Yobe, Borno elders meet Buhari, seek increased military presence

Elders from two North Eastern states currently witnessing security challenges -Yobe and Borno, on Tuesday met with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The two state governors, Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Mai-Mala Buni (Yobe), led the delegation to the meeting held behind closed doors.

At the end of the meeting, Zulum told State House correspondents that the elders seized the opportunity of the meeting to seek increased military presence in the two states from Buhari.

He said they also called Buhari’s attention to infrastructural deficit in the two states and the entire North.

The governor 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 on 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 operation which has been yielding fruitful results in recent times.

“So far so good, the President has responded positively to the governments 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 subregion with a view to ensuring security of the nation.”

Those who accompanied the governors included former Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima; and Ministers of State Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri and that of State-Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi, also attended the meeting.