President Muhammad Buhari, yesterday said he is convinced the military will end Boko Haram by December.
President Buhari and US Gen. David Rodriguez
President Muhammad Buhari has told the Commander of United States Africa Command, Gen David Rodgruez, that the country's military is commitment to end Boko Haram by December. This was made yesterday when he welcomed the U.S commander at the Villa.
Buhari said: “We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident. Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organized fighting force.”
The U.S General Rodriguez had told President Buhari that he was in the country to strengthen Nigeria/US military relations, and also explore further options for assisting the Multinational Joint Task Force established by Nigeria and her neighbours to fight Boko Haram.
The President said he is optimistic that by the end of the year, Boko Haram's activities in the region would have been completely tackled.
He noted that the United States' support will go a long way in improving training, equipment, logistics and welfare for combating Boko Haram. He appealed for more cooperation from the United States in securing the Gulf of Guinea through which stolen Nigerian crude oil is shipped abroad.
He asked for more cooperation from the international community to help Nigeria tackle the issue of crude oil theft, saying his administration was determined to end this criminal practice if help is offered.
Mr. Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson confirmed Nigeria's willingness to embrace any help from the international community. He stressed that the Nigeria armed forces were no better positioned to meet the December deadline which the president has given to the Army.