- By Reporter
Insurgency: Nigeria identifies new Boko Haram strongholds in Borno state
………..Gov. Zulum says new commitment against insurgency will bring peace
By Reporter
August, 17, 2020 - The Nigerian Government has identified two new Boko Haram strongholds in the North East, which are the major flashpoints from where the insurgents operate.
The new strongholds are: Lake Chad fringes and Mandara mountains. The two areas along with the Sambisa Forest were identified following engagements with service chiefs and state governors, at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum who spoke in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital upon returning from the meeting, said that he was confident that peace would return to the area with the new engagement.
“The President has assured the people of Borno State and indeed the north-eastern sub-region that he will do everything possible within his reach to ensure that lives and property of people living in Borno State are secured.
“We have discussed, especially the issue of strengthening security in the fringes of the Lake Chad and Mandara mountains, as well as in the Sambisa Forest.
“I think my meeting with the Chief of Air Staff, as well as Chief of Naval Staff and also General (Tukur) Buratai is very promising.”
The governor said Buratai, who is the Chief of Army Staff, promised to look into the issue of clearing the enclaves of the insurgency in the three flashpoints identified.
He was confident that with the renewed commitment of the President and service chiefs, peace would reign again in Borno.
Zulum, who is also the Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, had led his colleagues to the Presidential Villa in the nation’s capital and continued engagements with the service chiefs throughout the week.
While at the Villa, the governors identified some of the root causes of the insurgency raving the region and stressed the need for the Nigerian government to address them.
The governors during their meeting, opined that the insurgents were taking advantage of the extreme poverty in the North East to recruit more members.
They stressed the need for people to return to their farmlands and resettle in their original homes so that they can revive their means of livelihood.
They also recommended that police should be provided with state-of-the-art equipment and armoured personnel carriers, with a view to bridging the manpower gap in the military.