Details Of Buhari’s Meeting With Borno, Yobe Elders Forum

Details have emerged of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and a delegation of leaders from Borno and Yobe states in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State quoted Buhari as saying the ongoing military operations in the North East will be sustained in order to secure the region.

Zulum said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to ask Buhari to increase military and para-military presence in the North-East sub-region.

He said: “The Borno Elders’ Forum and Yobe Elders’ Forum met with Mr. President purposely to convey their appreciation to the federal government, under the distinguished leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and all the efforts he has made to address insecurity in the region.

“Again, they have raised their concerns to Mr President with a view to solving them, infrastructural deficits 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.

“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 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 para-military presence in Borno and Yobe states and indeed the entire north east sub-region with a view to ensuring security of the nation.”

Naija News reports that the delegation was led by Zulum and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.

Other political and community leaders at the meeting include former Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima; Ministers of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri; and that of State for Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu.

Also at the meeting are the Secretary to Government of the Federation(SGF), Boss Mustapha; Chief of Statff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk.

Similarly, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd.); and the Director-General of Department of State Service(DSS), Yusuf Bichi, were also in attendance.