Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state Tuesday briefed President Goodluck Jonathan on the the terrorist attack at the Nigerian Army 202 Tank Battalion in Bama town, Borno state.
The attack which was carried out by the suspected members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, occurred in the early hours of last Friday.
According to the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, no fewer than 70 lives were lost during the attack.
The breakdown shows 50 casualties on the side of the insurgents, 15 soldiers died and five civilians. He however, assured that the situation was under control as the soldiers are on the trail of the terrorists.
President Jonathan that Friday, had to take time off his scheduled decoration of the newly promoted military officers at the Command Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, to hold an emergency meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Saad Ibrahim and the three Service Chiefs including the Inspector General of Police to discuss the development in Bama.
At the meeting, he expressed surprise at the attack and reminded the security chiefs to buckle up, saying to whom much si given, much is equally expected.
Speaking with State House correspondents, Governor Shettima said the security situation in the state has improved, expressing optimism that frequent attacks would soon be a thing of the past.
He said, “I am just here to brief Mr. President of what transpired in Bama, I believe that very soon this issue will be frontally addressed and it will be a thing of the past”.
He denied report that Bama is now deserted as a result of the attacks, saying “Women and children normally during crisis are moved to safer locations but the soldiers are on ground, they are right now in Bama and are doing their job very well”.
