- Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, has condemned the abduction of some schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe state
- He recalled how Chibok schoolgirls were abducted in his state, stating that the recent abduction in Yobe reminds Northern Nigeria to be on guard
- The governor said it was unfortunate that Nigeria has faced yet another abduction, saying it is a reminder about the difficulties of fighting insurgency
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state has cautioned against mixing politics with security matters.
The governor gave the caution on Sunday, February 25, when he paid a sympathy visit to neighbouring Yobe state were Dapchi schoolgirls were abducted on Monday, February 19, The Nation reports.
NAIJ.com gathered that Shettima also recounted the 2014 Boko Haram abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in his state.
He told his host: "Your Excellency (Governor Ibrahim Gaidam), I have been in your shoes since 2014 when schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok. I know exactly how you feel. When our daughters were abducted in Chibok; only God understood how I felt and I can imagine how you also feel, and the trauma you are going through. The parents of these girls would always look up to you with hope in the midst of agony. I know you are pained but I also believe that Insha Allah, these girls will be rescued very soon.
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“It is unfortunate that we have faced yet another abduction but that only reminds us about the difficulties of fighting insurgency. Oftentimes, they strike where you least expect. Before Boko Haram attacked Chibok, that Chibok had the least threat of Boko Haram in the Northeast. No one expected them to even think about Chibok because it is a mostly Christian community where Boko Haram was hardly an issue.
“In the same vein, I don’t think anyone ever expected an attack in Dapchi. This incident, however, reminds all of us not only in Borno and Yobe but perhaps across the northern Nigeria to be on guard. I think the difference between the Chibok incident and this one, is that the federal government didn’t react in denial, doubt or formed a conspiracy theory.
"The federal government assumed responsibility which we hope will lead to rescue of the schoolgirls. When schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok, some people said there was no abduction because Borno was in the opposition. Those who admitted there was abduction, came up with a conspiracy theory that the APC leaders perpetuated it in order to win the 2015 elections.
"Now, this abduction took place in an APC controlled state under an APC led federal government. What this reminds us, in very painful way, I should add, is that as political actors, we should learn to separate politics from issues of security. Human lives are very precious in the sight of Allah."
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Yobe state governor Ibrahim Gaidam, blamed Nigerian military for the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi town by Boko Haram insurgents on Monday, February 19.
It was reported that the governor said the attack came just days after the military withdrew troops from the town. He said this when he met with Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, who was on a sympathy visit to Yobe state capital, Damaturu.
'Bring back our girls, now and alive!' - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng