The Borno State Governor, Prof.
Babagana Zulum, has said there is no hope that the military can defeat Boko
Haram.
Zulum spoke on Monday during his
visit to Jakana where about 35 commuters were abducted by Boko Haram on Friday.
He said, “So, if the military
cannot secure an area that is 20 kilometres away from the state capital, how
can they give us the hope that they will defeat Boko Haram?”
The governor expressed
disappointment over the inability of the Nigerian military and security
agencies to secure 20 kilometres from the state capital on the
Maiduguri-Damaturu highway despite heavy investment in the ongoing war against
Boko Haram.
The governor also expressed anger
over what he said had become routine attacks on travellers and villagers by
Boko Haram, including the Friday abduction of about 35 commuters.
The governor said, “I have had
occasions to defend the Nigerian military in order to boost the morale of
commanders and their troops at the front lines because I know the true picture
of things. However, I am really disappointed that despite all support from both
the Federal Government and from us in Borno State, our military is failing to
secure an area of 20 kilometres, which is the distance between Auno and Jakana.
And incidentally, majority of Boko Haram’s attacks along this Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano
road keeps happening between Auno and Jakana.
The governor also berated the
state’s Rapid Response Squad comprising policemen, vigilantes and local
hunters, for lack of visibility along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road, which he
said made it possible for Boko Haram to keep having a field day.
He said, “We drove from Maiduguri
to here, Jakana. We did not see soldiers on the road, we did not see even our
own Rapid Response Squad on this road and they were trained, employed, kitted
and paid to protect all Nigerians within their areas of operation and these
Nigerians include travellers plying this busy and important road.”
Zulum, however, assured residents
along the road that he was going to hold a security meeting and come up with
more measures to secure the highway.
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