Shettima says politicians sabotaging war against Boko Haram

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima

The Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday raised the alarm over the activities of an unnamed political cabal, which he accused of undermining the war against terrorism in his state.

He accused the cabal of working hard to destroy the existing harmony between him, the Presidency and the security services, especially the military.

Shettima spoke in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Bello Gusau.

He accused the unnamed members of the cabal of top politicians from the state of trying to drag the military into politics and undermining the joint efforts to combat terrorism in the troubled state.

The governor also said the cabal was at the same time trying to use the media to destroy the harmonious working relationship between the state and the Presidency.

The statement partly read, “The cabal, made up of some discontented politicians, some serving and former leaders, has a single agenda which is to create problems between the Presidency, military and the Borno State Government in order to dubiously secure the political blessings of the Presidency and top ranks of the military with a view to seizing control of the military, the police force and State Security Service, divert the security’s attention away from counter insurgency, drag them into politics, destabilise the polity and use security agencies in furthering their political ambitions ahead of the 2015 elections.”

It also accused the cabal of deploying all possible means, including publishing falsehoods and spreading same on the social media, to accuse the state government of so many wrongdoings, including unimaginable financial misappropriation.

Shetima said the speculations making the rounds that he had vowed to undermine President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 re-election bid was part of the plot to break the relationship between him and the President.

The statement dissociated the governor from a Facebook account, bearing the name and picture of Governor Kashim Shettima.

It explained that the group went as far as publishing a false interview with a certain Boko Haram suspect who allegedly named Shettima as a sponsor of the Boko Haram sect.

“He (Shettima) feels that 2015 is in the hands of God. He is particularly concerned about the deaths of citizens in Borno State and the need for synergy between the state and federal establishments to sustain a coordinated fight against insurgency so as to secure precious human lives and property,” the statement added.

In a related development, a member of the ongoing National Conference, Mr. Buba Galadima, said that members of the Boko Haram sect operated in Borno State on Sunday night for eight hours without hindrance.

Galadima, a delegate from Yobe State, told the delegates that attacks were carried out on several villages and towns in the state and that no fewer than 45 bodies were recovered in one of the villages.

The delegate, at the verge of shedding tears, also informed the conference of the bomb attack at the Monday Market in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

“The Boko Haram sect operated for about eight hours even though the information about the attack was given out. The security agencies were informed. It was the Civilian JTF that helped to evacuate the dead bodies,” he said.

Another delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome, recalled that he was kidnapped for 21 days and that he went through harrowing experience.

He added, “My stand on Boko Haram is clear. And I told government this. There are at times you stoop to conquer.

“I want the government to negotiate with them. It is not out of fear, but because of the Chibok girls. We need to bring them back.”

He explained that what he told the conference on Monday was that a text message was sent to him by a friend warning about attacks in Abuja, saying he did not receive any direct message from Boko Haram. He said other people received the same message as himself.

Ozekhome had under a matter of national urgency informed the conference on Monday that he received a text message warning of imminent attacks in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, the United States of America has said it was becoming more worried about Boko Haram successful attacks. The US has however promised more assistance in the war against the terrorists.

Speaking at the US Department of State daily press briefing on Monday, the department’s spokesperson and former media aide to President Barack Obama, Jennifer Psaki, condemned the recent attacks by the insurgents on four villages near Chibok.

Psaki said, “We’re providing additional equipment for Nigeria’s intelligence fusion centre. We’re also providing military training and other assistance to help professionalise the Nigerian military and increase its maritime security and peacekeeping capabilities.

“We condemn the reported attacks on four villages near Chibok. Our sympathies go out to the victims and their families. We remain committed to helping the government of Nigeria address the threat posed by the criminal terrorist group.

“Our Embassy continues to support Nigerian efforts to bring about the safe recovery of the abductees and to advise the government of Nigeria on its response.”

While fielding questions from journalists, the US state department spokesperson admitted that there were challenges being faced by the Nigerian government, adding that America was advising the government on how best to address the threat posed by the terrorist group.

“Our discussions with Nigeria about addressing the threat of Boko Haram have been ongoing for months now.

“There’s no doubt there are challenges – challenges the Nigerian government faces and those who are taking on this threat on the ground. And we’re certainly working with them to boost their capacity and advise them on how best to address it. But I’m not going to outline it further than that,” Psaki explained.