Senator Representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has decried the inability of Nigerian security agencies, particularly the military to put an end to the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the state and the north east in general.
Ndume, who is aspiring as Senate President at the 9th Assembly, alleged that Nigerian were tired and fed up with the usual Military propaganda of ‘repelling or degrading Boko Haram’, rather than exterminate them in their hideouts for peace to reign.
Ndume spoke on Wednesday to journalists in an interactive session while in Maiduguri, the state capital for inauguration of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as new Governor.
Although, he appreciated efforts of the security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram, which led to liberation of some Local Government Areas that were hitherto under the control of the insurgents, there is much to be done in the lake chad basin, Sambisa Forest and Gwoza Mountains that remained the only hideouts of terrorists.
He noted that both federal and state governments in the affected states have been very supportive to security forces end the 10-year atrocities posed by insurgents, it is worrisome that many parts of Borno state are still unaccessible, as many people no longer have the freedom to go their farms or do business safely.
The Senate President aspirant cited an instance that in Maiduguri presently, all roads linking the state capital close by 4pm on daily basis, compared to last year, while if in Maiduguri, you cannot go out until after 6am.
He, however, appreciated the people of Borno State, who came out enmasse to witness the successful inauguration of Professor Zulum as new Governor, and enjoined him (Zulum) to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, job creation and youth empowerment among others.
His words: “The lingering security situation in Borno is quiet worrisome, and I blame the Nigerian security agencies, particularly the military for its inability to finish or nip in the bud the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the state and the north east in general.
“Sincerely, we are tired and fed up with the usual military propaganda of repelling or degrading Boko Haram, rather than exterminate them in their hideouts for peace to reign.
“Although, I quiet appreciate efforts of the security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram which led to liberation of some Local Government Areas that were hitherto under the control of the insurgents, there is much to be done in the lake chad basin, Sambisa Forest and Gwoza Mountains that remained the only hideouts of terrorists.
“The Federal and state governments in the affected states have been very supportive to security forces end the 10- year atrocities posed by insurgents, it is worrisome that many parts of Borno state are still inaccessible and unsafe, as many people no longer have the freedom to go their farms or do business safely.
“I, however, appreciated the people of Borno state who came out enmasse to witness the successful inauguration of Professor Zulum as new Governor, and enjoin him (Zulum) to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, especially in the areas of security, education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, job creation and youth empowerment among others,” Ndume stated.
