President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government would not retreat in its fight against the Boko Haram insurgents until the over 200 schoolgirls were rescued from the terrorists strongholds.
He also described as “commendable”, decision by former President Goodluck Jonathan to concede defeat at the 2015 President election.
President Buhari who spoke to the parliament of the European Union in Strasbourg, France, stated that he remained committed to the promise he made to the parents of the abducted girls that his administration would rescue them alive.
“As I have stated at other fora, the action of Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is commendable. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a presidential candidate and sitting President, conceded electoral defeat in defiance of calls by strong forces and agents and benefactors of the regime not to do so”, Buhari stated.
Speaking on the rescue of the Chibokgirls and Boko Haram insurgents, Buhari said: “It may interest you to know that in a recent meeting I had with parents of the Chibok girls, I assured them that government would not rest until all the girls are rescued alive and reunited with their families. I remain fully committed to this pledge.
“Since my assumption of office in May last year, we have re-organised the Nigerian Armed Forces and repositioned them to deal decisively with the Boko Haram terrorists.
“Indeed, all the Local Government Areas that were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in the North-Eastern flank of Nigeria, have been recaptured.
“The Internally Displaced Persons are gradually returning to their communities. The Federal Government is committed to rebuilding schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure destroyed by the fleeing terrorists.
“Currently, the activities of Boko Haram have been reduced to the Sambisa Forest and their capacity to launch major offensives has been degraded.
“Boko Haram has now resorted to attacking soft targets such as markets, mosques and churches using innocent, underage, hapless children to detonate locally made Improvised Explosive Devices.”