Amanze Chinonye
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has mobilised civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) fighters and Nigerian troops to Kirawa, a border town in Gwoza Local Government Area, following the withdrawal of Cameroonian soldiers that left the community vulnerable to insurgent attacks.
Boko Haram fighters stormed Kirawa shortly after the Cameroonian exit, killing residents, burning houses, and destroying infrastructure. According to the governor, at least two people were killed, 50 houses destroyed, and eight vehicles and heavy-duty equipment set ablaze in the raid.
During an assessment visit on Friday, Zulum lamented the renewed wave of insurgent assaults in the area.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Yes, Cameroonian troops have withdrawn, but that doesn’t mean the Nigerian Army should leave the area vacant,” the governor said. “We resettled this town about seven years ago with the support of Cameroonian soldiers. Unfortunately, the returnees have now been displaced again.”
Zulum said he had warned the military of the dangers of leaving border towns exposed and stressed the strategic importance of Kirawa alongside other flashpoints like Baga, Damasak, Malamfatori, Pulka and Ngoshe. He revealed that he had met with the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai and the Multinational Joint Task Force to secure agreement on redeploying soldiers to Kirawa.
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The governor also pledged government support to local vigilantes:
“We will provide our gallant Civilian JTF and vigilante with equipment to defend the town. Most importantly, we are exploring modern technological tools to strengthen security in this area.”
He urged residents not to panic, insisting that Boko Haram elements should not be allowed to overrun entire communities. At the same time, he appealed to the military to show greater commitment and consistency in operations.
“What matters is not the number of soldiers we keep here but their commitment to fight back. Too often, operations are launched and then slowed down. This has been instrumental to the renewed insurgent attacks,” Zulum said.
He called on the Federal Government and the Chief of Defence Staff to release funds and procure equipment to sustain year-round military operations, especially as the rainy season ends.
Citing UN guidelines, Zulum emphasised that military gains must be consolidated through stabilisation, reconstruction, and resettlement to prevent communities from falling back into the hands of insurgents.
“Kirawa was never displaced seven years ago when security was worse than now. We cannot allow history to repeat itself. If Kirawa falls, adjoining communities like Pulka and Ngoshe will follow, and eventually Gwoza could be cut off,” he warned.
The governor acknowledged the numerical constraints of the Nigerian Army but urged that strategic towns be prioritised. He also thanked the Chief of Army Staff for responding promptly to the crisis and initiating measures to forestall future attacks.
The fall of Kirawa underscores the fragility of security in Borno’s border towns, where Nigeria has long relied on cooperation with neighbouring Cameroon under the Multinational Joint Task Force to contain Boko Haram and its ISWAP offshoot.
Security Analysts warn that without sustained military presence, resettled communities could again be emptied, reversing years of recovery efforts.
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