BY INUSA NDAHI, MAIDUGURI
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state on Wednesday said, the state which has been under series of attacks by Boko Haram sect in the last 10 years is now safe to do business compared to states Like Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina including Abuja the Federal Capital Territory where issues of kidnapping and other related crimes remained order of the day.
Shettima made this revelations when Chairman House Committee on Army, Hon Rima Shawulu led other members of the House of Representatives on a courtesy call at the Government House, Maiduguri.
He said, although, there are pockets of attacks masterminded by degraded insurgents in some parts of the state, it is worrisome that the insurgents are given much more publicity in their activities, than given to security troops.
“The military and other security agencies are doing their best in Borno state, the only problem now is the inadequate publicity accorded to our Military Operations, for example, when Boko Haram attacks and kill even one person, it will be celebrated on the front page of our Newspapers, but when military kill dozens of insurgents with capture of several others alive, such success against the insurgents will be published in a tight corner of our newspapers.
“Our Military are now overwhelmed with the increasing security challenges in some parts of the country, there are deployment of soldiers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and many volatile states of the federation despite paucity of funds and inadequate personnel.
” I want to appeal to this Committee to serve as a soul, driver and consciousness of our great nation, for peace to reign. We in Borno do not have issue of kidnapping or banditry, and I believe very soon we will overcome our security challenges”. Shettima said.
He therefore appreciated the committee for coming to Borno to sympathize and get a first hand information on the ongoing military operations in the state.
Earlier in his address, Hon Shawulu said, when in Maiduguri, the committee visited the military cemetery at Maimalari Cantonment, laid wreath and paid their last respect to the fallen heroes.
His words: ” We are in Borno to sympathize with Government and people of the state over the Boko Haram crisis.
” We went to Military cemetery and paid our last respect to the fallen heroes. We were also at different hospitals and sympathized with victims, but all I can appeal to you the Governor is not to drop your fighting stick against the insurgents. In the next two weeks, you will leave your office to Abuja and join us at the national assembly, and I want you to carry that your stick even as a senator fight insurgents, as you have been doing before”.