Boko Haram Was About To Overrun Nigeria Before Buhari Came In 2015 – Presidency

The presidency has declared that the Boko Haram terrorist group had almost taken over the entire country spreading destruction everywhere before President Muhammadu Buhari became Nigeria’s leader in 2015.

The presidency however submitted that Buhari turned things around after coming into power.

The special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina made this submission in the latest of his weekly articles titled ‘Zulum zooms in’ which was released on Thursday.

According to the top presidential media aide, the situation was almost getting helpless and hopeless until Buhari came onboard and changed the narrative by taking the battle to the Boko Haram insurgents.

In his words, “For more than 13 years, the once peaceful State had become a theatre of bloodletting, characterized by bombings, maiming, killings, abductions, and other horrendous acts. In fact, it had spread all over the North East, then to the North West, North Central, including Abuja, the seat of the Federal Government.

The country was about to be overrun, till Muhammadu Buhari came in 2015, and took the battle to the insurgents. They were clobbered and driven out of major parts of the North, till they got circumscribed in Borno, which was the epicenter of the insurgency.”

Adesina pointed out that while the war is not over yet, there have been significant achievements and reductions in the attacks by the insurgents.

He wrote: “Is the job done in terms of security? Not yet, the Governor tells you matter-of-factly. “There are still security challenges, but milestones have been achieved because of collaboration between the Federal Government and Borno State, the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, and other security agencies. Bomb attacks have reduced by almost 90%. Over 5,000 physical infrastructure have been built by the Federal and State governments.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Military on Thursday revealed that troops as part of ongoing clearance operations have killed 120 fighters loyal to the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist groups.

This was disclosed by the Defence Head Quarters (DHQ) during a briefing by Major General Benard Onyeuko, Director Defence Media Operations.

According to the DHQ, within the period under review (20 January -10 February 22), troops deployed under the various operations neutralized 120 fighters, arrested 50 terrorists, recovered 5 gun trucks, 50 assorted arms, and seized 200 ammunition.

Within the same period, 25 citizens were rescued while 965 terrorists, families, and 550 children surrendered to the troops.

He gave updates about the activities of troops deployed under OPERATION HADIN KAI, OPERATION HADARIN DAJI, OPERATION SAFE HAVEN, OPERATION WHIRL STROKE, and OPERATION DELTA SAFE.