“Benisheikh Attack Surprised Me Because Security Agencies Had Prior Information” –  Gov Zulum

By Adesina Soyooye

“There is a need to reassess the security architecture”

A seemingly tired and helpless Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has disclosed that Security Agencies had prior knowledge of the attack at the Army Brigade Command Benisheikh.

According to the Governor, Security Agencies knew three days in advance that the attack was coming.

Recall that terrorists of ISWAP and Boko Haram bent launched a devastating offensive on the 15 Task Force Brigade Benisheikh, which resulted in the killing of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Oseni Braimah and a number of other troops.

Based on the Governor’s shocking disclosure, the questions then are: What happened? Why were the troops not prepared for the attack? Why was the Brigade not fortified? Why were more troops not moved into the area to avoid the embarrassing overrunning of a Brigade Command and the killing of a Brigadier-General and a number of his troops?

Zulum’s disclosure came when he paid a sympathy visit to the community after the assault that, also, took the lives of  several  civilians.

The Governor who described the incident as shocking, called for an urgent overhaul of security strategies.

He said: “This is one of the most surprising attacks I’ve witnessed in recent times.

“Credible intelligence had been available for about three days. There is a need to reassess our security architecture.”

The Local Government Chairman also confirmed that intelligence reports were received, and blamed the incident on “a major lapse.”