Governor Blames Military Inaction as Boko Haram Seizes Borno Border Town

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has accused the Nigerian military of ignoring his warnings about the security risks facing Kirawa, a border community in Gwoza Local Government Area, which has now fallen under Boko Haram control following renewed attacks.

OTN News further reports as gathered that Zulum, who on Friday personally led a convoy of security forces and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to the area, expressed frustration that his earlier alerts to the military about the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops and the need for a sustained presence in the town were disregarded.

According to him, “I duly notified the Nigerian military of the dangers of leaving this town without security. This is a border community. Wilgo, Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, Malamfatori, among others are border communities that have to be protected because of their strategic importance,”

However, the governor said his requests “did not receive the deserved attention,” which allowed insurgents to strike. 

“Unfortunately, my request did not get the attention it deserved, and the insurgents came on Wednesday and vandalised everything we worked so hard to rebuild,” he lamented.

The latest assault by Boko Haram militants on Kirawa has left two people dead, more than 50 houses destroyed, and several government assets, including heavy-duty machinery and eight vehicles, burned. 

Zulum said that despite the devastation, the situation could have been worse. “We thank God the casualties were not much,” he said.

The attack, which occurred late Thursday, also forced thousands of residents to flee. Local sources and Reuters reports indicated that over 5,000 people crossed into neighbouring Cameroon for safety, while others fled to Maiduguri, the state capital. 

The district head of Kirawa, Abdulrahman Abubakar, confirmed that his palace and the local military barracks were set ablaze before he escaped across the border.

“I was left with no option but to flee to Cameroon,” Abubakar said. “Residents boarded trucks to seek refuge across the border, while others ran to Maiduguri.”

Boko Haram later released a video showing fighters torching the barracks while chanting “victory belongs to God,” as flames engulfed the night sky. 

Residents confirmed that the town was completely deserted. “Boko Haram is in control,” said Dauda Hassan, one of the displaced persons who fled to Pulka, a nearby garrison town.

OTN News observes that the insurgent group’s latest offensive follows a similar attack on September 19 in Banki, another border town, where militants overran a military base, seized weapons, and forced troops to retreat. 

Security analysts said that the renewed onslaught underscores Boko Haram’s regrouping and expanding operations across border regions.

Zulum disclosed that the Nigerian Army had now agreed to redeploy troops to Kirawa, adding that his administration would provide additional logistics and equipment to local security outfits to strengthen defence. 

“We will provide our gallant civilian JTF and vigilantes with the needed equipment to safeguard the town,” he assured.

The governor also appealed to the federal government to urgently release funds to enhance military operations in the state. 

“We are pleading with the federal government and the Chief of Defence Staff to release funds and procure equipment so that military operations can resume fully, especially now that the rainy season is almost over,” he said.

He further urged the military to demonstrate stronger commitment in the fight against insurgency. 

“What matters is not the number of soldiers we keep here but how committed they are to fight back the terrorists during operations,” Zulum added.

Expressing concern over intermittent military activities, the governor warned that “inconsistent operations” were enabling the resurgence of terrorist attacks. 

“Sometimes, military operations were not conducted in Borno State, and that has been instrumental to what we are witnessing now — the renewed insurgent attacks,” he said.

Zulum, however, urged residents not to panic and to remain resilient despite the recent violence. 

“You need not to panic. I see no reason why very few members of Boko Haram will come to defeat an entire community without resistance,” he said.