Buhari on final onslaught against insurgents

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the nation that more proactive and decisive measures are to be taken to put an end to the menace of Boko Haram.

President Buhari the assurance in Maiduguri during a sympathy visit to the governor and people of Borno state over recent attacks that killed many people.

He however told the people that intelligence sharing and synergy between law enforcement agencies and the civil populace was critical in achieving the objectives.

“I assure you that improvement in security will be pursued vigorously. The military will work harder and strategise with tactics to deal with the insurgents. This is however not possible without good intelligence and cooperation with local community leaders.

“Boko Haram cannot come up to Maiduguri or environs without the local leadership knowing because traditionally, the local leadership is in charge of security in their own respective areas.

“I want to call on the leadership at various levels to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and let us deny Boko Haram access to our loyal citizens,” the President said.

“We will do our best and I hope history will be kind to us; to recall what was on the ground when we came and what will be on the ground when we leave,” he added.

According to Mr Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity), Buhari was at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Gabai, accompanied by the state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum.

The President sympathised with Shehu of Borno and other victims of the attack, prayed for the repose of the soul of the victims.

In his remarks, Zulum thanked the President for identifying with the state in these trying times.
 
He praised the efforts of the military so far, wondering why some people would be comparing the security situation now with what obtained before the Buhari administration came on board.

“Roads were closed, there were sporadic bombings everywhere even within the metropolis. Close to 20 local government areas were under Boko Haram. We are surprised that there seems to be resurgence in 2019.”

He tasked the military to borrow from their successes especially between 2015 and 2017, take the battle to the insurgents and push them to the fringes of Lake Chad.

He also urged the security agencies to be patient with the civilian populace and give opportunities to the Internally Displaced Persons to access their communities in order to return to their occupations.