Borno defiant amid terror attacks

Abuja - Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, was bullish despite the incessant attack on the region by terrorists.

Suspected Boko Haram members laid siege on the state most recently this past weekend when they caused immense damage to facilities in the state and killed a number of people.

The governor was dumbfounded by the sight of destruction in Maiduguri, especially the damage to military formation.

He nonetheless said locals would remain put despite the onslaught.

“This is our land, we are going nowhere, and we are going to flourish or perish here,” Shettima said.

Shettima said although property had been destroyed he was at peace to hear from the military authority that apart from few injuries no death was recorded during the attack on their facilities. 

However, two brothers were reportedly killed in a private residence in the state.

“The people of the state are definitely going to win the battle against the devilish sect, which is out to do no one any good,” said the governor.

State Commissioner of Police, Lawal Tanko briefed the governor on the destruction to the Bulumkutu Police Station, where the terrorists burnt down the station and two vehicles parked at the premises.

The 333 Artillery Regiment of the Nigerian Army was totally destroyed by the sect who were said to have had a free day for about six hours. The 20 blocks of building within the barrack was totally razed and over 30 vehicles torched as the soldiers were said to have fled the barrack when they met superior firepower of the terrorists.

A tour round the town showed that the western end of the town was totally destroyed by the terrorists who burnt down five petrol stations, over 20 petrol tankers, trucks and countless cars.

Three corpses believed to be members of the sect were found lying on the road as smoke was still billowing from burnt structures.