Boko Haram attack ‘ordained by God’, Shettima tells victims

Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno state, has urged the residents of Maiduguri not to panic over Sunday’s attack on the town by suspected insurgents but to see it as “ordained by God”.

Shettima, who was speaking in a statement release in Maiduguri, reassured the people that security forces were making efforts to safeguard lives and property.

“Our armed forces gallantly repelled attacks on parts of Borno state,” he said.

“We must commend their patriotic efforts. We are very much in touch with leaders of security forces and we will continue to afford them all the support they need.

“I call on the people of Borno State not to panic. This is our land. No fear, no flight, no retreat. We should not flee. We have a history dating back 1,000 years and I swear by Allah we are going to subdue them (Boko Haram).”

He regretted the attack on Monguno, which has reportedly fallen under the control of the sect.

“It is bad in Monguno. I’ll not lie to you. People are trooping to Maiduguri,” he said.

“They are being held by the military outside the city. There is need for screening before they are allowed in to determine whether any of the people are militants.”

Shettima called on them to regard what happened as ordained by God and prayed for God’s intervention to bring an end to the security challenges.

Meanwhile, Sani Usman, spokesman of the 7 Division of Nigeria army in Maiduguri, has lifted the curfew imposed on the town.

“The curfew has been lifted from 6:00 am. People can go about their legitimate business,” he said.