Convoy of the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, since assumption of office in 2019, has been attacked by the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram five times, Muslim News findings revealed.
During those periods, Allah, in His infinite mercy, protected the people’s governor, who won Muslim News Nigeria’s Personality of the Year 2019, from the plots and evil machinations of the terrorist group.
Four of the five attacks which occured within a year (September 2019 to September 2020) took place near and inside Baga area of Kukawa local government area of the state, at different times.
Baga, a fishing community in the shores of Lake Chad with waterways to neighboring countries, was displaced by the insurgent group and for months, most of the residents have sought refuge in Maiduguri and Monguno areas of the state.
Since assumption of office in 2019, the hardworking and dedicated Governor has been on his toes ensuring sanity is restored to the State and the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) return to their homes peacefully while easing their lives.
But the terrorist group, are doing everything possible to stop Prof Zulum, a Muslim, in his quest to bring lasting peace to the region.
1. The most recent of the attacks though without casualties, took place last Sunday, September 27 between Monguno and Baga towns two days after an ambush was laid on the governor’s convoy by Boko Haram.
Professor Zulum was on an assessment tour of Baga in preparation for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town before the tyre of the vehicle from the convoy conveying journalists attached to the governor was shot but the driver managed to keep moving with cases of injuries.
2. Two days earlier, on Friday, September 25, multiple media reports have it that the governor’s convoy suffered from an ambush which left about 30 persons dead including 10 policemen and 4 soldiers.
The governor’s convoy was said to have been attacked between Monguno and Baga areas of the state.
3. The third attack on the Governor convoy by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram came on Wednesday, August 4. He and his entourage were ambushed on their way to Monguno and Baga towns to distribute food to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Nigeria Governors Forum condemned the attack, adding that it was a proof that governors are also vulnerable. However, Prof. Zulum later alleged that it was Nigerian soldiers, not the dreaded terrorist group, that was behind the attack.
Speaking with Channels TV, he said; “It is a complete sabotage… I cannot end my interview without clearly stating what happened yesterday. As far as I am concerned, there was no Boko Haram yesterday (Wednesday). It was a serious shooting by the Nigerian armed forces while ‘residing’ in Baga. The situation is very embarrassing.”
4. On July 29, the governor’s convoy came under another attack from terrorist group suspected to be ISWAP near Baga town, forcing him to cancel his trip to the town. Multiple media reported that the governor was unharmed, but there were casualties in his entourage.
5. It would also be recalled that Gov. Zulum and his entourage were attacked in Konduga on September 5, 2019 while returning from a trip to Bama local government area, Borno. Media reports said the terrorist group opened fire on the Gov’s convoy which also had some of his commissioners.
Luckily for them, they escaped unhurt, but the last vehicle which is an army gun truck was pelted with bullets.
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