BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri
Ninety-two year old elder statesman and first Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Dr. Shettima AliMonguno, CFR, was yesterday kidnapped in
Borno State by suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect
shortly after performing the Juma'at Congregational prayers at a
Mosque in Mafoni ward in Maiduguri metropolis.
Unknown gunmen had earlier on Thursday night, killed the acting
Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area in the state, Alhaji Kachallah
Umara in his compound.
Mungono's abduction took place at about 2pm inthe area said to be the
stronghold of the sect members.
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First Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, CFR
Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, also said it was saddened by the news
that Alhaji Monguno has been kidnapped by unknown gun men in
Maiduguri, adding that ''he is not expected to be subjected to such
hardship and humiliation by any group, be it sectarian or men of the
underworld.''
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr
Anthony Sani stressed that ''if, as is being bandied about, Boko Haram
members are the kidnappers in order to press forthe release of their
detained members by the authorities, then, they are going about it the
wrong way,'' and asked ''the good people of Borno state to keep calm
and not take the laws into their hands as the federal and state
governments go as far as efforts can go in order to bring to an end,
the culture of violence under control not only in Borno and Yobe
States but through out Nigeria.''
The Special Adviser on Communications to Governor Kashim Shettima,
Alhaji Isa Umar Gusau confirmed the incident.
Mungono, had been a strong agitator for the withdrawal of JTF troops
from Borno and at the forefront of those asking the Federal Government
to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect. As the Chairman of Borno
Elders Forum, several meetings were held in his GRA compound on the
security challenges affecting the state and the north in general.
The JTF Spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa confirmed the abduction saying,
"yes we received an information that Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno was
kidnapped today (yesterday) by gunmen soon after performing his Friday
prayers at a mosque in Mafoni. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain
the true situation."
An eye witness also told Saturday Vanguard in Maiduguri that, "we just
performed our Juma'at prayers. I was standing in front of the mosque
when Dr. Monguno was exchanging pleasantrieswith people, and the next
thing was that, four gunmen; three with Ak47 rifles and the other with
a pistol ambushed the elder statesman, fired several shots to scare
the crowd before they bundled him inside their vehicle and took him to
unknown destination."
Already, Governor Shettima has summoned all Borno State elders to an
emergency meeting at the elder statesman's GRA residence to discuss
possible ways of rescuing him from his kidnappers, who are yet to
declare their intentions for abducting him.
Last week, the Spokesman of the Military Joint Task Force, JTF, Lt
Col. Sagir Musa in a statement in Maiduguri warned residents
particularly politicians, civil servants and traditional rulers among
others important personalities to be wary of their safety as,
according to him, the Boko Haram sect members had concluded plans to
engage more in kidnapping prominent members of the society.
Sagir said, "Intelligence available to the Task Force has indicated
that Boko Haram terrorists have resolved to concentrate more on
kidnappings than robbery. They alleged that kidnapping is more
lucrative, less dangerous andrequires short time to plan and execute.
"Similarly, a special kidnapping squad has been earmarked and tasked
by Boko Haram sect to kidnap persons who could be wealthy relation,
politician, businessman/woman, traditional ruler, senior civil
servants and foreigners alike."
Earlier at about 7pm on Thursday, some unidentified gunmen suspected
to be Boko Haram insurgents had shot dead, the acting Care-taker
Chairman and Secretary of Dikwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Umara,
near the Gomari Airport, leaving others present to scamper for their
safety.
Umara, it was learnt, was killed by four suspected Boko Haram members
who arrived hiscompound in an unmarked Volkswagen Golf saloon car,
soon after he had completed his magrib prayers at a mosque close to
his family house. He was reportedly about entering his house when his
assailants opened fire on him at close range, before escaping.
Governor Shettima had last week dissolved all the local government
caretaker committees in the 27 local government councils in the state,
following the expiration of their six months tenure. The deceased was
thereafter, appointed as acting chairman of Dikwa.
Gomari is one of the peaceful wards in Jere, nearMaiduguri metropolis.
The area had not witnessed any killings in the the past five months.
However, in December last year, some suspectedterrorists slaughtered
six people including a village head, two policemen and three other
civilians in their residents.
When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Yuguda Abdullahi told
newsmen on the telephone that he was not in Maiduguri and declined
further comments on the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Gideon Jubrin's
cell phones were also switched off as at the time of going to press.
However, an aide to Governor Shettima who spoke to Saturday Vanguard
on the condition of anonymity said, "if Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno canbe
abducted by terrorists, it means the security situation in the state
has gone beyond what human beings can imagine."
Meanwhile, security operatives have cordoned off all the major streets
in Maiduguri in a bid to apprehend the culprits.
When Saturday Vanguard visited the family house of Dr. Monguno at
Lagos Street, GRA, about40metres away from the Government House
Maiduguri, scores of sympathisers and relatives were seen trying to
gain entry into the compound, but were barred from entering by
theeagle eyed security operatives deployed to the area.
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