TheCable

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, says there is no community in the state that is still under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.

Zulum spoke on Tuesday when he received Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff, in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

Over the years, many Borno communities such as Monguno, Banki, Jere, and Domboa have been terrorised by Boko Haram insurgents.

The governor said the communities are now free from Boko Haram threats as about 140,000 insurgents have surrendered in the last 18 months.

“I am pleased to inform the general public that as at now, we do not have any community that is under the control of Boko Haram in Borno,” NAN quoted Zulum as saying.

“Within the last 18 months, about 140,000 Boko Haram members and their families have repented and surrendered.”

He commended the defence chief for his role in restoring peace to the state.

He said his administration is committed to providing the necessary support to the army.

“Throughout your stay in Borno, there was improved peace, especially in terms of promotion of military-civilian relationships,” Zulum added.

“This among others contributed largely to the successes that we have seen so far.”

On his part, the defence chief said his visit to Borno was to boost the morale of the troops.

“Your Excellency, this is a home coming. I have always looked forward to a day like this when I will come back home to Borno. You have made our work in Borno extremely easy,” Musa said.

“If every state is lucky enough to have a governor giving the kind of support to security agencies like Borno, I am sure the security problems would have been dealt with.

“I want to say a very big thank you and also commend you for every support.

“You have shown what a true leader should be like, the sacrifices, the commitment and in everything that you do, you put the state before yourself.”

He added that the military will continue to adopt kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in the fight against insurgency.

Musa was accompanied on the visit by Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of naval staff, and some other top military officers from the army, navy and air force.

In the past months, troops of the Nigerian army have intensified efforts in the fight against terrorists in Borno and other areas under threat.

In August, troops captured three high-ranking fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and three commanders in Borno.

About 78 insurgents and their families were said to have surrendered during military operations in the terrorists’ hideouts.