Governor Babagana Zulum Borno State has expressed frustration with raising the alarm that almost daily Boko Haram now attacks and kidnaps in many communities without response was an indication that the state was losing out.
The governor said this on Tuesday at a Special Expanded Security Meeting (ESM) attended by the General Officer Commanding 7 Div, Major General Abubakar Haruna, Sector Commanders, Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies, Shehu of Borno, Alh. Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi; Shehu of Bama, Emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira, Gwoza, while Shehu of Dikwa and Emir of Shani were in absentia.
He said the military has been very supportive in confronting insurgents leading to relative peace in the last three years, but lamented the attacks and sacking of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa local government, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, Izge in Gwoza local government areas among other related killings of innocent civilians and security agencies.
He said the development was a setback in the fragile state of Borno and the North East region.
Zulum told the meeting that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies were unwavering in the support to fight against Boko Haram, but, however, said there was urgent need for more equipment and deployment of technological warfare to the military to checkmate the renewed attacks in parts of the Sahelian Borno which shares an international border with Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
He said “as I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signalled that Borno State is losing ground.
“As you are all aware my administration has been very supportive of the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorists leading to relative peace in the last three years, it is disheartening to note the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa local government, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, Izge in Gwoza local government areas among other related killing of innocent civilians and security agencies calls for serious concern, and it is a set back in the fragile state of Borno and the North East region.”
The Shehu of Borno though hailed by security agencies in the fight against terrorism, said Guzamala, Marte, Abbadam and some parts of Mobbar Local Government Areas are still under the total control of Boko Haram, stressing that most of these communities are without civil authority.
He appealed to the Federal Government to reconstruct the dilapidated and deplorable Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri, Maiduguri-Dikwa-Ngala, Maiduguri-Monguno-Kukawa, and Biu-Damaturu federal roads, among others.
The security meeting was still ongoing as at press time.
