Senator Shettima Reacts As Boko Haram Kills Travellers In Borno

Former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima, has called on the Nigerian Defence Headquarters to constitute a panel to look into the killing of 30 travellers in Auno, Borno State by Boko Haram.

Naija News recalls that a fresh attack by Boko Haram terrorists on Borno State had resulted in the death of at least 30 persons while no less than 18 vehicles were also completely burnt.

It was gathered that the insurgents launched the attack against travelling passengers in Auno, a town 20 kilometres from Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

The passengers were en route to Maiduguri before they were attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorists around 10 pm on Sunday.

According to residents of the area, the passengers had stopped over at Auno as a result of the blockade of the road into the state capital by the military operatives after they missed the curfew.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Senator Shettima described the latest Boko Haram attack on Auno as dehumanizing and disturbing.

He said: “As Senator representing Borno Central where Auno is situated, I have the option of lobbying my colleagues and sponsoring a motion for the Senate to constitute an investigative panel on the Auno incident which clearly begs for some answers.

“However, as someone who knows first hand the number of soldiers that have given their lives to protect the people of Borno State, I will prefer to concede to another option.

“This option is that the Defence Headquarters, which coordinates and supervises all components of the Nigerian military, immediately constitute a multi-stakeholder panel of credible persons that should speedily gather all the facts relating to the Auno incident.

“The panel should as a necessary condition, request representatives from Borno State Government, Auno community, bereaved families, transport unions etc.

“The fact-finding, which should be concluded within days, is to ensure justice and fairness for victims and to prevent future occurrence particularly by looking into the most acceptable and efficient motorists can be managed in the midst of the insurgency that we hope is ended soonest.”