By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara spent larger
part of Eid-el-Kabir day raising confidence of his people against Boko Haram.
The governor left the state capital, Maiduguri, few hours after attending the
Eid prayer, to visit Gubio where the soldiers repelled Boko Haram on Saturday
evening.
According to residents of Gubio, the soldiers engaged the insurgents in fierce
gun battle for seven hours (between 6pm and 1am) before they could push them
back.
The governor had to take leave from his busy schedule on Sallah day which
include a lunch with stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
and a traditional visit of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Elkanemi to the
Government House.
During the visit to Gubio, the governor who was accompanied by a member of the
House of Representatives representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri federal
constituency, Usman Zannah and some government officials, visited headquarters
of the 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
At the meeting with the military were Colonel I.A Ajose, the Brigade Commander,
the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Benson Akinroluyo
and the caretaker chairman of Gubio, Zannah Modu Gubio and other government
officials.
The Caretaker chairman told the governor that were it not for the gallant resistance
by soldiers of the Brigade, the insurgents could have gained control of Gubio
on the Sallah eve.
The governor was given assurance by the Theatre Commander of the determination
to engage the insurgents headlong.
He said the Army was now changing strategy, part of which include operational
movement of troops from one location to another.
Responding, Umara praised the 5 brigade for the gallantry and patriotism of
soldiers under the command.
He said Borno government will sustain its support for the military by
interventions on logistics, funding of volunteers in the Civilian JTF, hunters
and vigilantes who complement the military in fighting insurgents as well as
continued mobilization of citizens to cooperate and support the military.
The governor who later visited the palace of the district head, assured them of
the military’s continued presence.
He used the occasion to present additional patrol vehicles to more than 300
volunteers of the Civilian JTF and vigilantes helping with community
surveillance, intelligence gathering and sometimes, fighting alongside the
military in front lines.
