Boko Haram Hotbed: 7-Days Around and About in Borno

Boko Haram Hotbed: 7-Days Around and About in Borno

Bello Shehu Adamu

AREWA AGENDA – National Delegation of Arewa Youth Council, AYC, visited Borno State during the Sallah festivities in solidarity with the people of the State and their Governor, his excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, over the mayriads of security and Socio Economic issues bedeviling the “home of peace” especially with the recent attack on the Governors convoy.

On the first day of it’s visit to the State, the 8-man AYC delegation visited Biu Emirate, where they were received at the Palace of the Emir of Biu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Mustapha CON. The Emir appreciated their visit and reassured them of safety as Biu Emirate is free from any act of insurgency, despite the fact that the Emirate was among the first set of 14 LGAs declared to be under a state of emergency by the federal government in 2013. He went further to urged the people of Borno state to show high level of determination in defending their communities from any Boko Haram attack. He also urged the Youths to imbibe the culture of unity in diversity wherever they find themselves.

In his remark at the Palace, the Plateau State Coordinator AYC, Isah Ibrahim Kawel, thanked the Emir. He louded the Emirate for being able to produce dedicated and committed youths.

After Biu, the delegation visited Shani where the Emir of Shani His Royal Highness Alhaji Mohammed Nasiru urged the Youths of Nigeria to participate in Political matters and make input to the nurtured democracy that retired seventees are controlling, “our past leaders like Sardauna of Sokoto, Gowon, Murtala, Shagari and their likes are at early 30’s when they led this nation, why wouldn’t you show commitment to secure the mantle of leadership with trustworthiness and dedication to your future generations, you are the backbone of the bright future of your generation, if you unite yourselves and show commitment to education, peace and harmony you will see a positive result” he said.

While meeting with the Commissioner for Youths Empowerment and Sport, Hon Sainna Buba, he decried the recent attack of the Borno State governor as a challenge to the future of Borno State development, he condemned the attack and reaffirmed that there are saboteurs fighting against insurgency in Borno State, “if the Governor’s life is in danger, then what is our confidence to protect the life and properties of individuals across the state, the governor received the safety assurance of the area from serving military of the attacked area, but unfortunately exchanging gunshots with the Governor’s convoy occured and almost claimed the life of the Governor.”

Hon. Sainna Buba thanked the APC and Northeast Governors and also the Arewa Youths bloc that visited Borno to sympathize with the Governor over the attack.

On his own part while receiving the Youths on Friday Alhaji Hassan Zanna Baguma, Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the State called on Resident Buhari to enhance efforts to make the unending insurgency a history.

“Northern Nigeria has done everything to secure the seat of Presidency for Buhari, we sent away Jonathan and brought him in with the expectation that he will bring lasting solution to insurgency, but unfortunately to our greatest surprise, the situation is still drastic, while we need a quicker response.”

Responding on behalf of the Youth Council, the National Secretary Bello Shehu Adamu stated that the Youth group took it upon itself as a responsibility to visit the dead zone of Boko Haram and sympathize with victims of the insurgency.

He further stated that he met Borno State beyond his expectations and termed the state as Home of Peace as it’s in the slogan of the state, he called all the entrepreneurs to rebuild the state with different business to make the state more peaceful with harmony.

“My team came to Borno with the expectancy of seeing the state like graveyard, but to the greatest surprised I felt like I was in Kano because of the population I saw, on behalf of Arewa Youth Council we condemn all act of terrorism and we are ever ready to fight it decisively through massive peaceful actions and pressurizing government to do the needful in terms of equiping military, self sacrifice Hunters and CJTF” he said

The visit ended on Friday 7th August, 2020 with the accompany of Arewa Youth Council leadership Borno state Chapter and Youth Assembly of Nigeria.

Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young Writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.