Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has ordered the digging of a two-kilometre ditch, and deployment of soldiers and policemen for 24-hour patrol to protect Ali Dawari village from Boko Haram attacks.

Shettima gave the directive yesterday in Maiduguri, when he paid a condolence visit to Ali Dawari, a farming community, four kilometres South of Maiduguri, where insurgents killed 24 people in last Sunday’s attack.

The village head, Bulama Mallam, told the governor that since the attack, the people are fleeing in droves because they do not have food and cannot sleep peacefully.

He said, “If there is security in the village, my people will return before the end of next week; without any fear or hesitation.”

On securing the village, Shettima said: “This is our land and there is no fear to run or retreat and God’s willing, all necessary measures to be taken, will be implemented to protect lives and property in this village. We are going to dig trenches on the northern flank of Ali Dawari.  Soldiers and other security personnel and members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) will be deployed to the village to protect it from these lunatics.”

He however noted that it was important to understand that Boko Haram insurgents are not demons, but people, who constitute nuisance in the state, adding, “Since this is our land, we have no other place to flee or run. The most important thing is that we are more sincere than the insurgents. God is always with anyone that exercises patience and endurance.”

He continued, “We have just discussed with the villagers and their head; and now their demands on how to secure them will be met, particularly the security of lives and property. The villagers told me that once there is security, they are willing and ready to return before the end of this week. And right now I have come along with the Garrison Commander of the military, who will deploy more soldiers to this village.
“Also I have discussed with the Borno State Deputy Commissioner of Police to deploy more policemen. And it is equally with the CJTF, which will volunteer to deploy 50-100 of its members to Ali Dawari for day and night patrols.”