Eid-el-Fitr: What Buhari Said About Fight Against Terrorists

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and bandits would soon be won by the Nigerian military.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the president stated that the fight against terrorists is approaching its conclusion following successes recorded in Borno and some other northern states.

He added that the challenges of banditry and kidnapping are being tackled differently in the North-western and North Central states due to the designation of bandit groups as terrorists.

The Nigerian leader also sent his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world celebrating the occasion as the Holy month of Ramadan reaches its end and Muslims mark the Eid-el-Fitri.

The statement reads: “After a period of fasting and reflection, this year, we have cause to welcome the occasion in hope. The battle waged against terrorists who falsely masquerade under the name of Islam is approaching its conclusion.

“The fight has been long and hard. The final victory is within sight. Boko Haram and its offshoots’ final embers are now fading.

“Last month, the leader of ISWAP was killed in an airstrike. Since the New Year, thousands of fighters have surrendered to enter rehabilitation programmes.

“The territories they used to occupy are now seeing the return of those who were forced to flee their barbarity. Normality is finally beginning to return to the Northeast. It is a long process. Yet it is one we are, together, now embarking upon.

“With the designation of bandit groups as terrorists, the challenges of banditry and kidnapping are being tackled differently in the North-western and North Central states where the latest military acquisitions and the Armed Forces are being fanned out across the region to thwart acts of terror.”

He added that his administration is also winning the war against oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, with millions of illegally refined products being impounded and illegal refineries destroyed.

The statement added: “The administration is equally getting impressive reports of the special operations to curb crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the South-South, with millions of illegally refined products being impounded and illegal refineries destroyed.

“While we are making progress cleaning the environment, some evil people are busy causing more pollution and destruction.

‘‘In response to the disturbing rise in criminal attacks targeting law enforcement and public facilities in the South East, concerted military operations to rid the region of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements have, in recent weeks, led to the overrunning of IPOB/ESN bases, the seizure of weapons and the arrest of a large number of suspects.”

The President has also approved the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta, Imo State and directed increased coordination and cooperation among security agencies.

He also stated that an end has been brought to a silo approach among the agencies, assuring that there will be no shortage of funds to provide security for the citizens.