Babagana Zulum, Borno State governor, has raised the alarm over increase in attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the state.
Zulum, who spoke on Wednesday in Bauchi, while presiding over the 4th North-East Governors’ Forum meeting as chairman, called on the new service chiefs to device new means to counter attacks by the terrorists in the North-east.
He also called on the Federal Government to seek support from neighbouring countries, as well as look into the possibility of hiring mercenaries with a view to ending insurgency in the region.
“As it is now, especially in Borno state, violence being perpetrated by insurgents seems to be on the increase.
“It has become a matter of tactical necessity for the new Service Chiefs to devise new and authentic strategy to counter the current attacks and to stop any future attacks.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the federal government to seek support from our neighbours, especially the republics of Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
“This is with a view to providing a joint action that will look into the possibility of ending this crisis.
“Furthermore, the federal government must look into the possibility of hiring mercenaries, with a view to ending this insurgency”, he said.
Zulum also said the possibility of overcoming the insurgents seems to be fading away.
He added: “This challenge ranges from the seemingly unending issue of insecurity, banditry and kidnapping, to cattle rustling, and from gender- based violence, to youth restiveness.
“The fact that we’ve been able to identify the challenges facing us is an indication that we are on the right track of overcoming them.”
The meeting was attended by Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Yahaya, Gombe governor, and Umaru Fintiri, governor of Adamawa State.
Others are: Darius Ishaku, Taraba State governor, who was represented by Haruna Manu, his deputy, as well as Mai Mala Buni, Yobe State governor, who was also represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana.
