From Usman Abubakar, in Maiduguri
Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP, terrorists, Sunday afternoon, invaded Dumba community, near Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing no fewer than 40 farmers and fishermen.
This figure is official, but reliable community sources put the figure at between 50 and 70, with an anonymous source saying, “they could be more.”
Security sources have not yet issued any statement on the attack, but the Borno State government confirmed it saying, “Initial report indicates about 40 farmers have been killed while the whereabouts of many who escaped the attack are being traced for reunion with their families.”
The state’s Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, said in a statement issued, Monday afternoon, “The Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, condemns this attack in strong terms, and calls on the officers and men of Operation Hadin Kai to track and obliterate the insurgent elements that are operating at Dumba and other similar enclaves in the Lake Chad Area.”
He conveyed Gov. Zulum’s commiseration with the victims and their families, while assuring that those still missing will be found and reunited with the families.
“With deep sorrow and anguish, I received the sad news of the attack on Dumba where scores of our farmers and fishermen were killed by the terrorists,” Tar quoted Zulum as saying.
Zulum’s quote: “On behalf of the government, I sympathise with the victims’ families. Let me assure the citizens of Borno that this matter will be thoroughly investigated for further necessary action.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on the armed forces to track and deal decisively with the perpetrators of this heinous act of violence against our innocent citizens”.
It was observed that the farmers strayed off the security corridor established by the security agencies, and went into an enclave that is yet to be cleared. Such enclaves are usually prone to nocturnal attacks by marauding terrorists, as well as being contaminated with landmines.
Gov Zulum called on citizens not to venture beyond the safety zones that are demarcated by the government and security agencies.
Gov Zulum highlighted that “the Government has clearly demarcated the land for safe farming and economic activities, allowing the military to focus on clearing the unsafe areas where security clearance and combat operations could be conducted.
“It is important for our citizens not to go into areas where there may be exchange of fires, or where the terrorists may be lurking and trespassing.”
The Borno government also commends the armed forces for its consistent effort in ensuring that vast tracks of land are cleared for human resettlement and agriculture, consistent with Gov Zulum’s sustainable solutions to managing internal displacement in Borno State.
The Borno Governments calls on farmers, fishermen and local communities to operate within the “safe corridors” demarcated by the armed forces.
The safe corridors consist of vast tracks of land which were cleared and decontaminated of explosives where settlement, fishing and farming could be safely carried out under the dutiful watch of our gallant security forces.
It is dangerous, according to the Inteenal Security Commissioner, to stray away from the demarcated safe corridors in order to enable the security forces to concentrate in safeguarding lives, while continuing to engage the terrorists without fear of the citizens being used as human shields by the terrorists.
The government also called on citizens to report any sighting of strange movements within or near their settlements and farmlands for speedy action.
