After a second attack on his convoy in two days, and the third in two months, most Nigerians are afraid for the life of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum.
And they include President Muhammadu Buhari, who alleged sabotage, the Progressives Governors’ Forum, PGF, which has cried out to the Federal Government to urgently protect Zulum by improving logistics for the Military, Police and other Security Agencies, and members of the public who think there is a grand plan to send back the Governor to his Maker for keeps, over his pronouncements on the Insurgency was.
In the first attack two months ago, Governor Zulum barely escaped with his skin. He was hurriedly and roughly pushed into an armoured operational vehicle by brave security aides who shielded him.
A couple of days ago, his convoy ran into a bloody ambush. At the last count, unofficial sources say 30 soldiers, policemen and civilians lay dead . Official sources – Government, Military, Police – say much less, 18 perhaps.
What saved Zulum was that he had the good sense of using a helicopter to fly to Baga where he and his entourage were billed to welcome IDPs back.
A good number of members of his entourage paid the supreme price.
The outcry that followed this attack and the number of fatalities came like claps of thunder. But the Boko Haram insurgents, who are after him were unperturbed. Two days later, on Sunday, they struck, again, on his convoy which was on its way from Baga back to Maidugiri. Mercifully, no casuaties were recorded. But cars were destroyed.
These attacks on convoy Zulum convoy, by Boko Haram Insurgents, have been strongly condemned by Governors by the ruling All Progressives Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF.
In condemning the attacks, the Governors urged the Federal Government to provide more logistics support for the Military, the Police and other security agencies to ensure that Nigeria enjoys relative peace across the states of the federation.
The Chairman of the PGF, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State said the Military is not well mobilized and equipped with adequate logistics to combat the level of insurgency and terrorism cases that has befallen Nigeria, making it difficult for them to combat the well equipped Insurgents.
A statement by the PGF reads: “We commiserate with the people and Government of Borno State over the unfortunate attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020, on two convoys along Maiduguri/Baga Road of Borno State – one belonging to His Excellency Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the second belonging to the Committee on Baga reconstruction.”
“As Progressive Governors, we are saddened by this dastard attack which has resulted in the unfortunate death of precious lives of security personnel and innocent citizens.”
“We join our brother, Governor Zulum, our leaders in Borno State and all Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives. In this painful period, Nigerians should be strengthened by the determination of Governor Zulum to expedite peacebuilding process in Borno State and indeed the whole of North East.”
“All Nigerians should rise in support of the laudable initiatives of Borno State Government and security agencies to return citizens in the State back to normal life. We must rise in support of the people and government of Borno State to end all activities of Boko Haram insurgents which promote trade and tax administration that fund their heinous activities.”
“Clearly, the strategies and tactics currently adopted by Borno State and security agencies are very effective and the attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020, on the two convoys by the Boko Haram insurgents is to distract the government from ensuring that life return to normal in Borno State.”
“While we commiserate with the Government and people of Borno State, we call on the Federal Government to immediately provide more logistical support to security agencies deployed to Borno state to ensure a speedy return to normal life in Borno State and the whole of North East, we will not allow our nation to rot”.
The question, however, is who is after Zulum?
Not a few people think the attacks are an inside job. They think there is sabotage within. Otherwise, how do the insurgents know his itinerary?, they ask.
Governor Zulu has been blunt and fearless in his efforts to restore peace in Bornu State. After the first attack on his convoy, he accused the Military of sabotage, schockingly absolving the insurgents, insisting the attack was carried out by soldiers.
This strong allegation attracted an equally strong rebuke of the Governor from the Military, which absolved its long-suffering and patriotic personnel of such unbelievable acts.
Zulum did not relent. He followed up by alleging that soldiers were not anxious to see the IDPs back home, as they had taken over people’s farmlands, and farming on them, as well as engaging in fishing.
Instructively, the recent attack came as he was on his way to Baga to receive returning IDPs.
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