Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has accused troops of the Nigerian Army of leaving some residents of the state at the mercy of Boko Haram insurgents.
An angry Zulum said this on Monday when he visited Auno, a town 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, Borno state capital, alleging that soldiers sent to secure the community desert the people around 5pm on a daily basis.
At least 30 persons were killed when Boko Haram insurgents attacked travellers in Auno on Sunday night.
Addressing Sunday Igbinomwanhia, garrison commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, at the scene of the incident, the governor Zulum said he was disappointed that the army has not established a military base in Auno.
Zulum said, “We have to be brutal in telling the truth. I am pushed to the wall to say the truth. Since I was inaugurated as governor of Borno state, Boko Haram has attacked Auno six times. Another thing is that the military has withdrawn from Auno town.
“I am not undermining the capacity of the military but we have made repeated appeal for the military to establish their unit in Auno. They are here but as soon as it is 5 pm, they close the gate and lock the people and go back to Maiduguri. This is not right.”
But the army commander reassured that the military is committed to the protection of lives and property in the state.
According to him, soldiers were conducting clearance operation at other locations when the attack happened.
He said that troops will not deliberately allow the people to be killed by insurgents.
Igbinomwanhia asked residents of the community to help by providing credible information.
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