Shettima, Buratai disagree on Boko Haram

The governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, Sunday, disagreed on insinuations that Boko Haram insurgents were holding any part of Nigeria’s territory.

The Borno State governor had claimed that the sect is occupying two local governments in his state, but the Chief of Army Staff disagrees, saying the military has routed the insurgents from every inch of the country’s land.

Shettima said: “They (Boko Haram) are at present controlling two local governments in Borno State; Abadam and Mobbar and they are partially in Marte.”

”At some point, Boko Haram overran 20 out of our 27 local government areas in Borno State. They overran four local government areas in Adamawa and two in Yobe.”

However Gen. Buratai, who spoke with reporters after addressing troops at the Headquarters of 3 Division, the Marxwel Khobe Cantonment, said: “No Boko Haram is holding any territory in Nigeria at the moment, I have not heard any Boko Haram member or leader making such claim, they are no more in control.

Read also: DSS, Military arrest Boko Haram suspects in Kuje raid

“We are more determined and we have more professional soldiers on the ground, we have been trained and equipped and ready to face the challenge, if any, posed by Boko Haram”.

Speaking on the deadline of December given them by President Muhammadu Buhari to end the Boko Haram insurgency, Buratai said: “I can confidently say we are on course, we are mindful of our target, and we know we have two months to achieve that target. We don’t have doubt in our minds, we will achieve our target by December 31.”

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