Nigeria to scale up security efforts after deadly attack in Borno_Osinbajo
FG has pledged to boost its security efforts following the deadly attack in the restive northeast region which left scores of civilian’s dead.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said he held talks with current and former state officials with a view of averting a repeat of what he described as a “major tragedy”.
Osinbajo said there was a need to review the conventional means of dealing with the randomness of such security challenges.
“I have spoken to Governor Babagana Zulum and former Governor Kashim Shettima. A lot more focus will be placed on local intelligence and community policing so we receive information quickly and react faster,” Osinbajo said.
Osinbajo said he was “devastated” by the incident and vowed to ensure justice will be served for the victims.
He added that he was confident in the federal government’s ability to restore peace and security in the country’s northeast region and the country in general.
There are conflicting figures of the actual number of deaths but the UN humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria said more than 100 people were killed, and several others were injured during the attack last week on farmworkers near the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri.
Jihadist group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The killings caused public outrage with President Muhammadu Buhari condemning them and describing them as “insane”.
Buhari said the government had given all the needed support to the armed forces “to take all necessary steps to protect the country’s population and its territory.”
Nigeria has been battling an insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the north and northeast for over a decade.
In 2016, the group split into two groups — the main faction led by Abubakar Shekau and the IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Both groups have been blamed for increasing attacks on civilians they accuse of spying for the army and pro-government militia.