Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed concern over the recent Boko Haram attacks on major military formations, saying the state is at risk of returning to turmoil.
Zulum spoke at a high-level security meeting attended by military commanders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders on Tuesday.
He said the recent dislodgment of military formations in some LGAs is a “significant setback” in the country’s fight against insurgency.
“Renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation singled that Borno state is losing ground,” Zulum said.
The governor lamented the recent attacks in Wajirko, Sabon Gari, Wulgo, and Izge, which led to the killing of civilians and security personnel.
He commended the federal government for the support, but called for more efforts, particularly in equipping and deploying technological warfare to counter the attacks in the Sahelian region of Borno.
“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,” Zulum said.
“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.
“In as much as Borno Government, under my leadership, commend the federal government under the leadership of, President Bola 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 bedeviling parts of the sahelian Borno which shares international border with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.”
On his part, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al Amin El-Kanemi, lamented that some local government areas were still under Boko Haram control.
“The three LGs are no go areas especially Abadam, it’s a no go area, people are afraid to go. so also Marte and Guzamala, a very big town bordering Cameroon,” he said
Shehu noted that the peace in the state is being compromised by settlers who came in disguise as those acquiring Islamic education and other businesses.
“Our people were forced into exile to neighboring countries to avoid Boko Haram attacks” he said.
He also observed that most of the local government areas that have been created since 1976 are without basic amenities like access roads, electricity and others.
He appealed to the federal government to reconstruct the trunk A roads: Biu-Damboa-Maiduguri, Maiduguri- Dikwa- Ngala, Maiduguri- Monguno-Kukawa and Biu -Damaturu federal that are seriously in deplorable state.
