Zulum to Military: Hasten up, End Insurgency in the North-east

Governor Babagana Zulum has called on the military to intensify efforts and end insurgency in the North-east region of the country.

The Governor, who spoke during the opening ceremony of the 6th meeting of North-east Governors Forum warned that there would be no development without the termination of the violence being perpetuated by the insurgents.

After the opening, the governors of the six states in the North-east are currently in closed door session of their forum’s sixth meeting, holding in Damaturu, Yobe State capital.

The meeting is being chaired by Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum who is chairman of the Northeast Governors Forum and hosted by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe is in attendance while Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi and Taraba are being represented by their deputies.

At the ceremonial opening of the meeting, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Damaturu, Zulum gave an overview of the forum’s activities, and reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability of the geo-political zone.

The chairman noted that recent developments in the fight against the terrorism has indicated the beginning of the end to the insurgency in the North-east region.

“I want to call on the Nigerian military to reach into the enclaves of the insurgents (who are not ready to lay down their arms), we must pursue them.

“For us to get rid of this crisis, we have to ensure that the remnants of the insurgents are pursued to their enclaves and neutralized”, Zulum said.

The governor noted that unless Boko Haram is brought to an end, there will be impediments to the overall growth and development of all the six states in the region.

Governor Mai Mala Buni in his remarks affirmed his commitment to the objectives of the forum adding that the security situation, the military’s progress and the need for all stakeholders to sustain their collaboration in the fight against insurgents is paramount.

Buni listed some gains being recorded by his administration and promised to continue in that direction in line with the vision of the northeast governors forum.

After the opening ceremony the closed door meeting, went into the night as at the time of writing the report.