Borno governor Babagana Zulum has said that his state is losing ground to Boko Haram terrorists, who now raid communities and kidnap residents without confrontation from the Nigerian military.
Mr Zulum disclosed this at a special expanded security meeting meeting in the Borno Government House on Tuesday.
Traditional rulers, heads of other security agencies and General Officer Commanding of 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna, were in attendance.
“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,” Mr Zulum said.
He added, “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.”
Mr Zulum lamented how Boko Haram terrorists overran military formations, saying it was a setback for the war against terrorism in the state.
“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, and 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,” Mr Zulum said.
The governor further said the Bola Tinubu-led federal government would need to do more to combat terrorism in Borno State.
“In as much as the 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 an international border with three African countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon,” Mr Zulum said.
Amnesty International lamented the waves of attack in Benue, Plateau, Kebbi and Katsina, blaming Mr Tinubu’s government for not doing enough.
“Over a week, at least 71 people have been killed: 52 in Plateau, Kebbi 13 and Katsina 6 persons. Also, in Katsina, gunmen have abducted over 50 people. The gunmen on a rampage of bloodshed are escalating deadly attacks on rural areas where hundreds are being displaced,” the human rights organisation said in a statement.
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