Boko Haram still in control of 2 Borno LGAs, says Zulum

ABUJA — Governor  Babagana Zulum of Borno State cried out yesterday that two local government areas in his state, Abadam and Guzamala, are still under the control of Boko Haram.

The governor’s disclosure came against the backdrop of repeated claims by the Federal Government that the insurgent group had been largely decimated to the extent that it could no longer hold on to any local government in terms of control.

This came as gunmen suspected to be bandits on Tuesday night, attacked Ancha village, Irigwe chiefdom of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing at least 18 persons.

This is even bandits, also on Tuesday night, abducted village head, two Burkinabes and nine others in fresh Zamfara attacks.

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Governor Zulum, who corroborated statements credited to speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, that 99 per cent of communities of his local government area, Guzamala, are under the control of the sect, spoke when Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, led senators and top military officers on a courtesy call to Government House, Maiduguri.

Guzamala, Abadam LGAs still under B-Haram — Zulum

Zulum said: “I am plea-sed to inform you that we have started witnessing gradual return of peace, but more needs to be done because at present, Guzamala and Abadam Local Government Areas are still under the control of Boko Haram.

“Although the current service chiefs, the Theatre Commander, and, indeed, our General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7 Division are up and doing, we still have much to do.

“We want to commend the military and other para-military personnel for their gallant efforts to see to the end of terrorism in this part of the country.

“Unfortunately, the government and people of Borno State, especially those from southern and northern parts of the state, are worried over the increasing number of ISWAP groups who have been terrorizing their communities.

Vanguard