President Muhammad Buhari was recently quoted as saying Bokoharam no
longer holds territory in the north east. The president told UN
secretary general Ban Ki Moon the insurgents had been dislodged from all
strong holds they previously held. But just recent a statement by the
US Africom commander is now contradicting that position.
General
Rodriguez told the US Senate Armed Service Committee that Boko Haram
still holds significant territory in the North Eastern region. His
statement contradicts the presidents statement and earlier statements by
the military about the status of the campaign to defeat the insurgents
in the north east. But security experts here see no reason to contradict
authorities in Nigeria.
I have no reason whatsoever to doubt what my President had to say
because he has access to information that even General Rodriguez does
not have and like I said, What exactly is the currency of General
Rodriguez’s Intel report? He might be talking about what is happening in
a couple of months back or even last year” Said Chidi Omeje, Security
expert.
The Nigerian military has been killing dozens of Boko Haram
insurgents and rescuing thousand of hostages too – An indication that
the group is still around. While some think announcing defeat of the
insurgents may be premature, Chidi thinks the insurgents have been
significantly degraded although it could take completely end the
insurgency.
“if you understand how terrorists work, they are quite fluid – they
move from place to place, they are not static. If they are static, they
will be cleaned up” Said Chidi Omeje, Security expert.
Since assuming office in May 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari made
defeating Boko Haram top on his agenda. In September last year, he gave
his military Chiefs a 3 month deadline to defeat the terrorists. So much
has been achieved since then. But it’s still not clear if the group
still holds territories and how much is in their control.
Boko Haram in 2009 launched its campaign for an Islamic caliphate.
Since then the group has killed more than 20,000 people. 2 million
others have been displaced from their homes.