Gov Zulum Engages Military On Baga Naval Base Reopening, Farmers’ Safety
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – In a move meant to ensure the safety and security of farmers in the Lake Chad region, the Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has pleaded with Nigerian Military authorities to work on reopening the Baga Naval base for operational activities.
Governor Zulum said given the relative peace being enjoyed on the shores of the Lake Chad region, reopening the base would give confidence and protect both farmers and fishermen as they undertake agricultural activities around the area.
Speaking while receiving the new Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa at the Government House, Maiduguri, Zulum said; “The resumption of fishing activities in Baga is very dear to us”, adding that his administration is fully committed to the immediate relocation of the base from Maiduguri, the State capital to Baga.
The governor, who noted that the resumption of agricultural activities around the Lake Chad region would restore the means of livelihoods that have been lost by many, pleaded with the Theatre Commander to work on creating an enabling environment for farmers to resume their daily trade and other activities.
According to him; “The greatest insecurity in the state is denying the people to grow their food and vegetables,” he warned, noting that most of the people in camps and host communities wanted to return to their farmlands to pick up their lives.
Governor Zulum while charging the Military on the need to recover and protect some of the porous communities, said; “There is the need to activate and recover critical border towns of Malam Fatori, Abadam, Gudumbali, and Kareto, as well as the Damboa/Maiduguri, Bama/Banki, and Dikwa/Gambouru roads being also reopened for commuters and motorists.”
He also assured that the state government is ready to resettle more displaced persons in line with the Kampala Convention, lamenting that continuous dependence on food stamps from international humanitarian organisations is not only unhelpful but also unsustainable because some people have now become so overly lazy.
For him; “If communities would be allowed to engage in normal activities, they’ll help in fighting Boko Haram terrorists,” since the insurgents may not have the capacity to attack and overrun such communities.
Giving assurance to the new Theatre Commander on his administration’s support and commitment in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region, Zulum said all hands must be on deck to win the war in the overall interest of the country.
Responding to the governor’s remarks, Maj-General Musa said there is no relenting in the Military’s efforts to deliver on its mandate of securing the lives and property of the people.
Noting that “These operations involve the military and paramilitary, hunters and Civilian JTF for maximum results,” the Theatre Commander said both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches would be deployed in fighting the terrorists.
“Farming season is at hand, we have to provide a conducive atmosphere for farmers to go back to their farmlands and lake. We are committed to bringing peace in Borno and the entire Northeast”, he said
Governor Zulum’s appeal is coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise during last week’s official visit to the state where he assured that the Federal Government will provide access and security to farmlands to enable returnee Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) engaged in farming and have a better livelihood.
Recalled that the Baga Naval Base was attacked by Boko Haram insurgents in December 2018, with a cache of arms and ammunition carted away from the Military armoury.
