Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum says President Muhammadu Buhari has performed well in handling security challenges in the North-East.
He said this while addressing the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) elders in Maiduguri.
The delegation was led by the head of ACF board of trustees, Shehu Malami and the chairman, Audu Ogbeh.
The visit was to commiserate with the Borno government and people over the massacre of 40 Zabarmari farmers.
Zulum said: “From statewide statistics on affairs in the 27 local government areas since 2011, the fact is that despite the recent happenings, the security situation in Borno and indeed that of the entire North-East sub-region is still far better under Buhari.
“Unlike the years before Buhari when a number of local government were no-go-areas, we now have citizens led by our traditional rulers, safely back to Bama, Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Dikwa, Ngala, Monguno, Kukawa, Damboa, Konduga, Mafa, all of which no one could visit not talk of living in before.
“Our emirs were all in exile. Today, Bama is coming back to life and so is Askira-Uba, Damboa, Gwoza and others. Life is returning to Baga. This was impossible before Buhari. It was not possible to move a few kilometres out of Maiduguri.
“Insurgents attacked and took over the Army Barracks at Monguno, Bama, Giwa Barracks and Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters at Baga to mention just a few. There were daily attacks and bomb blasts in many parts of Maiduguri but all of these have stopped under Buhari. No one can dispute these records.”
The governor said it was not abnormal to be more concerned about current realities.
He noted that insurgents always want to attract publicity for terror propaganda.
Zulum added that the people will remain optimistic and keep doing their part in efforts to find sustainable peace in Borno.
