Defence Minister leads security delegation to Borno on Assessment Visit

Nigeria’s minister of defence Abubakar Badaru, led a military delegation on an assessment visit to Borno, where they also paid a courtesy call on governor Babagana Umara Zulum at the Government House.

The minister, in company of the state minister of defence Bello Mutawalle, Chief of defence Staff, Christopher Musa and all other security bosses noted that the high-level delegation was assigned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assess the level of process so far and what should be done in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.

The minister said, “we have had a fruitful and honest discussion with governor Zulum before this public appearance and we have discussed extensively on the way forward. I’m hoping with the strategy to be taken in no distance time the issue of insurgency will be history, especially in the North East.”

The minister reiterated that Mr. President will support the military throughout to see to the end of all forms of insecurity.

He also said the delegation would have loved to pay the Shehu of Borno courtesy call to hear from him, but unfortunately, he is out of the state.

“We will also visit our troops to see and thank them for their selflessness service and to hear what are their immediate needs, because the crop of leadership we have now in the military have working synergy towards the fight against insurgency.”

Governor Zulum in his remarks thanked the August delegation for coming saying “let me thank my elder brother the former governor of Jigawa and now the minister of defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru for leading this high-level delegation. We are indeed so pleased to see all of you, we have had this kind of delegation once or twice and this goes to tell how you people wish to bring lasting peace and stability to Borno State. Therefore, on behalf of myself and the people of Borno State, we want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Zulum further said, “the security in Borno State has greatly improved, but nevertheless we have to be careful whenever we want to report security matters in Borno State, information dissemination is very important, the enemy breath on inadequate information dissemination.”

“In the past weeks, I have gone through the nooks and crannies of the state and the report reaching me through the Royal Highnesses and communities clearly indicates that peace is completely returning to Borno State. I want to specifically thank Mr. President, the minister of defence and the state minister and all service chiefs for sustaining the peace in Borno State”.

“We are still soliciting the Nigerian military to reach the enclaves of the insurgent who are not ready to lay down their arms, the continuation of military operations is the only way the insurgents can be flushed out completely. I will always thank the Nigerian military. The numbers of the repentant boko Haram and their families has now reached to about 160 thousand, this cannot be achieved without the support from the military.”