A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Yerima Lawan Kareto, has challenged the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to visit one of the Boko Haram controlled areas in Borno State.

Kareto, who is a former Commissioner of Trade, Commerce and Industry, volunteered to drive the minister through the thick and thin to see things for himself.

Governor Babagana Zulum had during an expanded security meeting last Tuesday expressed concern over the sporadic attacks and dislodgement of military formations across the state, noting that the military were ?losing ground?.

Boko Haram terrorists have dislodged military formations in Wulgo, Sabon Gari, Wajirko, Izge among other places in the state.

The minister had reportedly disagreed with Zulum?s claim, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remained committed to combating terrorism and banditry across the nation.

He argued that the security agencies were working round-the-clock to bring the situation in parts of Borno and other states under control.

But the minister?s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, in a statement described the report credited to his boss as ?categorically false and a gross distortion of the minister?s remarks.?

Ibrahim stressed that, at no point did the minister say, ?Ignore Zulum, Boko Haram has not taken over Borno.?

However, Kareto said the statement from the minister?s aid would not be enough to appease Borno people unless he conducted an on-the-spot tour with an apology to the government and the good people of Borno.

?Let me inform the minister that such a statement is not enough to cool the high tensions raised on the resilient Borno people who have trust and confidence in Governor Babagana Zulum.

?Minister Idris has to come to Borno under my personal invitation to follow me to Damasak. This would avail him the opportunity to tender an unreserved apology and to tell Nigerians whether Governor Zulum, the Shehu Of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi and other security agencies who deliberated extensively on the renewed attacks, were all better informed that Borno is losing ground to terrorists or not.?

Kareto, who said Borno people stood firmly and in solidarity at all times to the present administration, urged Governor Zulum and the security agencies, especially the troops in the frontline to remain committed and focused in the fight against the renewed killings and other criminalities bedevilling many communities in the state. (Weekend Trust)

Update news