Additional patrols have been drafted to help secure commuters along the insurgents-infested Maiduguri to Damaturu highway.
Armed men believed to be insurgents have repeatedly barricaded the Mainok-Jakana-Auno segment of the highway at will, before attacking vehicles. The attackers had carted away valuables, killed passengers they perceived as threats and abducted many as well as burnt several vehicles.
The latest incident was when the attackers seized 30 passengers, killed nine others and burnt one vehicle last week.
On Monday, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum paid a surprised visit to the scene of the attack where he addressed people. The governor, who said that he was disappointed for not seeing any patrol along the highway, summoned a security meeting shortly after returning to his office.
The meeting culminated in the deployment of extra men including police, local vigilantes and hunters to compliment regular army units, a source said.
A visit to Auno, Jakana, Mainok, Benisheik, Ngamdu and Damaturu yesterday revealed the presence of additional forces along the road and mostly ‘black spots.’
The source said the forces needed to procure adequate intelligence to stem the tide of attacks even as gadgets and mounted troops were in place.
