While terrorists continue to surrender in large numbers around the region, the North East Governors’ Forum has encouraged the military to execute any rebels who refuse to do so.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the forum’s chairman, made the request on Saturday in Maiduguri during the group’s eighth meeting.
Zulum, who praised the military for the sub-relative region’s tranquility, according to Daily Trust, claimed that it was necessary to smoke the survivors who refused to surrender from their hiding place.
“Let me use this auspicious occasion to commend our brave military in the fight against the insurgency which remains unquestionable while their determination to succeed is very glaring.
“No doubt, they have considered and acted upon a wide range of options in the fight against terrorism, thereby recording tremendous progress which has clearly indicated that the end to the insurgency in the sub-region is fast approaching.
“I want to call on the Nigerian military to reach into the enclaves of the insurgents who are not ready to lay down their arms. We must pursue them to their hideouts in the remote nook and cranny and neutralise those who refuse to surrender,” Zulum said.
The governor lamented how the insurgency had a bad impact on socioeconomic operations in the area and warned that efforts to ameliorate conditions would be slowed down until the terrorists were brought under control.
The governor also discussed the irregular rains this year and the flood that ravaged the sub-infrastructure region’s and food supply last year, calling for the Federal Government to step in.
He claimed that the northeast governors had done their part to rectify some of the harms.
“I urge us to collectively strategise and develop new adaptable farming methods to mitigate the impact of the low rainfall on crop cultivation this farming season.
“Therefore, there is the need for us to focus more on irrigation farming this time around more than ever before.
“I urge the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to focus on the support for irrigation farming in the sub-region in addition to its key mandate of providing critical infrastructure for the sustainable development of the sub-region.”
The governor, who also spoke on illegal mining, sought a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals in curbing the activities of such miners.
Vice President Kashim Shettima graced the opening of the meeting and presentation of N15 billion palliatives to the governors by NEDC and commended the governors for their unity in facing challenges in spite of party differences.
