Zulum urges community to shun collaboration with insurgents

Governor Babagana Zulum on Thursday called on Jakana community in Konduga Local Government Area of the state to shun collaboration with Boko Haram insurgents.

Gov. Zulum also called on the villagers not to flee their homes for fear of the insurgents’ attacks, assuring that the military was on top of the situation.

Jakana community is about 40 kilometers from Maiduguri on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.

The governor made the call when he paid a visit to commiserate with members of the community over fresh attacks by the insurgents in the area on Tuesday.

“I appeal to parents in Jakana community to prevail on your children, who are involved in the process to desist from collaborating with the insurgents, if any.

“The state government and the military will provide avenues under the ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ for the insurgents willing to surrender for de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the state government is considering options to re-establish a police outpost in the area, to enhance security, protect lives and property.

While commending the federal government, armed forces and police over the successes recorded in the counter- insurgency operations, Zulum called for deployment of security apparatus to fast track peace building process in the conflict prone areas of the state.

He added that: “We must commend and appreciate the federal government, the military and police in maintaining law and order in Borno state. The situation between now and 2015 cannot be compared; the demarcation line is very distinct, there is improvement over the years, we must commend the efforts of the federal government and the military.

“The federal government has done a lot, we are still appealing to it to provide more security in the region especially in Jakana community.”