Zulum lauds Army, says 25% more farmlands reclaimed from insurgents

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has disclosed that there has been a 25 per cent increase in access to farmlands in his state owing to efforts of the Nigerian Army to end terrorism in the North East.

He commended the Nigerian Army for its commitment and zeal towards ending terrorism and other security challenges in the country.

Zulum made the comments during his courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

The governor said his visit was to first congratulate the army chief on his well-deserved appointment and a well rub minds and fertilise ideas that would help to improve the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the region.

He appealed to the COAS to help facilitate the return of the Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral homes to enable them to have access to their various means of livelihood instead of depending on aids from donor agencies.

While expressing strong support for the Nigerian Army, he said there was a 25 per cent increase in access to farmlands the last farming season, and requested for sustained efforts in order to have an astronomical increase in the coming season.

This, he said, would help consolidate on the peace already achieved.

Responding, the COAS thanked Governor Zulum for his support to the Nigerian Army, especially in the area of logistics, which he said had enhanced the army’s operations in Operation Lafiya Dole, as well as the governor’s benevolence to the families of fallen troops.

Attahiru assured the governor of the Nigerian Army’s determination under his leadership to defeat all adversaries and restore peace in the country.

He appealed to the governor to effect repairs on roads that link major local government areas in the state to enable troops to carry out their operations with minimum hitches.

According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the immediate governor of the state and serving senator, Kashim Shettima; and Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abubakar Kyari, among others.