Governor Babagana Zulum address residents of Damasak Town, Borno State
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum was in Damasak, from Thursday to Friday, after the town was attacked on Tuesday, by Boko Haram insurgents, killing 20 persons and injuring 21 others.
The Governor traveled alongside Senator Abubakar Kyari representing Borno North, who hails from Damasak, amongst other officials.
While in Damasak Town, The Governor held operational meeting with soldiers and other security forces after which he presented 12 security vehicles which include an armoured personnel carrier (APC), and 11 patrol vehicles, to strengthen armed forces and volunteers made up of trained youths in the civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes, helping in the fight against insurgents.
Damasak, Headquarters of Mobbar LGA in Northern Borno, is located in the fringes of Lake Chad, and it shares border with communities in Niger Republic. The town used to be a producer and exporter of vegetables to target markets within Nigeria, Niger republic and other neighboring countries.
Boko Haram had occupied Damasak in 2014 as one of their caliphate, and the insurgents seem interested in the town, apparently for strategic access to raising funds through agriculture and for land routes to Niger republic.
Governor Zulum, spending the night at Damasak, has ended the speculation that the town had fallen to insurgents’ occupation.
The Governor interacted with residents, empathized with them and assessed destructions caused by insurgents. Thousands of residents who had fled to border communities in Niger republic returned on Friday.
Governor Zulum confirmed from residents, that 18 people had died, 21 injured, and he saw several property destroyed.
The UN humanitarian hub, private residential houses, a police station, palace of the district head, a primary healthcare centre, and a GSM village were among property destroyed.
The insurgents attacked the town with three gun-trucks, residents told Governor Zulum.
Tuesday’s attack on Damasak was the sixth in two weeks, by the Boko Haram/ISWP groups, residents recalled.
Governor Zulum, however assured of robust measures being put in place to avert future attacks on Damasak Town, by the insurgents.
The Governor directed the strengthening of agricultural activities in Damasak, and he assessed a rice farm which his administration facilitates, to enhance food security.