Nigerian Army in Damboa, Borno state. Photo:Sahara Reporters
Boko Haram insurgency continues to hamper resettlement efforts in Nigeria despite military presence
Dan Agbo in Nigeria | The World Daily | AUGUST 10th 2020
The Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s North East is hindering government efforts to move some internally displaced persons back to their communities despite heavy military presence in some towns in the region.
Just recently, the convoy of Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum was attacked in Baga town where he had gone on an assessment visit to see how people could return to their town, but had to be whisked away into a police armoured personnel carrier and sneaked out of the area.
He thereafter blamed the military for the attack, saying it was a complete sabotage, an allegation the Nigeria Army had denied. He wondered why “over 1181 soldiers in Baga, 72 officers, 107 soldiers, 400 soldiers in mile 4 and 1900 soldiers in Monguno” could be stopped by only five Boko Haram members from occupying Baga, describing the presence of troops in Baga in the last two years as shameful and unacceptable.
He said he would give it enough time because of the importance of Baga, noting that the shores of the Lake Chad provide employment opportunities to no fewer than 10m people who are residing in the North East while some people are even coming from the far North West.
“So, I see no reason why they should be left there if they cannot occupy Baga town which is very important. We shall give them some sufficient time. If it is not possible, I think we shall organise the population, the community to take destiny into their own hands so that we can go and occupy Baga. That is something very important.
“Then coming down to Cross [Cross Kauwa], we have 1,007 soldiers and 15 officers in Cross. Unfortunately, people cannot return to Cross. In Mile 4, we have about 470 soldiers and three officers. [In] Monguno, we have 1,900 soldiers. I think this number is quite enough to handle a small population.”
Zulum said he would go back to Baga in the coming months to ensure that people return to the area as that is the only possible solution because people should have their means of livelihood, and be on their own.
