A top delegation of the Cameroonian Armed Forces on Thursday visited the Borno State Government House, Maiduguri, and met with the state governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, over Saturday’s gruesome massacre of at least 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari community.
The Cameroonian military delegation was led by the 4th region joint military commander, General Saly Mohammadou at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The visit is coming 48 hours after the state governor noted that one of the recommendations his state had put forward to the Federal Government was to consider hiring mercenaries to dislodge the Boko Haram terrorists from the region since the Nigerian military appeared to be overwhelmed.
Another recommendation that Zulum gave was for the regional forces, Cameroon, Chad and the Niger Republic to collaborate on waging war against the Boko Haram terrorists.
However, speaking during the meeting, General Saly who appreciated the political support rendered by Gov Zulum in the fight against insurgency in the Lake Chad region, said the support had facilitated the smooth execution of non-kinetic operations, creating conducive environment for the return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their ancestral towns to pick up the pieces of their lives.
According to General Saly, The Cameroonian military were in Nigeria to share experiences and improve collaboration between forces of the two countries in the fight against insurgency in the Lake Chad region.
.@ProfZulum receives Cameroonian 4th region military commander.. https://t.co/dwRXzrT98a pic.twitter.com/IPUtctqdvQ
— Governor Borno (@GovBorno) December 3, 2020
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Zulum made a case for improved trans border trade between the citizens of the two countries.
He stressed that, collaboration between Nigeria and Cameroon is very important at this time to contain the resurgence of Boko Haram in the region.
Acording to him, Nigeria and Cameroon shares the same culture and traditions, hence, the free movement of people between the two countries.
Zulum said, “Cameroon and Nigeria, most of our people shares the same tradition and culture. Though the insecurity has affected all the countries in the Lake Chad region, all our economies were affected. Therefore, there is need for us to come together and fight this insurgency.”
“The issue of trans border trade is very important, all of us know Banki. We are doing everything possible to reopen Banki market, we are planning to reopen Bama-Banki road. Let us support the security architectures, so that we can ensure free movement of our people.”
He noted that, Borno State Government is planning to return most of the people affected by the insecurity that are taking refuge in the Cameroon soon.
