Zulum Blasts Military Over Abduction On Damaturu-Maiduguri Road

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, says efforts of security operatives in protecting some trouble spots in the north east leave much to be desired.

Citynews Nigeria over 35 commuters were abducted last Friday after they ran into an ambush laid by Boko Haram near Garin Kuturu in Jakana along Damaturu-Maiduguri road.

Speaking when he visited the location of the attack on Monday, Zulum berates the military over their inability to protect a distance of 20 kilometers along the Maiduguri-Damaturu expressway in the state.

He said despite the military’s knowledge of Incessant attacks within the last two years between Auno and Jakana, nothing had been done to curtail the activities of the insurgents.

He said that he had, on many occasions, vouched for the capability of the troops to quell the horrendous actions of the insurgents. He, however, noted that despite the support the federal and state government had given to the troops their performance had fallen short of expectation.

“I have had occasions to defend the Nigerian military in order to boost the morale of commanders and their troops at the front lines because I know the true picture of things,” he said.

“However, I am really disappointed that despite all support from both the federal government and from us in Borno state, our military is failing to secure an area of 20 kilometers, which is the distance between Auno and Jakana.

“And incidentally, majority of Boko Haram attacks along this Maiduguri-Damaturu-Kano road, keeps happening between Auno and Jakana. So, if the military cannot secure 20 kilometers, how can they keep us with the hope they will defeat the Boko Haram?

“With all you (journalists), we drove from Maiduguri to here, Jakana. We did not see soldiers on the road. We did not see even our own Rapid Response Squad on this road and they were trained, employed, kitted and paid to protect all Nigerians within their areas of operation and these Nigerians include travelers plying this busy and important road.”

Zulum, however, assured residents along the road that he would hold a security meeting and come up with more measures to secure the highway.

The governor urged the residents to continually support the military by sharing information that would generate credible intelligence on the activities of insurgents.