Explosions: We’ve to fortify Maiduguri, Zulum charges military

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has visited the 1,000 units housing estate in Maiduguri which was hit on Saturday morning by a rocket launcher believed to have been fired by Boko Haram/ISWAP terror groups.

He also said he was setting up what he called “a small committee” to assess damages inflicted and advise government on measures to avert future occurrence on the scene and other parts of the city.

Zulum, who had been praising the military in the last one year, was unhappy with the attack as well as the recent abductions.

He described the Saturday attack as worrisome and he called on the military to wake up from some instances of laxity.

The governor said: “It is very sad and unfortunate that this kind of attack and others are happening at this time. It seems the insurgents came very close to Maiduguri. Our military have to wake up and ensure adequate surveillance. This is something we should be able to avert. For the insurgents to have come so close to fire rockets, I think there is something wrong that we have to check.

“We have to fortify Maiduguri, as we will continue to do around other cities and towns across the state. We have to ensure adequate patrols on a daily basis to avert future attacks.”

The explosives had hit a house at the estate, causing serious commotion around Ngomari Airport, Njimtilo and Shuwari village which are near the estate.

No life was lost, the governor was told.

Zulum commiserated with all those affected and assured that government will take measures to hopefully avert any future occurrence.

“I wish to sympathize with those affected by today’s attack, I will constitute a small committee to ascertain the level of damage and advise government on how to avert future occurrence,” Zulum said.