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Attack on Zulum: ‘Nobody is Safe’, El-Kanemi, Borno Residents Say

Jolted by the attack on the convoy of the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and a mortar attack on Maiduguri, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Idris El-Kanemi, and other residents in the state have called for divine intervention and new strategy to end the decade-old insurgency in the Northeast of Nigeria.

El-Kanemi said during a solidarity and Sallah (Eid-el Kabir festival) visit to the governor on Saturday, that it was disturbing that Boko Haram elements attacked the governor and his team on their way to Baga.

“If the convoy of a whole chief security officer of the state could be attacked, then nobody is safe,” the traditional ruler said.

He said, ”The matter is getting worse. I urge everyone to rise in prayers for Allah’s intervention.”


El-Kanemi described the attack as regrettable, saying: “Your Excellency, we are not happy with what happened in Baga the other time. It is very unfortunate and a great pity.”

He enjoined the people to pray for the end of the insurgency, particularly in the more troubled communities of Borno State.

The ruler also urged the people to continue protecting themselves from the spread of COVID-19 by observing safety guidelines issued by health authorities against the virus infection.

Residents Are Shocked

Also, some residents of the state expressed shock over the attack and called for prayers to help stop the attacks.

Mallam Wakili of Gwange, Maiduguri, said it was shocking to hear about the attack in an area said to have been liberated from the insurgents and peace restored.

“It is a great shock for us. After the peace being built in the state, what the Shehu said is what exactly has to be done. We need to be prayerful and repent to Allah,” he said.

Mallam Modu Kawuri also said “if the entourage of the governor is not safe, no one is safe in Borno,” adding, “We are no longer in peace.”

Another Rocket Attack A Day After Attack on Zulum

Modu described the mortar attack on Kofa Biyu Zamani Clinic Area and Custom Layin Ayaba areas of Maiduguri on Thursday as inhuman, saying the state was no longer safe.

A humanitarian activist, Joy Inusa, called for fresh recruitment of security personnel if the state must be safe again.

“We need the presence of the CTJF (Civilian Joint Task Force) to help. We need to put hands together in fighting for our safety,” she said.

Boko Haram elements attacked Zulum’s motorcade on Wednesday while it was visiting Baga to open a road closed because of insurgency for two years and on Friday, the terrorists launched mortar attacks on Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.


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Aliyu Dahiru

Aliyu is an Assistant Editor at HumAngle and Head of the Radicalism and Extremism Desk. He has years of experience researching misinformation and influence operations. He is passionate about analysing jihadism in Africa and has published several articles on the topic. His work has been featured in various local and international publications.

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