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Governor Shettima Of Borno Visits Bama Town Recently Liberated From Insurgents

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State today visited Bama and other surrounding communities that were recently liberated by Nigerian troops after months of occupation by Islamist insurgents belonging to Boko Haram. [slideshow]39843[/slideshow]

Kyari Ibn Umar Ibrahim El-Kanemi, the traditional ruler of Bama town, accompanied the governor on the tour. 

Boko Haram fighters seized the town and other surrounding communities on September 1, 2014.

On arriving at Bama, the governor was received by the commander of the 21st Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Colonel M.J. Ahmed, who led him round the devastated town. Another officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Haruna, briefed the governor on the situation in the recaptured towns.

In the last six months of 2014, waves of Boko Haram insurgents swept through major as well as small towns in Borno State, wreaking havoc from Malari village near Konduga to Bama town. Some of the communities overrun by the insurgents were completely burnt down, along with the destruction or seizure of numerous military tanks and other hardware. 

Governor Shettima disclosed that he was in the area to assess the extent of damage with a view to beginning the task of reconstruction to enable displaced residents to return to their communities. 

The governor commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army as well as members of the civilian Joint Task Force for their gallantry in repelling the insurgents. He said he was shocked to see the total devastation of Bama, adding that the insurgents had destroyed every single school, hospitals, and government office as well as homes.

“The Borno State Government is determined to rebuild Bama to enable the people to go back home,” said Governor Shettima. 

Meanwhile, Bama’s traditional ruler, Kyari Ibn Umar Ibrahim El-Kanemi, expressed appreciation to the Borno State government for supporting and assisting the people of Bama at all times. He also commended the Army and the Civilian JTF for their success in driving Boko Haram fighters out of the town. 

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Terrorism