By Dipo Olowookere
The recent attack on the convoy of Governor Umar Babagana Zulum of Borno State by men of the Boko Haram terrorists group has been described as an “orchestrated sabotage against the long-planned return of displaced persons to their local communities.”
The presidency, while reacting to the unfortunate incident, which was the second on the Governor in the past few months, urged “security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to check sabotage, sanitise the roads, venues and locations well in advance of returning IDPs, while working closely with local communities.”
The convoy of Mr Zulum was attacked during the week by the insurgents, leading to the death of some security operatives, including soldiers and policemen.
The Governor’s convoy was ambushed by the Boko Haram terrorists, who have waged a huge war on the Nigerian government for many years and are yet to be totally defeated despite the huge resources deployed to decimate them.
In a statement issued by Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, the ambush on the Governor’s entourage on the Maiduguri-Baga route was vehemently condemned.
President Buhari, in the statement, expressed his “deep sympathy” on the loss of lives of security men on the convoy, commiserating with their families and loved ones.
He also “prayed that God will grant the souls of the departed security men and operatives of Civilian-JTF eternal rest, and comfort their families.”
Mr Buhari advised the “government of Borno State, working with security and intelligence agencies, to remain firm in their determination to restore normalcy to all communities liberated from Boko Haram terrorists.”
He commended the gallantry of service personnel who repelled the deadly ambush, as well the sincere determination of Governor Zulum, who has been working with armed forces to end the menace of terrorists, rebuild homes and return IDPs to regular life.
