Last week, two soldiers involved in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram debunked government claims that the sect is virtually defeated, adding that the terrorists still control about four local government areas in Borno State. In a tape yet to be verified, two soldiers were recorded speaking in an audio message, during which one of them named Sule claimed that Boko Haram is still in possession of large swathes of territory.
This has prompted several commentators, including one of the Borno senators, to reveal that the terrorists control half of the state, adding that government claims about Boko Haram being defeated are untrue. Speaking shortly after returning to Maiduguri from an official visit to Saudi Arabia, Governor Shettima said the claim by the senator representing Borno Central Senator Baba Kaka Garba, that the state is substantially under the control of the insurgents was either an emotional outburst or perhaps he was quoted out of context.
Governor Shettima said: “As the chief security officer of Borno State, I can tell you authoritatively that no local government area is under the occupation of Boko Haram. Our military deserves commendation because all my local government areas have been liberated and only few insurgents remain in the Sambisa Forest where they continue to launch some pockets of attacks as a result of the bombardment is going on in their hideouts.
“It is either the senator was emotional or misquoted as the military has recorded tremendous successes in the fight against Boko Haram in the last six months. You know that Ngala, Dikwa and some areas were recently liberated and as the chief security officer of the state, I can confidently say Boko Haram has been decimated, demoralised and degraded and the state is better off than it was six months ago.”
He added the military may have some challenges in the counter-insurgency operation but maintained the problem were surmountable. According to the governor, the recent attacks were just a hiccup and it should be expected but Borno State has definitely seen the worst days.
Governor Shettima said the military and President Muhammadu Buhari deserve special commendation for their level of commitment to ending the insurgency. He added that the service chiefs have visited the theatre of operation severally since their appointment to boost the morale of troops and urged the people to support the military and the federal government's efforts.
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