, Gwoza Local Government Area, and Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to reports, two Muslims were killed in Ngoshe, while three Christians were murdered in Mussa the following day. The insurgents also razed several houses during the coordinated assaults.

The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army condemned media narratives suggesting that Boko Haram deliberately targets Christians.

Ndume said, “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 the North-East.

“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 warned that divisive narratives could have damaging effects on both the populace and security forces.

“It can even inflame negative passion in our soldiers, dampen the morale of men who toil day and night, determined to ensure that they wipe away this dangerous sect,” he cautioned.

He described the victims as ordinary people whose only pursuit was peace and livelihood.

Ndume further stated, “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.”

While commending the military for sustaining the offensive against insurgents, Ndume urged the Federal Government to scale up funding and welfare for security personnel.

He added, “I restate my appeal to the Federal Government to increase funding and support for the men and women in uniform to boost their morale to do more.”