The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Senator Ali Ndume, has commended the Nigerian Army for promptly restoring normalcy in Kirawa, a border community in Borno State, which Boko Haram insurgents recently attacked.
Kirawa, located near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon, witnessed a fresh wave of attacks by militants, who overran the community and forced residents to flee into neighbouring Cameroon.
The attackers reportedly set fire to the palace of the district head, a military barracks and several homes.
In a statement he issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, Senator Ndume praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, for their prompt intervention, especially the deployment of the 153 Task Force Battalion, which he said was instrumental in pushing back the insurgents and restoring order in the area.
Ndume said, “The courage displayed by our military and their resilience remains laudable. The quick response prevented what could have been a far greater tragedy in Kirawa.”
He urged the military to make the presence of the troops in Kirawa permanent, citing the town’s vulnerability due to its location along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
The senator also called for sustained collaboration between the Nigerian and Cameroonian armed forces to police the border and prevent future attacks.
“I have always acknowledged that our military is overstretched, and I am impressed with their successes in the face of obvious challenges,” he added.
Ndume sympathised with the people of Kirawa, who, he noted, have been repeatedly victimised by terrorist attacks. He urged them to remain vigilant and cooperate with security personnel stationed there.
“My appeal to them is always to remain vigilant and be willing to share useful information with the military to help secure their community,” he said.
He also lauded Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, for his consistent efforts in resettling displaced persons and encouraging community resilience in the face of adversity.
Ndume further lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating a strong commitment to restoring peace in Nigeria’s North East region.
“Security of life and property is the foremost responsibility of any government. The present administration has shown commendable commitment in fulfilling this constitutional mandate,” he said.
