On Tuesday, the jihadi group, Boko Haram admitted to the brutal massacre of farmworkers in the northeast Nigeria state of Borno over the weekend, just outside the capital of Maiduguri.
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau said said in a short video said his group killed 78 farmers because “the farmers arrested and handed one of its brothers to the Nigerian Army.”
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum listed 6 recommendations for consideration by President Muhammadu Buhari in response to the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the northeast.
6 key recommendations which if implemented will solve a decade long insurgency in Borno Zulum said, these are:
1. Ensure immediate recruitment of Borno youth into the armed forces to supplement the military.
2. Ensure the engagement of services of neighbors, Chad, Niger and Cameroon in clearing the remnants of the insurgents along the shores of Lake Chad.
3. Engage the services of mercenaries to clear Sambisa game reserve.
4. Provide mine resistant armored carriers and other equipment to the military and para military.
5. Support the State Government in repatriation of refugees in Niger and Cameroon.
6. Increase the means of livelihood to the people of Borno.
“After 11 years, insurgency still persists. We have made those recommendations for Mr. President’s kind consideration, kindly assist in ensuring that our recommendations have reached the President.” Zulum said.
Taraba State Governor, Ishaku Darius has declared support for Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s request that the federal reengages mercenaries to join the Nigerian armed forces in ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents terrorizing Borno in particular, and some parts of the northeast.
The Nigerian Governor’s Forum Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi disclosed that the security challenges are beyond the Nigerian military, He said, they are overwhelmed and cannot tackle the security situation affecting many parts of the country, that includes, Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery.
“What happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a massacre and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily.”
In the meantime, 48 bereaved families of Zabarmari farmers killed last Saturday, today received N600,000 each and bags of food items from a committee assigned by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to transparently convey external donations to the victims.
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