‘People need to return to farms’ — Zulum asks army to improve security in Borno

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has asked the Nigerian army to beef up security in the state to enable residents return to their farms during the rainy season. 

About 45 farmers were killed in November 2020 by insurgents following an attack in Jere LGA of Borno state.

The farmers were killed on their farms at Kwashabe village, about 20 kilometres north of Maiduguri, Borno capital.

Speaking on Monday during a courtesy visit to Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff, in Abuja, Zulum commended the military for the relative peace maintained in the state within the past months.

The governor, however, called for improved security so as to ensure that residents can carry out their daily activities safely.

“Honestly speaking, we have achieved some level of peace within the last two months notwithstanding the recent attacks. But a lot still has to be done because we need to put heads together to say the right thing,” Zulum said.

“We are here to interface with the Nigerian army, the chief of defence staff, and the chief of army staff, with a view to letting them know the actual situation on ground, because it is only when you are appraised of the facts and figures on ground that you can think of the kind of intervention.

“By and large, we are optimistic that insurgency will come to an end and we plead with the military to ensure the filling of the existing gaps.

“Most importantly, we have to look into the political, cultural and economic dimensions of this war, which is very key because farmers need to go back to their farmlands during this rainy season so that they can earn their means of livelihood.”

Zulum added that his government will continue to support the military in the fight against insurgency.

Reacting, Attahiru thanked the governor  for the visit, saying the army will do its best to ensure that peace is maintained in the state.

“Let me assure you that the Nigerian army, under my watch, will continue to do its best to support all your programmes and activities aimed at bringing peace that would enable socio-economic activities to thrive in Borno,” Attahiru said.

“Having said that, let me use this medium to appeal to you to, as a matter of urgency, to consider the rehabilitation of roads and main supply routes that link some of the local government areas in the state and indeed the humanitarian hubs.

“This will facilitate passage, keep open humanitarian corridors, as well as enhance our operations. It will equally reduce the threat posed to our troops by improvised explosive devices.”