Gov Zulum Rushes Civilian Fighters, Troops to Kirawa After Cameroonian Soldiers Withdrawal Spurs Massive Boko Haram Attack

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has mobilised civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) fighters and Nigerian troops to Kirawa, a border town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, following the withdrawal of Cameroonian soldiers who had been stationed there. The exit of the Cameroonian troops left the community vulnerable, leading to a deadly Boko Haram attack in which two people were killed, 50 houses and several vehicles destroyed, and heavy equipment burnt.

During an assessment visit on Friday, Zulum expressed concern over the resurgence of attacks in border towns after security forces pulled back. He recalled that Kirawa had been resettled about seven years ago with the help of Cameroonian troops, but residents were once again displaced after the insurgents struck on Wednesday. “Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant,” the governor said, noting that Kirawa, Baga, Damasak, Malamfatori and other border communities remain strategically important.

Zulum said he had met with the Theatre Commander of the Nigerian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force to secure a commitment that troops would soon be deployed to Kirawa. He also announced immediate support for the civilian JTF and vigilantes in the area, including equipment to boost local defence efforts. Plans are also underway to introduce modern technology to strengthen surveillance and security.

The governor urged residents not to panic, insisting that communities must show resilience against small groups of insurgents. He pressed the military to demonstrate stronger commitment, stressing that the problem is not just the number of soldiers deployed but their readiness to repel attacks. He called on the federal government and the Chief of Defence Staff to release funds and provide equipment for sustained operations as the rainy season ends, warning that intermittent or short-lived operations had contributed to renewed insurgent activities.

Zulum highlighted the need for continuous military action backed by stabilization, reconstruction and resettlement, in line with UN principles. He argued that any delay in securing Kirawa could expose adjoining towns like Pulka and Ngoshe, and eventually threaten Gwoza itself. While acknowledging the limited manpower of the Nigerian Army, he insisted that strategic border towns must remain occupied to prevent further displacement.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for swiftly responding to the crisis and urged federal authorities to take all necessary steps to sustain the relative peace restored in Borno over the past seven years.