By Anas Abbas
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has condemned the killing of 58 civilians and five soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in Darajamal, a community in Bama Local Government Area.
Zulum, who visited the community on Saturday, expressed deep grief over the attack, which occurred on Friday night.
He sympathized with the families of the victims and assured residents of government’s commitment to strengthening security.
“We are here to commiserate with the people of Darajamal over what happened last night that claimed the lives of many people. It is very sad,” the governor told journalists.
“This community was resettled only a few months ago, and people had returned to their normal activities. Unfortunately, they have now suffered another Boko Haram attack.”
Confirming the casualty figures, the governor disclosed that 63 persons were killed, including nearly 60 civilians and five soldiers. He stressed the urgent need to complement the efforts of the military with the newly trained Forest Guards.
“The numerical strength of the military is not enough to cover everywhere,” Zulum noted. “So far, two sets of Forest Guards have been trained. Deploying them to vulnerable communities and forests will go a long way in preventing further attacks.”
Also reacting, Senator Kaka Lawan of Borno Central, whose constituency covers Darajamal, condemned the killings, describing the attack as a crime against humanity.
He pledged legislative support to Governor Zulum’s efforts to restore lasting peace in the state.