Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has promised to deploy forest-rangers to protect farms and farmers against Boko Haram attacks in rural farms.
The Governor disclosed this while responding to requests by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, who paid him a Sallah visit at the Government House, Maiduguri. He said the state government in collaboration with the Nigeria, Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), would deploy what he called “a team of special agro-rangers, vigilantes and hunters” to protect farming communities in the state.
Prof. Zulum noted that the government would also deploy an Emergency Rapid Response Team of security personnel to protect travelers, commuters and rural dwellers in all nooks and cranies of Borno State.
“We are geared to strengthen the security architecture to encourage farming activities. The state government is establishing an Emergency Rapid Respond Team; made up of 500 hunters and military personnel.
“We are providing 80 patrol vehicles to the team so that farmers, travelers and commuters can move safely within 30 and 40 kilometer radius from Maiduguri.
“About 75 special agro-rangers and 300 hunters will also be mobilized next week to protect farmers, to enable them cultivate their farmlands.
“This administration is poised to address the root causes of insurgency through the improvement of security, check drug abuse, enhance food security and provide employment opportunities to reduce poverty as well as enhance wealth creation in the society,” Prof Zulum said.
Speaking further, he disclosed that his administration had requested for deployment of additional 150 agro-rangers to make sure that are farming communities in the state get adequate protection to enable them carryout their farming activities throughout the farming season.
He used the occasion to announce that , the state government has embarked on rehabilitation and vegetation control work of Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road, to enhance safety and smooth movement of goods and services.
