The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Zulum Babaganna has blamed the Nigerian military for the brutal murder of about thirty persons and abduction of several others by Boko Haram in Auno in the Maiduguri axis of the state.
The Governor said, in a statement credited to him on the Boko Haram killing of several passengers late Sunday evening, that the attitude of the Army towards residents of Auno “is not right”.
He recounted that Boko Haram has attacked Auno six times since his inauguration as governor of Borno State yet the Army is yet to find a solution to the menace.
Governor Babaganna noted that the troops close the gate and lock the people inside as soon as it is 5 pm and go back to Maiduguri which could not be justified.
His words: ‘“We have to be brutal in telling the truth. I am pushed to the wall to say the truth.
“Since I was inaugurated as governor of Borno state, Boko Haram has attacked Auno six times.
“Another thing is that the military has withdrawn from Auno town.
“I am not undermining the capacity of the military but we have made repeated appeal for the military to establish their unit in Auno.
“They are here but as soon as it is 5 pm, they close the gate and lock the people and go back to Maiduguri. This is not right.”
Auno is a town about 14 kilometers away from Maiduguri.
According to an eyewitness, the insurgents abducted a large number of women and children, killed not less than 30 people, destroyed many vehicles and razed shops and houses.
The attack started around 10pm and lasted till 1am.
Auno and Benishek axis are where travellers that arrive late wait till the following morning before the army opens gate for them to enter the city.
