Shettima and Boko Haram: Facts and fallacies
Shettima: The Facts and Fallacies of Boko Haram Linkage
By Lawan Bukar Maigana
AREWA Calendar – The emergence of Senator Kashim Shettima equally the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential entrant, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has continued to generate reactions from all corners of Nigeria.
Most worrisome is the puerile attempt by some ill-intentioned social media influencers to link the onetime governor of Borno State to Boko Haram terrorism.
What could accept influenced the attempt to link Shettima with Boko Haram?
While the paid and unpaid agents behind this vile propaganda take not provided any bear witness to link the Senator to terrorism, it is yet necessary to examine some facts from the obvious fallacies of the opposition and separate the wheat from the chaff.
For example, while traveling to Gamboru Ngala for a rally alee of the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections, Shettima's convoy was attacked past members of Islamic State Westward Africa Province (ISWAP) and three of his loyalists were killed and many others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Characteristically, ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack the following day. The then Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau,
confirmed the identities of the deceased which included a brave soldier and two staunch politicians.
According to Gusau, the set on was principally aimed to attract global media attention in club to sustain the terrorists' agenda of instilling fear in citizens and reducing the morale of the gallant troops.
The leader of the Boko Haram terrorists, Abubakar Shekau, who was later killed in alleged suicide-bombing had threatened Shettima and superlative government officials in a 56-minute video where he ordered his members and foot-soldiers to impale them wherever and whenever they detect them. Could Shettima have a link with Boko Haram and yet he would exist the number ane on their hit list?
In the video, Shekau boasted as follows: "You former governor Kashim [Shettima], you nowadays governor [Babagana] Zulum, listen – practise non exist deceived past your walking without shoes – exist careful! If you sing these things nosotros mentioned [Nigeria's national anthem, national pledge, and the NYSC anthem], you are a disbeliever fifty-fifty if you recite them jokingly."
It was not surprising that Shettima and Zulum were mentioned in the video, because both personalities have consistently spoken against the evil of Boko Haram and worked assiduously with security agents and other stakeholders to decimate them. They have also been supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to recover from the damage the terrorists had done in their lives, and to too relocate them to their respective, original communities.
It should likewise be noted that Shettima didn't just cease at highly-seasoned to the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at eradicating terrorism, he committed enormous resource in supporting the military machine with security equipment and dozens of vehicles to ease mobility during operations. Is that a governor that has a link with Boko Haram terrorists?
Born and brought up in Maiduguri, I tin authoritatively ostend the fact that Shettima fairly funded the Volunteer Vigilante Youth Groups popularly known as Noncombatant Joint Job Force (CJTF) in 2013, who were after trained in counter-terrorism operations, to strengthen the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
He besides provided adequate welfare and logistic back up to over xx,000 CJTF to strengthen the fight confronting Boko Haram elements. The motivation enhanced the crucial role of CJTF in intelligence gathering, easy identification and arrest of suspected insurgents amongst others. Could Shettima have a link with Boko Haram fighters and yet fund their tormentors?
Earlier the expiration of Shettima'southward tenure as governor of Borno State, he was relentlessly calling for the deployment of military personnel and equipment to adjourn the threat of the terrorist grouping in the Northeast. In fact, considering the cost of war on terror, Shettima was amongst the few personalities who persuaded country governors on the necessity of approving the sum of $1 billion from the Excess Rough Account for the counter-insurgency campaigns. He also defended the Federal Government's plan to ensure the judicious utilisation of the fund for the intended purpose.
Could Shettima take a connexion with terrorists, withal support counter-terrorism financing?
When Boko Haram terrorists destroyed churches in Borno, Shettima, not only provided funds for the reconstruction of the places of worship, he also ensured adequate security protection of the places.
In his testimony to this, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (Tin), Borno Affiliate, Bishop Mohammed Naga, said: "During Shettima's visit to these areas, he released N100 million for the rebuilding of some of these churches. A committee was ready for that purpose, I was a fellow member of the committee headed by a permanent secretarial assistant, Mr. Justus Zare, as Chairman, and I am happy to inform you lot that presently we accept used that money to rebuild eleven key churches which our people are now using. I am surprised to hear some people saying why don't we rebuild all the churches. We cannot exercise that because there are many places that are still dangerous."
Would Shettima be praised by church leaders if he had a link with Boko Haram fighters!?
In a nutshell, Shettima is neither an ethnocentric leader nor a religious bigot. He is a charismatic personality who believes in equity, justice and fairness. From his engagements and pronouncements, he has been a consequent advocate of peaceful and harmonious relationship among dissimilar tribes and religions.
It is therefore unfair and unreasonable to link him with Boko Haram terrorism when he, in reality, has been their number i enemy and prime target for years.
Lawan Bukar Maigana writes from Wuye District Abuja and tin be reached via: [email protected]
Source: https://arewaagenda.com/shettima-the-facts-fallacies/
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