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Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has declared that no community in the state is under the “control and occupation” of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
Zulum made the declaration, yesterday, while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on an operational visit, at the Government House, Maiduguri.
On the liberated communities, he said: “I am pleased to inform the general public that, as of now, we do not have any community in the state under the control of Boko Haram.
“In 18 months, about 140,000 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have laid down arms and surrendered to the military under Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) in the North East.”
The governor, therefore, commended security agencies for their respective sacrifices in restoring peace not only in Borno, but the entire region affected by terrorism.
While acknowledging the roles of Gen. Musa, as former Theatre Commander, Zulum noted that the General restored peace in the state, before his recent elevation in the military.
“Throughout your stay in Borno, there was improved peace, particularly in the promotion of military-civilian relationship. This, among others, contributed largely to the successes that we have seen so far,” he said.
Zulum also reiterated the commitment of his administration to the provision of the needed support to the military.
According to him, the support and cooperation of stakeholders are for maximum success of peace restoration in the state.
Musa remarked that the visit was to boost the troops’ morale, thanking the governor and people of Borno for their sustained support to end the war.
On how Zulum facilitated counter-insurgency operations, he said: “You made work here in the state extremely easy. If every state is lucky to get somebody who will give this kind of support, I am sure the security situation would have been dealt with. Throughout my career, it is Borno that I had the best of support as a commander.”
He further disclosed that both the kinetic and non-kinetic operations would continue to be adopted in the fight against terrorists in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region.
Musa and the Army delegation also paid a similar visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, at his palace.
