The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, was in Damasak from Thursday to Friday after the town was attacked on Tuesday by Boko Haram insurgents, killing 18 persons and injuring 21.
Zulum traveled alongside Senator Abubakar Kyari, representing Borno North Senatorial District, who hails from Damasak; member, House of Representatives, representing
Mobbar, Guzamala and Abadam, Bukar Gana Kareto; and some other officials.
The Governor held operational meeting with soldiers and other security forces after which he presented 12 security vehicles: an Armoured Personnel Carrier and 11 patrol vehicles, to strengthen the armed forces and volunteers made up of trained youths in the civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes, helping in the fight against insurgents.
Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar LGA in northern Borno State, is located on the fringes of Lake Chad, and it shares border with communities in Niger Republic.
The town used to be a producer and exporter of vegetables to target markets within Nigeria, Niger Republic and other neighbouring countries.
Boko Haram had occupied Damasak in 2014 as one of their caliphates.
The insurgents seem interested in the town apparently for strategic access to raising funds through agriculture and for land routes to Niger republic.
Zulum, spending the night at Damasak, ended speculation that the town had fallen into the hands of the insurgents.
During his stay in Damasak, Zulum had interactions with soldiers and others forces involved in counter insurgency operations.
The Governor interacted with residents, empathised with them and assessed destructions caused by insurgents.
Thousands of residents who had fled to border communities in Niger Republic returned on Friday.
Governor Zulum confirmed from residents that 18 people died, 21 injured and saw several property destroyed.
The UN humanitarian hub, private residential houses, a police station, palace of the district head, a primary healthcare centre, and a GSM village were among property destroyed.
The insurgents attacked the town with three gun trucks, residents told Governor Zulum.
Tuesday’s attack on Damasak was the sixth in two weeks by the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups, residents recalled.
Zulum assured of robust measures being put in place to avert future attacks on Damasak town by the insurgents.
The Governor directed the strengthening of agricultural activities in Damasak.
He assessed a rice farm which his administration facilitated to enhance food security.