Borno villages attacked, scores killed as Buhari assures Governors, announcing arrival of equipment

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday gave strong assurances that security will be restored to Borno State, the Northeast and the nation at large, following the recent adoption of new strategies, and the acquisition of modern military equipment.
The assurances came at about the same time reports filtered in that Boko Haram terrorists have invaded many communities in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, killing scores of farmers and herders after rustling hundreds of their domestic animals, mostly cows.
According to the Vanguard newspaper, Magumeri is North and about 40 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital, which has witnessed a series of Boko Haram attacks.
The newspaper reports further: One such attack included the abduction of oil exploration firm’s workers and staff of the Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, on a mission around the shores of the Lake Chad Basin.
Sources said the latest attack forced hundreds of displaced persons from the affected communities of Puciwa and Koleram to take refuge at Magumeri town, with no presence of police and other security agents.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Secretary of the council, Mallam Wali, said the whole communities bordering Magumeri Local Government headquarters, Gubio Council and Gajigana axis, near Nganzai council area, were currently under Boko Haram control.
His words: “We are much terrified with the latest and deadly attacks by insurgents.
“The whole communities bordering Magumeri Local Government headquarters, Gubio council and Gajigana axis, near Nganzai Council Area, have been terrorised.
“As I speak to you, communities of Puciwa and Koleram are under Boko Haram control.
“This fresh incident has left many of my people dead and injured, while unspecified number of those who survived the onslaught have relocated to Magumeri for safety, as their means of livelihoods have been jeopardised.
“But we are doing our best to ensure that the displaced ones are properly taken care of, as we collaborate with security agencies to find lasting peace in the communities
But speaking at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with the five Northeast State Governors, attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of intelligence agencies, President Buhari said:
“Things will improve very soon.  We are acquiring modern equipment; some are here, some are being cleared, and others still coming.  We need patience with acquisition of equipment. You need to train the trainers for their usage ahead of their deployment to the field.”
“I have listened to your presentation,” he told the Governors, who spoke through their Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, adding, “I assure you, the Northeast Governors, especially that of Borno, that we go to bed and wake up thinking about you, how to secure our country, that is the responsibility of every government.  Our party campaigned in 2015 on three major objectives, among which is Security.  We said the same thing in 2019 and Nigerians believed us. We are doing our best and we will continue to do even better.”
The President lamented the impact on the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, making scarce resources even scarcer, coupled with its severe impact on the supply chain of military equipment and spare parts.
“Our government is doing its best on the question of equipment and the military know.  We have equipment coming from some countries.  The acquisition of military wares and spares is not easy, especially if you are not the manufacturer,” he emphasized.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the Chief of Staff, the National Security Adviser and all the Service Chiefs who spoke in support of the President, assured that things will get better soon.  They made a strong case for strengthening ties among the military, state governments, traditional institutions and all communities and the residents of the region.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai gave an assessment of the current efforts, stressing that Boko Haram terrorists have been flushed out of all the States in the region, leaving Borno State as the last stop.
According to him, “There are no Boko Haram terrorists in neighbouring states.  They have been pushed out, and now cornered in Borno State.  We are coordinating with civil and traditional authorities, mobilising and reinforcing and all we need is patience.  We will not relent.”
On his part, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, briefed the meeting on the acquisition of military aircraft, stressing that the imminent arrival of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, known as drones with more than 10 hours of flying time, would strongly reinforce the battle front.
Briefs were also received on equipment needs of the Police as well as the changing alliances between criminal gangs and terrorist groups in the region from the Intelligence Community.
In their address at the beginning of the meeting, the Northeast Governors noted that the security situation in the region has now greatly improved, compared to the time the President assumed office.
While commending President Buhari for the establishment of the Northeast Development Commission and the take-off of Mambila Dam Power Project, they however, called for attention to the condition of most of their roads.
They also warned of the consequences of a “War Economy” and the need to address the root causes of the insurgency.
According to the Governors, “A large population in the region, especially in Borno State, have no access to their homes and farmlands,” while calling for efforts to curtail the “increasing trust deficit between the population and the armed forces.”