Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has expressed deep concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks, warning that the recent wave of violence suggests the state is once again losing ground to the insurgents.
Speaking during a Special Expanded Security Meeting on Tuesday, April 8, at the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum lamented the worsening security situation across several communities.
“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,” the governor said.
The meeting was attended by key security officials, including the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna, sector commanders, the state police commissioner, heads of other security agencies, and traditional rulers.
Zulum listed recent Boko Haram operations in Wajirko and Sabon Gari (Damboa LGA), Wulgo (Gamboru Ngala), and Izge (Gwoza LGA), including the dislodgement of military formations and the killing of civilians and security personnel, as signs of serious concern.
“It is disheartening to note the recent attacks and dislodgement of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area, 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,” he said.
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The governor highlighted that, despite his administration’s continued support for the military, more needs to be done to address the new wave of violence.
“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,” he said.
“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,” Zulum added.
The Shehu of Borno, who was also present, commended the security agencies but cautioned that several areas remain under insurgent control.
He said, “About three local government areas of Guzamala, Marte, Abbadam and some parts of Mobbar are still under the total control of Boko Haram,” while noting that many of those communities currently operate without any form of civil authority.
The monarch called for swift and proactive measures to prevent the situation from escalating further.