Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has sought prayers with deep reflections on the key messages of Easter to end terrorism and loss of many lives and property. According to him, the people’s prayers and reflections align with the state government’s programme on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of 35, 000 surrendered terrorists and their families. Zulum spoke, yesterday (Monday), in Maiduguri, in a state-wide broadcast to felicitate with Christians in the ongoing Easter festivity in Borno.
“I called on Christians to fervently pray for success of insurgents’ mass surrender from Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region,” he said, adding that the insurgents in the Mandara Hills of Gwoza council will also surrender with your prayers and the 40-day fasting. He said that the surrendered terrorists undergo stringent security profiling before they are disarmed and demobilized for safe reintegration into communities.
“This can only guarantee the full return of sustainable peace not only the state, but the entire Northeast,” he said, adding that five other insurgency states could also have peace with increased socioeconomic activities. He noted that the reflections of the Easter; are the importance of making sacrifices for the greater good of humanity.
Besides, he added: “We’ve the strength to forgive offenders, and being able to reemerge stronger from serious difficulties, particularly the 13-year terrorism that claimed many lives and property. “All of these appear to speak to the realities of our situation in Borno State.” He said that this is the first time, a golden window with the potentials of bringing an end to terrorism and loss of many lives.
Continuing; “The mass surrender of over 35,000 fighters and commanders, is certainly one of God’s miracles towards healing Borno and rest of the region,” noting that the massive surrender of terrorists is a product of the endless prayers of the people across the globe.
He said that the people sought God’s intervention with immense sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Civilian JTF and other volunteers. He, therefore, urged the people to fervently pray for the success of DDR for the mass surrender of those who seek peace. He said this will ensure the successes of the military and other security agencies in the front lines against terrorists that insist on continuous violence.
