United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has urged the international community to support humanitarian action in Borno State, currently recovering from insurgency.

Gutteres made the call on Tuesday in Maiduguri while rounding off his visit to the state where he interacted with displaced persons, repentant Boko-Haram members, and government officials led by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.

Guterres said: “I want to congratulate the Governor for what I see today.

“I want to strongly appeal to the international community to understand Borno as a state of hope, to support humanitarian action in Borno, to recognise the enormous challenges that Borno faces with climate change and Boko Haram activities, and to invest in Borno of hope.

“The community should provide support to the project of the Governor of Borno and civil society of Borno in order to create condition for real development.

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“So, I want to be your (Zulum) advocate within the international community to support and to invest in Borno of hope.”

While noting that terrorism can’t be totally defeated with military force, Gutteres lauded the policy of reconciliation and reintegration adopted by the state, saying that it would facilitate the process

The UN boss had earlier visited a rehabilitation centre for victims of Boko Haram insurgency and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp.

During the visits Gutteres, who showed concern over the plight of the affected persons, expressed UN commitment to continue to support measures to ameliorate their sufferings.

The Star