Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum has said there is currently a challenge of space to accommodate members of Boko Haram who have been surrendering alongside their family members to troops in the state.
Governor Zulum said this Monday evening at the Government House Maiduguri during the swearing in of a commissioner and permanent secretary as well as the inauguration of three committees namely; repatriation committee, repentant BHTs (Boko Haram Terrorists) management committee and resettlement committee.
He noted that all the three camps provided for repentant Boko Haram members were already filled to capacity.
Zulum also said the federal government had constituted a similar committee on the repatriation of insurgency victims taking refuge in neighbouring countries.
The committee is headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The governor said his government had discussed “with the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, on the need to have bigger camps,” just as he stressed the need for government to also look for another source of funding from public and private organisations.
Zulum further explained that a few months ago, the state secured 15 million Euros support from Germany and was being managed by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The committee, chaired by the state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, would also supervise the behaviour of the repentant insurgents, particularly how they are to come out of the bushes, their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.
He added that the proper handling of the task would lead to the increased surrender of remnants of the insurgents and bring peace to Borno for the needed development.
In his remarks, the co-chairman, Mr. Kaka Shehu, who thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them, assured the government and people of the state of their commitment to delivering.
Shehu said the committee would work in close synergy with that of the federal government to achieve maximum results.
APC assures on security
Meanwhile, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the issue of security will top its agenda for the country in the coming 2023 general elections.
National Vice Chairman of the party in the North-west, Malam Salihu Mohammed Lukman, revealed this Tuesday in Sokoto during his fact-finding tour to the state.
A statement made available to Blueprint by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Malam Musa Mailafiya Mada, said prominent among matters discussed at the meeting was security challenge bedeviling the zone and the entirety North, particularly Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Kebbi states.
“The Zonal Vice Chairman, Malam Salihu Lukman promised as an agent of the people as well as that of the party, will alongside party elders such as Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko take the matter to appropriate authority with all sense of commitments.
“Lukman added that security issue will be the front banner of the party’s agenda for 2023 and beyond.
“The interactive tour which gives preference to details on how to sustain the tempo where the party is doing excellently well, and to improve on areas that the party has built something to stand upon and re-strategize for few gray areas to be addressed has listened to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Sokoto state through the stakeholders who represent the interests of their people,” the statement said.
The statement also said Lukman met with the party leader in Sokoto state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and other stakeholders.
In his response, Senator Wamakko pledged support for the zonal structure of the party.
He commended the zonal leadership of the party under Lukman.
