Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed disappointment with the failure of the military to secure the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway routinely used for Boko Haram attacks.

At least 30 people travelling along the highway were abducted by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists on Friday, December 18, 2020.

The abduction was another in a long list of attacks on the key highway by insurgents who have terrorised the northeast region since 2009.

While visiting Jakana, one of the major towns along Maiduguri-Damaturu highway, on Monday, December 21, Zulum expressed anger at the routine attacks which he said security forces have failed to stop.

He said the military's failure to secure the highway is affecting the public's confidence in its ability to crush Boko Haram's insurgency.

"I have had occasions to defend the Nigerian military in order to boost the morale of commanders and their troops at the front lines because I know the true picture of things.

"However, I am really disappointed that despite all support from both the federal government and from us in Borno state, our military is failing to secure an area of 20 kilometers, which is the distance between Auno and Jakana," he said.

The governor also criticised the performance of the rapid response squad set up by his own government to secure the highway, noting the absence of the squad's patrols on his journey to Jakana.

"They were trained, employed, kitted and paid to protect all Nigerians within their areas of operation and these Nigerians include travelers plying this busy and important road," he said.

The 51-year-old assured residents along the road that he'll convene a security meeting, and implement more measures to stop the attacks by terrorists.

He also appealed to them to continue to support security forces with valuable information to defeat the terrorists.

Boko Haram has killed over 30,000 people and displaced millions in the northeast region over the past decade.