Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state on Tuesday said he would return to Gamboru Ngama where his convoy was attacked by Boko Haram insurgents next week without bulletproof cars.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in his office in Abuja, Mr Shettima said he is ready to pay the supreme price if needs be.
“The Boko Haram bask in the oxygen of publicity, by attacking my convoy, by targeting my person, they have gotten the much needed boost. But then as they say if you cannot with stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
“Leadership requires courage. I will go back to Gamboru Ngala next week and ready to pay the supreme price if need be and I will not be going in a bullet proof car.
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“I will go in a normal car like any other members of my convoy and expose myself to all the risk that they are bearing for me to be protected. But believe me, no matter how long the night is, darkness must give away to the light of the dawn, no matter how stormy the weather may well be, it won’t rain forever.
“This madness will come to an end because is fight between light and darkness, it is a fight between cause and justice,” he said.
The governor said there had been significant improvement on the security situation of the troubled north-east region, especially in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states that was ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.
“When you juxtaposed the sorry state of the north-east four years ago and what it is now, you will admit there has been great change in our fortune security wise. The threats and challenges are still there, but when you put it in proper perspective, I think the president deserves commendation not condemnation,” he said.