Boko Haram Killings: House Wants Army Headquarters Relocated To Borno

The House of Representatives Tuesday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to order the relocation of the headquarters of Nigerian Army to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as a measure to arrest the terrorist activities of Boko Haram in the North East.

It also demanded that more troops be deployed to the troubled spots in the North East.

The House also urged the Federal Government to liaise with the governments of the Republic of Cameroun, Niger Republic and Chad to discuss how to end the insurgency in the North East.

The lawmakers also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide relief materials and shelter to the victims of the series of attacks.

The House arrived at these resolutions after a motion on matters of urgent national interest sponsored by Hon.

Peter Biye Gumtha (APC, Borno) was unanimously adopted.

The motion was seconded by Hon.
Peter Ede (APC, Ebonyi).
Before the sponsor presented his motion, caucus leader of Borno lawmakers in the House, Hon.

Mohammed Monguno, was invited by the Deputy Speaker, Hon.

Emeka Ihedioha, to give an insight into the security situation in the state.

Monguno told the House that the militants were better equipped than Nigerian Armed Forces and it was very difficult to quell their onslaught.

According to him, whenever the Boko Haram attacks, the soldiers run for cover and only deployment of additional men and equipment would help the situation.

In his lead debate, the sponsor of the motion, Hon.

Peter.
Gumtha, noted with concern the incessant killing of innocent civilians across villages and communities in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

He said 'in Izge village, nine soldiers were killed, 106 civilians and many more were abducted and taken as hostages when the gunmen attacked the community.

' He added that 'in Gavva West and Gavva East, 21 people and 150 houses were burnt respectively, while in Zalidva village, Sabongari, 14 people killed and 30 houses were destroyed during the attack.

' The lawmaker said in Ngoshe Sama village, 18 people were killed and 80 houses were razed, and 150 cattle taken away while in Ghraza village, three people were killed, 50 houses and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Gumtha further disclosed that 'in Ngoshe town, 46 people were killed, 30 houses were razed down, while seven people were killed in Hambaged and about 140 cattle were taken away.

' He further disclosed that in Chinene village, seven people were killed and also in Krawa town, 20 people were slaughtered and 20 shops razed .

He expressed concern that the Emir of Gwoza's house at Jaje village was razed with property and food stuffs worth millions of naira destroyed along with several houses of worship.

He added that in Ndufa village, six deaths were recorded and 120 cattle taken away while in Pulka town, one person was killed and eight people were abducted.

There was no opposition to the motion and it was passed.

SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA.