Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has described critics of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt-Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai as sympathizers and supporters of  Boko Haram.

 The governor stated this yesterday while flagging off the opening of the Maiduguri-Gamboru/Ngala highway as part of Army Day and Sallah celebrations, noting that the highway was shutdown 27 months ago when attacks on motorists had become too widespread.

According to him, “Two years ago, we were under massive attacks every angle. It was impossible for anyone to move out 10 km away from the state capital. Today, Boko Haram are no longer holding any of our territories.

“It is the efforts of good leadership in the Nigerian Army that brought this result. I think anyone criticizing Lt Gen. TY Buratai is economical with the truth. It is either the persons are Boko Haram members or sympathizers. They want to distract him but we Borno people are surely behind him.”