North-East Governors Visit Borno, Seek Support Over Boko Haram, Say Enough Is Enough

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, March 05, (THEWILL) - The increasing threat of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country may have become the source of wisdom for the governors in the area.

On Wednesday, the six governors in the region acknowledged their common destiny and challenges, saying the problems facing their states really require the understanding and support of every Nigerian .

Governors Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe; Mallam Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and Garba Umar of Taraba who came to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on a condolence visit to the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, over recent killings by Boko Haram, said the insurgency threatening the area was caused by the neglect of the area by the Federal Government.

Maintaining that it was high time to end the Boko Haram insurgency, Governor Dankwambo said the crisis has claimed so many innocent lives in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

He said the time had come for leaders in the zone to come together to end the insurgency.

"We have come here to say enough is enough.
Enough of innocent blood has been shed, we have experienced this thing (Boko Haram) enough and we are here to say it is time to end it," Dankwambo said.

According to the governor, the Boko Haram crisis was a big challenge to the northeast sub-region as he disclosed that the governors have resolved to initiate a process of action to end the insurgency since it was the problem of the area.

"Everybody coming to Nigeria is being warned not to come to North-east.

We know the insurgency is Nigeria problem now but we see it as our problem in the North-east and we must find solution to it," he said.

Maintaining that dialogue was needed to confront the insurgents, he said no amount of force and confrontation could change people's idea.

He however appealed to the insurgents to lay down their arms and come out for dialogue, saying "they have killed more than enough," even as he expressed optimism that better days lay ahead.

According to the governor, many nations and states have experienced similar situation where many lives were wasted and structure leveled .

He however said such nations and states were already standing tall.

While commending Shettima for concrete steps taken to restore peace, Dankwabo said: "We have come out together with single voice to say enough is enough and we have resolved to be holding consultative discussions on how best to tackle the problem.

'We resolve to sit down and itemise developmental plan of action to restore peace through tackling poverty and unemployment.

We are here in solidarity with you, we are here to say we are with you, anything that affects you has equally affected us.

" Bauchi governor Isa Yuguda, in his remarks, said the insurgency was least expected in Borno, judging from the fact that Islamic knowledge came to the area about 200 years ago.

He however said the insurgency was bound to happen.

"It is will to happen for if Allah has destined it to happen there is nothing you can do.

It is unfortunate that it is happening but God has destined it to happen at this particular time in our history.

" He however said: "We have the duty to protect lives and property, anytime human life is taken we do not go to sleep.

We have reason to be concerned for we do not know the underlining factor behind this insurgency.

But we must appeal that in the name of Allah, they should stop, we want dialogue, we are really interested in peace.

" According to Yuguda, "They (the insurgents) should also be interested in peace for it is with peace that there can be development, we cannot even practice our religion without peace.

Those that are involved in this insurgency should lay down their arms and let our people have peace.

" Lending a voice to the clamour for support, the acting governor of Taraba state, Alhaji Garba Umar, said the region needs prayer to survive the Boko Haram insurgency.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of victims of the insurgency as he prayed for the return of peace to the troubled region.

In his response, Borno governor Shettima, expressed appreciation to his counterparts for the solidarity visit which, he said, ' indicates that we are not alone in this period of agony and sorrow.

' According to Shettima, ' Your visit indicates that you are not just friend but members of one family,' saying the Borno people would be eternally grateful for the visit.

"We are glad to have you in this traumatic period.
You have shown in your visit that we are not alone in this time of tribulation.

You have moved us with your love and have shown that we are one people with a destiny.

" Shettima noted that the six states of the region have a common heritage and poverty that bound all of them together.

The three visiting governors later joined their host to visit Ajilari- Bintu Sugar where the twin blasts occurred on Saturday, killing several people.

Borno State Police Commissioner, Tanko Lawan, while briefing the visiting governors, said on the first night of the blast, 39 corpses were taken from the area, while two others were discovered the second day .

He disclosed that five others died at the hospital.

The Police Commissioner, also confirmed that 60 persons recorded varying degrees of injuries in the blasts.