Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, has expressed his dismay over the military’s alleged neglect of Guzamala local government area (LGA), which has hindered the return of residents to their ancestral homes even fifteen years into the insurgency.
Lawan highlighted the absence of security or military personnel in all resettled communities across Northern Borno, except for Monguno town.
He urged the government to expedite efforts in rebuilding and resettling Guzamala, allowing residents to reclaim their ancestral homes.
During the 2024 Democracy Day celebration at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, the speaker expressed his deep concern regarding the lack of human presence in Guzamala LGA, Kukawa town, and several other communities displaced by Boko Haram terrorists.
Despite the threats and the significant presence of terrorists in those areas, the military has failed to establish its presence there.
Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan passionately described the situation in Guzamala, revealing that displaced persons from the LGA had exercised their right to vote in the 2023 general elections from IDP camps.
Unfortunately, those resettled from IDP camps in Maiduguri found themselves relocated to other IDP camps in Logas, unable to return to their ancestral homes.
The speaker emphasized that the continued neglect of Guzamala, Kukawa town, and other communities would hinder efforts to restore security to the state. The absence of security forces allows the terrorists to operate freely, causing havoc and instability.
In response to the situation, the acting governor of the state, Usman Kadafur, swiftly instructed the state commissioner for local government and emirate affairs, Sugun Mele, to initiate the necessary processes for the reconstruction of Gudumbali, the headquarters of Guzamala LGA.
This action aims to facilitate the possible return of inhabitants and contribute to restoring stability in the region.
