By Ndahi Marama

MAIDUGURI — Residents of Ali Dawari village of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, fleeing after last week’s attack by Boko Haram, have been urged to stay back as the government is ready to deploy more security agents to the area.

Gov. Shetima

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, who made the plea, said it is the government responsibility to protect their lives and property.

The governor said: “You should not flee, we will do everything possible to protect your lives and property, I came with the garrison commander, deputy commissioner of police and commanders of Civilian JTF. I assured you they are going to deploy more personnel to the village and right now your village will be surrounded with ditches.”

However, Governor Shettima, during his condolence visit to Ali Dawari over the attack last Sunday also ordered for the immediate release of N200,000 to the members of the vigilante group in the area, adding that the 20 members of the Civilian JTF in the village will be paid N10,000 each monthly to patrol the village.

Speaking earlier, the village head of Ali Dawari, Bulama Mallam, told the governor that 16 males and 11 females were slaughtered in the village while others who sustained injuries were hospitalized at state Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri.

He said: “As the governor has assured of more security and with the immediate digging of the ditches to surround our village, we will stay back, as most of our people don’t have any other place to go.”

Also speaking, the state coordinator of the Civilian JTF, Abba Aji appealed to the Federal Government, corporate organizations, and individuals to assist them with logistics to adequately fight the insurgents.