Boko Haram ambush: UN demands justice for 40 killed in Borno
• DSS ex-director advises to plug military intelligence loopholes
• Zulum warns communities against collaborating with terrorists
The United Nations (UN) has condemned the killing of 40 farmers and fishermen in the Dumba community of Borno State and called for justice. To forestall the recurrence of such tragedy and bolster its terror fight in the North East, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, advised military authorities to close the loophole in intelligence gathering.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has warned farming and fishing communities in Baga against collaborating with Boko Haram fighters. UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, stated, yesterday, in Maiduguri, “I am horrified by the Saturday massive killings of innocent people working on their farmlands and waters of Lake Chad in Kukawa Local Council.”
Besides the killings, he said many other people were, however, still missing on the shores of the Lake.
“There is the urgent need for justice to the victims,” he declared, urging that the perpetrators be held accountable in line with national and international human rights laws. Fall, therefore, extended his condolences to the affected families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
In bringing an end to the attacks, he said: “The non-state armed actors that perpetrated the attacks must be identified and brought to account in ensuring justice to the victims.
“The Dumba community attack serves as another grim reminder of the profound and continuous dangers to civilians in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.”
AMACHREE, who was a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Lunchtime Politics’ programme, yesterday, still saw a loophole despite the gains in the fight against bandits and terrorists in the North West and the North East geo-political zones respectively.
He added, “Although we are making gains, especially in Borno, the military power and, of course, even the security intelligence power is concentrated in Maiduguri,” he said.
According to him, far-flung areas like Damboa, Chibok and Gwoza, all in Borno, don’t have sufficient military power so “the terrorists have time to go around”.
The former secret police director said after the fight, insurgents were supposed to be driven away and the police were supposed to take over; “but after the fight, the natives are left alone and when the insurgents return and don’t see any security agent, they strike.”
ZULUM described collaboration with terrorists as a significant threat to peace and stability in the region.
The governor gave the warning during his address to Baga residents at the palace of the district head in Baga town on Wednesday.
“I urge the people of Baga and surrounding communities to conduct their farming activities only within areas approved by the military,” he said. He emphasised the importance of complying with guidelines set by the Nigerian military and the state government.
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