Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Monday, said that his administration reintegrated 300,000 repentant Boko Haram terrorists over the past three years.
Governor Zulum made the revelation while receiving Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; and other top military commanders during their visit to Maiduguri.
The Governor noted that, despite efforts of the military in combating terrorism, several challenges continue to affect the effective fight against terrorists.
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He emphasised the strategic importance of securing the Sahel to achieve lasting peace across Nigeria.
Governor Zulum said: “Borno State has, within the last three years, received more than 300,000 repentant Boko Haram fighters and not all of them are fighters. Some of them are farmers.
“Manpower is very essential. While I’m aware of the constraints of the Nigerian Army, because right now, you are everywhere in Nigeria, the North-East, North-West, North Central, as well as southern Nigeria. I’m aware of your limitations.
READ MORE: FG Rehabilitates 390 Ex-Boko Haram Members In Gombe
“But still, considering the northeastern region, the Nigerian Army should look into the possibility of sending more trained manpower. There is a difference between Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits.
“ISWAP and Boko Haram are terrorists getting support internationally, and looking at our porous borders, they remain infiltrated through the Sahel, which is our major problem.
“If the Sahel is not secured, Nigeria will never be secured. So, there is a need for us to fortify the security situation in the Sahel with a view to ending the crisis in the entire nation.”
