As terror persists in the North-East, the Federal Government may soon establish a special security outfit to guard the Nigerian section of the Lake Chad shores to enable Nigerian farmers to cultivate their farms across the shores.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday following his Tuesday’s visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“I spoke with Mr. President and he assured me to look into establishing a solid security outfit in the Lake Chad Basin so that people can access the agricultural lands,” Zulum said.
The governor noted that with the gradual return of peace to Borno, the state was committed to harnessing all avenues that would facilitate development.
“Now that we are having relative peace in Borno State, there is a need for the government to ensure the re-establishment of the South Chad irrigation project.
“The South Chad irrigation project has tremendous potential to produce food to cater for the needs of the entire northern Nigeria or I can say even the whole country. But due to insecurity in the region, the irrigation scheme has not been functioning very well for a decade or more.”
Zulum underscored the importance of the resuscitation of the South Lake Chad irrigation projects food security, both in quantity and quality.
“Insha Allah, when these irrigation projects are reestablished, I believe the issue of food security will be addressed not only in Borno state but also in Nigeria,” he said.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with hybrid forces have killed no fewer than three terrorists in operations conducted in Borno and Katsina.
Also during the operations, rustled cattle and weapons were recovered from the terrorists.
A statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army on Wednesday said the troops and the hybrid forces engaged the terrorists in a gun duel and overpowered them.
“Nigerian Army troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in the North East in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, on
Wednesday, March26, 2024, neutralised one terrorist and recovered arms, ammunition, and rustled cattle during a clearance operation on identified Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province enclaves within the Gori general area in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“In a fierce firefight, the troops successfully overpowered and, neutralised one terrorist, rescued several rustled cattle, and recovered arms and ammunition from the terrorists. The recovered arms included two AK-47 rifles, 38 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, AK-47 magazines, one Improvised Explosive Device, and one motorcycle. In addition to killing two terrorists in Katsina, the troops recovered 25 rustled livestock.
“In another operation in Katsina State, troops conducting offensive operations on terrorist camps neutralised two terrorists in the Garin Rinji general area in the Batsari Local Government Area following a gun battle. The gallant troops overwhelmed the insurgents with superior firepower, destroyed several hideouts, and recovered two motorcycles and 25 rustled livestock during the operation. Troops are still sustaining offensive operations to clear terrorists in the general area,” the statement added.
