The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said that the reopening of the Bama-Banki-Cameroon road after nine years is positive proof of the successful handling of the war against insurgency by the military on the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The group said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke that it was a thing of joy that the 65-km road that was shut since 2012 at the height of Boko Haram atrocities is now open for human and vehicular traffic.
“We see the road reopening as a major milestone because it is one of the major roads linking North East Nigeria to Cameroon, and by extension, other countries in the Central African region, but which had been shut for almost 10 years.
“It is a testament to the successful prosecution of the war against terrorists by a military that has been highly motivated since the advent of the Buhari administration.
“We recall how the entire area became desolate after Bama and Banki were invaded and captured by Boko Haram terrorists in 2012 and 2014 respectively, and the consequent devastation of a route that was quite crucial to economic activities between North East Nigeria and Cameroon became inaccessible.
“We also acknowledge that the military have since recaptured the two towns, but it was only recently that normalcy returned to Banki with the resettlement of people displaced from the town which shares a border with Cameroon.
“In the course of unveiling the road at Banki Junction on the outskirts of Bama town, Governor Babagana Zulum appreciated the efforts of President Buhari for the gains being recorded in peace-building and stability of the North East region.
“We wholeheartedly agree with the Governor and commend the President for providing the enabling environment for the all important road to be reopened”.
BMO also hailed the Governor and the military authorities for the gradual return of normalcy to towns and villages that were once desolate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian military on President Buhari’s watch have grown from a situation where soldiers struggled to stop Boko Haram from launching suicide bombs in Abuja, to a strong fighting force that has now pushed the insurgents to the fringes of the Lake Chad.
“This is as a result of new platforms acquired by the Buhari administration for the armed forces and which have so improved available firepower to the extent that over 12,000 Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered in the face of ongoing air and ground assault.
“It is therefore not a surprise that the Nigerian military is ranked 35 out of 140 countries on the Global military firepower index as at March 2021 even when it had not taken delivery of the 12 Super Tucano aircraft that have now been commissioned.
“We also believe that Governor Zulum deserves accolades for his rebuilding efforts as well as his confidence-building initiatives in the State. “For us, Zulum remains a shining example for other Governors to emulate”, the statement added.
The group noted that the reopening of the Bama-Banki-Cameroon road for commercial activities after nine years is a re-affirmation of the President’s promise to ensure that the security challenges in the North East are brought to an end.
