President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday assured that Nigerians would witness an aggressive campaign to rout out Boko Haram once and for all in the coming weeks.
EDITOR’S PICK: BOKO HARAM BURNS HOUSES, CHURCHES IN GARKIDA
In a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, the President condemned the Boko Haram attack on Garkida in Adamawa state and sympathised with the families of victims, saying “no part of Nigeria would be abandoned to their fate.”
The President stated that since the coming of his administration, Boko Haram’s ability to invade and occupy Nigerian territories, let alone be able to hoist their flags has been frustrated.
“These attacks on soft targets by the terrorists are obvious signs of frustration because my administration has significantly weakened Boko Haram’s military capability to invade and hold Nigerian territory unchallenged.
“Our gallant forces deserve our appreciation for repelling the attackers but they must go beyond this point. They have our full support to go after the terrorists and have them pay a huge price. I want to assure the country that terrorists will continue to face the combined power of our military until they give up their mistaken ways.
“These occasional and episodic attacks on poor civilians by the terrorists are mere propaganda efforts to portray them as strong in order to fool the public into believing that they haven’t been militarily weakened by our gallant troops.
“Security will continue to be well funded despite the competing needs of social services. I appeal to Nigerians to continue to support our troops in their gallant efforts to protect the citizens and secure the country,” President Buhari added.
Daily Trust reports that Boko Haram fighters had reportedly killed two soldiers in an attack on Garkida town in Adamawa state on Friday.
Residents reported that the armed insurgents on Friday first attacked a military check point before razing some public and private buildings in the town.
A resident, Musa Heyak, told our reporter that two soldiers lost their lives in the attack saying the insurgents held the town for hours, ransacking buildings and looting foodstuff while residents fled to the surrounding mountains.
He said the insurgents overpowered the police and vigilantes before burning the police station, police barracks, two churches and houses including those belonging to the chairman, North-East Development Commission, retired General Paul Tarfa and a politician, Emmanuel Bello.
The insurgents also torched a community health center and the General Hospital in the carnage.
Another resident, Ama Paul said she and other residents slept in the mountains to avoid being hunted by the insurgents.
She said normalcy had returned to the community saying military men were seen patrolling the street on Saturday.
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