Shettima to Jonathan: Let’s tackle Boko Haram
...says insurgents better-armed than military
Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday told President Goodluck Jonathan that “it is absolutely impossible to defeat Boko Haram” unless more military personnel and hardware are deployed to the crisis areas.
The governor, who was speaking with journalists soon after a meeting with the president at the State House in Abuja, said also that the insurgents are better armed and motivated than
troops fighting them.
Shettima was at the Presidential Villa to brief President Jonathan on the latest wave of violence that left hundreds dead in Borno State in the past weeks.
In the latest attack at Izge village Saturday night, at least 106 people were killed. Days earlier, nine soldiers were killed at the same village, while more than 50 other people died in a separate raid on Konduga.
Shettima yesterday briefed the president in the presence of service chiefs, who were already having a meeting when he arrived at the Villa.
“In a nutshell, what we are being confronted with is that we are in a state of war,” the governor said in an emotion-laden voice, as he came close to shedding tears.
“It is what I came to update Mr. President. The sooner we stop playing the ostrich and rise up to the challenges of the day and marshal all resources towards visualising the antics of Boko Haram, the better for all of us. But the bottom line is that we need more resources, more boots on ground.
“In all fairness to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and Police, they are doing their best given the circumstances they have found themselves in. But honestly, Boko Haram are better armed and are better motivated than our own troops.
“And believe me, I am an eternal optimist as I have always said, but I am also a realist. Given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram.”
Asked if he made Jonathan to understand that Boko Haram fighters are better armed than the military, Shettima answered in the affirmative.
“I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated,” he said.
“Anybody who is following events in this country can attest to the fact that they have a very smooth sail, overrunning communities, killing people. Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their plans?
“They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do. They held sway for over five hours before they left. They were in Kauri, Izge, and I don’t blame the Nigerian military. Honestly, we the leaders, should be held responsible for our failure in leadership.”
Shettima said “the president has assured us that he will put in his best to see that the unfortunate tendency of the Boko Haram overrunning communities and butchering innocent souls is brought under control.”
On whether he saw the possibility of elections holding in Borno in 2015 given the security situation, the governor said it was foolhardy for anyone to talk about elections when human lives were at stake.
He said, “It is foolhardy for anybody to talk about elections when human lives are at stake. Power comes from God and He gives power to whom He wills. I don’t care a hoot whether elections are held, but I do care that peace is restored in Borno and the North-East sub-region. So, people should stop playing politics.”
On the exact casualty figure in Izge attack, he said: “In Izge alone, we lost 106 people and they (the insurgents) raided eight other communities. So, until I get back home today or tomorrow, I cannot give you the exact figure. But some are hospitalised with very great injuries. So, I am afraid the figures might climb.”
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters yesterday said more troops were being deployed to areas prone to attacks.
Director of Defence Information, MajGen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement “the ongoing onslaught against terrorists in some parts of the country will not be deterred by the unfortunate attacks on troops and innocent civilians.
“The terrorists who move from village to village attacking innocent civilians are those escaping from the onslaught against their makeshift hideout along the border and entry point from neighbouring countries.
“The fighting patrols by air and land are being stepped up in the forests and hills of the affected areas and other parts of the North East where the Boko Haram terrorists are hiding.
“Security forces will continue to employ necessary fire power to enhance the effectiveness of the mission until the terrorists are duly curtailed.
“Meanwhile, locations that are prone to attacks are being reinforced while the general area is now under heightened surveillance and patrols. Some suspected perpetrators of the recent assault have been apprehended and weapons recovered from them.”