FG Tackles Atiku Over Boko Haram’s Comments

• Insists Nigerian Military deserves kudos for curtailing insurgency

BY EDMOND ODOK – The Federal Government has condemned comments by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar on Boko Haram, insisting that the Nigerian military deserves kudos for doing so much to check the Boko Haram insurgents

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who reacted to the former Vice President’s remarks about being puzzled by the Buhari Administration’s inability to end insurgency in the country, said the PDP standard bearer was completely looking in the wrong direction.

Speaking at the 11th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023) in Abuja, Alhaji Mohammed said Atiku should have been raising issues with his party and not Mr President.

The Minister stated thus; “The former Vice President was quoted as saying he could not honestly understand the Boko Haram phenomenon, and wondered why Boko Haram continues to operate.

“I think His Excellency didn’t need to look far to get the answers to his questions. He should simply ask his party, the PDP, under whose watch the Boko Haram insurgency started in 2009.”

Furthermore, Alhaji Mohammed said; “For six years until 2015, when our administration assumed office and inherited Boko Haram, the PDP more or less nurtured the insurgents into the monster they later became. Alhaji Atiku should ask his party why it allowed Boko Haram to operate freely, bombing cities, motor parks, schools, and other soft targets unrestrained.

“Alhaji Atiku, who was then residing in Abuja before porting to his new abode in Dubai, should ask his party, the PDP, why it allowed Boko Haram to bomb the police headquarters, the UN Complex, a shopping mall and motor parks in Abuja with so much ease.”

According to the Minister, contrary to the PDP flag bearer’s insinuations, the Nigerian military has done so much in curtailing the Boko Haram insurgents, adding; “His Excellency may want to know that today, thanks to our patriotic troops, military objectives have almost been achieved in the Northeast, the home region of Boko Haram, thereby creating conditions for Stabilization Operations to take place.

“Despite the very large joint operational area, Boko Haram terrorists have been cleared from most of their strongholds while remnants are being restricted to the Tumbus/island around Lake Chad that are difficult to access.”

Additionally, he said; “The former Vice President may want to know that both kinetic and non-kinetic activities employed by the military have seen the terrorists surrendering in droves, thereby freeing large spaces for normal socio-economic life to resume.

“The good news this year is that a bumper agricultural harvest is assured, as farmers were able to carry out extensive farming, which has not been possible since the beginning of insurgency/terrorism in the Northeast.”

However, the Minister cautioned the Wazirin Adamawa to guard against intemperate comments saying; “While on the campaign trail and throwing political jabs, we advise His Excellency Alhaji Atiku to note the popular idiom that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”