Story from Khadija Abdullahi JIKA, Abuja
Borno state Governor, Babagana Zulum on Saturday escaped the killing of eight policemen and three members of Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) who were ambushed in Kukawa Local Government Area on Friday.
READ ALSO: Boko Haram attacks Zulum again, 15 killed
Professor Zulum said that two convoys, one belonging to him and other conveying members of a committee on Baga reconstruction, had safely passed the Maiduguri-Baga route before the third convoy of security men was ambushed.
The Borno state police force confirmed 11 people were killed during the ambush.
READ ALSO: NPF confirms 11 dead in Boko Haram ambush
Governor Zulum was in Baga from Thursday to Friday as part of the efforts to resettle the people back to their community after displacement by Boko Haram insurgents, his media aide Isa Gusau said in a statement.
Governor Zulum was on a visit to prepare for the return of thousands of residents displaced from the town by the insurgents in 2014.
“The visit was aimed at cutting Boko Haram’s long use of the commercial town as main transit for undertaking major fishing trade and tax administration, from which the insurgents fund their murderous activities,” said Gusau.
Senator Abubakar Kyari and federal lawmakers Mohammed Tahir-Monguno and Bukar Kareto were also on the trip with the governor, NAN reports.
Zulum was saddened by the unfortunate carnage and shared the grief of families of the 11 priceless heroes “to whom Borno shall remain grateful for their commitment and sacrifices’’.
The governor prays for the repose of their souls and urges all stakeholders to remain committed to the ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
He said people must continue to keep hope alive “even in the face of tribulations’’.
He also believed that with sustained efforts and prayers, Borno will eventually regain peace.
