Borno Under Siege: Zulum, Shehu Warn of Boko Haram Attacks, Demand Urgent Federal Action
By Faisal A Harande
BORNO STATE, NIGERIA—A dire warning has been issued by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, and the revered Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, regarding the alarming surge in Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks. They are urgently calling upon the federal government and security agencies to deploy immediate and decisive measures to prevent a catastrophic escalation of the region’s security crisis.
The once relatively stabilized communities of Borno State are again facing relentless assaults. Insurgents have intensified their attacks, specifically targeting villages and strategic military outposts in areas such as Sabon Gari, Wajiroko, and Wulgo, among others. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, prompting urgent calls for increased intervention.
During a high-level security meeting held at Government House, Governor Zulum emphasized the critical need for the federal government to prioritize the security of the North East, particularly Borno State. The state’s geographical position, sharing borders with Chad, Cameroon, and the Republic of Niger, coupled with the instability of the Sahel region, makes it exceptionally vulnerable.
“While we acknowledge the significant support provided by the federal government and the military, we must express our concern that the shift in focus away from the northeast jeopardizes the hard-won gains we have achieved,” Governor Zulum stated.
“Recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents across Borno State, including the dislodging of military formations in areas like Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari, indicate that we are losing ground. We urgently appeal to the federal government to ensure that the northeastern region receives the necessary attention. It appears that the focus of the Nigerian Army and the Ministry of Defence has shifted away from the northeast.”
Governor Zulum also stressed that due to the state being bordered by three countries, and in the troubled sahel region, Borno state requires even greater focus from the federal government, relating to countering terrorism.
The governor went further saying that. “The recent escalation of Boko Haram attacks across the state is a matter of utmost concern. There is an urgent need for aggressive military action and actionable intelligence to counter the insurgency. The recent attacks on Sabongari, Damboa, Wulgo, Baga and Monguno point to the need to up our ante in confronting BH insurgency decisively and swiftly.”
Zulum also said “I call on our armed forces to not only mount checkpoints and guard our towns and villages, I also call on our armed forces to take the battle to the enemy. We should not grant breathing space to the terrorists to regroup, rearm and carry out attacks on our territory. By engaging in relentless patrols, picketing and decapitation missions, our troops should defeat and end the insurgency in time so that our recovery plan will progress without let or hindrance”, he said.
Governor Zulum reiterated his unwavering commitment to supporting the military and other security agencies operating in Borno State in their efforts to combat the insurgency. He stated, “Borno State government will continue to work closely with the armed forces to execute our development and peacebuilding programs… My government will continue to support our defence and security agencies while pushing them to perform better when encountering terrorism, insurgency and criminality.”
Professor Usman Tar, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, briefed journalists following the closed-door security meeting, confirming that the security council had pledged its support to the state government’s resettlement initiatives.
The meeting was attended by key security figures, including the GOC 7 Div, Major General Abubakar Haruna, and traditional rulers from the seven emirate councils of Borno.
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