Borno Imams Receive Metal Detectors From State Gov

With the recent spate of suicide attacks on mosques in Maiduguri, the Borno state government has distributed metal detectors to Imams in the state to screen worshipers as one of the ways of countering the attacks.

The special adviser to the Borno state governor on media, Mallam Isa Gusau, on Sunday, October 25, in a statement after a meeting held with the Shehu of Borno and all stakeholders, said the distribution of metal detectors is to curb attacks on mosques in the state. Gusau said the detectors were distributed to some of the Imams who were asked to use it to screen worshipers coming into their mosques, The Nation reports. The meeting was held at the multi-purpose hall of the government house Maiduguri. According to The Punch, Governor Kashim Shettima along with the security chiefs held a closed door meeting with Imams of mosques in Maiduguri, Jere and surrounding areas as well as district heads (Aja), ward heads (Lawans), and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Gabai Elkanami. In the statement, Gusau said the meeting was held to discuss crucial security issues aimed at developing ways to prevent Boko Haram militants from attacking worshipers at predawn prayer meetings in mosques in the state. The governor told the participants that subsequent meetings would be held by the Emirs of Biu and Shani who will inform imams in local government areas not yet attacked to prevent worshipers from being taken unawares. Meanwhile, the Nigerian army have destroyed Boko Haram camps and enclaves in Kerenowa and Chikun Gudu, the border towns in Borno state, as well as surrounding areas. Troops of the 5th Brigade have to date liquidated over 20 well-fortified terrorist camps at the gateway to Kerenowa, Gumada and Dogon Gida. The troops have also discovered twin tunnels that Boko Haram members dug in order to conceal their training facilities and access routes from the army aerial reconnaissance and bombardment. In a related development, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, has dismissed insinuations that two local governments in Borno state are under the control of Islamist group, Boko Haram.