Borno state governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has reportedly donated some parts of the enclave of the Boko Haram insurgents, Sambisa forest, for the controversial Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) programme.
This Day reported that, the allocated area (forest) covers six council areas of Konduga, Bama, Gwoza, Chibok, Damboa and Askira/Uba.
The governor made the decision known on Monday, August 12, when he hosted the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai El-Kanemi, who paid him a Sallah homage, at the government house, Maiduguri.
The governor also disclosed that the state government in collaboration with the Nigeria, Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), would deploy a team of special agro-rangers, vigilantes and hunters to protect farming communities in the state.
He said that the state government would also deploy an emergency rapid response team of security personnel to protect travelers, commuters and rural dwellers.
“We are geared to strengthen the security architecture to encourage farming activities. The state government is establishing an Emergency Rapid Respond Team; made up of 500 hunters and military personnel.
“We are providing 80 patrol vehicles to the team so that farmers, travelers and commuters can move safely within 30 and 40 kilometer radius from Maiduguri.
About 75 special agro-rangers and 300 hunters will also be mobilised next week to protect farmers, to enable them cultivate their farmlands. “This administration is poised to address the root causes of insurgency through the improvement of security, check drug abuse, enhance food security and provide employment opportunities to reduce poverty as well as enhance wealth creation in the society,” he said.
