‘My greatest wish’ is to not hand over a Borno ravaged by Boko Haram to my successor- Gov Shettima

As attacks on Borno State by Boko Haram continue, the state Governor, Kashim Shettima, has expressed his wish not to hand over a state ravaged by Boko Haram to his successor.

The governor had on Monday night conveyed an extraordinary security meeting involving security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

The meeting was held at the multipurpose hall of Government House, Maiduguri, the state capital.

While lamenting the extent of damage done on the state by incessant attacks of the terror group, Shettima said`he would not engage in blame game.

He said, “I think the most inhuman way to go is to gather and condemn those who are putting their lives on the line and giving their lives in efforts to find peace. ‎

“For seven years, we held our regular security council meetings. I from to time consult with some of the participants here. However, I never for once convene an extraordinary meeting of this nature because, frankly speaking, I was avoiding a sort of dramatisation or being sensational about our challenges in Borno State.

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“My greatest wish was and still is, not to bequeath Boko Haram challenges and IDP Camps to my successor. We wanted to, and still want to get Borno fully back to normal days.

“Sometimes, I unconsciously find myself boasting that Borno is safer than Lagos. I simply feel very bad to sound pessimistic about Borno. I so much believe in optimism.”

The Governor applauded the role played by President Muhammadu Buhari and other stakeholders, including the army, navy and paramilitary agencies in combating the challenge.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is without the slightest doubt, devoted to the fight against Boko Haram. I believe that service chiefs, the IGP, the DG of DSS and heads of all para-military agencies share the commitment of Mr President.”

In his speech, he noted that the resolution of the meeting would be transmitted to the president while journalists should not expect a communique.

Journalists were, thereafter, shut out of the closed door meeting held after the governor delivered his remarks.

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