…As Army deploys 1,000 troops to Borno, Yobe

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, has called on the Nigerian Army to launch an aggressive sustained military operations on the shores of Lake Chad to eliminate insurgents terrorising people in Borno and Yobe states.

The governor, who made the call in Maiduguri during a visit on him on Saturday by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Wahdi Shaibu, urged for sustained military operations on the shores of Lake Chad.

Zulum added that the military is to fast-track the establishment of additional formations in strategic locations, including Kareto, Sabongari and Wajiroko, as well as intensify efforts to reopen the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road to direct vehicular movement.

Zulum made the requests while commending the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for training and deploying 1,000 forest guards to support security operations across Borno State.

“The forest guards had completed their training under the Nigerian Army and were awaiting proper deployment to designated locations in collaboration with the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai,” he said.

The governor, therefore assured that his administration would provide the necessary logistics and other support to facilitate their effective deployment.

“So far, the 1,000 forest guards have completed their training and have been deployed here in Borno State. I want to assure you that the Borno State Government will interact with the Theatre Commander to understand the requirements and ensure that they are properly deployed in all the designated locations,” he sdded.

Zulum described the training initiative as an important contribution to the state’s security efforts, noting that the government would continue to work with the military to consolidate the gains recorded against insurgency.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff for supporting the government and people of Borno State, recalling his previous assignments in the state, including his service as a brigade commander in Bama and subsequently as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.

The governor revealed that Borno state had recorded improvements in its security situation under the military leadership’s continued engagement with the state government.

He acknowledged the deployment of additional troops to operational sectors in Borno, saying the reinforcement helped stabilise the overall security situatio

The governor, however, said sustained peace in northern Borno would require a major military offensive against insurgents operating around the Lake Chad basin.
Zulum attributed the recent attacks on communities in northern Borno to the presence of insurgents around the lake’s shores and urged the military high command to expedite plans for the proposed operation.

Zulum said he understood that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, along with the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff, were working to commence the operation.

He, therefore appealed to accelerate the process to rid the area of insurgents and reduce the threats confronting residents.

The governor also called for strengthening the military’s command in Baga to facilitate clearing waterways and improve security in communities around the lake.

He stressed that sustained military presence was necessary to secure cleared locations and prevent insurgents from returning to communities from which they had been dislodge

Zulum also called for the quick establishment of military formations in Kareto and the Sabongari-Wajiroko axis of Damboa Local Government Area, describing the proposed deployments as critical to addressing security gaps.