The paramount traditional leader for the Hong people of Adamawa State, the Tol Huba, Alheri Nyako, has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy additional troops to Hong Local Government Area.
The appeal comes after renewed attacks by Boko Haram terrorists in communities within his area, which lies close to the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Several attacks were launched recently by the deadly Boko Haram in villages around the area, including one in Kwapre last month, April 26, in which 10 local hunters functioning as vigilantes and protecting the people, were killed.
Recounting the tragedy at the time, Markus Musa, a relative of one of the slain hunters, said, “We left our hometown, Kopre, due to the Boko Haram threat.
“My brother joined other vigilantes to defend the area, but they were overpowered. Ten of them were killed. Now it’s farming season, and we want to return home, but we don’t feel safe.”
The Tol Huba, in an interaction with newsmen, attributed the ceaseless forays of Boko Haram into his area to the lack of an Air Force operational base in Adamawa State, which he said had left his area vulnerable.
Further expressing grave concern over the security challenges facing the Adamawa-Borno border communities, the king urged the state government on its part to arm local hunters with sophisticated weapons to place them in a better position to confront insurgents.
“If vigilantes are armed with better weapons, they can effectively fight against Boko Haram.
“We also need aerial support from the Air Force and increased security presence around communities near Sambisa Forest,” the King said.
