President Muhammadu Buhari, for the umpteenth time, has reiterated his directive to security agencies to take the fight against insurgency to the hideouts of the criminal elements and ensure ‘they are completely eliminated’.
The President, who stated this yesterday in Maiduguri, Borno State, also directed the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and its agencies to come up with specific programmes to address urgent threats posed by explosive remnants in the Northeast region.
The President, who issued the directive on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day 2022, affirmed the Government’s commitment to reducing the effect of disasters, climate change, insurgency and challenges of Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs). According to a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, was quoted as saying, ”The emerging issues include the increasing number of orphans and widows”. He urged all relevant public, private and international agencies to support the government’s drive to rehabilitate IDPs, care for victims of insurgency as well as a commitment to ”on-going processes concerning Boko Haram/ISWAP members willing to surrender”.
The President led other guests at the event in Maiduguri to observe a minute of silence in memory of all who lost their lives in disasters and humanitarian workers who died in the line of duty. President Buhari also used the occasion to appreciate Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) for his support to the Borno State government in rehabilitating many IDPs in the North-East. He described the General’s humanitarian assistance as significant and patriotic, urging other Nigerians and organisations with the means to support humanitarian work.
In his welcome address, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, said the State is enjoying relative peace and stability, thanks to the sacrifices of gallant soldiers, security agencies, local vigilantes and the Multinational Joint Task Force, (MNJTF).
Commending the President for his leadership and the successes recorded so far in the war against terror in the region, the Governor hailed the establishment of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and the on-going installation of a 50MW power generation plant to provide electricity in the State.
While in the State, President Buhari commissioned the Bulunkutu Teachers’ Quarters, on Airport Road, and Molai 500 low-cost housing estate for IDPs constructed by the State Government with the support of the Federal Government.
