Monguno: Gov Shettima Reacts, Promises To Secure His Release

[TGD]

 Borno Elders Meet

BARELY two hours after the kidnap of Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital Friday, Governor Kashim Shettima has assured his family members and the people of the state Monguno would be rescued from the custody of the abductors.

Speaking at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence of Monguno, he said the security agencies have been informed of the abduction, which happened around 2pm.

"I was in contact with the President. I have spoken with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and I believe all agencies of government and stakeholders in the system were very much touched by this criminal and dastardly act of kidnapping a 92-year-old man.

"For whatever reason, it is the height of criminality and stupidity. By God's grace, we will secure his release. We will look assiduously and tirelessly to see that we secure his freedom, " he said.

The governor urged the media to exercise decorum and restraint in their report so that the polity would not be overheated.

Meanwhile, Borno Elders, led by Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, have held an emergency meeting with the governor and security chiefs.

Galtimari, who chaired the meeting, confirmed that the elder statesman was abducted as he was leaving the mosque.

Shettima, in his reaction shortly before the meeting, said it is "inhuman for anybody to kidnap a 92-year-old man," saying Monguno is 92, not 87, as earlier reported.

On the President's reaction over the incident, Shettima said: "The President was very much concerned, so also the NSA. Only a lunatic will harm an old man.

"But the deed has been done. It is not for us to lament over the sorry state we have found ourselves, but to find solution to the problem."

Hundreds of sympathisers, many of them in tears,  trooped to Monguno's house which was surrounded by security operatives.

No group had claimed responsibility for the kidnap at the time of going to press. But kidnapping for ransom by the Boko Haram sect has been on the increase in Borno of late, prompting the Joint Task Force to warn residents to be extra careful and vigilant last week.



The Guardian