Borno Gov, Zulum, Minister of Information on the Idris explosion after the fresh boko attack

Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has condemned the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, after the latest attack by Boko Haram rebel claimed the lives of eight people, accused Minister Naif about the security situation in the state and state as a whole.

Criticism from Angry Zulum came to the heel of attack by rebels who detonated explosives along the Damboa-Maiduguri road on Saturday, killing the victims and injured more than 21 others.

Zulum last week, raised alarm while speaking at a special security meeting that was expanded in Maiduguri, the state capital, condemning new attacks and kidnappings carried out by the rebels, noting that the incident now occurred every day without significant resistance from security forces.

When describing the situation as a serious setback for Borno and the wider northeast region, the governor said:

“When I discussed this important meeting today, it is unfortunate that the new Boko Haram attacks and abduction in many communities almost every day without confrontation implies that the state of Borno lost the place,” said Zulum.

“While my government has strongly supported the military and other security agents in the war against Boko Haram, it was very disappointing to record new attacks and the release of military formations in Wajirko, Sabon Gari in Damboa, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala, and Izge in Gwoza, along with murder.

But in a statement that denied Zulum’s claim, Idris had told the Nigerians to ignore the governor’s concerns which showed that the state might lose control over Boko Haram rebels.

In the statement, Idris stressed that the government of the Tinubu Bola President had defeated terrorists and remained committed in combating terrorism and bandits throughout the country.

“The Tinubu government is committed to eradicating the actions of bandits and terrorism throughout the country,” Idris said.

Also read: Seven Dead, Many Wear In Borno Explosion

“The success achieved by security institutions in the last 18 months is an indication that, indeed, Nigeria gradually returns to normal conditions.

“The government called for everything, especially the sub-national government, to join hands to ensure the rapid eradication of the remaining criminal elements wherever they are,” added the Minister.

However, in broadcasts throughout the state after the explosion that occurred on the road that connects the capital of the state of Maiduguri to Damboa, Zulum, said Idris and the government’s response to his previous crys over the sect’s activities showed a lack of empathy for the people of the country because they continued to face security challenges in the struggle against the Haram Boko.

He stated that the new minister’s comments about state security were borne because of ignorance and called for a better understanding of the situation in the field.

“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in this country. He does not know what is taking place in the country,” said Zulum.

“I want to advise the community to be quite tough. I want to suggest the Nigerian Army is quite tough because there is no way people will travel 700 kilometers to go to Damboa. Usually, they come here to Damboa, only about 100 kilometers.

“We will ensure that the journey from Maiduguri to Damboa will continue. This will not prevent us from following the road, artillery, and all other security agents to release security along the road so that such incidents will not happen again.

“I want to convince people in Borno stated that God willing, under my supervision, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to do what they did before,” he said, stating his commitment to strengthen national defense and strengthen local civilian efforts, such as hunter and guards.

“I will follow the hopes of people in the state of Borno by fully overcoming the problem of insecurity,” he added.

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