WATCH: Borno governor Shettima breaks down in tears before Buhari over Boko Haram
Borno governor Kashim Shettima betrayed emotions as he gave a report on effects of Boko Haram insurgency in his state to President Buhari on Monday.
Shettima, while recounting his people’s losses, broke down in tears as he pleaded with Buhari to totally reclaim Borno from the terrorists’ grip.
The governor said he was at the Villa to present a set of observations and specific requests from an extraordinary security meeting held a week ago in the state, which will require urgent presidential intervention.
“We are here because we thought that Allah will use you to fully reclaim Borno traditional glory of being the home of peace. We are here as a people who worked, prayed and waited for your Presidency in the firm belief that with you as the Commander-in-Chief, Boko Haram will become history in Borno,” Shettima said.
“Mr President, we have not, and Insha Allah, we will not lose hope in you because we have witnessed and survived worse moments before you came. We do not feel hopeless. Our hopes are very much alive and they are very high.”
The governor, who requested that journalists excuse them so that the details of a closed door meeting with the President would not be made public, said the state lost 20 local government areas to the terrorists between 2013 and 2014.
“We came with some observations and 10 requests for urgent presidential intervention. These observations and requests are products of discussion in the aftermath of our extraordinary security meeting held one week ago,” he said.
“We didn’t rush to come after the meeting. We felt the need to travel to northern Borno, interact with displaced persons and the military so as to strengthen public confidence.”
Boko Haram terrorists have continued to run rampage in several parts of the state, killing thousands and displacing many more.
