We know where Boko Haram is hiding – President Buhari
– Buhari claims that Boko Haram was chased out from all LGAs
– Technical defeat of Boko Haram cause resurgence in the morale and will of the Nigerian Armed Forces
– The president promised to leave no stone unturned in the anti-corruption crusade
President Buhari hosts members of the Diplomatic Corps in Statehouse
President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that the deadly Boko Haram sect was chased away from all the local government areas they previously held captive before he came into office.
He said this while addressing members of the diplomatic corps during a reception he organized in their honor at the state house on February 18, Thursday.
“It is worthy to note that when I assumed office on May 29th 2015, Boko Haram had full control of fourteen (14) Local Government areas in the North East, but today, the group holds no territory in Nigeria. They are hiding in Sambisa forest and occasionally undertake cowardly attacks on innocent citizens in soft targets,” the president noted.
While emphasizing that the Nigerian army have been given specific orders on rules of engagement to treat arrested insurgents humanely and to avoid civilian casualties, Buhari added that his government has witnessed resurgence in the morale and will to remove Boko Haram from their bases in the North East.
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President Buhari said: “The changes in both command structure and operational tactics have brought about significant gains on the ground.”
The leader of the nation noted that people who were once internally displaced from their homes for years are slowly returning to rebuild their homes, communities and livelihood.
“As the security situation continues to improve, and as more people return to their homes, government will spare no effort to support them with robust programmes and projects to hasten the process of rehabilitation and resettlement,” Buhari continued.
“We are quite aware that the war on terror will not, and cannot be won by military means alone. We need a soft approach that speaks directly to the human mind. Poverty and hunger do not only incapacitate, but they can lead to desperation.
“We are also aware that poverty and marginalization, amongst other factors, can easily create room for indoctrination and co-option into violent extremism.
“Accordingly, we are paying attention to those economic programmes that will lead to empowerment of the people and thus provide an alternative lifestyle of fruitful engagement rather than resort to extremist and terrorist activities. Job creation and provision of quality education are key areas that are already receiving our attention.”
The president also restated his intention to leave no stone unturned in his stride to rid the country of corruption.
Emphasizing that Nigeria’s democracy is growing and gaining ground, Buhari added that there is no alternative to democracy.
“We are resolved to build a stable and prosperous Nigeria, a country that is inclusive of all her diverse peoples and a country that is at ease with itself.
“Building such a country will not be possible where corruption is pervasive. Mindful of this, it has become necessary to wage a relentless war against the cancer of corruption. So long as corruption holds center stage in the affairs of Nigeria, the country will continue to suffer incalculable harm.
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“You are witnesses to the preliminary findings that have emerged in the past few weeks from our investigations into corrupt practices in different sectors of Nigeria’s Public Service.
“I will leave no stone unturned in the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption. I must however, add that in doing this, we shall operate within the ambit of the law,” he said.
President Buhari as he vowed during the election campaign has taken steps to crackdown on Nigeria’s corrupt bureaucracy and Boko Haram’s six-year insurgency.
He recorded some success in the war against the terrorists as the country’s leader announced that the sect was technically defeated.
However, Boko Haram went on rampage, killing innocent civilians and launching fresh massacres.
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