Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state is to establish a community
outreach in Auno that will be used by him on regular basis.
According to him, the outreach will boost Borno’s security and
residents’ confidences protect their lives and property.
Auno, six kilometres from Borno State University (BOSU), was severally
attacked last February with the loss of 30 lives and property.
While lamenting on fleeing residents on Saturday at Auno, he disclosed
that; “I am establishing a community outreach that will be used by me
and I will be regular here in Auno village.”
He said that the new outreach will attract increased security and
rebuild public confidence in Auno community.
The governor also pledged to use the new office outreach from time to
time, after its completion.
He also inspected 1,000 housing unti projects in Auno and Njimtilo to
accommodate returning residents and Internally Displaced Persons
(IDPs) taking refuge in Maiduguri.
Zulum, who currently operates two offices, at Government House and
Musa Usman Secretariat complex, Maiduguri has reduced workers’
absenteeism and lateness.
He said Auno’s new outreach; will not be only an office, but where he
will be operating to interact with residents other communities in
Konduga and Kaga Local Government Areas.
“Auno is not far from Njimtilo, Mainok, Benisheikh and Ngamdu, all
populated communities along Maiduguri/Damaturu road.” he said.
He said the completion of outreach, will boost public confidence,
assuring that he intends to be using from time to time.
Continued; “This will encourage residents that fled to Maiduguri to
return to their community and pick up pieces of life.
“As I have earlier said Auno is a very strategic town but because of
the lingering security situation in Auno, most of the populations have
relocated to Maiduguri.
“Auno is only six kilometers away from the Borno State University;
dislodging Auno would mean dislodging Maiduguri which has more than
half the population of state.
“We have to take measures to secure Auno like we should do for all
parts of the state.”
He directed the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement to immediately provide food items and cash to those
currently living in Auno.
His words: “While fighting against COVID-19, we have to be very
careful of other sectors.
“Auno is an agrarian community, and rainy season has commenced for
people go back to their farmlands to till for various crops.
“It is therefore, imperative on us to focus more on Auno in terms of
security provisions.”
He therefore; appealed to Nigerian Army to relocate their formation
from its existing location to Auno Secondary School, which ahead of
village.
“This would make residents to be felt safer,” he said, adding that it
could also build more confidence of being protected by Army and other
security agencies.
He also called on Borno State Police Command to increase police
presence in Auno to strengthen civil authority.
