…Demands Stronger Military Offensive
By Muhammed Ali
In the wake of renewed extremist violence in Borno State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has unveiled a comprehensive plan to rebuild Kirawa community while simultaneously urging the military to intensify operations against insurgents.
During an assessment visit to Kirawa, a border community in Gwoza Local Government Area battered by recent terrorist ambushes, the governor approved the immediate construction of a new hospital, provision of water facilities, and other vital infrastructure to restore hope to residents.
Kirawa has faced multiple attacks in the past two weeks, including a deadly ambush that claimed the life of a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) commander. The attacks also led to destruction of property and renewed fears among residents already scarred by years of insurgency.
While consoling the grieving community, Zulum stressed that his administration’s response would not be limited to sympathy but to tangible action that strengthens both security and social services. He disclosed plans to deploy more security personnel and establish a new CJTF post in Kirawa to enhance surveillance and rapid response.
But beyond local interventions, Zulum sent a strong message to the Nigerian Armed Forces, calling for sustained and aggressive military campaigns to prevent insurgents from regaining ground.
“For some time, military operations have not been conducted in Borno State. This has been instrumental to the renewed insurgency. We need to take note of one very important thing: continued military operations. Above all, we need more commitment,” the governor declared.
Zulum made the trip to Kirawa by road, accompanied by the commander of the 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General N. I. Abdullahi, alongside lawmakers and top state officials—a gesture residents interpreted as a mark of solidarity and defiance in the face of extremist threats.
The governor’s twin strategy—development to rebuild trust and military pressure to restore security—underscores the delicate balance Borno State must maintain as it seeks to stabilize vulnerable border communities and prevent insurgents from reversing hard-won gains.
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