Boko Haram, ISWAP regrouping, says Zulum

By Samuel Ogunsona

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed concern over the regrouping of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the Tumbus areas of Lake Chad and the Mandara Hills within the Sambisa Forest.

The two terrorist groups has separated and even fought each other leading to the death of Shekarau, a notorious terrorist.

According to Governor Zulum, the terrorists are regrouping in areas previously regained by the military, without resistance after a fresh deal to work together.

The Governor made this disclosure during a visit by the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other top military commanders to Maiduguri.

Zulum acknowledged the efforts of the military in combating Boko Haram in Borno and the North-East but noted that there had been a resurgence of the terrorists in certain areas.

“What we are facing now is, we do military exercises/operations, and after some time, we disengage. The Boko Haram and ISWAP members will again come and take over those areas that were hitherto regained,” Zulum said.

He emphasized the need for continuous military operations to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.

The Governor highlighted the challenges faced in the state, including lack of military manpower covering the Timbuktu triangle, Tumbus, Mandara hills, and the porous Nigerian borders to Sahelian states.

“Manpower is very essential, while I was aware of the constraints of the Nigerian army, because right now, you are everywhere in Nigeria,” Zulum stated.

Zulum also pointed out that Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorists getting international support, and the porous borders remain a major problem.

“ISWAP and Boko Haram are terrorists getting support internationally, and looking at our porous borders remain infiltrated through the Sahel, which is our major problem,” he said.

The Governor appealed to the defence minister to deploy more military equipment, including track military tanks, MRAPS, and ammunition, to Borno for a successful operation.

“We need air support. I know the kind of constraints you face accessing fighter helicopters and others, but attack helicopters are very important in these areas, and drones are also very important,” Zulum added.

Irohinoodua was informed that Zulum emphasized the need to secure the Sahel region to prevent the crisis from spreading. “If the Sahel is not secured, Nigeria will never be secured.

“So, there is a need for us to fortify the security situation in the Sahel with a view to ending the crisis in the entire nation,” he said.