Boko Haram: 17 LGAs Still Under Attack In Borno

No fewer than 17 of the 27 local government areas in Borno State are still under attacks by the deadly Boko Haram sect, investigation has revealed.
The affected local government areas include, Konduga, Bama, Kala/Balge, Ngala, Monguno, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Magumeri and Kukawa.
The rest are, Mobbar, Abadam and Marte, Guzamala, Kaga and Nganzai.
Most parts of the 17 LGAs come under the deadly sect’s constant attacks, except their headquarters where many have relocated to.
Farming, the main occupation of the residents, has become extremely difficult to practice beyond one kilometre of the local government headquarters.
But the remaining seven local government areas, mostly in Southern Borno, enjoy relative peace brought about by the success of the anti-insurgency operations.
The military have identified three notorious corridors where Boko Haram and ISWAP elements operate from.
The dark spots are the Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, and Lake Chad fringes.
Consequent upon the severity of the insurgency, most of the senators, members of the House of Representatives and state legislators find it difficult to visit their constituents.
Some of the lawmakers have relocated their families from Maiduguri to either Abuja or other cities in the North.
President Muhammadu Buhari told the North-East governors at his recent meeting with them in Abuja on the security challenge in the geo-political zone that he would “take actions which will make a difference.”
Buhari’s pledge is said to have encouraged the leaders and people of Borno State to shelve a planned protest against insecurity in the state.
The protest was originally scheduled for last Thursday in Abuja.
Investigations show that the Shehu of Borno, Governor Babagana Zulum and other Borno elders decided to cry out to President Buhari because of alleged ‘sliding’ of the war against Boko Haram.
Although the troops in the frontline have recorded appreciable success in other states in the North-East, only the security situation in Borno State (the main theatre) has become hydra-headed.
The war against insurgency has been ‘relatively won’ in Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba states.
The relapse of the counter-insurgency war in Borno has put the state on the edge, leading to shuttles being made to Buhari.
According to findings, nine local government areas of the state, including Maiduguri and Jere, have had reprieve from Boko Haram because of the gains of the counter-insurgency operations.
The remaining seven local government areas in Southern Borno with peace and where people freely go to farms are Biu, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, Shani, Bayo and parts of Askira/Uba and Chibok.
It was also gathered that four of the 17 local governments under guerrilla attacks by Boko Haram insurgents have been practically deserted by the people, leaving only troops to be in charge.