Governor Kashim Shettima Lauds Peace Efforts At Eid-El Fitr Sallah
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has commended the tremendous efforts of the Military Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Vigilante youths popularly known as 'Civilian JTF' for sustaining relative peace which led to smooth and successful celebration of the Eid-El Fitr Sallah in the state.
Shettima made the commendation while hosting the state executive council members, security chiefs and some Journalists in a Sallah Lunch soon after returning from the Shehu of Borno's Palace where he had gone and witnessed a Horse riding (Traditional Durbar).
Our Correspondent gathered that since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency, the traditional Durbar which is being performed by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi was suspended in 2009 for fear of attacks and bombings, only to perform it with presence of heavy crowd peacefully as a result of the relative peace enjoyed in the state.
He said, it is unfortunate that since the inception of the crisis, the Boko Haram terrorists have killed hundreds of lives, property worth billions of naira destroyed in addition to the burning down over 800 public secondary and primary school classrooms in the state, pointing out that with the gallant efforts put in place by JTF, vigilante youths and patriotic citizens, Borno is now witnessing peace in the state.
Shettima said, "Although, the state has encountered serious damages, We as government will not be deterred by the activities of terrorists as we will soon renovate and rehabilitate all the public structures destroyed by Boko Haram sects in the state, even as we will continue to support security agencies with our scarce resources in the fight against terrorism".
Shettima who just returned a day to the Sallah from Saudi Arabia for a lesser Hajj said, we as government will never forget the effort of the JTF, Civilian JTF, the Media and of course all loving people of Borno for their untiring support, prayers and concern on how to end terrorists activities in our dear state and the country in general.
"It is the collective efforts and support we received from all and sundry that led to the successful and peaceful celebration of the Sallah and we urged everybody to continue to pray for the sustenance of peace in our country, Nigeria".