By Sadiq Abubakar
Maiduguri
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has said that the war against Boko Haram has taken a new dimension and and dangerous trend that requires collective efforts and vigilance.
Lawal, who led a federal government delegation of three ministers to Maiduguri, Borno state capital yesterday to sympathise with the Borno state government and residents of Dalori community over last weekend Boko Haram deadly attack on the village, where hundreds were killed and houses burnt, said the Boko Haram insurgents had actually graduated from capturing communities and holding on to territories to use suicide bombers on the people, targeting higher casualties.
“When Boko Haram started, they were in the habit of capturing and holding on territory because the past federal government allowed it. Now they have moved to use of explosive devices on soft targets because of the hit on them by our military troops.
“This is a dangerous trend. In this place of battle with the Boko Haram insurgents, we may need to change our tactics,” he said during a courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima.
The SGF further, said, he was directed by President Buhari to visit Borno with the Minister of State for Works, Power and Housing, Hon Mustapha. Baba Shehuri, Minister of state Foreign Affairs, Hon Khadija bukar Abba Ibrahim and Dr Osagie Ehanire, minister of state for health to sympathize with the government of Borno and affected people.
He said their visit would also afford them the opportunity of assessing the extent of destruction and humanitarian challenges for the federal government to take appropriate action.
He described the visit as unfortunate, noting that it was the second time he would be leading a federal government team to the state over Boko Haram attacks.
“Now what we have at hand is that these terrorists have adopted the use of explosives to attack, this means the battle against Boko Haram is no longer for the military, but for all of us,” Lawal stated.
Borno deputy governor, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa, who received the FG delegation on behalf of the governor, thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for his concern for Borno people.
