The end of Boko Haram group will
come sooner than later - VP
Osinbajo
The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Sambisa
forest has been reclaimed from Boko Haram
- He expresses delight over the progress being
recorded by the ongoing operation last hold
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, July
5, said that the celebration of the 2018 Nigerian
Army Day - NADCEL at Mongunu in Borno north
was a proof that the end of the Boko Haram
terrorists group will come sooner than later.’
Osinbajo, who spoke at a mini trade fair and
military equipment exhibition as part of
activities to mark the day, also said that it was a
proof that the terrorist had been substantially
degraded, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports.
According to him, Borno and the entire region
(north east) will surely bounce back, and, with
the support of the rest of the country, make up
for the years of bloodshed and destruction.
The vice president said that the Sambisa forest,
once the symbol of Boko Haram’s domination of
the region, had been reclaimed, while the work
of rebuilding had started in many communities
across the state.
"Indeed, we are here to celebrate all of these wonderful
successes, and progress.
“At a point, a few years ago, it felt as though they –
terrorists were succeeding.
“As a result of the insecurity, social and economic life rolled
to a halt in many parts of the state, as Boko Haram
controlled a large territory and acted like the de-facto
government of the state.
"The town of Monguno, which today is playing host to us,
was a few years ago firmly in the hands of the terrorists.
"Today, thankfully, the tide has turned, in large part on
account of the gallant and heroic work of the Nigerian
Army. And it is on account of this that we are here today,
to celebrate.
"We are here to celebrate the gallantry of our soldiers, men
and women from every part of Nigeria, of different faiths
and tribes and tongues, gathered to fight and defeat a
common enemy.
"We are also celebrating the resilience of the people of
Borno State, and reaffirming that our primary obligation to
them, as a Government, is to ensure that they are able
return to their communities and rebuild their lives and
livelihoods in peace and safety,’’ the vice president
said.
Osinbajo expressed delight over the progress
being recorded by the ongoing Operation Last
Hold designed to rid remnant of terrorists from
the Lake Chad Basin and Northern Borno.
The vice president noted in the last three years,
life was gradually returning to many parts of
Borno as schools had reopened, airlines resumed
flights, religious celebrations held, major roads
and highways reopened.
He said that he had no doubt that NADCEL and
events lined up to mark it in Mongunu “ will go a
long way towards changing the negative narrative of
terrorism, hunger and danger that have defined the North
Eastern part of Nigeria, and the entire Lake Chad Basin, in
the last decade.’’
Osinbajo commended the army which he said
had fought wars at home and abroad, to secure
the country, and keep it united, though it
suffered loss and setHaram
He specifically commended the Chief of Army
Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai for “inspiring
the Nigerian army to turn the tide against Boko
Haram.’’
"With the success of yet another Army Day Celebration, this
time in the heartland of a dying insurgency, Gen. Buratai
has left no doubt about the quality of his leadership.
"And today, we are all proud to associate with the Nigerian
Army, for the ongoing victory in the North East.
"Long may that victory continue, even as it extends to other
troubled parts of the country,’’ he said.
The vice president acknowledged the sacrifice
made by members of the armed forces and other
security agencies in the fight against the
terrorists, saying “we are also here to remember.
"To remember the tens of thousands who have lost their
lives to this needless violence; the innocent civilians, and the
vigilante and military dead, who paid the ultimate sacrifice
to preserve the security and sovereignty of Nigeria.
"We will never forget. And we shall continually strive to
work to build a Nigeria in which terrorists and bandits shall
have neither sway nor leeway.’
