Nigeria is losing many communities in Borno State to the Boko Haram insurgents in a new offensive.
A worried Governor Babagana Zulum has has expressed concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings across the state.
He deplored the trend, insisting that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on daily basis without confrontation from the country.
The governor stated 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 his administration has been very supportive of the military in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorists leading to relative peace in the last three years.
Zulum, however, lamented that 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 killings of innocent civilians and security agencies calls for serious concern and a setback in the fragile state of Borno and the North East region.
In his opening remarks, the Governor commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola 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 of technological warfare to the military to stem the tide of all renewed attacks bedeviling parts of the Sahelian Borno which shares an international border with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
His words: “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 signaled that Borno State is losing ground,” he stated.
“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 setback 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.”
Also contributing on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Shehu of Borno, hailed security agencies in the fight against terrorism, but emphasized 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.