Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has expressed sadness over the killing of 40 farmers and fishermen in Dumba, Kukawa Local Government Area of the state by terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram/ISWAP militants.
Zulum also condemned the killing which occurred on Sunday, January 12, 2025, calling on security operatives to immediately go after the perpetrators and neutralize them.
Governor Zulum’s reaction was contained in a statement issued and signed on Monday by Prof Usman Tar, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security.
“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 terrorists,”
“Let me use this opportunity to call on the armed forces to deal decisively with the perpetrators of this violence against our innocent citizens,” he said.
The incident occurred when the victims ventured beyond the designated security corridors for farming and fishing activities.
These areas, which have been cleared by security forces, remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks and are sometimes contaminated with landmines.
Governor Zulum urged citizens to stay within the safety zones established by the government and security agencies to avoid further attacks.
“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,” Governor Zulum emphasized.
The governor also commended the armed forces for their ongoing efforts to clear vast areas of land for resettlement and agriculture, which are key components of the state’s strategy to address internal displacement.
Governor Zulum urged local communities to report any suspicious activities to security forces to prevent further tragedies. (vitalnewsngr.com)
