BABAGANA Zulum, Governor of Borno State, has charged the Nigerian Army to change its tactics to achieve more successful outcomes in its fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.
Zulum who made the charge during the Chief of Army Staff quarterly meeting which was held in the state capital, Maiduguri, on Tuesday, added that the Army must also embark on confidence-building and sharing mechanisms with its host communities.
“The Nigerian Army must, therefore, take the war to all the hideouts of the Boko Haram Camp and surely should not wait and give the insurgents the opportunity of the first attack,” he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Nigerian Army must also embark on confidence-building and confidence sharing mechanisms with communities and civil authorities.”
Speaking, Tukur Burutai, Chief of Army Staff, applauded the delivery of more equipment which according to him, would help in the prosecution of the war against terror.
Borno State has been the epi-centre of the terrorist attacks with the governor also coming under a series of attacks in recent times.
On September 27, while on his way out of Baga town after a two-day visit to receive indigenes of the town back home after 21 months of exile, the governor’s convoy was attacked.
Few kilometres away from Baga, unknown assailants believed to be Boko Haram opened fire on his escorts.
The attack happened barely 48 hours after his officials were ambushed on the same route while travelling to Baga.
At least 11 security personnel made up of eight policemen and three civilian JTF members were killed in the attack.
Saddened by the incident, which according to him, was the first in 18 months since he became governor, Zulum assured the wives of the slain officers of his commitment to supporting their livelihood and education of their children.
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