Governor Begs Boko Haram To Release 92 Years Ex Minister

BORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday begged those who abducted a former Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, to release the elder statesman.

He is concerned about Monguno’s health, which, according to him, may deteriorate if his abductors, who are suspected to be Boko Haram members, do not free him.

The governor also warned the abductors of the spiritual gravity of contributing to the death of a 92-year-old man, who is known for helping orphans, widows and the needy.

Shettima recalled that even during the jihad of Prophet Mohammed, old persons, children and women, were free of harassment and torture.

He made the plea in Maiduguri, after returning to the state capital from an emergency meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the abduction of the nonagenarian.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Umar Gusau, the governor also urged the people of the state to pray for Monguno’s release.

The statement reads: “Allah places high premium on orphans. In many portions of the Quran, taking care of orphans is one of the best deeds before him because His noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) grew up as a poor orphan.

“Allah has clearly described those who help orphans and feed the poor as the righteous ones He is pleased with.

“Those who help orphans and the poor have special place before Allah and this makes our elder statesman, Shettima Ali Monguno, a special person before Allah because over the years, he has dedicated his lifetime to catering for orphans, widows and the needy.

“He feeds them; clothes them; takes care of their health and other social needs; sponsors them for Islamic education; builds Islamic schools for orphans, widows and women.

“He is a righteous old man as all humans can testify, leaving Allah to be the judge; he is associated with honesty and integrity.

“This means Allah cannot be happy with anyone that hurts this good servant of His if for nothing because of his help to orphans.”

On Monguno’s health, the governor said: “Monguno is an old man of over 90 years. He hardly eats well because of his age. He takes routine drugs, about seven times a day to make up for lack of eating. So, keeping him in custody, away from his drugs can make his health deteriorate very fast.

“I strongly appeal to his abductors to consider his old age; they should regard him as their own father and grandfather, they should realise that by keeping Monguno away, they are breaking the hearts of many orphans and whom Allah has special interest in; they should realise even during the times of the Prophet when Jihads were fought to liberate Islam, Allah abhorred harming old persons, children and women, unless if they arm themselves at battle fields.”

Shettima queried the rationale behind the abduction of a man who is one of the leading voices against bad leadership and corruption.

He said: “The abductors should realise that they are keeping an old man that is one of the leading voices against bad leadership; against corruption; against oppression; against public freedom; they are keeping in custody an old man who has over the years raised his voice in defence of the masses and against their oppressors.

“They are keeping in custody someone who has been advocating for amnesty, dialogue and peaceful negotiation of the crisis in our land, someone who is promoting Islamic scholarship and practice, promoting harmony, tolerance and coexistence, someone whose house is open to the poor masses, someone who even in the face of threats, kept fate and continued to visit his old neighbours and family friends to pray with them and extend alms even when he has the option of staying away.

“They are keeping a defenceless old man, who cannot even run away even when he sees an opportunity to escape from custody; they are keeping an old man who only deserves their kindness, help, courtesy, respect, admiration and prayers and not to be made to undergo a trauma as reward for doing good and helping orphans.

“By keeping Monguno, they are discouraging good tidings and empathy for the reward for good is good and nothing less.”

The statement quoted the governor as appealing to citizens of Borno and other Nigerians to help in praying for the safe and early release of Monguno and for the safety of all and sundry as well as for the return of peace in the state, the North and the country as a whole.

It said the governor has been in touch regularly with Monguno’s family, even as efforts are being made to ensure the elder statesman’s release.