TheCable

Elders from Borno and Yobe states have met with President Muhammadu Buhari and demanded that the federal government sustain its military operations in the north-east region.

Speaking after the meeting with the president at Aso Rock on Tuesday, Babagana Zulum, Borno governor, said the elders also raised concerns of infrastructural deficit in the region.

Zulum said Buhari responded “positively”, and promised to do all within his power to make the region safe.

“They have raised their concerns to Mr president with a view to solving them — infrastructural deficit in Borno and Yobe states and the entire northern region. They have also requested from the federal government sustained military operations which has been yielding fruitful results in recent times,” he said.

“So far, so good, the president has responded positively to the government and people of Borno and Yobe states, that he will do everything possible within the available resources to ensure sustainability of the ongoing military operations in the region.

“In terms of improving the social economic situation of the region, we have also requested increased government support in terms of humanitarian support, in terms of education, and others.

“The bottom line is that we came here to thank Mr. president and to ensure increased military and paramilitary presence in Borno and Yobe states, and indeed the entire north-east subregion with a view to ensuring security of the nation.”

Mai Mala Buni, Yobe governor; Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to the president; Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); and Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, were also present at the meeting.