Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has said that despite the recent killings of farmers and other attacks in the state, statewide records on the 27 local government areas from 2011 indicated clearly that President Muhammadu Buhari has still performed better in handling of Borno’s security challenges.
Governor Babagana Zulum who disclosed this on Sunday, when he received members of the Arewa Consultative Forum led by chairman board of trustee, Ambassador Shehu Malami and the executive chairman, Chief Audu Ogbeh at the Government House, Maiduguri said “from statewide statistics on affairs in the 27 local government areas since 2011, the fact is that despite the recent happenings in Borno State, the security situation in Borno State and indeed that of the Entire North East Sub-region is still far better under Buhari, and this is based on records.
“For instance, unlike the years before Buhari when a number of local government were no-go-areas, we now have citizens led by our traditional rulers, safely back to Bama, Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Dikwa, Ngala, Monguno, Kukawa, Damboa, Konduga and Mafa, all of which no one could visit not to talk of living there.
“Our emirs were all in exile. Today, Bama is coming back to life and so is Askira-Uba, Damboa, Gwoza and others.
“Now life is even returning to Baga. This was impossible before Buhari. In fact, it was not possible to move few kilometers out of Maiduguri.
“Insurgents were so bold to attack and take over military facilities like the army barrack at Monguno, Bama, Giwa Barrack and Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters at Baga to mention just a few.
“There were daily attacks; bomb blasts in many parts of Maiduguri, the most populated part of the state but all of these have stopped under Buhari. These are the records and no one can dispute these records,” Zulum revealed.
The governor however indicated that it was human nature to be more concerned about current realities than comparing the past and present.
The forum’s visit on Sunday was to commensurate with the governor and people of the state over the recent killings of over 40 farmers in Zabarmari; a farming community in Jere local government area of Borno.
“The insurgents by their nature, always want to attract publicity, which is very strategic for terror propaganda, so they resorted to attacking our communities and running away and of course this worries us” Zulum added.
Zulum said the people of Borno would remain optimistic and keep doing their part in shared efforts to find sustainable peace in the state.
Zulum thanked the elders and all groups who paid similar visits to Borno to commiserate and register solidarity and support to citizens with humanitarian needs.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Amb. Shehu Malami said they were in Maiduguri to sympathise and commensurate with the government and people of the state over the killings of over 40 farmers by Boko Haram insurgents in Zabarmari and prayed that Allah would grant them Jannatul Firdausi and the families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.