Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, has decried incessant attacks by insurgents operating along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, saying the military has failed to protect travelers despite support given to them by the federal and the state government.
Zulum spoke on Monday when he visited Jakana, a community along the Damaturu-Maiduguri road where terrorists attacked and kidnap some travelers last Friday.
The governor expressed anger that Boko Haram militants had repeatedly attacked travelers along the road, adding it was disappointing that majority of the attacks within the last two years took place between Auno and Jakana, a distance of about 20 kilometers.
Zulum said in a series of tweets on Monday: “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, 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 of 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 recalled that this year alone, the insurgents carried out many attacks along Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road, including in February when over 30 travelers, including nursing mother and an infant, were burnt to death.
Zulum however assured residents along the road that he was going to immediately hold a security meeting and come up with more measures to secure the highway.
He urged citizens to continually support the military by sharing information that would generate credible intelligence on the activities of insurgents.
