Following an exclusive story by DAILY POST, the Borno state governor, Babagana Umara Zullum has visited the Auno gate, which has become a nightmare to residents and travellers to Maiduguri, the state capital, as a result of military authorities’ decision to close the gate by 4pm in order to keep terrorists from gaining entrance to the city.
DAILY POST last Monday captured the mood of residents and travellers expressing disappointment and anger over the closure of the Auno gate by soldiers at an early hours of the evening when distant travellers are just arriving.
The report, which went viral, is believed to have prompted the Borno state governor, Professor Zullum, to act in the interest of the people he governs hence demonstrating his commitment to the plight of the Borno people over the insecurity situation.
The governor, who decided to pay a visit to the Auno gate to see things for himself arrived the area around 5pm and observed the pains Borno people have been undergoing in the hands of soldiers who man the gate.
Zulum, who is visibly not pleased with the situation, immediately called the GOC 7 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu and informed him of the situation. He also advised on the need to immediately cushion the effect of the pain and trauma on the people by extending the time before the closure.
Following the visit to Auno gate by the Governor, residents and travellers who were filled with happiness over the action taken by the Governor, took to their Facebook pages to pour encomiums and commendations.
Shettima Mohammed Bulama wrote:
“Thank God Governor Zulum has stepped in to the issue of Auno Gate Closure for travellers coming into Maiduguri. It was a nightmare and indeed inhumane when my family members including my wife and 6mths grand child were locked out there for 15 hrs on Wednesday at the outskirt of Auno 15 minutes drive from Maiduguri in a mosquito and snake infested forest, togather with hundreds of others without food, water or toilet facilites by the Army. It is cruel to subject women, children and the elderly to such situation. Incidentally the GOC 7 Division, Chief of Army Staff and NSO are from Borno”
According to Jack Vince, ” My old mama who got there before 4:30pm was compelled to remain there till next day. Terrible experience. annoying and clueless security ‘strategy’.”
Sani Musa said, “That Auno gate and other gates closed in Borno, which are man by soldiers are points of intimidation and extortion from both drivers and passengers. I don’t know why the military authorities allow that to be happening until the governor’s attention had to be call to intervene.”
“This is heart warming…the stories from those stuck few minutes after closing the gate is just sad. And of course! Once again Borno elites don’t care because they can afford air fare. Now you see why the choice of a ‘commoner’ as the governor is paying off. He knows these issues hurt his own kind.” Said Nasiru Jajere
A public commentator and activist, Dr Allen Mannesah, from Borno wrote: “The war that was won, the terrorists that were reduce below fighting force capable of attacking only soft targets are now forcing a whole National security architecture to close Federal Highways refusing us the use of our infrastructure in a broad day light”.
According to Engr. Bakari, “There is an FG estate directly opposite the military base there. I am the Engr. Constructing the road in that estate, all the soldiers there knows me very well, even the gate before the state university, I have been there since December last year. I do give them tanks of water, which I buy with my money 9k before and now 12k! I give them empty bags of cement for sand bags but I was once closed out and had to make calls God so kind I got to pass. We’ve been attacked severally at that Auno and I see no use closing this gate.”
