“Boko Haram Are Only Making Their Last Attacks” – Buratai Says

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Tukur Buaratai, has said that the Boko Haram insurgents were only making their last efforts before their final defeat by the military.

Buratai spoke at an interactive session organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Abuja on Saturday.
The Army Chief said that no local government area in the country was under the occupation of the Boko Haram.

According to him, the insurgents were using the territory of Niger to launch attacks on Nigeria
He said that the insurgents even carried out an attack on a location of troops at Abadam, Borno State, but were repelled.

Buratai explained that the Army had made tremendous efforts to ensure that the ongoing operation was boosted with Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms.

He said that the military had had satellite images and had been using drones to get aerial photographs of the operational areas.

He said that the troops were doing the nation proud and had ensured that the insurgents who were deft at concealing themselves to carry out attacks under the cover of darkness were dealt with.

He said, “We have made tremendous efforts to ensure that our operations are covered by ISR platforms. We have satellite images and even the use of drones to provide aerial photographs of the areas we operate in.

“You know the mode of operation of the terrorists; they hide under the cover of darkness, they have a very good way of concealing themselves, they regroup and then come and attack.

“But by and large, we are up to the task and our troops are doing us proud there. They will come out and ensure these are the last moves they are making before their final and eventual crushing by the military.

“No local government is under Boko Haram. Even as at this morning, these criminals attacked our troops in Abadam, but we are holding on to that local government. Mostly, they are coming from Nigerien territory.”