We Will Never Surrender To 'These Lunatics': Borno Governor Condemns Tuesday Attacks, Approves Relief Funds

 The Borno Government has approved N100 million to rebuild about 2,000 houses destroyed during two Tuesday attacks by Boko Haram gunmen.

Police officers stand guard in front of the burnt-out remains of homes and businesses in the village of Konduga on February 12, 2014 after a gruesome attack by Boko Haram (AFP)

Governor of Borno state Kashim Shettima announced the approval of funds during his five-hour visit to the affected areas on Wednesday.

At 6 pm on Tuesday, the gunmen invaded Konduga, a village 35km from the Borno capital Maiduguri, killing 39 people and leaving dozens injured. 

The attackers spent about four hours there, blazing headquarter building of Konduga LGA, the house of the District Head, mosques, schools, hospitals, courts, library, as well as hundreds homes of the residents.

Another four people were killed when the gunmen opened fire in the village of Wajirko in Borno.

Shettima said that part of the money would be spent on the purchase of relief materials for victims of the attack.

Walking amidst debris of burnt houses and buildings, he said:

"We will never give in to the antics of the Boko Haram. This is our land we will stay here and salvage it together."

"We will never be frustrated; we will never give in to Boko Haram. Look at what these lunatics did; they burnt down mosques; churches, they burnt hapless people’s homes and so on; I don’t know whether to call them criminals or lunatics; the issue of people linking them with the religion of Islam should not arise, because as I always said Islam does not sanction what these lots are doing.

"I sympathise deeply with the people of Konduga over this unfortunate incident. It was more shocking given the intensity of the attack. I have told the people that come rain come shine; we all have to stay in Borno and salvage the situation together.

"We have immediately ordered for the release of N100 million to start the rehabilitation work and the purchase of items like food, clothing, beddings and so on, for the hapless victims of this madness. 

"I have gone round the town and have seen that up to 70 per cent of the town have been razed to the ground... We are willing to expend whatever resources it will take to restore back those facilities. Even if it cost us a billion naira to fix back the damages, so be it," the governor said.

Shettima spent about five hours in the attacked village.

He participated in the mass funeral for the 39 deceased person at the premises of the Konduga central mosque which was also bombed to rubbles during the attack.

The governor said he would not leave Konduga until some of the relief items he ordered for the people began to arrive.

"I am not going to Maiduguri until 5 pm when the relief items I ordered to be brought arrived. I have warned that no one should bother me with security risk of being in Konduga town for long. Anybody that is in my government and is willing to work with me must be prepared to share in the plight of the people by remaining here with them," Shettima said.

Governor set up a six-man committee headed by Sen. Kaka Yale to work out modalities for the reconstruction of the houses as well as purchase of relief materials.