Military Disappointing In Borno Despite Support Given To Them, Says Gov. Zulum

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the
recent abduction of 30 travellers in the state and blamed the
military for not doing enough to protect people in the state.

The governor flayed the army and the rapid response squad in the
state comprising policemen, vigilantes and hunters for their
failure to secure the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, which has become a
major axis for attacks and kidnappings.

The governor, during a visit to Jakana, one of the major towns
along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway, on Monday, said it was
disappointing that the majority of the attacks within the last two
years, took place between Auno and Jakana, a distance of about 20
kilometres.

He noted these in a statement titled ‘Friday abductions: Zulum
visits Jakana, furious over routine attacks on Maiduguri-Damaturu
highway …Baffled with army’s failure to secure 20 kilometres’.

The statement quoted the governor as saying, “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, the 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 kilometres, how can
they keep us with the hope they will defeat the Boko Haram?”

He continued, “With all you (journalists), 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,” the governor
noted.

He said there have been many attacks by insurgents along the
Maiduguri-Damaturu Road in 2020 alone, including the one in
February in which over 30 travellers were burnt to death.

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the
recent abduction of 30 travellers in the state and blamed the
military for not doing enough to protect people in the state.

The governor flayed the army and the rapid response squad in the
state comprising policemen, vigilantes and hunters for their
failure to secure the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, which has become a
major axis for attacks and kidnappings.

The governor, during a visit to Jakana, one of the major towns
along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway, on Monday, said it was
disappointing that the majority of the attacks within the last two
years, took place between Auno and Jakana, a distance of about 20
kilometres.

He noted these in a statement titled ‘Friday abductions: Zulum
visits Jakana, furious over routine attacks on Maiduguri-Damaturu
highway …Baffled with army’s failure to secure 20 kilometres’.

The statement quoted the governor as saying, “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, the 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 kilometres, how can
they keep us with the hope they will defeat the Boko Haram?”

He continued, “With all you (journalists), 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,” the governor
noted.

He said there have been many attacks by insurgents along the
Maiduguri-Damaturu Road in 2020 alone, including the one in
February in which over 30 travellers were burnt to death.