Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri
Four communities were laid to waste in attacks and looting spree by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in troubled Borno State on Boxing Day.
The four communities: Tashan Alade, Shafa, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa and Debro, all in Southern Borno were invaded on Saturday by the insurgents.
The insurgents spent several hours perpetrating their dastardly act in the four communities, attacking schools, shops and places of worship, and setting them ablaze.
Three persons were discovered to have been killed in Shafa, two of which were local hunters and a civilian.
Thousands of bags of farm products, recently harvested by farmers, were alleged to have been looted by the insurgents who also emptied shops and market stalls.
All these details were disclosed to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Sunday morning during his visit to the affected communities.
The governor had to cut short his visit to Abuja to return to Maiduguri and on arrival took a military chopper to the affected communities attacked by Boko Haram on Saturday.
All the communities are in Hawul local government area in the southern portion of the state, which used to be relatively safe to attacks from the insurgents.
Zulum, according to his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, had traveled from Maiduguri to Katsina and Abuja on Thursday, for series of scheduled activities, which he had to cut short Saturday following the attack.
Gusau said his boss was in Yimirshika, Azare, Sabon-Kasuwa and Shafa, where he inspected all destroyed property and ordered immediate reconstruction of property that include police station, market stalls and others.
The statement said: “In Shafa, Zulum ordered the provision of six patrol vehicles and other components to strengthen local security network in the community. Also in Yamirshika, Zulum directed the provision of surveillance vehicles to hunters and vigilantes.”
He said the governor addressed “terrified residents who returned to Yamirshika town earlier Saturday, after attempts by insurgents on the town, was repelled.”
The governor was quoted to have told the people that: “We departed Abuja to Maiduguri this morning, and we are here to show our sympathy and to stand with all of you, our brothers in Hawul, over the sad incident, yesterday (Saturday). I have been fully briefed and I have seen things myself, insha’Allah, we will strengthen security here and in all places. We will as soon as possible, make available all your requirements based on my interaction with security stakeholders and community leaders. We will rehabilitate the Police station, the shops and all other infrastructures destroyed yesterday.”
The said he always feel bad going to commiserate after attacks because he feels that government has failed in perhaps its ’s major role as protection of lives and property is government’s first priority.
He said: “As enshrined in section 14, 2b of the 1999 constitution, security of lives and property remain the cardinal objective of any government, we know this and we are doing everything within our powers to provide security and ensure the welfare of citizens. We will neither relent nor shy away from our responsibilities, we shall remain resilient and focused in our search for peace in Borno.”
Zulum, while later addressing journalists, said his visit to the affected communities was to strengthen community resilience and provide support to local volunteers supporting the security agencies in restoring peace.
He was accompanied to Hawul communities by the Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, former Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa, Senator representing Southern Borno, Ali Ndume, Commissioners for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement and Agriculture, Engr. Mustapha Gubio and Engr Bukar Talba, respectively.
