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.