Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has mobilised civilian JTF fighters and Nigerian troops to Kirawa town in Gwoza Local Government Area after Cameroonian soldiers withdrew from the area.
Boko Haram insurgents invaded the town shortly after the withdrawal, killing residents and burning houses.
During an assessment visit on Friday, Zulum expressed concern over repeated attacks.
“Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn but that doesn’t mean that the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant,” he said.
The governor recalled that Kirawa was resettled about seven years ago with the help of Cameroonian forces.
“Unfortunately, they (returnees) were displaced by the insurgents… Two lives were lost but 50 houses, heavy duty equipment, and eight vehicles were burnt down,” he said.
Zulum confirmed he had met with the Theatre Commander of the Nigerian Army and the Commander of the Multinational Task Force on new security steps.
“All of us have agreed that within the shortest possible time, the Nigerian army will deploy soldiers to Kirawa town,” he said.
He added that his government would provide equipment to civilian JTF and vigilante fighters, and was exploring modern technology to tackle insecurity.
Speaking directly to residents, Zulum urged them not to panic.
“I see no reason why very few members of Boko Haram will come to defeat the entire community without resistance,” he said.
He also called for stronger commitment from security forces.
“What matters is not the number of soldiers we need to keep here but how committed they are to fight back the terrorists,” he said.
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The governor appealed to the federal government and the military to sustain continuous operations, not temporary ones.
“We need not to just embark on operations after a few months and then slow down or withdraw,” he warned.
Zulum stressed that military victories must be followed by stabilization, recovery, reconstruction and resettlement to make gains lasting. He warned that if Kirawa is abandoned, nearby communities like Pulka and Ngoshe could also fall, threatening Gwoza town itself.
“I’m aware that the Nigerian Army has lean numerical strength,” he said, “but we have certain strategic towns and villages that have to be kept on ground.”
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff for responding quickly after the latest attack and urged more support to secure Borno’s border communities.