Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum says he is saddened by the killing of 11 security personnel made up of eight policemen and three civilian JTF members ambushed on their way to Baga as security backup in reconstruction efforts.
The governor was in Baga from Thursday to Friday to supervise efforts to return residents as part strategies to undercut Boko Haram’s long use of the commercial town as the main transit for its fishing trade and tax administration, from which the insurgents fund their murderous activities.
Baga, Borno’s largest fishing community on the shores of the Lake Chad with waterways to neighboring countries, is considered strategic to Boko Haram’s operation.
Zulum’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in a statement issued Saturday, said two convoys – one belonging to the governor and another for a committee on Baga reconstruction had safely plied the Maiduguri-Baga route before the third convoy of security men was ambushed on Friday morning, even after precautionary steps had been taken to ensure safety.
“Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is saddened by this unfortunate carnage. He shares the grief of families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful. The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing peace-building efforts.
“Zulum is of the opinion that we must continue to keep hope alive even in the face of tribulations and believe that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace.
“The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something which gives us some hope and doing nothing which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to takeover Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum while in Baga attended Juma’at prayers held for the first time in nearly two years.
Baga town was displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents 21 months ago, with most of the residents taking refuge in Monguno and Maiduguri.
In the Governor’s convoy were the Senator representing Northern Borno, Abubakar Kyari, house of reps members representing Marte, Monguno, Nganzai, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and that of Mobbar, Kukawa, Guzamala, Abadam federal constituencies, Bukar Gana Kareto.
Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, Chairman of Baga resettlement committee, and the Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kaka Shehu Lawan were also on the trip
While taking a tour of the construction work going on in Baga, Governor Zulum commended the resettlement committee for the quality and speed of work.
Zulum had on August 31 inaugurated a resettlement committee, which was mandated to commence immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Baga.
N’East Elders Decry Attack On Borno Gov, Army Officer’s Killing
Some North East elders have condemned Friday’s attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, by suspected terrorist elements, which resulted in the death of many security personnel.
According to the elders, the attack on the governor’s convoy, coupled with the death from ambush of a senior Army officer prosecuting the war against insurgency in Borno State, Col. Dahiru Bako, were evident of worsening insecurity in parts of the country.
Consequently, the elders, who are members of the Coalition for North East Elders for Peace and Development (CNEEPD), reiterated their earlier call on President Muhammadu Buhari, to sack the Service Chiefs in order to pave the way for the appointment of new ones, with fresh ideas.
In a statement jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Engr. Zana Goni and Secretary, Dr Muhammed Misua respectively, the North East elders said: “We are worried at the ceaseless and relentless attacks on troops and civilian population resulting in heavy casualties in the North East despite repeated assurances from the Service Chiefs that the region has not only been cleared of insurgents and terrorists but also made safe for those displaced from their original communities to return.
“As elders in the North East, we are worried over the state of insecurity which is not getting better in spite of the relentless efforts of the president to that effect.
“We had chosen to remain silent in the past even when there were compelling needs to speak out because of our conviction that the insecurity especially in the North East would get better. But events in recent weeks coupled with the brutal killings of some troops including a commander have forced us to open our lips once again.
“The attack on the convoy of the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Babagana Zulum on Friday, which left some soldiers and police officers dead with unspecified number of people injured, is most disturbing especially coming just barely two months after the convoy of the governor suffered similar fate in the state.
“Besides, this ugly security situation may not guarantee food security in the country before the next year.”
The elders were not unmindful of efforts made so far by the Service Chiefs, as it noted that: “We are not unmindful of the sacrifices the Service Chiefs have so far made to get this country to this point.
“No doubt, they have recorded some successes in the security circles, especially by pushing insurgency to the fringes of the North East, stopping suicide bombings in the country and bringing some reforms to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
