The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has condemned the assault by insurgents on the convoy of the governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, during which at least 15 security operatives attached to the governor were killed.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Sunday, the party said that the recurring assault on the governor and the growing wave of terrorist attacks reinforce the need to rein in the security apparatus of the country.
The party alleged that the incident corroborated Mr. Zulum ‘s insistence that the security infrastructure in the north-east axis is being undermined.
Mr. Zulum’s convoy was targeted by alleged insurgents of Boko Haram in the evening ambush on the Monguno-Maiduguri axis.
The attacks came just 48 hours after the group had ambushed the governor’s convoy along the Cross Kauwa-Baga road in the state.
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attack on Mr Zulum’s convoy on Saturday, describing it as an organized sabotage against the long-planned return of displaced persons to their local communities.
However, there were earlier assaults on Mr. Zulum’s convoy. On 29 July, operatives of Boko Haram assaulted his convoy near the town of Baga.
“Our party is alarmed by the frightening situation where insurgents now have the temerity of repeated attacks on the armed convoy of a state governor, which highlights the nightmare being witnessed by ordinary compatriots, as soft targets, in various troubled areas across our dear nation.
“The PDP restates our call to President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the call by well-meaning Nigerians, including the two chambers of the National Assembly, to immediately rejig the nation’s security apparatchik by replacing his Service Chiefs with fresh hands to effectively confront the security challenges facing our nation.
“Our party commiserates with Governor Zulum as well as the families of the victims of these incessant attacks and urged the governor not to be deterred.”
The PDP also thanked the soldiers fighting in the fronts and urged the Nigerians to remain prayerful and vigilant in this difficult time.