Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said that elements of religious disharmony must be resisted by residents and other stakeholders, for peaceful celebration of the Yuletide.
  
The call was made, yesterday, in Maiduguri, while felicitating with Christians in the state and parts of the country celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
  
Zulum’s Christmas message was contained in a statement by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, in Maiduguri, Borno State. The message reads: “I would like us to also remember our history and how we have been tested by the challenges that confronted our state, since July 2009. The security challenges we faced have affected us as citizens, regardless of our faith. Boko Haram terrorists attacked dozens of mosques and churches, as well as communities, killing Muslims and Christians at various times.
  
“They have also rendered many of our brothers and sisters homeless across the North, South and Central parts of the state. As governor, I have, on numerous occasions, paid humanitarian and reconstruction visits to several communities of all faiths in the south, north and central parts of the state.”
  
Zulum said the attacks by insurgents did not take religion into account, noting that everyone who did not share the Boko Haram ideology was a target, regardless of religious leaning.
  
Speaking on the incessant attacks, he said: “I have paid countless visits to communities in Chibok, Askira-Uba, Hawul, Biu, Gwoza, Monguno, Baga, Kala-Balge to mention but a few. My consideration as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) in the state has always been about critical humanitarian needs and not religion.
  
“We have worked hard to rebuild and resettle over a dozen communities, with the consideration of fairness to the most affected 27 local councils in the state.”
  
The governor lamented that few people, in recent times, were trying to undermine core values and the religious tolerance that exist across the state.
He explained that the few people appeared to ignore the truth in the state, as there were many families comprising Christians and Muslims with the same parents living together in harmony, particularly in Borno South.
  
According to him, the district comprises nine local councils of Damboa, Gwoza, Bayo, Kwaya/Kusar, Hawul, Chibok, Shani, Biu and Askira/Uba.He said the elements of religious disharmony forgot the “terrible experiences” of 14-year insurgency in the state, adding: “We have tried to resist the aggressors, who wanted to tear us along religious lines.”
  
The governor assured that the state is on the path of economic recovery and development of the various sectors. He, therefore, pledged not to be distracted and continue to remain fair with the guiding principle of considering the urgency of humanitarian needs of the people in the affected communities.