Seventeen 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.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed 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 President 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.
The four local governments are Kukawa, Mobbar, Abadam and Marte, which now have military bases and outposts.
No LGA’s under Boko Haram control – Army
However, the military has faulted claims that 17 local government areas in Borno State are unsafe.
“It is not a fair statement, it is not objective at all,” the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said when contacted.
He added: “Although people are entitled to their opinion, there is no local government area in Borno State that is under the effective control of the insurgents.
“Nobody is saying that we don’t have remnants of Boko Haram insurgents but to say that they are in control of any local government is false, uncharitable and unfair to the patriotic troops in the warfront.
“The military is doing its best to win the war. It cannot be distracted by some people who have other agenda than ending the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Without waiting for some equipment from abroad, the Nigerian Army Engineer Corps, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), has started local production of Mines Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)
“We know it is the government some of these people are trying to blackmail, but it is convenient for them to attack the military.
“They know the military is about to win the war. Some of these people now face the reality of accounting for what they did with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”
He said the counter-insurgency war in Borno State has raised some issues which Nigerians should pay attention to.
Culled from The Nation
