Governor Kashim Shettima today ended his campaign midway in Southern Borno following reports about bomb explosions in parts of Maiduguri, the State capital.
The governor condemned the attacks in strong terms and those who perpetuated them while condoling with families and friends of those that lost their lives and commiserated with those who sustained injuries.
Mr. Shettima who was in Hawul local government area earlier today stopped the APC from making campaign speeches and instead, led prayers for repose of victims of the bomb blast before he launched a free feeding programme to ease hardships faced by residents there arising from insurgency crisis across Borno State.
The governor has immediately after getting information about the incident, directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice whose Ministry deals with citizens rights, to visit all affected areas and ensure speedy evacuation of victims to hospitals and mobilize medical doctors for emergency treatments that will be shouldered by the State Government.
The governor directed that all necessary steps be taken to safe lives where possible no matter what is required.
Governor Shettima was visibly troubled by the unfortunate bomb blast which came at a time citizens of Borno were already adjusting to normal lives following successes being recorded by the combined efforts of the military, other security agencies and youth volunteers called the civilian JTF involved in ongoing counter insurgency operations in different parts of the State.
Mr. Shettima expressed agony over the latest attacks and others in recent and previous times, describing them as acts of evil that have no justification in Islam.
The Governor however expressed optimism that the security challenges will be brought to an end as his administration remains committed to providing all necessary support to the military, youth volunteers and other security agencies involved in the fight against insurgency.
He noted that Allah is already giving victory over insurgents and he was without the iota of doubt that the situation will be brought to sustainable end.
Mr. Shettima said he will be holding an emergency meeting with different stakeholders in markets, motor parks and other public places to take new measures aimed at enhancing security in public places while he called on residents to patiently support whatever measures that will be taken in collective interest.
The Governor said his administration was already putting measures in place for the takeoff of a multi-faith and multi- ethnic Task Force that will be saddled with the responsibility of evaluating all communities liberated from the hands of insurgents, to come with urgent steps towards reconstruction of residential houses and public infrastructures like water supply infrastructures, hospitals, schools, markets and other essentials of livelihood. He said the task force, which is to work with security agencies, will ensure that liberated communities are certified safe and habitable for occupation by displaced persons.
Governor Shettima urged citizens to be calm but security conscious and to report suspicious persons and movements to security agencies and youth volunteers around them. He prayed for the repose of the dead and called on citizens to remind resolute in prayers.
The number of those dead or injured will be made public after proper records are taken in order to avoid conflicting and misleading figures.
