Boko Haram Wishes To Take Over Borno State – Zulum

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, has said the ultimate aim of Boko Haram terrorists is to takeover the state and bring it under their sovereign rule.

Zulum stated this while expressing grief over the killing of 11 security operatives during an ambush on a government convoy by Boko Haram terrorists on Friday.

The governor expressed his sadness over the incident in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau on Saturday.

The personnel, which comprised eight policemen and three civilian JTF members, were on a government convoy ambushed by the sect on their way to Baga town.

Zulum had gone to the town to supervise efforts to return residents to their homes.

It was part of strategies to cut Boko Haram’s long use of the commercial town as the main transit for its fishing trade and tax administration, which they use to finance their activities.

Baga is Borno’s largest fishing community on the shores of the Lake Chad.

It has waterways to neighboring countries, and considered strategic to Boko Haram’s operation.

Gusau said the convoy of the governor and the committee on Baga reconstruction had safely plied the Maiduguri-Baga route before the third convoy of security men was ambushed on Friday morning.

He said: “Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is saddened by this unfortunate carnage. He shares the grief of families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful. The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing peace-building efforts.

“Zulum is of the opinion that we must continue to keep hope alive even in the face of tribulations and believe that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace.

“The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something which gives us some hope and doing nothing which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to takeover Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration.”

The governor had attended Juma’at prayers in Baga, said to be the first to be held in close to two years.

The terrorists sect had, some 21 months ago, attacked the town, leading to most of the residents taking refuge in Monguno and Maiduguri.

Those on the convoy of the governor included the Borno North Senator, Abubakar Kyari, House of Representatives members representing Marte, Monguno, Nganzai, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and that of Mobbar, Kukawa, Guzamala, Abadam federal constituencies, Bukar Gana Kareto.

The trip also had the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, Chairman of Baga resettlement committee, and the Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kaka Shehu Lawan.