17th February, 2012
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on Thursday declared that the era of insecurity caused by the spate of bombing and shooting by the Boko Haram sect in Borno State is over.
The governor made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday when he visited the Minister of Youth Development, Bolaji Abdulahi, in his office, to discuss NYSC’s directive stopping the posting of corps members to states considered volatile.
He acknowledged the security challenges in the state, but said the worst was over, as operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) were clamping down on the sect.
“We are passing through some security challenges in the North-East of the country, due to the insurgency that is currently going on, I am talking about the Boko haram. I want to assure the minister that the worst is over; it was a temporary eclipse; we will start rising again.
“We survived the criminal occupation of Borno by rally for seven years, seven months and seven days in the late 1890s; I believe this time around the worse is over.
“Not a single corps member was hit in Borno throughout the crisis, but parents I understand their affection about posting their ward to the north east and Borno, Yobe in particular.
“But I want to assure the honorable minister that we are on top of the situation. The government is equal to the task. We are all Nigerians and we will leave no stone unturned to safeguard the lives and properties of all of them.”
Shettima, who said that Boko Haram was borne out of endemic poverty and hunger, called on government to engage the sect in dialogue to understand their grievances.
He allayed the fears of most parents whose wards have been posted to his state, promising that the government would safeguard their lives and property.
Responding, Abdullahi expressed the hope that the state government would provide adequate and sustained security for the corps members that would be posted to the state.
The minister said that the recent breakthrough made by SSS operatives in relations to Boko Haram, might encourage NYSC to review its decision for corps members to steer clear of troubled states.
“We are glad to note that the situation is getting better by the day; we know the progress that the security agencies have made in the last couple of days and weeks to bring this situation under control.
“And as you know, government is very dynamic, government policies and decisions will continue to respond to situations as they progress.
“It is in this light that I can assure your excellency that we will continue to revise our positions, in light of the most current challenges and the most current situations that we have.
“The National Youth Service Corps is principally created to promote national integration; it’s a vehicle for national integration after the civil war as a way of healing the wounds of the war.
“Thirty eight years after, the NYSC is still very valid; it’s still one of the most potent vehicles for national integration.”
Abdullahi said the objective of the insurgents was to create fear and disunity among Nigerians.