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Maiduguri: Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State yesterday met with religious leaders, monarchs, security chiefs and other stakeholders aimed at ensuring peaceful coexistence and avoid any act likely to breach the peace in the state.
The meeting attracted Traditional Rulers led by the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn- Garbai Umar El-Kanemi who also represented Muslim Ummah, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by its Chairman, Bishop John Bakeni, members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly led by the Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by the Chairman, Dauda Iliya, the Theatre Commander North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, Major General Shaibu Waidi, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Yusuf Mohammed among other different groups and associations in the state.
The Chief Host, governor Zulum while addressing the gathering commended all participants and the people of the state for their resilience and support to the government in the past decade Boko Haram atrocities.
According to him, “As we appreciated the sacrifices by our military, paramilitary, civilian Joint Task Force and all stakeholders in the fight against Boko Haram, let me call upon all stakeholders that Borno has come a long way in peace building in recent times. To maintain and build upon the relative peace and security that exist now requires tremendous efforts from all and sundry.
” We all regretted that Borno State which has suffered and lost thousands of lives with billion of naira property destroyed due to insurgency, there was no group or association in Nigeria that protested against the crisis, hence, it would be out of place for any Borno indigene to protest because of the economic hardship that is a temporary situation.
“We must avoid acts or activities that will bridge the peace in our dear and precious state. Finally, I call on all of you to provide the much-needed advice, suggestions and critical questions to guide peace building in our state.”
Similarly, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, among others, commended the government and security agencies for the relative peace across the state.
Lawan who also condemned the planned protest, describe it as unnecessary and uncalled for, even as he enjoined the people in the country to pray and seek God’s mercy irrespective of religion, tribe, political or ethnic considerations for peace to reign and cushion the immediate but temporary economic hardship in the land.
The Theatre Commander North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’, General Waidi assured the people of Borno that the military would continue to act within the rules of engagement, and to provide security for farmers in their farmlands and for people to do business without hindrance.
On his part, State Police Commissioner, said “Through our proactive efforts, we have identified the groups behind the proposed mass protest. The Command has arrested one of the leaders, ThankGod Nwoye who was brought in from Abuja to the lead the protest in Borno”.
