Nine people have been killed and four others injured in an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Malam Fatori, a town in Abadam LGA of Borno state.
The attack reportedly occurred 272 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to a statement by the state government, Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, sent a delegation to commiserate with the victims.
The team was led by Sugun Mai Mele, commissioner for local government and emirate affairs.
“We are here at the instance of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who is out of the country on an official assignment to condole with the people of Malam Fatori over the recent unfortunate attack,” the statement reads.
“He assured that the Borno State government and the military will do everything possible to secure the town.
“Malam Fatori is one local government area that we are committed to ensuring its stability because of its strategic importance, urging the people to be more resilient and prayerful to avert future incidents.”
The commissioner said excavators would be deployed to dig trenches around the local government headquarters to ward off future attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
Mai Mele warned residents against any form of collaboration with insurgents, saying anyone found guilty would face divine consequences.
As part of the government’s support, each bereaved family was given N500,000, while the four injured victims received N250,000 each.
Usman Tar, commissioner for information and internal security, also announced plans to resettle 3,000 displaced families in Malam Fatori, bringing the total number of resettled households to 5,000.
“Already, Borno state government had resettled 2,000 households, and the government is planning to resettle another 3,000 households soon, making it 5,000 households,” Tar said.
“Let me assure the people that the state government is poised to provide necessary security arrangements, providing the necessary resources and security to consolidate their stay in their homeland.”
Tar urged residents to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
