By Seyi Odewale
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, has raised the alarm over renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost daily without confrontation.
He said the dangerous development signalled that Borno State was losing ground.
Zulum said this yesterday at a Special Expanded Security Meeting (ESM) attended by the General Officer Commanding 7 Div, Major General Abubakar Haruna, Sector Commanders, the Commissioner of Police, heads of other security agencies, Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, Shehu of Bama, and the Emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira, and Gwoza, while Shehu of Dikwa and the 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, led by 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 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 daily 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. 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 emphasised 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.
*Plateau gov, Mutfwang, Afenifere, reiterate the need for State Police
Following last week’s attacks by suspected terrorists, which claimed no fewer than 60 lives in Plateau, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has strongly advocated for the establishment of state police.
Attackers struck several communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, displacing many and leaving a trail of destruction behind.
Similarly, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to allow the establishment of state police to tackle the upsurge of insecurity in Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone.
Mutfwang said the recent attacks on innocent citizens of his state were sponsored and genocidal.
Displeased by the killings, Mutfwang linked the attacks to some unnamed terrorist groups. According to him, the assault in Plateau State is being sponsored and targeted at wiping off communities in the state.
The Governor, who was a guest at yesterday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today,’ said it has become imperative to establish a state police.
“More than ever before, we need that state police now,” he said.
Continuing, Mutfwang said, “I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists. The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.
“We must come to the point where we know the sponsors because it is not just the work of ordinary people. This is being sponsored from somewhere, and I am sure that in the coming days, the security agencies will work together, not at cross purposes but in unison, to bring out the requisite intelligence that will help us put this matter behind us.”
On the issue of state police, Afenifere advocated for recruiting more hands in the regional security outfit, the Amotekun, and using modern technology, such as drones and trackers, to address insecurity in the Yoruba-speaking states of Nigeria, including Kwara and Kogi states.
In a communique issued at the end of its caucus meeting held at the country home of the group’s national leader, Reuben Fasoranti, the group said that given the crucial role security plays in society, the Federal Government and security agencies must redesign the security architecture to enable those in charge to address its root causes effectively.
Afenifere called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to work with state governors to urgently develop strategies to confront and control security challenges.
According to the group, fiscal independence for Local Governments should be upheld as affirmed by the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy.
The group also called on state governors to cooperate with the Federal Government to ensure that local government allocations take effect immediately.
The group also emphasised the need for increased use of the Yoruba language. Afenifere specifically called on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to make Yoruba the medium of instruction at the elementary levels of education, including kindergarten, nursery, primary, and junior secondary schools.
Afenifere further urged legislatures in the Yoruba-speaking States to prioritise using Yoruba in their legislative proceedings.
