FG/Boko Haram Ceasefire: No Comment For Now, Says Shettima

BEVERLY HILLS, October 18, (THEWILL) - As Nigerians react to Friday's announcement of a ceasefire between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram insurgents,  Governor Kashim Shettima, whose state, Borno, has been at the receiving end of the five-year-old insurgency, has stated that he has no comment on the truce for now.

Promising to speak when the time is ripe, Shettima, who spoke through his spokesperson, Isa Gusau,  on Friday said:  “Hundreds of journalists, local and international have been making inquiries following widely circulated reports about a cease fire over Boko Haram attacks. Governor Kashim Shettima has no comment for now regarding the issue. He would make comments at an appropriate time.'

According to Gusau, ' Governor Shettima has always believed in a tripartite approach that involves dialogue for peaceful resolution, military and economic strategies in addressing the Boko Haram problems and  has been a strong advocate of these measures through his practical efforts and sustained public appeals at various fora.'

Gusau said this was why the governor firmly supported the efforts initiated by the President Goodluck Jonathan through the setting up of the Tanimu Turaki-led committee on dialogue and peaceful resolution of security challenges, in 2013, which worked actively and remained in force.

'Governor Shettima is permanently committed to all genuine efforts that would bring the insurgency to an end,  especially given the fact that Borno State and its people have remained the worse hit by the unfortunate killings and destructions since 2009,” Gusau added in the statement.