Blood Shedding: Enough Is Enough! North East Governors Tell Boko Haram
North East Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors of Bauchi, Mallam Isa Yuguda, Gombe, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo and the acting governor of Taraba state, Alhaji Garba Umar were yesterday in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on a sympathy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima and the people of the state over the wanton killings and destruction of property by suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists, stressing that all hands must be on desk to nip the problem in the bud.
The governors also resolved that the ongoing crisis perpetrated by the insurgents in the north east states, especially Borno, Yobe and Adamawa must stop so that peace will be restored back, even as they described the menace of Boko Haram as not peculiar to Borno or north east alone, but a Nigerian problem as a nation.
It would be recalled that since the beginning of this year, more than 600 people have been killed while property worth billions of naira destroyed by the ongoing activities of the terrorists in Yobe, Adamawa and the most hit Borno.
In his address at the council chambers, government house, Maiduguri the state capital, Governor Dankwambo while condoling with the people of the state over the carnage, said, "enough is enough for the terrorist's deadly activities in the region which has claimed many innocent lives and property worth billions of naira destroyed", which according to him, these carnage has seriously affected development and progress of the region.
He said, although, tackling terrorism has remained one of the difficult task faced by any government, stressing that no amount of force can change the ideology of terrorists, but dialogue still remain the only option, and therefore called on the sects to lay down their arms and come back on the table of dialogue with the government, so that all their grievances will be solved/addressed for peace to reign.
He however commended the efforts of governor Shettima and the security agencies in managing the Boko Haram crisis, which he said, all the north east governors will continue to offer their best on how to nip the problem in the bud, as according to him, all the states in the sub region are members of one family.
Likewise, Mallam Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state appealed to the members of the sects to please stop these carnage, as according to him, there is no religion that preaches violence or for someone to take person's live.
"For Allah (God) sake, we are appealing to whoever is behind the wanton killings and destruction of property in the region to stop, and let us sit down and talk a way forward to ensure peace and unity not only in the north east, but the country at large.
" we are therefore looking forward that in the next few weeks, our young ones who have bent in perpetrating such deadly act to come forward so that we will collectively talk on how to iron out our differences". Yuguda appealed.
As leaders, Governor Yuguda said, they are always challenged to maintain law and order, ensure the protection of lives and property of the citizenry, pointing out that anytime a live is lost, it makes them have a sleepless night.
He however prayed Allah to grant eternal rest for the souls of those who died during the crisis, and the fortitute to the families of the deacesed as well as the injured to have a quick recovery.
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar offered prayers to the departed souls as well as for peace to be restored not only in the north east, but the country at large.
He also used the opportunity and urged the people of the state and the country in general to continue to offer their collective prayers for peace and tranquility in our dear nation.
Responding, Governor Shettima expressed gratitude for the visit, particularly at this trying moment under his leadership.
"On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Borno state, we will remain ever grateful for this visit and the support you have personally and collectively rendered to us since the beginning of this Boko Haram crisis", Shettima stated.