The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday said the insecurity facing the state was a tough one and that Boko Haram terrorists had an “ultimate wish to take over the state and bring it under a sovereign brutal administration.”
Zulum, for the second time, came under Boko Haram terrorist attack in the Baga area on Thursday. He, however, escape because he travelled in a military aircraft. The death toll had now risen to 30 persons from an initial 15 reported.
According to a source, “This (the Thursday’s visit) was not his first time travelling by a military chopper. It has become a custom after his convoy was attacked in the same Baga a few months ago. All his journeys since then to the dangerous terrain of northern Borno have always been by air and he uses military choppers.”
Zulum expressed sadness over the killing of the security personnel in his convoy.
A statement by his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, on Saturday, said that the governor noted that the security challenges facing the sate were a tough one, and taking no action would leave the residents more vulnerable to the Boko Haram’s agenda to destroy the state.
Gusau added, “Governor Babagana Zulum is saddened by this unfortunate carnage. He shares the grief of the families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful. The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
“The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something which gives us some hope and doing nothing which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to take over Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration.”
