Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has warned fishermen and fish merchants in the state against assisting Boko Haram insurgents in order to speed up successful implementation of the counter-insurgency campaign by the military in the state.
Shettima stated this while receiving seven trucks seized by the military at the Maimalari Cantonment on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Blueprint learnt that the trucks were seized while en route to deliver fish and other commodities to the insurgents.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu stated that the call was aimed at ensuring that fishermen and traders do not aid the insurgent.
He also task the association of fishermen to educate its members on the need to support the military so as to defeat the insurgents and restore peace to the state.
“The campaign against insurgency is a collective responsibility and we must work together to defeat the terrorists.
“You must ensure that only registered members with proven character are allowed to practice the trade in the state.
“Government will not condone acts by fishermen who sympathise, aid or abate insurgency” he said.
Brig.-Gen. Bulama Biu the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole disclosed that the trucks were suspected to be conveying fishery commodities to the insurgents.
Biu called on the people to support the military and provide useful information on suspicious persons and movement in their communities.
Chairman of Lake Chad Fishermen Association Alhaji Abubakar Gamandi said the the association had adopted modality to enforce compliance with security directives and to guide the operations of members.
Gamandi disclosed that the association had issued Identification Cards (IDs) to over 25, 000 registered members to guard against infiltration and to enable them to practice the trade in accordance with laid-down rules.
