President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said he has absolute confidence in the ability of the Nigerian military to end insurgency orchestrated by members of the Boko Haram sect.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President expressed the confidence while speaking with journalists after holding talks with President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger in the country’s capital, Niamey.
Buhari said the Nigerian Army, which had earned a good reputation across the world, remained a virile fighting force.
He told the journalists that although he was only four days in office, his administration had already started the process of ending the insurgency.
He added that during a meeting he held with the nation’s security chiefs for over five hours on Tuesday, ongoing operations against Boko Haram were reviewed for better results.
The President said because of the peculiarities of terrorism, the movement of terrorists across borders and the unconventional nature of the war against terror, Nigeria would continue to seek the support of neighbouring countries in its bid to overcome Boko Haram.
He explained that his visit to Niger was to seek more support from the country in bringing a quick end to the atrocities of the sect.
Buhari said he would hold similar meetings on security and the war against terrorism with the Chadian authorities after leaving Niamey on Thursday.
The President said Nigeria would also require the assistance of other nations and multi-lateral institutions to rebuild areas that had been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and rehabilitate displaced persons.
The President of Niger was quoted to have earlier commended Buhari for making Niger the first country he would visit after his inauguration.
“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 reportedly told Buhari.
He also assured the President that Niger would continue to support Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram.
At the opening of bilateral talks between Nigeria and Niger earlier, Buhari praised his hosts’ contributions to the ongoing multi-national effort against terrorism, insurgency and cross-border crimes.
He 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.”
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