[size=14pt]FG to deploy troops against Boko Haram in Borno[/size]
News Oct 11, 2010 By Daniel Idonor

ABUJA—THE Federal Government is said to be contemplating the deployment of troops in the troubled Borno State following the bloody violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, a religious sect, which left 12 security operatives dead.

This indication emerged, yesterday, when President Goodluck Jonathan met with Governor Ali Modu_Sheriff of Borno State, behind closed doors, along with top security operatives in the country, over the state of affairs in the troubled state.

Fielding questions from State House Correspondents after the meeting, Sheriff said: “Everything will be put in place to ensure the place is not like a guerilla zone that they can just come and hit somebody and go back. I want to assure you that the commander-in-chief is doing everything possible to ensure the matter is put to rest once and for all.”

The governor told newsmen: “Twelve people died. Most of them were police personnel and one of them was my national vice chairman but I want you to understand that chief security officer of a state has a limit. In Nigeria the police operate under the Federal Government and no state has police or military.

Your being chief security office is by name, the deployment of military personnel has to come from the commander_in_chief and that is the one reason we are here to let the commander_in_chief know.”
Asked if the President has approved the deployment of troops in the troubled state, the governor said:

“These are security matters. My discussions with the commander_in_chief should not be a matter for the public, once is security it has to remain security. But I want to assure you that lives and property will be protected.”

Despite the fear being expressed by non_indigenes of the state over the growing violence, the governor said: “In Borno State, indigenes and non_indigenes will be protected. There is no difference between an indigene and non_indigene; lives are supposed to be protected. The protection of lives and property is the responsibility of government and government will do everything to protect them.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/fg-to-deploy-troops-against-boko-haram-in-borno/