JTF intensifies security around Shehu of Bornu, monarchs

[Punch]

Operatives of the Joint Task Force have mounted around-the-clock security around the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar el-Kanemi, over alleged threats to his life by the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

A security source, who confided in our correspondent on Monday, said the JTF was also protecting other top traditional rulers in the North-East, who had come under similar threats by the Boko Haram.

It was learnt that the sect had threatened to eliminate some of the traditional rulers, who, by their assessment were collaborating with the Federal Government in the fight against terrorism.

The source said, "Operatives of the JTF are protecting the Shehu of Borno because of the renewed threat by the Boko Haram sect that they would kill him.

"The people believe that the Shehu is working with the government to rid the state of terrorism.

"Apart from the Shehu of Borno, the JTF is  protecting the palaces of other traditional rulers that have come under similar threats from the sect members."

On July 13, 2012, a suicide bomber attacked the praying ground of the palace of the revered monarch, killing five people in the blast.

The traditional ruler and the Deputy Governor of the State, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, were lucky to have escaped without injuries from the blast which injured the Ward Head of Galtimari, Alhaji Lawan Makinta.

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen Chris Olukolade, he said the information about the increased security presence in the palace of the monarch was not new.

He said, "That the JTF operatives are in the palace of the Shehu is not  new information at all. You remember, there was an attack on the Shehu, and he was eventually saved by the JTF."

Meanwhile, Pan-northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative  Forum said on Monday that there was no justification for the killing of the 29 students of Government Secondary School, Mamuda, Potiskum, Yobe State, by suspected  members of the Boko Haram sect.

National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani  told one of our correspondents in Kaduna  that it was worrisome that with all the efforts of the Forum and other groups in the region to proffer a lasting solution to the sect's activities in the North, Boko Haram was yet to see reasons in embracing dialogue.

Also, the Jama'atul Nasril, umbrella body of all Muslims in the North  blamed the killings on lack of GSM  facilities in Yobe State, calling on the government, to, as a matter of urgency, restore GSM  to facilitate security communication in the affected states.

The Joint Task Force enforcing the emergency rule  declared in the state  by the Federal Government   in May  had cut-off  communication  in the three states of the North-East.



The Punch

[Punch]

[Folami David]

I think that's a very important and crucial idea right about now. Security is the key to discard whatever evil Boko Haram might be planning.

[Folami David]