TheCable

Borno Governor Kashim Shettima has advised residents of the state to remain calm following proclamation of Islamic State in Gwoza by Boko Harm insurgents.

The governor was reacting to a video released by the terrorists on their operations in Borno.

“With very due respect, I cannot comment on the authenticity or otherwise of that video. I will leave that to security experts.

“I also cannot disclose measures being adopted by security agencies on whatever development in Gwoza or any part of Borno.

“I can assure the good people of Borno and other members of the public that the state government is actively in touch and supporting security agencies deployed to the state.

“We are not just studying the situation with collaborative tact and urgency but indeed appropriate measures are being taken by the right authorities,” he said.

He urged the people to remain calm and resolute in their support for security agencies and abiding in faith and prayers.

“The security agencies are in position to analyse the content of the said new video, compare with the facts on ground in Gwoza and brief the Nigerian public as they deem fit professionally.

“They should bear in mind the national interest and patriotism as well as the overall safety of citizens,” he said.

The governor appealed to Nigerians and the media not to dramatise and sensationalise issues such as the one connected with Gwoza.

“This is to prevent the insurgents from achieving their aim which is to claim victory over our sovereign state, our rights to existence, our freedom and our liberty.

“It is always the goal of the insurgents to create so much panic that will make anyone who doesn’t share their ideology feel unsafe and defeated,” he said.