Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has called on the Federal Government and military officials to station troops in key border communities such as Kirawa, Wulgo, Baga, Damasak, and Malam Fatori, emphasizing their strategic economic significance to both the state and the nation.
During a visit to Kirawa in the Gwoza local government area on Friday, Governor Zulum expressed condolences to residents affected by a recent Boko Haram assault. The attack, which occurred on Monday night, resulted in two fatalities and saw the district head’s residence, over 50 homes, vehicles, and heavy machinery set ablaze by insurgents.
In his address to the victims, the governor pledged to restore all damaged properties, upgrade the destroyed dispensary into a fully equipped General Hospital, and explore avenues for compensating those who lost homes and businesses in the attack.
Following a confidential meeting with the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division, and the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Zulum confirmed a consensus to deploy soldiers to Kirawa promptly.
He lamented that previous warnings to the Nigerian military about the vulnerabilities of border communities had not been adequately addressed. “Kirawa was established around seven years ago with assistance from Cameroonian troops, but insurgents displaced these forces several months back. I have repeatedly alerted the Nigerian military about the risks of leaving these border towns unprotected,” the governor stated.
“Communities like Wulgo, Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, and Malam Fatori are vital and must be secured. Unfortunately, my appeals for their defense were overlooked. Recently, terrorists attacked Kirawa, causing widespread destruction. Thankfully, the loss of life was limited to two individuals, but numerous homes, vehicles, and heavy equipment were destroyed,” he added.
Governor Zulum reassured the people of Kirawa of his commitment to reconstruct the damaged health facility into a General Hospital, rehabilitate all affected residences, and consider compensation for those impacted by the devastation.
He also encouraged local youth to identify and report any collaborators aiding terrorists and to actively cooperate with security forces in safeguarding their community.
Furthermore, the governor promised employment opportunities for qualified youths and initiatives aimed at empowering women within the community.
Expressing gratitude, Abdulrahaman Abubakar, the district head of Kirawa, thanked Governor Zulum for his visit and support. He assured that the community, alongside security personnel and the Civilian Joint Task Force, would work closely with the military to defend their homeland.
