Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria has warned the Nigerian federal government that it should urgently work to destroy the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) as Boko Haram’s menace will be “a child’s play” if they are allowed to grow.
The Governor warned that ISWAP is building up its strength in Borno State through exploiting its closeness to the Sahel, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to re-engage external mercenaries for additional support in the battle against terrorism.
Governor Zulum told journalists at the weekly briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday that the Armed Forces of Nigeria must to re-strategise and defeat ISWAP, as they pose a threat to the entire nation.
Zulum, while speaking on the successes achieved so far in the war against insurgency in the North East, said, “All that I have said now, would never have been feasible without the support of the government. But notwithstanding all the contributions of the federal government, we still have some challenges.
“One, I said it before, a growing number of ISWAP in some parts of the State is a matter of great concern to everybody. In the shores of Lake Chad, again in southern Borno State. Luckily, I was told there was military deployment yesterday to southern Borno State to fight the insurgents in the Tudun Katarangwa area.
“But I think this is an early warning. We shouldn’t allow ISWAP to grow. ISWAP are more sophisticated, more funded and they are more educated. And we shall do everything possible to defeat ISWAP. Otherwise, what Boko Haram did will be a child’s play. This is an early warning that the Nigerian Army has to restrategise and defeat ISWAP.
“ISWAP will be a threat to the entire nation. Because of its proximity to Sub Saharan Africa, they are coming from Libya and others resettling here.”