Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of BORNO,Monday, said all hands must be on deck to salvage BORNO state,the NorthEast and the entire country from the hands of the dreaded unrepentant bokoharam terrorists that have continued to unleash havoc in the state.
Receiving in audience President and members of Alumni Association of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies,AANI,who paid him a solidarity visit at government house, ZULUM,attributed the menace to the porous borders between the state and the three Neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameron, was responsible for proliferation of fire arms used by the insurgents.
According to him,lack of proper manning of these international borders by security agencies, the 11-year old crisis which has continued to linger in Borno and the North East sub region would continue unabated if proper attention is taken.
The lingering Boko Haram crisis has led to the untimely death of unspecified number of gallant troops as well as innocent civilians which has also devastated several infrastructures.
“All hands must be on deck to salvage Borno, the entire north east and the country from the hands of the unrepentant armed insurgents”,he said.
He said that, his administration will continue to do its best in supporting the military and para- military in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorists activities across the state.
Prof.Zulum,who is also a member of AANI, expressed appreciation on behalf of government and the people of the state for the visit to sympathize with him over the demise of his Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Wakil and what befell his convoy recently,which ran into attack by unknown gunmen around Baga town axis.
Hear him,”On behalf of Government and People of Borno state, I want to express our appreciation to AANI for the visit, specifically to your branches in Yobe and Borno for their unflinching support to my administration.
” We are very grateful for coming to identify with Borno in our trying moment. The atrocities posed by insurgents have led to the killing of unspecified number of security operatives and our innocent civilians with devastation of infrastructures.
“Notwithstanding, with your support from all and sundry, we are going to defeat the insurgents Insha Allah (By God Grace).”
Earlier, the President of AANI, IGP Mohammed Abubakar (Rtd) told the governor that his association is a registered body comprising of eminent members drawn from different segments of the society whose objective is to promote the ideals of a better society.
AANI,IGP Abubakar,noted with regrets and is deeply concerned with the security challenges facing Borno State Government, particularly the recent upsurge in attacks by insurgents and however, commended the doggedness of the Governor for his foresight, as the present administration has actively implemented numerous people oriented projects and programs in the areas of health, education, poverty alleviation, women and youth empowerment among others, which have direct bearing on the wellbeing of the people in the state.
Abubakar also said his association deem it necessary to undertake this solidarity visit in order to show Nigerians and the World that Governor Zulum is not alone in repositioning Borno to a greater height.
In a related development, Governor Zulum has inaugurated a 23- member committee for the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Baga town.
Baga, is a fishing community located on the fringes of the Lake Chad which has been deserted for over two years due to activities of insurgents.
The Committee has the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan,as Chairman and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Engineer Abba Yusuf as Secretary.
The governor said, the inauguration and relocation was sequel to a letter sent to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai,demanding for the immediate resettlement of all IDPs of Baga commencing on the 26th September 2020 stressing that government will not hesitate in releasing funds for reconstruction of destroyed infrastructures and road networks of Monguno -Cross Kauwa-Baga town, and as to also provide palliatives to all returnees.
He therefore charged the Committee to ensure dignified and safety return of all IDPs, as government is doing everything possible to support them start a new live.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan promised to work assiduously to ensure safe return of IDPs to Baga town within the stipulated time frame.
