‘Defend yourselves against Boko Haram’, Zulum tells Southern Borno communities

By Abdullahi Mohammed

Gov. Babagana Zulum has urged members of communities affected by insecurity in Southern Borno to always be ready to stand and defend themselves against any insurgents group.

“You cannot gain victory over Boko Haram unless you as the indigenous people in the areas stand to defend yourselves”, Zulum said during his four-day working tour of five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno South on Tuesday.

“You have to defend yourselves and this is very important,” he said

However, the Governor also called for the creation of a Brigade Command in Southern Borno to combat the lingering insecurity in some villages around the region.

Zulum said that the call for the establishment of Brigade Command is the best option in tackling the lingering insecurity in the state.

”Traditional rulers and local government chairmen in most of the places I visited, reechoed this call.

“Yes, these are the most volatile areas in the region, especially Dile, Lasa, among others where there is serious security problems.

“The necessity of security and development cannot be overemphasised. It is only when there is security that there will be development,” he said.

The problem of insecurity in those areas, Zulum said, has been lingering for a while.

The governor said that the people of Borno must be grateful to God for His mercies regarding the improved security in the entire southern Borno.

Earlier, the Emir of Askira, Alhaji Albdullahi Askirama II, said that out of the 12 District heads under his domain, eight had deserted their communities and were currently living with him in Askira town for over a decade due to insurgents infiltration.

“For over 12 years, children in these areas are at home and cannot attend school.

“If government attempts to rebuild the damaged schools, the insurgents will mobilised their members and launch fresh attacks on schools and further destroy the facilities.

“It is on record that the state government had rehabilitated some of the schools but members of the Boko Haram burnt down those schools.

“The soldiers are trying their best but your esteemed office must intervene and call for reinforcement of security forces in the areas.

“We share border with Sambisa, Chibok and other volatile communities where they (insurgents) can easily attack and go back,” he said.

The Chairman of Askira-Uba LGA, Abdullahi Mazayyi said that “the insecurity in Ngohi Ngulde was getting worst.

“The teeming soldiers deployed to these areas are seriously working hard day and night to maintain peace and order but we need reinforcement to agricultural activities.

“We are calling on the state and federal governments to look into the security situation in these areas, with a view to forming a special and permanent army formation around the areas in order to enhance the agricultural productivity and protect lives and property,” he said. (NAN)