Police Public Relations Officer in Borno, ASP Kenneth Daso
Civilians join police to repel Boko Haram attack in Borno
The Nigeria Police Force and Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were at the forefront of repelling the night attack by Boko Haram terrorists on a military base in Banki town, Bama LGA of Borno State, at the weekend.
Sources from the community, when Daily Trust visited the town, commended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the town for rallying community resilience during the attack.
One of the sources, who prefers a single name, Aminu, said the DPO was asked to flee the town when the insurgents arrived, but he stood his ground instead.
“He organised his boys to defend their location and the people around them. People celebrated him after the attack.
“Many people, including the soldiers, had abandoned their positions, crossed to Cameroon and left residents behind, but the DPO encouraged many of us to stay back,” he said.
Another resident stated that the police, with the assistance of the civilian JTF, secured the Divisional Police Headquarters and Nigeria Customs Service control posts located at the border with Cameroon.
He also commended residents of the town for resisting displacement despite the Boko Haram threats. “If we leave here, where do we go?”
‘Why soldiers fled’
Speaking to our correspondent, one of the security sources said it was the dashed hope of an Air Force jet that gave the terrorists an edge over them.
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“The Boko Haram movement was sighted around 4pm, but we couldn’t tell their target location. So, a red alert was declared.
“An hour later, we learnt that the terrorists engaged troops in Bula-Yobe town. We immediately moved there for reinforcement. Midway, another signal came in that we should return to base.
“The order was, a fighter jet was on its way to dislodge the terrorists, and it could mistake us for Boko Haram.
“Unfortunately, before we entered Banki, another signal came in that the Boko Haram terrorists were coming into Banki in large numbers.
“Our troops were terrified by the massive number of terrorists that the signaller mentioned,” he said.
He said, when the insurgents started infiltrating, the long chain of commands that the Commanding Officer was receiving prevented them from responding quickly.
“They kept telling the Commander to be patient, that the Air Force jet was coming to clear them. It’s after they reached the last point that he commanded us to engage them.
“It’s an hour encounter, but we fought until none of us could recognise one another,” said one of the soldiers
He said the commanding officer tried to stay back after the soldiers but was overpowered by the terrorists.
“Thank God for saving his life, because he tried to wrestle the gun truck with the insurgents, but they were too many. It was so dark on that day that one couldn’t identify the person next to him,” he said.
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3 more communities resettled
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has resettled three more communities after residents resisted Boko Haram displacement in Banki.
The governor, who was in Banki on Sunday, where the insurgents attacked military barracks and civilian locations, sympathised with residents and commended their resilience.
“I purposely came to Banki to salute your courage; your act of bravery is really encouraging,” Governor Zulum stated. “We should not allow a few bad elements to displace this town whose businesses and economic activities have been thriving.” He added, “I want to assure you that the insurgents will not succeed, Insha’Allah. We will strengthen the security of this border town and will support our youth volunteers, hunters, and vigilantes to further fortify this area.”
He assured that robust security measures will be implemented to protect the border town from further attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.
As part of his ongoing post-conflict recovery programme, the governor also announced the planned resettlement of three communities, Kumshe, Tarmu’a and Bula Yobe in the Bama Local Government Area.
“Kumshe, Tarmu’a and Bula Yobe will be resettled. The people deserve a dignified life, and we are committed to delivering it,” he affirmed.
Zulum confirmed that the rehabilitation of Banki road has commenced, with 30 trucks already deployed to repair the dilapidated route.
He called on the people, particularly the youths, to actively participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise for the betterment of society.
Similarly, Zulum also addressed traders at the Banki Market, where he urged them to be vigilant and cooperate with security agencies for sustainable peace in the area.
In an interview with a security expert and former Director of the Department of State Service (DSS), Barrister Mike Ejiofor, he advised that the government must ensure that an area is fully stabilised before returning internally displaced people to the area.
Daily Trust
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