Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has approved 20 patrol vehicles to support surveillance and fighting against insurgents by the Nigerian military and civilian Joint Task Force (JTF).

This is just as Zulum, on Sunday, undertook a humanitarian assessment of Malam-Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, to finally re-assess resettlement works he had assigned a committee to do in the area. The committee is chaired by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Bukar Talba.

The governor, who inspected 1,000 temporary shelters put in place by the committee, also directed the state’s Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR) to immediately rebuild five blocks of classrooms at a central primary school within the next 10 days.

Zulum further directed the rehabilitation of a healthcare centre and a Mosque around the old cattle market in the town.

Governor Zulum, however, expressed satisfaction with the resettlement committee’s work in preparation for the return of IDPs and refugees who stayed in Bosso and Diffa border towns in Niger Republic since 2014 after fleeing attacks from communities in some

“500 households will, insha Allah, arrive before Ramadan fast. This is the right time to resettle them back to their ancestral homes in a safe and dignified manner before the rainy season,” Zulum said.

The governor added that each of the returnees would be supported with N100,000 cash as part of a participatory rebuilding approach.

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has approved 20 patrol vehicles to support surveillance and fighting against insurgents by the Nigerian military and JTF.

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Zulum announced the approval during a meeting with the military commander of 68 Battalion, FOB in charge of Malam-Fatori, on Sunday.

The governor, who disclosed that the operational vehicles will be given to the security operatives during the returning process of the refugees, said 10 of the vehicles will go to the military, while 10 others will be given to the JTF made up of hunters and vigilantes who complement the military.

Zulum also directed his resettlement committee to work with the security operatives to identify more of their needs and make recommendations towards addressing them.

The governor was accompanied on the trip by a member representing Abadam at the Borno State House Assembly, Hon. Jamna Bong; Commissioners of RRR, Engr Mustapha Gubio; Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan; Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, amongst others.

The Star