By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, has given the Nigerian military thumbs up for repelling the attack Sunday on Maiduguri by Boko Haram insurgents, saying that the soldiers displayed gallantry in the operation.

He also assured residents of the state that the security forces are on top the situation, while asking then to remain calm.

Speaking through his media assistant, Isa Gusau, the governor said the state government was doing its best to provide support to the Nigerian troops engaged in the war against terrorists and would continue to do so as within the limitations of available resources.

“Our armed forces gallantly repelled attacks on parts of Borno State today. We must commend their patriotic efforts. We are very much in touch with leaders of security forces and we will continue to afford them all the support they need as we have always done from our first day in office till date,” he stated.

He added: “So long as we have the resources, we will continue to regard the efforts to reclaim peace, our number one area of commitments.”

The governor expressed regrets at the attack on Monguno, headquarters of Monguno local government area, and the attendant loss of lives and the exodus of many citizens and said that his government was already fashioning out strategies to offer assistance to them.

Gavernor Shettima said his government was undertaking a registration of those who have fled their homes since the attack with a view to temporarily accommodating and giving them relief materials to sustain them.

Scores of residents have fled Monguno after Boko Haram fighters launched a fierce attack on the town at the same time it pushed for a takeover of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The terrorists were repelled in Maiduguri but are believed to have taken over Monguno which is some 134 kilometres from the state capital.