Security operatives in Maiduguri have been carrying out house-to-house search operations in efforts aimed at finding and rescuing the kidnapped former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr Shettima Ali Monguno.
The search operations have been centred around Mafoni area of the city, where the nonagenarian was kidnapped at a mosque on Friday after Juma’at prayers, and the adjoining Ummarari and Jajeri Wards.
According to residents, the situation in the areas has become tense as the security operatives are viewing everyone as a suspect.
A resident, Mallam Hassan Dantani, who spoke to this correspondent by phone, said it was time that Borno elders came to terms with the reality of the situation and supported government efforts in ending the insecurity in the state.
He said, “We all thought that the situation was coming to and end, only for it come back stronger. This time, they are not just looking for civilians and soldiers, but even those who have been speaking for them. Kidnapping Monguno should explain to the elders that these people are not respecters of age, tribe or religion.”
Efforts to reach the spokespersons of the Borno State Police Command, DSP Gideon Jubril and that of the Joint Task Force, Lt-Col Sagir Musa failed as their numbers did not go through.
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that the kidnappers had rejected an offer by one of Monguno’s sons to swap himself in the place of his father during one of their conversations with the kidnappers.
Leave a Reply