The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday raised
the alarm over the activities of an unnamed political cabal, which he accused
of undermining the war against terrorism in his state.
He
accused the cabal of working hard to destroy the existing harmony between him,
the Presidency and the security services, especially the military.
Shettima
spoke in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Bello Gusau.
He
accused the unnamed members of the cabal of top politicians from the state of
trying to drag the military into politics and undermining the joint efforts to
combat terrorism in the troubled state.
The
governor also said the cabal was at the same time trying to use the media to
destroy the harmonious working relationship between the state and the
Presidency.
The
statement partly read, “The cabal, made up of some discontented politicians,
some serving and former leaders, has a single agenda which is to create
problems between the Presidency, military and the Borno State Government in
order to dubiously secure the political blessings of the Presidency and top
ranks of the military with a view to seizing control of the military, the
police force and State Security Service, divert the security’s attention away
from counter insurgency, drag them into politics, destabilise the polity and
use security agencies in furthering their political ambitions ahead of the 2015
elections.”
It
also accused the cabal of deploying all possible means, including publishing
falsehoods and spreading same on the social media, to accuse the state
government of so many wrongdoings, including unimaginable financial
misappropriation.
Shetima
said the speculations making the rounds that he had vowed to undermine
President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid was part of the plot to
break the relationship between him and the President.
The
statement dissociated the governor from a Facebook account, bearing the name and
picture of Governor Kashim Shettima.
It
explained that the group went as far as publishing a false interview with a
certain Boko Haram suspect who allegedly named Shettima as a sponsor of the
Boko Haram sect.
“He
(Shettima) feels that 2015 is in the hands of God. He is particularly concerned
about the deaths of citizens in Borno State and the need for synergy between
the state and federal establishments to sustain a coordinated fight against
insurgency so as to secure precious human lives and property,” the statement
added.
In
a related development, a member of the ongoing National Conference, Mr. Buba
Galadima, said that members of the Boko Haram sect operated in Borno State on
Sunday night for eight hours without hindrance.
Galadima,
a delegate from Yobe State, told the delegates that attacks were carried out on
several villages and towns in the state and that no fewer than 45 bodies were
recovered in one of the villages.
The
delegate, at the verge of shedding tears, also informed the conference of the
bomb attack at the Monday Market in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
“The
Boko Haram sect operated for about eight hours even though the information
about the attack was given out. The security agencies were informed. It was the
Civilian JTF that helped to evacuate the dead bodies,” he said.
Another
delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome, recalled that he was kidnapped for 21 days and
that he went through harrowing experience.
He
added, “My stand on Boko Haram is clear. And I told government this. There are
at times you stoop to conquer.
“I
want the government to negotiate with them. It is not out of fear, but because
of the Chibok girls. We need to bring them back.”
He
explained that what he told the conference on Monday was that a text message
was sent to him by a friend warning about attacks in Abuja, saying he did not
receive any direct message from Boko Haram. He said other people received the
same message as himself.
Ozekhome
had under a matter of national urgency informed the conference on Monday that
he received a text message warning of imminent attacks in parts of the Federal
Capital Territory.
Meanwhile,
the United States of America has said it was becoming more worried about Boko
Haram successful attacks. The US has however promised more assistance in the
war against the terrorists.
Speaking
at the US Department of State daily press briefing on Monday, the department’s
spokesperson and former media aide to President Barack Obama, Jennifer Psaki,
condemned the recent attacks by the insurgents on four villages near Chibok.
Psaki
said, “We’re providing additional equipment for Nigeria’s intelligence fusion
centre. We’re also providing military training and other assistance to help
professionalise the Nigerian military and increase its maritime security and peacekeeping
capabilities.
“We
condemn the reported attacks on four villages near Chibok. Our sympathies go
out to the victims and their families. We remain committed to helping the
government of Nigeria address the threat posed by the criminal terrorist group.
“Our
Embassy continues to support Nigerian efforts to bring about the safe recovery
of the abductees and to advise the government of Nigeria on its response.”
While
fielding questions from journalists, the US state department spokesperson
admitted that there were challenges being faced by the Nigerian government,
adding that America was advising the government on how best to address the
threat posed by the terrorist group.
“Our
discussions with Nigeria about addressing the threat of Boko Haram have been
ongoing for months now.
“There’s
no doubt there are challenges – challenges the Nigerian government faces and
those who are taking on this threat on the ground. And we’re certainly working
with them to boost their capacity and advise them on how best to address it.
But I’m not going to outline it further than that,” Psaki explained.
Culled from Punchng
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