Marte attacks: Zulum commends Fed Govt, military for swift response
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has praised the Federal Government and the military for their swift response to his call to save Marte Local Government Area(LGA) from ISWAP/Boko Haram insurgents.
Zulum, who returned to the troubled LGA yesterday, told reporters that many troops and ‘’pieces of equipment’’ had been deployed.
He spent a night in the council on Saturday after visiting nine communities– Kala-Balge, Wulgo, Ngala, Lugumani, Gajibo, Koibe, Dikwa and Ajiri—believed to be worst affected by terror attacks.
On Sunday in Maiduguri, the governor lamented that only one out of the 300 communities that make up Marte LGA was still in control of the government.
He had said: “ Marte Local Government comprises over 300 towns and villages. Now we have only one standing. If we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole local government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen.’’
But when he returned to the council as part of his efforts to restore peace, rebuild trust and foster sustainable development in the Lake Chad region, Zulum said: “I am very happy, and insha Allah, normalcy will be restored soon.
“The Federal Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces have responded positively to our request to enhance security in the affected communities. We have seen many troops deployed and many pieces of equipment deployed.
“I want to commend the Nigerian Armed Forces for the cooperation they have been giving us; without their support, we couldn’t have done much. I want, once again, to commend all stakeholders who have contributed to our search for peace and the restoration of normalcy.”
During the visit, the governor met behind closed doors with military commanders aimed at servicing modalities for restoring peace in Marte and the surrounding communities.
Zulum added: “I am here to monitor the efficacy of our ‘re-resettlement’ of the residents we conducted a few days ago. I am very happy to note that the community is fully back, and soldiers are on the ground. Normal economic activities have resumed in Marte.’’
The governor was in company with members representing Marte, Monguno and Nganzai constituencies in the House of Representatives, Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mele; and Commissioner for Agriculture, Bawu Musami.
