Zulum Calls On Boko Haram To Sheathe Their Swords As IDPs Return Home

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has on Thursday called on unrepentant members of Boko Haram to lay down their arms as his government is doing everything possible to return all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their ancestral homes.

He said, one passionate thing Boko Haram members should know is that the IDPs who have returned or willing to return to their communities are directly or indirectly parents or relations of the insurgents that are eager to pick up their pieces and continue their normal lives.

Zulum made this disclosure in Ajiri village of Mafa Local Government Area while addressing hundreds of the newly returned IDPs.

Recalled that in the last three weeks, Government resettled households in the newly constructed 500 housing estate in Ajiri.

He said, the state Government will do everything possible to ensure all returnees live a comfortable life in their respective communities.

He therefore directed the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Engineer Mustapha Gubio to immediately provide a standby generator to compliment the solar borehole provide portable drinking water, and as well embark on construction of shopping malls, hospital and a school to Ajiri Community.

” I am using this medium to call on Boko Haram sect to lay down their arms for peace to reign in our dear state and the country at large.

“All our IDPs are directly or indirectly parents or relations of these insurgents who are willing to pick up their pieces and continue a normal lives.

“I am happy to see you people living comfortably after your relocation from IDPs Camps to your ancestral home.

“As Government we will do everything possible to support you. We are going to provide Ajiri community with a befitting school, hospital and market stalls among other social infrastructures.

“I am appealing to all of you to continue pray for the restoration of peace and cooperate with the security agencies in the fight against terrorism”. Zulum said.

The Governor thereafter proceeded to Dikwa amidst heavy down pour and inspected hundreds of hectares of farmlands dedicated for Fadama/irrigation farming located in Dikwa along Gulumba road.