Massacre of 30 in Borno: Military failed us despite attack was forewarned by DSS – Gov Zulum

 

  • 2 students of UNIMAID burned alive
  • Army says only 10 killed in Boko Haram Auno attack
  • We must put a stop to this scourge – Atiku

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, on yesterday blamed Nigeria soldiers for the Sunday night attack by Boko Haram that killed over 30 stranded travellers.

However, Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, told journalists that only ten people were killed in the incident.

“I am being pushed to the wall to say the truth,” the governor said in anger.

“Since my inauguration as the governor of Borno State from May 29th to date, Auno town has been attacked for about six times now. And the reason is that the military has withdrawn from Auno town.

“We have made repeated plea to the military to re-establish a base in Auno since it is one of the flashpoints of the Boko Haram, but nothing has been done to that effect.”

Governor Zulum said this while visiting the scene where Boko Haram gunmen had attacked and massacred many travellers that were stranded outside the military entrance city gate outside Maiduguri, usually locked at 6p.m.

“There were no soldiers here; they have all withdrawn. We are not being confrontational or undermining the capacity of the Nigerian military, but the fact is that we have made several attempts for the Nigeria military to establish their unit in Auno but nothing was done.

“Look at it, for God’s sake, more than 30 lives were lost here in Auno,” he said.

Addressing the military commander, the governor said, “if you doubt what I am saying, can you count them by yourself?”

The governor said the Auno attack was forewarned.

“Information was circulated and we got a security report from DSS that Jakana can be attacked, and they came and attacked as predicted, ” he said.

“This is sad because the Borno State University is not more than 8km from here; which means this is an attack on Maiduguri town. So if you cannot protect Maiduguri, then what happens to the rest of us in the city?

  • 2 students of UNIMAID burned alive

Two students of the University of Maiduguri were among the dozens of people killed on Auno-Jakana road by Boko Haram and the inferno ignited by a military petrol tanker stranded among other motorists on Sunday night.

One of the students was identified as Fatima, while the other was identified as Mama Gana Kachallah, a student of Mass Communication. Both were burned alive by the inferno.

Mama Gana’s uncle, Mohammed Bashir Shuwa, an aide to former Governor Kashim Shettima, issued an obituary notice about her death on Monday.

“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un, I lost my niece Mama Gana who was burnt to ashes by Boko Haram around Auno Jakana axis.

“She was the daughter of my younger brother Staff Seargent Babagana Kachallah. Until her death she was a student of Mass Communication at the University of Maiduguri.

“May Almighty Allah forgive her and make Aljanna Firdaus her final resting place.

  • We must put a stop to this scourge – Atiku

Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the massacre of 30 people by Boko Haram terrorists at the village of Auno on a key highway, linking the capital, Maiduguri, Borno State.

He wrote on his twitter page: “We can’t afford to stay divided in the face of this common enemy. I sympathise with the bereaved families.

“These incidents, one too many, should make us explore all possible options to put a stop to this scourge.”