Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State says a complete end to the Boko Haram’s “madness” will require a political solution.
Governor Zulum said this on Friday while fielding questions from State House reporters after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The governor, who briefed President Buhari on the current security situation in his state, said “kinetic measures” alone could not solve the entire problem.
He stressed the need for government at all levels to provide job opportunities for the youth and an enabling environment for the poor to get access to their farmland.
Zulum expressed the commitment of his government to ensuring that people returned to their community, especially their ancestral home, and get access to farmland to start normal lifestyle.
Zulum, while commenting on what it would require to end what he called ‘this madness’, said: “The kenetic measures will not solve the entire problem, there must be some certain political solutions.
“Among the political solutions are the issues of supporting the Nigerian youths… with a means to earning their livelihood.
“As I have earlier said, there is need for us to address the root causes of the problem.
“One of the greatest root causes of the insurgency is poverty.
“So, government at all levels must provide job opportunities to the youths, enabling environment for the poor to have access to their farmlands.
“That is what I have been advocating for since I assumed the mantle of leadership as governor of Borneo State.
“We want to ensure people return to their communities, people have access to their farmlands, their livestock farms, aquaculture farms.
“I think this is the only solution, military solution alone will never solve the problem.”
The governor, while speaking further on the ongoing resettlement of people to their ancestral home, informed Nigerians that there had been a gradual return of peace to the north east region, particularly Borno State.
“Government has started resettlement of people to their ancestral home.
“We have received tremendous support from the Nigerian military, from the paramilitary, ministry of finance, humanitarian affairs and its agencies, especially NEMA, North East Development Commission and others.
“The gradually return of people to their respective localities is a symbol of peace.
“So far so good, we are doing well.
“We need continuous support from the Nigerian military.
“We need sustainable support to ensure that this madness is brought to an end,” he said.
‘100,000 IDPs back home’
The governor, who revealed that 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to their ancestral homes within the last one year, said the President was happy about the development and gave his commitment to support the entire north eastern region and in particular, the government of Borno state to ensure permanent peace.
The governor, while reacting to a question on why he was optimistic about resettlement, said one of the conditions for returning was to ensure adequate security in the localities.
He said the government had engaged the Nigerian military with a view to determining situation at various locations provided for resettlement, adding that the military had replied that the exercise could be continued.
Zulum, who underscored the importance of engagements with the people, expressed gratitude to President Buhari–led federal government for its continued support to the resettlement effort.
He said his government was partnering with the federal ministry of humanitarian affairs, North East Development Commission, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that the farmers were supported with agricultural inputs, fertilizers and others so that they could engage in their means of livelihood.
“When we compare and contrast the situation then and now, I think we shall soon reach the promised land,” he added.
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