17th February, 2014
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State said members of the insurgent group, Boko Haram seem to be more motivated than the men of the Nigerian armed forces.
The Governor whose state has been under consistent attacks which have claimed hundreds of lives in the past few weeks told State House correspondents after a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday that with the activities of the insurgent group, Nigeria seem to be in a state of war with the military struggling to defeat Boko Haram which seemed better armed than them.
The Governor said Nigeria leaders must rise up to confront the dangers posed by the extremist religious sect.
“ I don’t blame the Nigerian military honestly, we the leaders should be held responsible for our failure in leadership,” said the Borno State Governor.
Over 100 people were reportedly killed in separate attacks in Baga and Izge villages of Kukawa and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State by suspected members of Boko Haram sect over on in the past 48 hours.
The Governor said though he is eternal optimist, the realism is that “given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram,” he said.
“Well, in a nutshell what we are being confronted with is that we are in a state of war. It is what I came to update Mr. President, the sooner we stop playing the ostrich and rise up to the challenges of the day, and marshal all resources towards visualizing the antics of Boko Haram, the better for all of us. 
“But the bottom line is that we need more resources, more vote on ground. In all fairness to the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and Police, they are doing their best given the circumstances they have found themselves in. But honestly Boko Haram are better armed and are better motivated than our own troops.
“I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated, anybody who is following events in this country can attest to the fact that they have a very smooth sail overrunning communities, killing people,” Shettima said of his meeting with the President.
“Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their plans? They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do; they held sway for several hours before they left. They were in Kauri, Izghe.
On the figure of lives lost in attacks by insurgents, Shettima said, “In Izghe alone we lost 106 people and they raided eight other communities so until I get back home, today or tomorrow I cannot give you the exact figure. But some were hospitalized with very great injuries so I am afraid the figures might climb”.
“I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated, anybody who is following events in this country can attest to the fact that they have a very smooth sail overrunning communities, killing people,” Shettima said of his meeting with the President.
“Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their plans? They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do; they held sway for several hours before they left. They were in Kauri, Izghe.”
The Governor however said he received the assurance of the President that everything necessary will be done to stop the massive lose of lives of innocent Nigerians to Boko Haram
On the implication the Boko Haram attacks will have on the 2015 elections, the governor said his concern right now is not about elections, but how to ensure the return of peace to Borno State and the North east region.
“It’s too early for anybody to talk about election when human lives are involved, power comes from God and He gives power to whom He will. I don’t care a hoot whether elections are here but I do care that peace is restored in Borno and the North East sub-region, so people should stop playing politics,” said Shettima.