Borno Governor Admits Soldiers' Excesses In Operations

SAN FRANCISCO, July 17, (THEWILL) – Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has admitted that soldiers have been guilty of excesses during operations to counter the uprising by members of the radical Islamist sect, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad", also known as Boko Haram.

Shettima told the BBC that rules of engagement would be issued to the military, while compensation would be paid to those whose homes and vehicles were destroyed by soldiers.

"The most important thing is for us to put in place mechanisms for ensuring that the excesses of the JTF, who are operating under a very tense environment, are curtailed.

"We are going to provide hotlines and oblige the JTF with a code of conduct - rules of engagement - so that they do not break the rights of the people. But it's quite easy to agitate, to call for the removal of the JTF but what is Plan B?" the governor told the BBC.

The radical group has taken credit for several bomb attacks in the north including bombings at military barracks and the police force headquarters, Abuja in June.

There have been calls by Borno stakeholders for the federal government to withdraw soldiers deployed to contain the attacks of the sect. The stakeholders alleged that soldiers have attacked residents and youths who are not members of the Boko Haram sect.