30 persons, including 17 security men, killed in Boko Haram attack on Zulum

 

BY NICHOLAS ABE

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The death toll from Boko Haram attack on the convoy of Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has risen to 30, according to security sources who spoke to AFP on Saturday.

AFP, quoting multiple sources, reports that the number of fatalities from the attack Friday had doubled as more bodies were found and now included 12 policemen, five soldiers, four members of a ‘government-backed militia’, and nine civilians.

“The tally has increased to 30 as many bodies were picked in the surrounding areas after the attack,” one of the sources said, adding that “many people were injured.”

Earlier reports of the ambush on Zulum’s convoy had put the casualty figure at 15. The convoy was said to have been attacked between Monguno and Baga areas of the state.

Prof Zulum, reacting to the attack, the second within a space of two months, expressed sadness over the killing of 11 security personnel in his convoy.

A statement by his spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, on Saturday said those killed included eight policemen and three civilian JTF members who were ambushed on their way to Baga as security back-ups in reconstruction efforts.

The statement said the governor was in Baga from Thursday until Friday to supervise ongoing work that would see the return of residents to the area.

Baga, which is Borno’s largest fishing community in the shores of the Lake Chad with waterways to neighbouring countries, is considered strategic to Boko Haram’s operation.

READ: Army acknowledges Boko Haram terrorists attack on Gov Zulum

Gusau revealed that two convoys – one belonging to the governor and another, the committee on Baga reconstruction – had safely plied the Maiduguri-Baga route previous days before the third convoy of security men was ambushed on Friday morning, even after precautionary steps had been taken to ensure safe trips.

The statement read in part, “Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is saddened by this unfortunate carnage. He shares the grief of families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful.

“The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing peacebuilding efforts. Zulum is of the opinion that we must continue to keep hope alive even in the face of tribulations and believe that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace.

“The situation facing us is a tough one but we must choose between doing something which gives us some hope and doing nothing which will leave us more vulnerable to Boko Haram’s ultimate wish to takeover Borno and bring it under their sovereign brutal administration.”

The statement said the governor attended Baga’s first Juma’at prayers in nearly two years.

Baga town was displaced by the Boko Haram insurgents 21 months ago, with most of the residents taking refuge in Monguno and Maiduguri.

…Again, President Buhari mourns

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, condemned the ambush on the entourage of Governor Zulum, which led to the death of security officials and some operatives of Civilian-JTF.

He advised the state government to remain firm in its determination to restore normalcy to all communities liberated from Boko Haram terrorists despite the attack.

President Buhari spoke through a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled, “President Buhari condemns attack on Governor Zulum’s convoy, mourns security men.”

Shehu quoted the President as describing the attack on the Maiduguri-Baga route as an orchestrated sabotage against the long-planned return of displaced persons to their local communities.

The statement read, “President Buhari notes, with deep sympathy, the loss of lives of security men on the convoy, ahead of the return of Internally Displaced Persons, commiserating with their families and loved ones.

“The President advises the government of Borno State, working with security and intelligence agencies, to remain firm in their determination to restore normalcy to all communities liberated from Boko Haram terrorists.

“President Buhari urges security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to check sabotage, sanitize the roads, venues and locations well in advance of returning IDPs, while working closely with local communities.

“The President commends the gallantry of service personnel who repelled the deadly ambush, as well the sincere determination of Governor Zulum, who has been working with armed forces to end the menace of terrorists, rebuild homes and return IDPs to regular life.

“He prayed that God will grant the souls of the departed security men and operatives of Civilian-JTF eternal rest, and comfort their families.”