Governor Zulum speaks out.
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has on Saturday, confirmed the attack on a convoy of government Officials by suspected Boko Haram insurgents, which led to the death of many Security Personnel, Page 36 learnt.
Recall, that several Security Personnel, comprising of Soldiers, Police Officers, and Operatives of the Civilian-JTF, were killed in an ambush, while on escort duty to Officials of the State Government, as they headed towards Baga town.
Governor Zulum was billed to officially return the people of Baga to their communities, nearly 3 years after Boko Haram sacked them.
The Governor’s Spokesman, Isa Gusau, in a statement issued on Saturday, explained what happened.
He said that 3 separate convoys, one of the Governor, the second, that of a Government Committee, and the third, a Security escort team, were arranged for the trip.
Gusau explained that the Security team was attacked long after the others had arrived Baga, saying that, Governor Zulum is saddened by the loss of lives.
His words: “Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is saddened by this unfortunate carnage. He shares the grief of families of these 11 priceless heroes to whom Borno shall remain grateful.
“Baga is Borno’s largest fishing community in the shores of the Lake Chad; with waterways to neighbouring countries, is considered strategic to Boko haram’s operation.”
“The Governor was already in Baga, performing his duties when the rear convoy of backup Security got attacked.”
The Governor and his entourage did not travel by road. They were flown from Maiduguri to Baga, by a Military chopper, at about 11am.
Gusau said that the two convoys, “one belonging to the Governor, and another for a Committee on Baga reconstruction, had safely plied the Maiduguri-Baga route, before the third convoy of Security men was ambushed”.
More news later…