Latest Attempts to Obstruct Community Reconstruction with Landmine Explosions -Zulum

Recent explosions of landmines killing commuters, security agents, and locals across various locations have been characterised by Borno State governor Professor Babagana Zulum as renewed efforts to impede the reconstruction of devastated communities and the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

While touring communities in the Dikwa, Marte, and Ngala LGAs, Zulum stated that his administration is actively seeking out conspirators both within and outside of government in order to impose suitable punishments.

Security forces, civilians from the Joint Task Force, relief workers, and farmers have all lost their lives in recent years due to explosions that have rocked the northern region of Borno along the routes of Maiduguri, Dikwa, Marte, and Ngala.

Both Marte and Ngala are located 150 and 153 km, respectively, from Maiduguri, the city. Due to the transborder commercial operations that occur along that route, the two LGAs have an economically crucial role for Borno State and the Federal Government.

Years of insurgency have ruined the roads that used to lead to these lucrative LGAs, making them easy targets for Boko Haram terrorists who detonate explosives.

As part of his efforts to rebuild and resettle internally displaced peoples (IDPs), the governor toured devastated Marte towns and spoke with an army brigade in New Marte following a landmine explosion that injured army soldiers.

Following this, the governor relocated 500 homes formerly residing in internally displaced persons camps to the Logumani settlement in Ngala LGA. He also provided them with necessities to ease their transition.

Among Governor Zulum’s campaign promises was the provision of agricultural infrastructure to support irrigated farming and other value chain activities in the agricultural sector, as well as the resettlement of internally displaced persons.