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Boko Haram flushed out of North East – Buratai
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai says the Boko Haram terrorist group has been flushed out of the north east region, living only Borno State as the last stop.
Buratai gave an assessment of the insurgency war in the six north eastern states, particularly Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, at the meeting with the governors, hosted Monday by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja.
He said: “There are no Boko Haram terrorists in neighbouring states. They have been pushed out, and now cornered in Borno State.
“We are coordinating with civil and traditional authorities, mobilising and reinforcing and all we need is patience. We will not relent.”
However, though the governors commended the efforts of the president and federal government in securing the region, they lamented the deteriorating security situation in the zone and the fact that the Boko Haram terrorists were recruiting more of their citizens into their fold. They appealed to the president to address the causes without further delay.
Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, who spoke on behalf of the governors said, “The governors of the region have commended the efforts of the Federal Government in securing the region.”
He added: “However, we told the President that there is the need for the Federal Government to address the causes of insurgency, which are not limited to endemic poverty and hunger among others.
“One of the causes is that of access to farmlands. People need to go back to their farmlands; people need to be resettled in their original homes so that they can restart their means of livelihood.
“This is one of the reasons the insurgents are recruiting more into the sect. Therefore, creating an enabling environment for the people to go about their normal duties will no doubt reduce the cases of insurgency.
“We also recommended that police should be empowered, to be provided with a certain state of the art equipment, armoured personnel carrier and so on with a view to bridging the manpower gap that we are having in the Nigerian military.”
READ: Borno Gov attacked by Boko Haram threatens to deploy hunters over military
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Buhari reassured the governors that security will be restored to the North-East and the nation at large, following the recent adoption of new strategies, and the acquisition of modern military equipment.
The president said: “Things will improve very soon. We are acquiring modern equipment; some are here, some are being cleared, and others still coming.
“We need patience with acquisition of equipment. You need to train the trainers for their usage ahead of their deployment to the field.
“I have listened to your presentation. I assure you, the Northeast Governors, especially that of Borno, that we go to bed and wake up thinking about you, how to secure our country, that is the responsibility of every government.
“Our party campaigned in 2015 on three major objectives, among which is Security. We said the same thing in 2019 and Nigerians believed us.
“We are doing our best and we will continue to do even better.”
The president noted with concern the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, making scarce resources even scarcer, coupled with its severe impact on the supply chain of military equipment and spare parts.
“Our government is doing its best on the question of equipment and the military know.
“We have equipment coming from some countries. The acquisition of military wares and spares is not easy, especially if you are not the manufacturer,” he emphasised.
The president was joined in the meeting with the governors by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of intelligence agencies.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff, the National Security Adviser and all the Service Chiefs, inlcuding the Inspector General Police, who spoke in support of the President, assured that things would get better soon.
They made a strong case for strengthening ties among the military, state governments, traditional institutions and all communities and the residents of the region.