Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has tasked the military, police and Civilian JTF to end Boko Haram terrorism that has claimed many lives in the state.
According to him, the 12-year insurgency has also killed over 36,000 people with destruction of property worth $9.2 billion (N3.42 trillion) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
While leading an expanded Security Council Meeting Friday at the Government House, Maiduguri, he said: “Last Thursday’s clash between the state land agency and EYN Church in the metropolis and Boko Haram insurgency have bedeviled the security situation in the state for over a decade.”
Zulum who was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Babakura Abba Jato disclosed that the Security Council meeting was as result of the unfolding security situation in the state.
He said the expanded security meeting, including the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi and seven traditional rulers and the service chiefs dwell extensively on how to end terrorism and overcome other security challenges.
“We appreciate the efforts of the military, paramilitaries, Civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes for bringing down insurgency to its barest level in the state,” he said.
He therefore called on them to increase their efforts so that the entire state be free to lead their normal lives without hindrances.
According to him, the Governor particularly expressed his gratitude for the clearance of military operations on the shores of Lake Chad and the Sambisa Forest.
He noted that even though the factional leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, was killed, a new group has taken over Shekau’s position for terrorism activities.
On the establishment of civil authorities, he said: “It is one of the highest priorities of the government before returning the IDPs into their respective liberated communities,” warning that failure to establish such authorities, the liberated communities could be taken over again by the insurgents.
He said all efforts will be geared towards bringing people back to their ancestral homes.
According to him, the people from Abadam taking refuge in Niger Republic will be returned to their respective communities by November this year.
On last Thursday’s unfortunate incident, he said that the Governor has issued a statement to set up a committee of inquiry to investigate the clash between the State’s Land Administration Agency and the EYN Church members.
Justice, according to him, will take its course at the end of the enquiry.
However, the governor made it clear that his administration will not condone any form of indiscipline or breach of law by any individual.
Meanwhile the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, under the directives of the governor has visited the victims and sympathized with them.
The government will also embark on the clearance of Maiduguri-Damboa road in preparation for opening the road for motorists and commuters, after closing it for over three years by the Army.
“I urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activity to the military and other security agencies,” he said.
