Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says he is critical
of the Nigerian army so that they can improve in their fight against
insurgency.
Zulum said this on Thursday when he commissioned the Tukur
Buratai Institute for War and Peace, located in Biu local government area of
the state.
The institute is named after Tukur Buratai, chief of army
staff.
The governor has come down hard on the army in recent times.
In January, he accused troops of extorting road users.
He also threatened to replace soldiers with local hunters if
they are unable to secure Baga following the attack on his convoy in June.
While the attack was believed to have been carried out by
Boko Haram insurgents, Zulum accused the military officials of sabotage,
alleging that they were the ones who attacked him.
The military had, however, asked Zulum to quit demoralising
troops with his comments.
Speaking at the venue of the commissioning, Zulum said he is
not unappreciative of the soldiers’ efforts.
He explained that, instead, his “occasional” critical
comments are meant to encourage them to do more.
“I am not unaware of where we were before the inception of
the Buratai leadership and the successes recorded by the military in the war
against terror. We appreciate the sacrifices of lives and deaths of our gallant
officers. We shall continue to support our armed forces,” Zulum said.
“When we occasionally criticise, we do so with a view to
improving on our successes and not out of lack of appreciation.”
The institute is an off campus section of the Nigerian Army
University which is located in Biu town.
It was previously the army’s national museum, established in
2016.
The governor explained that the Tukur Buratai Institute for
War and Peace will promote research on issues such as terrorism, insurgency and
all forms of conflict with a view to attaining peace.
He noted that the effect of insurgency in the state has
depleted, and pledged his administration’s readiness to partner with the
institution.
“This is a very welcome development. I can assure you of the
absolute support of the government and people of Borno state for such noble
venture,” he said.
“You are all aware of the depleting effect of Boko Haram
insurgency in Borno, neighbouring states, and indeed adjoining countries of
Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Our dear state, Borno, is the worst affected with
many of our citizens in the IDP camps.
“With the level of destruction of infrastructure and
displacement of people from their communities, we have the onerous task of
rehabilitating the people, so that they will return to start their means of
livelihood.
“That’s why the Borno state government is importing a lot of
its resources to empower the people and encourage them to return to their
communities. The Nigerian army has been a reliable partner in this endeavour.”
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