Support Buhari, military to restore peace in Northeast, says Sen. Shettima

Senator Kashim Shettima, representing Borno north senatorial district, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari and military be supported to restore peace in the state and Northeast.

The over a decade long Boko Haram insurgency, has claimed 32,000 lives with property worth $9.2 billion (N3.42 trillion) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Shettima made the call Monday in Maiduguri, while paying a sympathy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum over his Baga convoy attack that claimed 30 lives of security personnel and civilian at weekend.

“To be fair to the President, he has the interest of the people of Borno and the Northeast sub-region,” he said, adding that Buhari will address and overcome challenges of restoring peace in the state and
the sub-region. He warned that if the sympathy visit to the Governor for grandstanding, they might end up jeopardize the rebuilding peace process.

“To be fair to the President, he has the interest of people of Borno and Northeast,” he said.
Continued; “Is now left for all of us to rally round our Governor, Prof. Zulum to the highest esteem and see that we cooperate with the paramilitary organisation; and see that we enthrone an enduring peace in father land.”

“We’re not here to grandstand, let me be very clear on the sympathy visit to Maiduguri,” he said.
While overcoming challenges of insurgency, he said: “We’ve access to the highest corridors of power.
“We relayed our feelings and inputs to our Governor; who will certainly cross-pollinate his ideas with our leaders in Abuja.”

He said the commitments of President Buhari towards returning peace and social harmony, including the establishment of North East Development Commission (NEDC) are commendable. He explained that they are the main rebuilding processes to end Boko Haram war for peace.

The legislator, therefore urged the people to give maximum support and cooperation to government and military for peace in the state. He also prayed for the repose of souls of security personnel that paid the supreme sacrifices at the weekend in Baga.

“May God also grant their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses,” he said.