Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has deployed Civilian JTF fighters and Nigerian troops to Kirawa, a border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, after Cameroonian soldiers stationed there pulled out.
The withdrawal created a security vacuum that Boko Haram terrorists quickly exploited, attacking the town, killing two people, and burning about 50 houses, heavy-duty equipment, and eight vehicles.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment visit on Friday, Zulum expressed disappointment over the repeated attacks on Kirawa.
“Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant,” he said.
The governor recalled that the town was resettled about seven years ago with the support of Cameroonian forces, only for insurgents to displace residents again after security was relaxed.
Zulum said he had warned the Nigerian military about the dangers of leaving Kirawa unprotected given its strategic location as a border community, along with other vulnerable areas like Wilgo, Baga, Damasak, and Malamfatori.
He revealed that he has met with the Theatre Commander of the Nigerian Army and the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, and both agreed that soldiers would be redeployed to Kirawa as soon as possible.
Zulum also promised to support the Civilian JTF and local vigilantes with equipment and hinted at plans to introduce modern surveillance technology to bolster security.
To the residents, he urged calm and resilience:
“You need not panic. I see no reason why a few Boko Haram members should overpower an entire community without resistance,” he said.
The governor appealed to the Nigerian military to show more commitment to operations in the area, stressing that consistent and sustained military action—rather than sporadic campaigns—is crucial to defeating insurgents.
He also called on the federal government and the Chief of Defence Staff to release funds and procure necessary equipment, noting that the end of the rainy season makes it an ideal time to relaunch operations.
Zulum emphasized that military gains must be followed by stabilization, recovery, reconstruction, and resettlement to prevent communities from falling back into crisis.
He warned that if Kirawa remains displaced, neighboring communities like Pulka and Ngoshe could also fall, threatening Gwoza town and cutting off vital routes.
The governor thanked the Chief of Army Staff for responding quickly after the latest attack and urged all stakeholders to sustain the peace achieved in the region over the past seven to eight years.
