Boko Haram Not Occupying Any Local Govt In Borno – Gov Shettima

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, yesterday dismissed media report credited to Senator Kaka Bashir Garbai that three local government areas of Abadam, Mobbar and Kala Balge, were fully under the control of Boko Haram insurgents, insisting that none of the councils in the state was being occupied by the insurgents.

 

 

Shettima said the military and other security operatives on the platform of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, had been doing their best in the last six months as the terrorists’ capacity had been whittled down leaving only pockets of them remaining in the Sambisa Forest.

 

 

Recall that the Senator representing Borno Central, Garbai, who visited Dalori, Alomari and other villages surrounding Maiduguri attacked by insurgents who killed over 100 residents, had informed newsmen that: “The military are not doing their best to end the war against terrorists, as only Maiduguri, Bayo and Kwaya Kusar council areas were safe and free of insurgents, while 21 of the council areas are partially controlled by terrorists with other three fully still under boko haram caliphate.”

 

 

But Governor Shettima, who just returned from a trip to Saudi Arabia where he led some other northern governors for a meeting with officials of Islamic Development Bank and Saudi authorities on rebuilding the north, particularly north east, said, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, all the 27 local government areas had been liberated by the military.

 

He said: “As Chief Security Officer of Borno State, I am telling you authoritatively that our military deserves commendation, because all my local government areas have been liberated. Only few insurgents that remain in the Sambisa Forest desperate to launch some pockets of attacks are what we are now witnessing as a result of the bombardment that is going on in their hideouts. “Maybe, the statement Senator Garbai gave to the media was done out of his emotions when he visited the affected areas or he was misquoted. I have been trying to get contact with the Senator on this unfortunate statement.”

 

The governor later drove straight to Dalori and other surrounding villages that were destroyed by insurgents last week where he condoled with the victims and prayed for quick recovery of the injured.

 

The governor told the people of the affected communities that government had already liaised with the military to provide them with adequate security and urged them not to flee as his administration would spend N100 million to rebuild their destroyed houses.

 

He immediately set up a committee headed by his deputy, Usman Durkwa to ensure that all the houses destroyed by the insurgents were rebuilt promptly. Governor Shettima also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his determination towards ending the deadly activities of Boko Haram and other terror act in the country.

 

Credit : Vanguard

Gov. Shettima Meets Civilian JTF, ?Announces Welfare Package For Members In Borno

Following recent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, held a meeting with the youth volunteers involved in counter insurgency operations popularly known as “Civilian JTF” during which he appreciated their gallant efforts and unveiled welfare packages for them.

The meeting held at the Multipurpose hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.

The governor held closed door discussions with leaders of the volunteer group focusing on enhancing community policing.

At an open session with majority of the volunteers, Governor Shettima paid glowing tributes to them for sacrificing their lives towards complimenting the efforts of armed forces to fight for the restoration of peace in the state.

He said no amount of welfare package can equal the sacrifices being made by the volunteers especially given the fact that some of them had laid their lives for Borno State.

The governor said despite its meager resource, the Borno state Government would expend whatever it takes to ensure that the volunteers were properly paid, equipped and highly motivated.

He announced a bonus of N20 million naira to the volunteers while directing that any backlog of ?allowances be paid immediately.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Borno Assembly Reduces Gov. Shettima’s Aides From 40 to 20

The Borno State House of Assembly on Wednesday slashed the number of Special Advisers to the Governor from 40 to 20.

Gov. Kashim Shettima had sent list of 40 nominees to the Assembly, but the members approved 20.

The Speaker, Alhaji Abdulkarim Lawal, said at the plenary session that the reduction was due to the state’s financial position, as well as to check the cost of governance.
The motion for the reduction of the number of advisers was moved by Alhaji Mohammad Zakari, the House Leader.

In another development, the speaker announced the appointment of Mr Ayuba Wukawa, representing Hawul Constituency, as the Deputy House Leader, and Alhaji Audu Mustapha, representing Magumeri Constituency as the Chief Whip.

Credit: NAN