Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has blamed renewed Boko Haram attacks in Kirawa, Gwoza Local Government Area, on the negligence of the Nigerian military, revealing that his earlier security warnings were ignored.
Zulum said he had warned military authorities about the dangers of leaving Kirawa a strategic border community without adequate protection following the withdrawal of Cameroonian troops who had previously secured the area.
“I duly notified the Nigerian military of the dangers of leaving this town without security,” Zulum said. “Unfortunately, my request did not receive the deserved attention, and the insurgents came on Wednesday and vandalised everything we worked so hard to rebuild.”
The governor said the attack left two people dead, while more than 50 houses, eight vehicles, and heavy-duty equipment were destroyed. He expressed gratitude that the casualties were not higher but stressed that the destruction was devastating.
Following the raid, the Nigerian Army has reportedly agreed to redeploy troops to the town.
Zulum said the state government would also provide more logistical support to civilian JTF and vigilante groups defending the area.
“The second measure we have undertaken is to strengthen our civilian JTF and vigilante forces.
We will provide them with the equipment needed to safeguard Kirawa,” he said.
Zulum further appealed to the federal government to urgently release funds to bolster military operations in the state, especially now that the rainy season is ending.
“We are pleading with the federal government and the Chief of Defence Staff to release funds and procure equipment to enable full military operations,” he added.
The governor warned that inconsistent military engagement was enabling insurgent resurgence across Borno. “We need constant operations.
Sporadic deployments only encourage renewed attacks,” he said, urging soldiers to show greater commitment in combating the terrorists.
He also reassured residents of government support and urged them not to panic.
“There’s no reason why a few Boko Haram members should defeat an entire community,” he stated.
According to local sources, more than 5,000 residents fled into Cameroon after Boko Haram militants captured Kirawa, setting ablaze homes, a military base, and the district head’s palace.
The insurgents later released a video showing fighters chanting victory songs as they torched buildings under the night sky.
The attack comes just weeks after a similar assault in Banki, another border town, where insurgents overran a military barracks and seized weapons.
Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have intensified attacks in northeastern Nigeria this year, targeting civilians, security forces, and border communities.
Zulum’s latest comments highlight growing frustration over the slow federal response to the security crisis, as displaced families continue to pour into Cameroon and Maiduguri for safety.
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