'Army can't secure 20 kms': Zulum says military has let down Borno people

Governor Zulum blasts Buratai’s Nigerian Army

Governor Zulum with Chief of army staff Buratai

Governor Zulum blasts Buratai’s Nigerian Army

By Abankula

Borno Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has made a rare condemnation of Nigeria’s military over its failure to protect Borno people travelling on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

Zulum spoke Monday when he visited Jakana, one of the major towns on the highway.

He fumed over what has become routine attacks on travellers and villagers by Boko Haram, part of which was Friday’s abduction of over 30 travellers.

Zulum said it was disappointing that majority of the attacks within the last two years, took place between Auno and Jakana, a distance of about 20 kilometres.

“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. So, if the military cannot secure 20 kilometers, how can they keep us with the hope they will defeat the Boko Haram?” Zulum said.

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The governor also berated the army and his own state government established rapid response squad which combines well equipped policemen, vigilantes and local hunters, for lack of visibility along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

He said their lack of visibility makes it possible for Boko Haram to keep running their show in the same axis and on multiple occasions.

“With all you (journalists) we drove from Maiduguri to 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.

“These Nigerians include travellers plying this busy and important road,” Zulum said.

He recalled that this year alone, the insurgents carried out many attacks along Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road, including the one in February, in which over 30 travellers, including a nursing mother and an infant were burnt to death.

Zulum however assured residents along the road that he would immediately hold a security meeting and hopefully come up with more measures to secure the highway.

The governor urged citizens to continually support the military by sharing information that would generate credible intelligence on the activities of insurgents

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