Residents of Kirawa, a border community in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, expressed their excitement on Wednesday over the ...
Residents of Kirawa, a border community in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, expressed their excitement on Wednesday over the establishment of a new military base by the Nigerian Army.
The elated residents told The PUNCH that the soldiers assured them of adequate protection against future insurgent attacks.
The PUNCH had recently reported multiple attacks in Kirawa, which claimed two lives, led to the abduction of a schoolgirl, and forced several residents to flee to neighbouring Cameroonian villages.
During their displacement, community members were reported to have slept in schools, mosques, markets, and open spaces in Cameroon.
At the time, the residents had lamented the absence of a military base and the withdrawal of Nigerian troops from the area.
Confirming the establishment of a military base and the deployment of soldiers, the Chairman of the Kirawa Development Association, Yakubu Mabba, commended the military for its swift response.
“The Nigerian government has deployed troops to Kirawa. We sincerely appreciate the Nigerian military and the Borno State Government for this deployment. They have not only given us hope but also restored our confidence to live without fear,” Mabba said.
He also expressed gratitude to The PUNCH for consistently highlighting the plight of the community amid years of insurgent assaults.
“I don’t know how to express my appreciation. I am very happy about this development. Most importantly, apart from the government, I want to specifically thank you and your organisation (The PUNCH) for always reaching out and raising awareness about our situation,” he added.
A primary school teacher in the community, Aji Modu, said the newly deployed soldiers had pledged their commitment to defending Kirawa.
“Yesterday evening, the Nigerian military entered Kirawa. They said they are here to stay and will repel any future attacks,” he told The PUNCH.
Another resident, Umaru Kirawa, said the deployment would also help secure Nigeria’s borders and curb cross-border infiltration.
“For us, it is the right decision. Leaving the Nigerian border porous would not only endanger Borno’s security but also compromise the country’s territorial integrity.
“We commend Governor Zulum for visiting Kirawa to sympathise with our people, build their resilience, and—most importantly—fulfil his promise to ensure the establishment of a military base,” Umaru said.
He, however, appealed to the government to rehabilitate key infrastructure in the community.
“We are hopeful that the road between Pulka and Kirawa will be graded and that the general hospital in Kirawa will be renovated and upgraded,” he added.
Meanwhile, Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South, on Wednesday commended President Bola Tinubu and the military high command for their prompt intervention in repelling the recent Boko Haram attack on Kirawa.
The insurgents had invaded the town, torching the district head’s palace, a military barracks, and several homes, forcing terrified residents to flee across the border.
The situation was later brought under control following the swift deployment of troops.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Ndume praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for their decisive action—particularly the deployment of the 153 Task Force Battalion to secure the area.
“The courage displayed by our military and their resilience remain laudable. I have always acknowledged that our military is overstretched, and I am impressed with their successes despite obvious challenges,” Ndume said.
The senator noted that the military’s rapid response prevented further destruction and loss of life, urging that the deployment in Kirawa be made permanent due to its strategic border location.
He also called for enhanced collaboration between Nigerian and Cameroonian forces to strengthen cross-border security.
“I sympathise with the people of Kirawa who have borne the brunt of insurgent attacks. My appeal to them is to remain vigilant and share useful information with the military to secure their community,” he added.
Ndume further commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his ongoing efforts to resettle displaced residents and lauded President Tinubu for his “genuine commitment to restoring peace in the North-East.”
“Security of lives and property is the foremost duty of any government. The present administration has not failed in fulfilling this constitutional responsibility,” he stated.
In a related development, the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has concluded a two-day Field Training Exercise aimed at strengthening security within the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding border communities.
The exercise, held at General O. A. Azazi Barracks in Gwagwalada and along the Rafin Zurfi–Ibua axis, focused on ambush and anti-ambush operations designed to boost troops’ tactical readiness and rapid response to emerging threats within the FCT and neighboring states.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Brigade’s spokesperson, Capt. Odunola Olawuyi, said the Commander, Brig. Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, described the exercise as part of the Army Headquarters’ training directives and in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede’s commitment to continuous and realistic training across formations.
Onasanya noted that the exercise was not a routine drill but a deliberate effort to enhance troops’ field proficiency and their ability to counter asymmetric warfare tactics often employed by non-state actors.
“The Chief of Army Staff has made training a vital component of his Command philosophy to enhance operational efficiency and meet the demands of modern warfare. This exercise was designed to equip our troops with the requisite knowledge and practical skills to tackle emerging security threats within the FCT and parts of Niger and Nasarawa States,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Olawuyi explained that the FTX featured lectures and practical field drills, including tactical deployment, engagement maneuvers, and counter-ambush responses.
“During the field phase, soldiers demonstrated their ability to react to enemy contact, neutralise threats, and conduct immediate rescue operations under simulated combat conditions,” she added.
The Guards Brigade—responsible for securing the FCT, critical national assets, and the Presidential Villa—has in recent months intensified its field operations and simulation exercises.
The renewed training initiative, according to military sources, reflects the Army’s broader strategy to fortify Abuja and its environs against rising threats of banditry and insurgency extending from the North-Central corridor.
Observers said the successful completion of the FTX demonstrates a proactive effort by the Guards Brigade to maintain high operational alertness and ensure the continued safety of Nigeria’s seat of power.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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