RADIO NIGERIA
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has expressed bitterness over routine attacks on travelers and villagers by Boko Haram on Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
This is sequel to last Friday’s abduction of over 30 travelers between Auno and Jakana highway.
Governor Zulum said it was disappointing that majority of the attacks within the last two years, took place between the two major towns, a distance of about 20 kilometers.
“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”.
The governor also decried lack of visibility of the army and the recently established rapid response squad which combines well equipped policemen, vigilantes and local hunters along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road, which he thought, makes it possible for the attack by Boko Haram .
“With all 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 noted.
He however assured residents using the road that he was going to immediately hold a security meeting and hopefully come up with more measures to secure the highway.
The governor urged citizens to continually support the military by sharing information that would generate credible intelligence on the activities of insurgents.