By Newsie:-
The incessant attacks on travellers and villagers by bandits and Boko haram along the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway have angered the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, that he called out the military.
On Monday, the governor while visiting Jakana, one of the major towns along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway, faulted the army over the abduction of over 30 travellers that took place on Friday.
He expressed his disappointment on why the majority of the attacks that occurred within the last two years, happened in the same area which is a distance of about 20 kilometers, between Auno and Jakana.
In a statement by the governor on Monday, titled, ‘Friday abductions: Zulum visits Jakana, furious over routine attacks on Maiduguri-Damaturu highway …Baffled with army’s failure to secure 20 kilometers’.
The governor was quoted 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 kilometers, 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 kilometers, how can they keep us with the hope they will defeat the Boko Haram?”
“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 travelers plying this busy and important road,” the governor noted.
Zulum 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 persons, including a nursing mother and an infant, were burnt to death as travelers.
NEWSIE EVENTS MEDIA TEAM Follow Us On Twitter,Instagram & Facebook
@NewsieEvents,I.G newsieevents, Facebook Newsie Events