Zulum says Idris, Tinubu’s Minister, “is naïve” for downplaying resurgence of terror attacks
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in the country. He doesn’t know what is ongoing in the country” – Zulum.
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Mohammed Idris “doesn’t know what is ongoing in the country” about escalating insecurity, particularly in the North East, Borno Governor Babagana Zulum has asserted in his criticism of the Information Minister following a deadly Boko Haram explosion on the Damboa-Maiduguri Road on Saturday.
Bola Tinubu himself is currently on AWOL in Paris enjoying himself, treating it as part of the perks of his office as President.
The explosion killed at least eight people, severely injured seven others, and left 14 more with minor injuries – just 3 days after Idris poured cold water on Zulum’s warning of a resurgence of Islamist jihadists who have recaptured swathes of communities across the North East, including Borno.
The explosion is the latest in the series of attacks launched by Boko Haram, underscoring Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Idris last Thursday downplayed insurgency and insisted that the Tinubu administration remains committed to combating terrorism and banditry across the country, and argued that the security agencies are working round-the-clock to bring the situation in parts of Borno and other states under control.
Zulum, reacting after the incident on Saturday, faulted Idris’s remarks.
“I believe the Minister of Information is naive about what is happening in the country. He doesn’t know what is ongoing in the country,” Zulum said.
“I want to advise the communities to be resilient enough. I want to advise the Nigerian Army to be resilient enough because there’s no way people will travel a distance of 700 kilometers to go to Damboa.
“Ordinarily, they come here to Damboa, it’s only about 100 kilometers.
“We shall ensure that travel from Maiduguri to Damboa will continue. This will not deter us from following the road, artillery, and all other security agencies to give up security along the road so that such incidents will not happen again.”
Zulum disclosed that he has met with military top brass in Abuja, including the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, who assured him of continued efforts to combat insurgency.
“We are so happy with the response that we had from the service chiefs.
“I want to assure the people of Borno State that, Insha Allah, under my watch, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to do what they did before.
“I will keep up to the expectations of the people of Borno State by completely addressing the problem of insecurity.”
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