BORNO STATE DEPUTY GOVERNOR, ZANNAH UMAR MUSTAPHA
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Amid fears that the Boko Haram insurgents may have overrun the Borno town of Bama following heavy fighting between them and the military in the last 48 hours, the Borno State Deputy Governor, Zannah Umar Mustapha, Tuesday doused the fears, saying the military was still in full control of the town.
Speaking at a media briefing on the state of insecurity in Bama and other parts of the state at the Government House, Maiduguri, the state capital, the deputy governor said: “The attack on Bama town yesterday (Monday) was very unfortunate, but I want reassure our people that government is on top of the situation.”
He said, “ Already, those in the camp are being taken care of and our security forces are engaging the insurgents in a fierce battle which is worthy of commendation.”
The deputy governor however appealed to the people to stop spreading false information or creating unnecessary tension in the state, just as he disclosed that the attempted attack on Bama has left over 2, 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) homeless and are presently in Maiduguri where they had been resettled at National Youths Service (NYSC) orientation camp and Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Maiduguri.
According to Mustapha, “Due to the rising number of displaced persons, another camp has been established at GGSS, Maiduguri to accommodate a maximum of 3, 000 persons.
“In these camps, government has provided basic amenities to make their stay comfortable. Currently in all these camps, including the ones at Madagali, Uba and Mubi in Adamawa State, the IDPs enjoy three square meals, healthcare services and hostels for their accommodation, until the security situation improves for them to return to their respective towns, communities and villages.”
He also expressed the state government’s gratitude to the hosts for the support and cooperation, saying: “ I am particularly happy to the cooperation we have so far received from Gombe and Adamawa State Governments. Government and security agencies are doing everything possible to overcome the present security challenges. We shall come out stronger and more united as a people. We shall overcome our pains, sorrows and losses that could not be quantified in kind or values.”
The deputy governor urged the people to provide the military and other security agencies with useful information to enable them perform their duties diligently.
Bama, a border town with Cameroon, lies some 78 kilometres Southeast of Maiduguri, the state capital.
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