Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, has called on military authorities to urgently deploy troops to Kirawa in Borno state and its neighbouring communities following a Boko Haram ambush.

The attack occurred around 3 pm on Friday along the Kirawa-Pulka road, leaving one member of the civilian joint task force (JTF) dead and several motorists and passengers injured.

Ndume, who represents Borno South, said there has been no military presence in Kirawa since last month’s attack on a Cameroonian military base in the area.

He warned that residents of Kirawa and other border communities in Gwoza local government area were living in fear due to repeated terrorist incursions.

He stated: “It is very disheartening to receive a distress call that some armed Boko Haram terrorists laid an ambush on motorists and passengers along the Kirawa-Pulka road yesterday.

“The victims were escorted by a few members of the civilian joint task force as there is no military escort due to the dislodgement of Cameroonian troops based in Kirawa last month.

“Unfortunately, one of our brave civilian JTF members was killed during an exchange of gunfire in the ambush. Many victims are nowhere to be found as I speak.”

The senator said at least six vehicles, including two Volkswagen Golf cars, a bus and three trucks, were set ablaze during the attack.

He appealed to the authorities to immediately deploy troops to Kirawa, even if it is just a platoon, to safeguard lives and property.

“My people are now living in perpetual fear since the dislodgement of Cameroonian troops based in Kirawa last month,” he lamented.