Military Reopens 185km Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu road 

The 185km Maiduguri- Damboa- Biu road which has been closed down for the past one year following incessant attacks on vehicles by boko haram has been reopened on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

To this end, people of Damboa, Chibok, Askira-Uba, Hawul, Biu, Gwoza, Kwaya Kusar, Shani and Bayo Local Government Areas of southern Borno including some communities of Adamawa state would have a sigh of relief to reach their destinations within few hours or a day, instead of the usual spending of two days before reaching places like Chibok or Damboa.

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Speaking at the official reopening ceremony, Lt. Gen Buratai said the road which was first opened on 27th February 2016 had to be closed for troops to curtail the incessant attacks from boko haram on commuters.

Recalled that governor Professor Babagana Zulum has recently vowed to ply the road should incase the military refused to reopen it.

However, Buratai said reopening the road is a sign that the objectives of its closure has been achieved adding that adequate security has been provided with the combined efforts of the military, hunters and the Civilian Joint Task Force in collaboration with the Airfore which will provide air surveillence.

He expressed the hope that with the improved security on the road, the security of the road will soon be handed over to the Police Force to ensure safety of road userThe Army Chief expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for all the support he has been rendering to the Armed forces in all its operations adding that the contributions of Borno State Government in providing hunters and the CJTF is greatly appreciated.

Earlier Major General Olusegun Gabriel Adeniyi, Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole while welcoming guests at the occasion had warned members of Road Transport Workers Union to stay clear of extorting commuters under the guise of providing logistics for soldiers because the Army Headquarters have provided enough money for their logistics.

The occasion was graced by Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur Deputy Governor of Borno who expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for directing that the road should be reopened after guaranteeing that adequate security will be provided at all times on the road.