The Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, on Friday released 70 new surveillance vehicles to support the Nigerian Army, police and volunteers in the civilian JTF and hunters who were involved in fighting Boko Haram insurgency.
Blueprint Weekend reports that the vehicles were released at the launch of a rapid response squad which held at the Shehu’s Palace in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum had released 160 surveillance vehicles between June and September, 2019, and had also handed over same to security agencies and volunteers fighting the insurgents.
Of the latest Hilux vehicles released, the governor directed that a number be used by hunters and civilian JTF to patrol MaiduguriI-Damboa road.
The vehicles painted in military colours were received by the theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole.
“I have said a number of times that this administration will not hesitate to take any measure or make any sacrifice in order to ensure peace and security returns to our state. As the chief security officer of Borno state, it is my constitutional and moral responsibility to do whatever I possibly can in trying to secure the lives of citizens and doing that, is the whole essence of government in the first place” the governor said.
Zulum called on traditional and community leaders to re-dedicate themselves to mobilising participation in vigilance and generating local intelligence, even as he warned that “under no condition must any citizen harbour insurgents and those perpetrating criminal activities.”
“We cannot succeed in winning a lasting peace if we do not give maximum support to our security operatives by giving them information about the identities of culprits and their hideouts. On no account should we protect or hide anybody with the evil intention of destroying our state. The consequence of conspiracy is gracious.”
Zulum praised the military and other security establishments and volunteers for their sacrifices in battling Boko Haram in the state.
The theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, represented by his deputy, Maj.-Gen. M.G. Ali, thanked Zulum for being consistent in the support of the military through far reaching interventions.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan, whose ministry deals with public rights to security protection, said the launch was part of multiple approaches being deployed in trying to contain the Boko Haram insurgency.
