Governor Babagana Zulum has spoken out, asserting that the ongoing Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings, occurring almost daily without significant resistance, indicate that Borno State is losing control.
The governor made this statement on Tuesday during a Special Expanded Security Meeting (ESM), which included Major General Abubakar Haruna, General Officer Commanding 7 Div, Sector Commanders, the Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies, Shehu of Borno, Alh. Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, Shehu of Bama, and the Emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira, and Gwoza, while the Shehu of Dikwa and the Emir of Shani were absent.
He emphasized that his administration has been a strong supporter of the military’s efforts against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, which has contributed to relative peace over the past three years.
However, Zulum expressed concern over the recent attacks and the displacement of military forces in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, Izge in Gwoza, and the ongoing killings of civilians and security personnel. He described these incidents as alarming setbacks that threaten the fragile security situation in Borno and the broader North East region.
In his opening remarks, the governor praised the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, and the security agencies for their continued 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 bedevilling parts of the Sahelian Borno which shares an international border with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
“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 signalled 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 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.”
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.
At the time of filing this report, the security meeting is still ongoing.