Boko Haram: Three Years After, Army Reopens Maiduguri, Dikwa, Ngala Road

From Junaid jibril Maiva, Maiduguri
The Nigerian Army has re-opened the Maiduguri Dikwa Ngala road three years after it was closed as a result of insurgents’ attacks.
The road, which links Nigeria and Central African is of economic importance to both nations.
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen, Tukur Yusuf Buratai flagged off the re-opening of the road.
Governor Shettima said the re-opening of the road which closure had massively contributed to the economy meltdown of the state was an indication that the Nigerian Army was winning the war against the insurgents.
“The truth is, Nigerian Army is winning the war against the terrorists. It is a clear testimony that Boko Haram had been sufficiently degraded and defeated,” he said.
The governor also commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Buratai for their efforts in ensuring lasting peace in the state and assured of the total support of the people of the state.
In his remarks, Buratai said the Maiduguri-Ngala road was one of the strategic road operations carried out by the Nigerian Army “and that is the reason I ensured that it is recovered from the terrorists bearing in mind it economic importance to the state. Even the terrorists themselves know the economic importance of the road.”
Buratai assured the people of the state that the Army would provide adequate security measures for the safety of the motorists plying the road.
On the allegations of money-for-escorts on other re-opened roads, Buratai warned that anyone caught, be it soldier or civilian with face the wrath of law.
He further warned National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on contributing money for the purpose of paying security operations. “we don’t want anyone to give us bad reputation,” he maintained.
State Secretary, NURTW, Mallam Ahmed Musa thanked the Nigerian Army for re-opening the road.
He said the closure of the road three years ago had greatly affected the economy of the state.
Already the Nigerian Army had deployed several units of its battalion to patrol the Maiduguri-Ngala road.