20th July, 2014
Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, the Shehu of Borno on Saturday expressed shock at the increasing attacks by suspected Boko Haram sect members in different communities in the State.
Garbai made his feeling known while receiving opinion and political leaders from Damboa, headquarters of Damboa Local Government Council of the state in his palace in Maiduguri.
He said he was saddened by reports of last Thursday’s attack in the town. Garbai condoled with residents of the town over the attack and urged them to consider the incident as an act of God.
“The news of the attack in Damboa came to me as a rude shock. I pray that the almighty Allah will bring these attacks to an end,” he said.
Garbai advised the people to remain calm and law abiding. He promised to channel the community’s request for increased military presence to Governor Kashim Shettima.
Alhaji Kaumi Damboa, leader of the delegation, said the visit was aimed at seeking the assistance of the royal father towards ending the attacks. He said the recent attack had completely destroyed public and private buildings in the town.
He said the attackers stormed the town around 6:00 p.m. when Muslims were preparing to break their fast. Damboa lamented that the attack lasted several hours due to absence of security agents in the town.
“Boko Haram attacks have become re-occurring in our town on daily basis. Our people now live in perpetual fear because of the attacks,” he said.
Damboa appealed to the Shehu to use his influence to ensure the deployment of troops to the area to prevent future attacks by the insurgents.