Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has asked the Nigerian military to focus on the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) fighters rather than Boko Haram terrorists.
The governor stated that the reason is that ISWAP terrorists are better armed and equipped, more intelligent, and more sophisticated than Boko Haram members.
Zulum made the submission when he received members of the Senate Committee on Army at the Government House in Maiduguri, the Borno capital on Wednesday.
The governor said the growing presence of these foreign-trained terrorists in the Southern part of the state and other parts has become a source of concern for his government.
Zulum, however, commended the military and the Federal Government for their hard work in ensuring that peace returns finally to the state, adding that stability has been recorded in the agricultural sector.
He expressed his support for the continued combination of military warfare and political approach towards disarmament, deradicalization, and safe reintegration.
He said: “Borno state has started witnessing the gradual return of peace. This will not be possible without the support of the federal government.
“The service chiefs are giving us the desired cooperation. Indeed, the current theatre commander and the GOCs have been giving their cooperation.
“Honestly speaking, we have to do something about the operations of ISWAP in Borno state. If nothing is done to check them and chase them out, it may be bad not only for people of the North East, but the entire nation at large.
“ISWAP’s fighters are better armed, better equipped, more intelligent and more sophisticated than Boko Haram and they grow spontaneously. Hence, the need to pursue the ISWAP now.”
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Senator Ali Ndume, said the visit to Borno was to commend Zulum for his support to the army towards restoring peace.
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