Governors Forum: Security challenges are beyond military
.. We are all frustrated, Fayemi declares
The Nigerian Governor's Forum Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi disclosed that the security challenges are beyond the Nigerian military, He said,
they are overwhelmed and cannot tackle the security situation affecting many parts of the country, that includes, Insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery.
"We are here your Excellency, first to express our condolences to the families and loved ones of our lost citizens, and also to the good people of Borno State, and yourself as the leader of our people here."
"But what happened in the last three days is by far beyond any imagination, it was a masacar and it was one that none of us could come to terms easily."
"I know there is an element of fatigue that will crip into this, everytime this happens we never let you rest on your phones expressing sympathise, we come here as delegation, you speak to us about your genuine believe on what could help us tackle this challenge that is depleting
our country and we pledge to take steps to engage the leadership of our country. So there is very little we can say to you now that we haven't said before as your brothers."
"There is nothing new that you haven't told us, that you haven't told the delegation from Mr President yesterday. We have all heard directly from you, your 6 point agenda, we have read it and you have just expressed to us in our private conversation.
All I can say to you sir, is that we fully and wholeheartedly endorsed every single point on that agenda."
"The reality we can all say, i personally as security scholar, the reality i can see is that our military is overwhelmed.
Our military is no longer in a position to single handedly tackle this menace effectively. It is not a criticism of our military, if one were to suggest a coalition beyond that will even include our neighbouring countries who are probably more experienced in fighting
asymmetrical war. It will not be a lost of our pride as a country, if that were to happen and this certainly something that we as your colleagues and brothers will put before Mr President." Governor Fayemi said.
Governor @kfayemi made the statement in Maiduguri, when they paid a visit to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum to condole with government and people of Borno over an attack by the Boko Haram insurgents, where over 40 farmers were slaughtered.
He was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto and the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Aminu Waziri @AWTambuwal, Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu and that of Niger State, Abubakar Sali Bello.
The Governor also stated that, their visit to Borno is an expression of their frustration for not been able to despite many attempts make any meaningful development in the security problems facing the country.
"This not a visit to gratify ourselves that we have come to you, no, it is expression of also our own frustration that we have not been able, because we have held series of meetings, you have been present at these meetings, some with Mr President, meetings with security chiefs,
we have highlighted all the issues, you have spoken, frankly on all those occasions, but we are still where we are."
"We can't bring back the people we have lost in the last couple of days,
but if we do not take the necessary steps the entire nation will be consumed by this insurgency." Fayemi added.
He noted that, despite all the NGF will continue to support the government of Borno in engaging appropriate authorities to find solutions to the insecurity.
"We need to stand solidly with you, assist in whatever way you want us to, ensuring that our gov't takes the right position in order to tackle this problem. I want to assure that we shall not relent as your brothers in conveying this to the appropriate authorities." @kfayemi said
The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum who was adversely disturbed the recent gruesome attack on farmers have decried the continous attack on innocent people.
" We need to address the underlying causes of the insurgency, while appreciating the effort of the federal government in implementing some policies that are geared towards addressing poverty in the entire nation, Borno State deserve more."
" We have said all, there is nothing new that i can say. But when shall we end this insurgency, that's something very important." Zulum said.
Zulum also expressed appreciation for all the members of the Nigerian Governor's Forum for their support to Borno in time of its needs. He also thanked them for the visit. @SpokesmanBornoG
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The Borno Massacre: An Insider's Account From The Front Line
This account by a military officer on the ground is accompanied by pictures of the scene of the attack on the 76 poor farmers. Here it goes:
"This massacre did not take place in Zabarmari contrary to widespread media accounts. Zabarmari is about 13 kilometers away from Maiduguri and there is a company of soldiers there. It is relatively safe. The last time Boko Haram attempted to attack Zabarmari was in January
this year and they were thwarted.
The massacre took place in the abandoned and deserted fishing and rice producing community of Koshebe. Koshebe is 15 kilometers away from Zabarmari and about 27 kilometers away from Maiduguri on a very bad road.
48 bereaved families of Zabarmari farmers killed last Saturday, today received N600,000 each and bags of food items from a committee assigned
by @ProfZulum to transparently convey external donations to the victims.
The fund came from combined support of N20m by the northern governors forum, and N5m by the northeast development commission, NEDC. Borno gov't had earlier given each family N200,000 on Zulum’s directive.
A committee, chaired by Borno’s commissioner for youths and sports, Saina Buba undertook Thursday’s distribution in Zabarmari. The committee included a member of house of representatives, representing Jere federal constituency, member of Borno assembly representing Jere,
@ProfZulum receives Cameroonian 4th region military commander
Borno Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum on Thursday received a Cameroonian military delegation led by the 4th region joint military commander, General Saly Mohammadou at the Government House, Maiduguri.
He was accompanied by General Bouba Dobekreo, Commander Sector 1 Multinational Joint Task Force; Brigadier General Essoh Jules-Cesar, Commander Fourth Gendarmerie, GOC 7 Div Bridgdier Gen. AK Ibrahim among others
General Saly appreciated the political support rendered by Governor Babagana Umara @ProfZulum in the fight against insurgency in the Lake Chad region. He said the support had facilitated the smooth execution of non-kinetic operations,
On Fayemi’s invitation, Shettima arrives Ekiti, to give lecture on ‘succession planning’
Sen. @KashimSM Shettima just arrived Ado-Ekiti to attend the Ekiti State’s retreat as a Guest Speaker.
The Former Governor will speak on ‘Succession Planning - Ensuring Continuity
and Building a Sustainable Framework’, where he will share practical experiences with the Ekiti team to energize them as they move into the second half of the administration.
Themed ‘Finishing Well’, the retreat as a follow up to the edition conducted in 2019 will review how far the State has gone, and identify gaps with a view to setting priorities for the future.
Senator @KashimSM Shettima on Tuesday in plenary cited Order 42 and 52 to seek the leave of the Senate to move a motion on the Beheading of 67 farmers by Boko Haram Insurgents: Need for Urgent Decisive Action.
The Senate resolved to:
i. Urge the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to immediately initiate the transitionary process of phasing out the current over-stayed security chiefs and replacing them with new ones with new ideas and solutions;
ii. Urge the President to take immediate steps to restructure, remodel and revamp the country's entire security architecture and provide enough state-of-the-art weapons and equipment to effectively combat the belligerent power of the insurgents;
BREAKING: The greatest political maestro of our time Sen. @KashimSM Shettima, has raised a motion in the ongoing Nigerian Senate session for President Muhammadu @MBuhari to replace all service chiefs for underperformance in the war against Boko Haram.