Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has expressed strong concern over the increasing presence of terrorists from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in some parts of the state.

He also called for urgent security measures to curtail their strength.

Speaking yesterday when he received the Senate Committee on Army led by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the Nigerian military, and volunteers for major gains recorded in Borno State in particular, and the North-East in general.

The governor said he was deeply worried over the increasing presence of ISWAP in some parts of the state, mainly southern Borno.

“Borno State has started witnessing the gradual return of peace to the state. This will not be possible without the support of the Federal Government. The Service Chiefs are giving us the desired cooperation.

“Indeed, the current Theatre Commander and the GOCs have been giving their cooperation,” Zulum said, noting, however, that ISWAP was threatening to reverse the successes recorded.

He added, “Honestly speaking, we have to do something about the operations of ISWAP in Borno State, if nothing is done to check them and chase them out, it may be bad not only for people of the North-East but the entire nation at large.”

The governor added that “ISWAP’s fighters are better armed, better equipped, more intelligent, and more sophisticated than Boko Haram, and that they grow spontaneously, hence the need to pursue the ISWAP now.”

He lamented that Boko Haram is still in control of two local government areas in Borno State, Abadam and Guzamala.

•’Boko Haram surrender making an impact’
Zulum also spoke about the recent surrender by hundreds of repentant Boko Haram fighters, which he said was already resulting in some stability, especially in the areas of agriculture.

He cited that since the surrender of thousands of insurgents, farmers have increased access to farms by 700 per cent.

The governor also expressed his support for the continued combination of military warfare, political approach towards disarmament, deradicalisation, and safe reintegration.

Earlier, the Senate Army committee chairman, Ndume, had said they were at the Government House to commend Governor Zulum for the support he had been rendering to the Army towards restoring peace to the state and nation at large.

“Your Excellency, this is a Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, and we are here on oversight, and to thank Your Excellency for the support that you have been giving to the Army, which they (Army) have acknowledged,” Ndume said.

The Senate Committee’s delegation included Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South, and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, Senator Hassan Gusau, Senator Kola Balogun from Oyo South Senatorial district, and Senator Bulus Amos from Gombe South.

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Also on the Committee’s visit were Brig.-Gen. Sani Suleiman, who is the Director, Defence Liaison to the National Assembly, Navy Captain Shehu Mohammed Tasiu, Deputy Director Defence Liaison to the National Assembly, Lawal Sani, who is Clerk of the Committee, and Akikomi Baba Tunde Johnson, Deputy Clerk.