Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) have condemned Saturday’s attack on the convoys of the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and that of the committee on Baga reconstruction.
Consequently, the governors have asked the Federal Government to immediately provide more logistic support for security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy in the state and the entire northeast.
The Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, in a statement, yesterday in Abuja, also urged Nigerians to continue to support the state government in its renewed efforts to halt insurgency in the area.
Part of the statement reads, “We commiserate with the people and government of Borno State over the unfortunate attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020, on two convoys along Maiduguri/Baga Road of Borno State – one belonging to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the second belonging to the committee on Baga reconstruction.
“As Progressive Governors, we are saddened by this dastardly attack, which has resulted in the unfortunate death of precious lives of security personnel and innocent citizens.
“We join our brother, Governor Zulum, our leaders in Borno State and all Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives. In this painful period, Nigerians should be strengthened by the determination of Governor Zulum to expedite peace building process in Borno State and indeed the whole of North-East.
“All Nigerians should rise in support of the laudable initiatives of Borno State Government to return citizens in the state back to normal life. We must rise in support of the people and government of Borno State to end all activities of Boko Haram insurgents, which promote trade and tax administration that funds their heinous activities.
“Clearly, the strategies and tactics currently adopted by Borno State and security agencies are very effective and the attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020, on the two convoys by the Boko Haram insurgents is to distract the government from ensuring that life return to normal in Borno State.
“While we commiserate with the Government and people of Borno State, we call on the Federal Government to immediately provide more logistical support to security agencies deployed to Borno State to ensure a speedy return to normal life in Borno State and the whole of North-East.
“We, on our part, shall continue to support our colleague, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. We reaffirm our commitment to support our security agencies to end all activities of Boko Haram in all parts of Nigeria”.
However, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed that a total of 18 persons, including four soldiers, 10 policemen and four civilians were killed during the Boko Haram terrorist’s ambush on the convoy if Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, last Friday.
The Defence Headquarters also stated the deceased policemen, soldiers and civilians met their untimely death when their vehicles, which were in pursuit of Boko Haram terrorists, ran into several IEDS planted in the routes and exploded.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche, in a statement, yesterday, noted that the Nigerian Army has consequently deployed more IED and bomb disposal teams and equipment to the North-East to prevent future incidents of such nature.
The statement titled, “Attack On Convoy Of Borno State Governor And Civilian Relocation Committee By Boko Haram/ISWAP Elements”, reads, “The convoy of the Borno State Civilians Relocation Committee comprising Armed Forces of Nigeria, Nigeria Police Force and Civilian Joint Task Force was ambushed by members of the BHT/ISWAP at Barwati village on September 25, 2020.
“The attack/ambush was, however, successfully repelled by the gallant troops.
“Sadly, a total of 18 lives including four soldiers, 10 policemen and four civilians were lost during the sad incident.
“Troops on hot pursuit of the insurgents successfully recovered 3 vehicles.
“Two of the vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Police that were earlier carted away by the terrorists during the attack.
“Similarly, one BHT gun truck was also captured.
“The casualties recorded were as a result of the explosion from the multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted on the road by the terrorists.
“The Nigerian Army has since deployed bomb and IED disposal teams to ensure effective route scanning and clearance to forestall future occurrence.”
Meanwhile, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole under subsidiary ‘Operation Hail Storm 2’ has eliminated scores of terrorists in massive air strikes on their camps in Borno State.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
Enenche said the latest success was the massive destruction of Boko Haram camps at Tongule on September 24 as well as those at Bone and Isari B. Musa on September 25.
He explained that the air strike on Tongule was undertaken after surveillance mission revealed continued assembly of the terrorists within the settlement at night-time.
According to him, the Air Task Force dispatched Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter gunships for a night attack on the location, with their barrage of rockets neutralising several of the terrorists.
“At Bone, a settlement along the Yale-Kumshe axis, on the other hand, was attacked by a force package of NAF fighter jets and helicopter gunships after credible intelligence reports established that the location served as a staging area from where the terrorists launch attacks.
“The NAF attack aircraft engaged the location in multiple bomb and rocket runs, destroying several of their structures and neutralizing scores of terrorists.
“Similarly, at Isari B. Musa several terrorists, who were observed both within and in bushes surrounding the settlement, were taken out as the NAF attack aircraft took turns in engaging the target area,” he said.