Borno State governor visits Baga town in the Kukawa district to address a ‘quit notice’ issued by insurgents warning residents to flee the area immediately or be killed.

Following the brutal slaying of 35 fishermen in the Kukawa district of Borno State on Sunday, May 26, governor Babagana Umar Zulum visited Baga town at the weekend to address a “quit notice” issued by insurgents warning residents to flee the area immediately or they would be killed.

Twenty-five men were wounded in the attack and 30 are still missing.

Heavily armed insurgents – suspected of being members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP – stormed the Tumbun Rogo community in the Kukawa Local Government Area on May 26 at about 11pm as the men were preparing to go night fishing.

They rounded up the fishermen and opened fire on them.

ISWAP accused the community of aiding military counterinsurgency operations against the group by leaking information about its movements.

The insurgents said the fishermen were collaborating with troops and ordered them to leave immediately, warning them that they would face more attacks and would be killed if they disobeyed their orders.

Zulum visited Baga town on Sunday, June 2. He met military officials to discuss strategies to prevent further displacement of communities and build resilience against ISWAP’s propaganda.

“No community has been displaced in the last four years and under no circumstances will we allow Boko Haram to displace anyone again,” he told residents.

He downplayed ISWAP’s strength, calling them “weak and seeking cheap popularity”.

He said he was confident in the military’s capacity to manage the situation.

Military officials condemned ISWAP’s threats.

Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, the multinational joint taskforce chief public relations officer, called the threats a “blatant act of intimidation” and a sign of ISWAP’s weakening position under ongoing military pressure.

“By issuing such threats, they aim to spread fear and disrupt the lives of Lake Chad Basin residents. It is crucial not to succumb to their tactics but instead to demonstrate resolve and fortitude.”

Abubakar described the threats as “a desperate move by a group [ISWAP] on the verge of defeat”.

“Collective vigilance and cooperation are essential during Operations Lake Sanity 2 and beyond. Our unity is our strength and together we can ensure the security of the Lake Chad basin region.”

Abdullahi said troops were actively searching for ISWAP insurgents in the Lake Chad region and surrounding communities.

He urged residents to remain vigilant.

He criticised media outlets for unintentionally amplifying the “terrorists’ message”.

Abdullahi Umar, a resident of Kukawa, told RNI that people were still fleeing the town despite the military and the government’s assurances.

“As I speak, people are fleeing the town. Only children and the elderly who cannot leave are still in the town.”

Umar fled Baga two days after ISWAP’s threats and is now living in Monguno with his family.

“People are trekking for more than 20km to reach Monguno, which is still risky but it is safer than Kukawa.”

Another resident of Kukawa, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said people took ISWAP’s threats seriously because of the recent murders of the fishermen.

“We left because we don’t know who’s next,” he said.

“We’re already in the rainy season and we’re all farmers. Now we don’t know our fate. We hope the authorities will take practical steps to address this security threat.”

During his visit, Zulum presented seven Golf saloon cars and 10 tricycles to the National Union of Road Trasport Workers (NURTW); three Golf saloon cars and five tricycles to the Road Transport Employers’ Association (RTEAN); and 15 vehicles to farmers and fish buyers.

He said the vehicles would help to transport fishermen and farmers. They would also be used to transport produce and goods to markets.

Zulum visited farms to support the revival of the South Chad irrigation scheme with initiatives that included subsidising fuel and providing farm equipment.

He directed the Kukawa local government chairman to compile a list of farmers for further support.

Kukawa is popular for fishing, farming and other agricultural value-chain activities. Lake Chad surrounds it. Troops of the Nigerian Army and Navy as well as the MNJTF are a constant presence and it is the site of frequent counterinsurgency operations.

Although displaced during the insurgency, some communities, such as Cross-Kauwa, Baga, Doron-Baga, Kukawa and Tumbun Rogo, were resettled by Zulum’s administration.

Despite the restoration of relative peace and stability in the area, Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram, and ISWAP insurgents have continued to attack the communities.

The socioeconomic value of the area appeals to insurgents who exploit fishing and farming activities for their survival and financial support.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO