There are no more Boko Haram camps in North-East - Nigerian Army

Monday, July 25, 2016

The Nigerian Army said there were no longer Boko Haram camps in the North-Eastern part of the country.

Army spokesperson, Colonel Sani Usman made the claim on Monday while addressing newsmen at the inauguration of Strategic Communication Course for senior officers at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Bonny Camp, Lagos.

Usman assured Nigerians that the military was winning the war against terrorism, adding that there were no more terrorists clustered in a particular place in the area.

"The situation in the North-East has tremendously improved. The military operations or the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North-East is hinged on three things.

"First, defeating the Boko Haram terrorists which have been accomplished and making room to facilitate humanitarian assistance which is also ongoing. Then restoration of law and order for good governance to take place. We no longer have camps of Boko Haram terrorists and we no longer have them conveyed in the territories.

"Those that were hitherto close are now open to the extent that we have trans-border trade. Take for instance; just recently, the important road that links Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon was just re-opened. We have come to the point that we can beat our chest and decisively say we have dealt with Boko Haram." he said.

Speaking on the inauguration of the communication course, Usman said that training of personnel was paramount, which would enhance proficiency.

"It is in this regard that the Directorate of Army Public Relations places high premium on training of officers and soldiers. The Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information must remain focused in the training of officers and soldiers to meet the need of well trained and skilled manpower. This is the first of its kind to further enhance further joint operations of the armed forces and possibly international military engagement," Usman said.

"It is my hope that this course will make the desired impact on all of you and explicit growth fertilisation of ideas among the participants. It is also our desire to see that at the end of the course, we turn out better informed senior officers. Also, they should be well-equipped to partake in making or taking strategic decision for the Nigerian army information and dissemination management,"  he said.

The Army spokesperson thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for improving the Nigerian Army formations.