Buhari vows to track and destroy ‘evil’ Boko Haram

Buhari vows to track and destroy ‘evil’ Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday vowed to destroy Boko Haram, saying “five years of the presence of the evil sect is enough”.

He promised to “renew my commitment to track Boko Haram into a corner, to destroy it,” while speaking to reporters on the sideline of his visit to Niger Republic.

It was his first official trip outside the country since taking the reins of power last Friday.

Buhari was accompanied by some government officials, including governors, among them Borno State’s Kashim Shetttima.

His mission to Niamey, which will also take him to Chad today, is to discuss how to tackle Boko Haram in coalition with the neigbouring countries.

He also told reporters after talks with Niger’s President Issoufou Mahamadou, that the Nigerian Army which had earned a good reputation across the world, remains a virile fighting force.

“I am four days in office today and we have already started the process of ending the insurgency,” he said.

The Nigerian army will now take a bigger role in the effort to crush Boko Haram, by taking over from soldiers from Niger in occupying towns liberated from Boko Haram.

Niger and Chad played a leading role earlier this year in driving the insurgents from Malam Fatori, Damasak and other Borno towns.

Yesterday, Buhari said: “On the issue of the Niger military positioned in cities of Nigeria … I think in the next four weeks we will be able to replace them with Nigerian forces so they can return to their country,” he said.

A new multinational force of 8,700 troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin to combat the insurgency in the Lake Chad region will become operational in the coming weeks, Niger’s President Issoufou added.

Buhari said the other nations would provide weapons and help restore infrastructure destroyed by the insurgents. He also thanked Niger for hosting as many as 150,000 refugees who fled insecurity in Nigeria to Niger.

“Niger is ready to finish with Boko Haram and protect its borders, its people and their property,” Issoufou said.

The meeting between the two presidents lasted over five hours during which the on-going operations against Boko Haram were reviewed for better results, according to Mallam Garba Shehu, a Presidential spokesman.

President Buhari said because of the peculiarities of terrorism, the movement of terrorists across borders and the unconventional nature of the war against terror, Nigeria will continue to seek the support of neighbouring countries in its bid to overcome Boko Haram.

Nigeria, he said, would also require the assistance of other nations and multi-lateral institutions to rebuild areas that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and rehabilitate displaced persons.

Buhari said: “Permit me also to acknowledge the consistency with which the government and people of Niger Republic have stood beside Nigeria under all circumstances. I would like to convey the appreciation of Nigeria for the sacrifices by Niger in the on-going efforts to counter the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Niger Republic has over the years, proven to be a reliable ally to Nigeria both at bilateral and multilateral levels. It is our hope and aspiration that this special relationship would be further consolidated during my administration.

“My administration will bring new impetus and a renewed commitment to the efforts to wipe out the menace of the Boko Haram insurgents. As a first step, we have directed the relocation of the command post of the counter-insurgency operations to Maiduguri until such a time that the insurgency is completely defeated.

“Another issue of concern to us which is closely associated with the insurgency in the region is the influx of refugees and other displaced persons. We are aware that currently, there are over one hundred and fifty thousand displaced persons comprising refugees and returnees taking refuge in various parts of Niger.

“Our administration will work closely with governments of the affected States to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons and their host communities.

“The ultimate objective however, remains to end the insurgency and facilitate their return to their homes.”

Niger’s president added: “Your decision to move the military command of Nigeria to the North East has further strengthened our conviction that the war against terrorism will soon come to an end,”

He also assured Buhari that Niger will continue to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.

The President will also travel to Germany for the meeting of G-7 World leaders slated for Sunday and Monday.

Members of the G-7, comprising the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy, Japan and Germany invited President Buhari.

The G-7 summit meeting will hold in German town Schloss Elmau, south of Munich.

The theme for the summit is ‘Think Ahead. Act Together”. Key topics to be discussed include the global economy, foreign, security and development policy, as well as empowering self-employed women and women in vocational training, energy security, and the upcoming UN conferences on international climate protection and the post-2015 agenda. These issues are all of global medium- to long-term importance.