Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has felicitated Christians on their Easter celebration and urged prayers for the success of the ongoing fight against terrorism and the mass surrender of insurgents.

In a statement on Monday by his spokesman Isa Gusau, the governor urged Christians and other Nigerians to pray and reflect on the key message of Easter.

He said the message aligned with the Borno government’s programme that welcomed the mass surrender of insurgents undergoing stringent security profiling, disarmament, demobilisation and safe reintegration.

He added that the procedure would guarantee the full return of sustainable peace in Borno.

“To my understanding, some of the main reflections of the Easter festival are the importance of making sacrifices for the greater good of humanity, having the strength to forgive offenders and being able to re-emerge stronger from serious difficulties,” he disclosed.

The governor added, “In over 12 years of our battles with insurgents (Boko Haram and later ISWAP), Borno state, for the first time, has a golden window that has the potential of ending the insurgency.”

According to Mr Zulum, the mass surrender of over “35,000 fighters and commanders” is God’s miracle.

“This mass surrender is a product of the endless prayers citizens across Borno, the North-East, the rest of Nigeria and indeed the world have been offering, seeking God’s intervention to heal Borno state,” explained Mr Zulum. “It is the product of immense sacrifices by the Armed Forces and volunteers. It is a product of repeated calls by political leaders, clergy, elders and traditional rulers, asking insurgents to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”

(NAN)