Contrary to popular belief, Boko Haram insurgents are still occupying five local government areas in the troubled North-East, governors of Borno and Yobe governors have said.

A statement issued at the end of yesterday’s National Economic Council meeting in Abuja said: “On Boko Haram issues, governors of Yobe and Borno raised the alarm of five local government areas of the two states still being in possession of the insurgents.”

This is in addition to the terrorists’ continued occupation of Sambisa Forest in Borno State, their stronghold.

The Borno and Yobe governors called for an “increase in military deployment and provision of sophisticated military equipment in those areas,” the statement said.

About 15,000 people are estimated to have died from the insurgency since its start in 2009. The terrorists at a time controlled many communities but were flushed out by the Goodluck Jonathan administration before it handed over on May 29 to President Muhammadu Buhari, under whose two-month rule Boko Haram has increased its attacks despite his boast to stamp out the menace.

•Photo shows Boko Haram insurgents.