Some of Peace’’— the catchphrase for Borno State — is not out of place, according to its governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.
The governor, in a recent media interview, said the motto was coined after a thorough consideration of the state of affairs in Borno, which shares border with countries, such as Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon.
“Borno is the gateway of Islam into this part of the world; a confluence state, a melting point of ideas and the citadel of Islamic scholarship.
“We have always been
a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society, while peaceful coexistence and tolerance have always guided our relationship with other nationals. We cherish peace and we don’t discriminate against strangers,’’ he stressed.
Malam Usman Chiroma, the General Manager of Borno Radio Television Corporation, corroborated the governor’s viewpoints, saying that different ethnic groups across the country and even foreigners had been living in peace in Borno.
However, analysts have been wondering whether the “Home of Peace’’ catchphrase for Borno is still relevant, considering the current security challenges facing the state.
They note the violent activities of the Boko Haram, describing the bombing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri, in 2010 as the threshold of violence in the state.
Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, the Shehu of Borno, said the sect’s activities since then had been worrisome, as every member of the society was affected by it’s campaign, irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“Boko Haram makes no deliberate attempt to attack a particular interest group; if it does, they wouldn’t have attacked me,’’ he said.
According to him, most activities in the state, including businesses, have been paralysed due to the fear of Boko Haram attacks.
Irked by the growing security challenges facing Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in those states on May 14, as part of structured efforts to restore peace there.
Jonathan said: “After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
“I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to cooperate maximally with the armed forces and the police to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to cooperate with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest possible time.’’
Months after the declaration, observers laud the President for the action which, they note, has been effective in efforts to restore normalcy to the affected states.
Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, spokesman for the Joint Task Force (JTF), said in a statement that the Boko Haram insurgents had been in disarray with no central authority, coordination or administration.
“Most of the terrorist commanders and foot soldiers have either been arrested or killed in their daily encounter with the JTF. We have been able to destroy all identified Boko Haram camps and have discovered many arms, ammunition and improvised explosive device materials,’’ he said.
According to Musa, the JTF has been able to restore peace and order in the affected areas, as people could now move about freely, while schools and other public institutions have reopened.
“The situation has also created socio-economic relief and it has led to the emergence of youth vigilante group, popularly known as “Civilian JTF’’, which has created serious impact on the society.
“We are monitoring, guiding and regulating the attitudinal disposition of members of the group, in terms of the way they display their weapons and approach members of the public,’’ he said.
The army officer said the involvement of youths in the security operation was a testimony that the people of the state were appreciative of the JTF and its activities, adding that “they have been very supportive’’.
Musa expatiated that the youths had assisted the JTF with useful information which facilitated the arrest of confirmed or suspected members of the Boko Haram group.
In spite of the security measures put in place, Shettima stressed that in efforts to address the Boko Haram crisis, “we have to attack the causes of extreme poverty, illiteracy and hopelessness.
“We have to create jobs, empower the youth in order to bring this problem to a final end.’’
The governor pledged his administration’s determination to plan adequately for the members of the youth vigilante group, insisting that unless a proper framework was put in place to engage them meaningfully, there would be no progress.
“It is part of our post-conflict management strategies to create jobs in public works, particularly in construction, vocational skills and agriculture.
“Those that have the capacity to further their education will be supported, while those with limited skills will be assisted to enhance their skills so that they can become better citizens,’’ he said.
Shettima said the state had spent more than N15 billion on agricultural schemes to ensure aggressive grassroots socio-economic development.
“I am for dialogue and I will always be for dialogue; I will always support any Nigerian who wants peace, and we support the Federal Government’s dialogue with Boko Haram. Borno is ours, we have no place to call our home, we have a duty to re-invent and rebuild Borno’s shattered peace; this is a task which we must all work very hard to achieve,’’ he said.
All the same, observers note that the declaration of a state of emergency and the JTF’s security operations in Borno have certainly facilitated efforts to restore peace to the state in a pragmatic way.
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