With the resettlement of residents of Baga, Governor Babagana Zulum has urged the military to reopen the Baga naval base to enhance security on Lake Chad.

He made the call on Monday in Maiduguri while receiving the new Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, who paid him a courtesy call.

Mr Zulum said the base revival would enhance the needed security for fishermen and farmers.

“The resumption of fishing activities in Baga is very dear to us, and that’s why we need to see how we can support the immediate relocation of the naval base in Maiduguri back to Baga,” said the governor.

Mr Zulum also urged the theatre commander to create an enabling environment for farmers to resume farming activities in recovered areas for livelihood, pointing out that the greatest insecurity is food insecurity.

According to Mr Zulum, 90 per cent of Borno people are farmers who needed to return to the farm and other activities to normalise their lives.

The governor also spoke of the need to activate recovered critical border towns like Malumfatori, Abadam, Gudumbali, Kareto, and the reopening of Damboa-Maiduguri Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru roads for normal transport activities.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to resettle displaced persons in line with the Kampala Convention, adding that the continuous dependence on handouts from international organisations is not sustainable and has started making some people lazy.

“Developing resilience is something critical. If communities would be allowed to engage in normal activities, they’ll help in fighting the insurgents.

“When the number of villages and towns with people increases, Boko Haram will not have the capacity to attack them, and we will be able to get more information about their (insurgents) movement,” he said.

(NAN)