Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has boasted that given their massive laying down of weapons by terrorists, the insurgency will end within the next 12 months ‘God willing.’
The Governor who visited the State House to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to apprise him of progress in the surrendering of Boko Haram terrorists, told State House Correspondents, Abuja that over 30,000 former fighters have now surrendered and are in the custody of the authorities.
According to him, Borno state government does not offer any incentive to the fighters to come out of the forests, rather, they have done so voluntarily.
Zulum disclosed that he discussed the continuing surrender of the insurgents and the case of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with the president.
He assured that the security situation in Borno state has improved considerably, hoping that things will continue in that direction.
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Zulum reiterated that kinetic measures alone will not end the war and therefore advised that political solution be applied.
Speaking on the ongoing, massive defection of Boko Haram members, he said: ‘This time around has also started with a defection of ISWAP members. This is a welcome development and under a closed-door session we discussed a lot of issues and how the government of Borno State as well as the federal government will manage the ongoing surrender by the intelligence.’
While commenting on the number that have surrendered Zulum submitted that they have received nothing less than 30,000 from beginning to date for both Boko Haram and ISWAP. ISWAP, we have started receiving them in few numbers, but Boko Haram, we have started receiving them in huge numbers.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
