Controversy as Buratai Contradicts Governor Shettima on Seized Territories By Boko Haram

 

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai have disagreed on the number of strongholds of the Boko Haram sect in Borno state thereby confusing the general public.

 

Is Boko Haram holding any part of Nigeria’s territory? Yes, says Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, who claims the sect is occupying two local governments in his state

But the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, disagrees, saying the military has routed the insurgents from every inch of the country’s land.

The governor  made this known while he was addressing a visiting Federal Government delegation led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Babachir David Lawal.

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

He added: ”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.”

Lt. 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 momment, I have not heard any Boko Haram member or leader making such claim, they are no more in control.

“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”.

Who are we supposed to believe? The December deadline set by President Muhammadu Buhari to end the insurgency is drawing closer and the Nigerian military have remained unshaken to achieve the feat.