Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced N50,000 support to each soldier preparing for deployment to the two communities of Maiwa and Koshebe villages as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state.
Zulum announced the support on Friday during a visit to the headquarters of the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa Local Government Area, where he met with the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Aminu Gumel.
The governor also pledged operational logistics and continued welfare support for troops, stressing the need to secure the Maiduguri-Mafa-Dikwa-Ngala highway, a strategic route for transportation, agricultural produce and cross-border trade.
He said improved security along the corridor would enable residents to travel safely, revive commercial activities and rebuild livelihoods in communities affected by years of insurgency.
Koshebe in November 28, 2020 came under massacre when some armed Boko Haram militants launched a devastating attack on peasant and Laborer rice farmers working in the fields near Zabarmari and Maiduguri, where over 100 farm Laborers–many of whom traveled from Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria for seasonal harvest work–were rounded up, tied, and their throats slit.
In November, 2023, suspected Boko Haram insurgents again targeted rice farmers harvesting crops in the Karkut and Koshebe general areas of Mafa Local Government Area, killing at least 13 farmers and leaving others missing.
But the Governor assured that he will provide the needed support to strengthen the security along the Maiduguri-Mafa-Dikwa-Ngala highway, ensure safe travel, and revive trade in communities recovering from years of insurgency.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to the headquarters of the 24 Task Force Brigade in Dikwa Local Government Area where he met with the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Aminu Gumel.
“My visit is primarily aimed at exploring measures to strengthen security along the strategic economic corridor, which connects Maiduguri to several communities in eastern Borno and serves as a vital route for trade, transportation and cross-border commercial activities”, Zulum said.
Addressing troops preparing for deployment to Maiwa and Koshebe villages, governor Zulum pledged to sustain welfare support. He announced N50,000 support to each soldier preparing for deployment to the two communities.
Zulum administration has consistently supported military operations with logistics and welfare assistance as part of efforts to improve security and help displaced return to their communities.
-9News Nigeria.
