Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum yesterday decried the renewed Boko Haram attacks , dislodgement of military formations, and abduction of citizens in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation.
The governor, who lamented that the renewed attacks are a signal that the State is losing ground in the fight against the terrorists, noted that his administration has been very supportive of the military in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists, leading to relative peace in the last three years.
He, however, lamented that the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in the Damboa local government area, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in Gwoza local government area calls for serious concern.
The governor stated this at a Special Expanded Security Meeting (ESM) attended by the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, 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 represented.
Zulum commended the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies for their unwavering support in the fight against Boko Haram.
He noted that more efforts have to be put in place through equipping and deploying technological warfare to the military to stem the renewed attacks in parts of the Sahelian Borno, which shares an international border with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
The governor said, “As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities are almost on a daily basis without confrontation, signalling that Borno State is losing ground.
“As you are all aware that my administration has been very supportive to the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists leading to a 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 agents calls for serious concern, and it is a set back in the fragile state of Borno and the North East region.
” In as much as Borno Government under my leadership commend the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies for their unwavering support in the fight against Boko Haram, more efforts have to be put in place through equipping and deploying of technological warfare to the military to stem the tide of all renewed attacks bedevilling parts of the sahelian Borno which shares international border with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon”. Zulum stated.
Also contributing on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi hailed security agencies in the fight against terrorism, but emphasised that about three local government areas of Guzamala, Marte, Abbadam and some parts of Mobbar are still under the total control of Boko Haram, stressing that, most of these communities are without civil authority.
He also called on 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.
