Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has expressed concerns over the increasing strength of the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP).
Addressing journalists on the state on internal security, relocation of IDPs and collaborations between the state and the federal government at the state house in Abuja on Thursday February 3, the Governor said Boko Haram would be a child’s play if ISWAP is allowed to grow.
Urging the Nigerian Army to re-strategise and defeat ISWAP, the Governor further stated that the group pose a threat to the entire nation.
According to him, this is an early call to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army to fix gaps in the fight against insurgency by considering, as a matter of utmost importance, the need to engage external mercenaries for support
Zulum said;
“All that I have said now, would never have been feasible without the support of the government. But notwithstanding all the contributions of the federal government, we still have some challenges.
“One, I said it before, a growing number of ISWAP in some parts of the state is a matter of great concern to everybody. In the shores of Lake Chad, again in southern Borno State. Luckily, I was told there was military deployment yesterday to southern Borno state to fight the insurgents in the Tudun Katarangwa area.
“But I think this is an early warning. We shouldn’t allow ISWAP to grow. ISWAP are more sophisticated, more funded and they are more educated. And we shall do everything possible to defeat ISWAP. Otherwise, what Boko Haram did will be a child’s play. This is an early warning that the Nigerian Army has to restrategise and defeat ISWAP.
“ISWAP will be a threat to the entire nation. Because of its proximity to Sub Saharan Africa, they are coming from Libya and others resettling here.”
