President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that no fewer than 20,000 troops have been deployed to rescue the over 200 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14.
He added that aerial surveillance in the area had intensified and local intelligence resources had been strengthened.
The president also disclosed that the Boko Haram that started out in 2002 was not the same currently causing havoc in the country today, but now operating clearly as al-Qaeda.
Jonathan in his address at the summit convened by President Francois Hollande of France to discuss fresh strategies for dealing with the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in West and Central Africa said yesterday in Paris, France that, “Boko Haram is no longer a local terrorist group, it is operating clearly as an Al-Qaeda.”
The president who admitted that the major challenge in the search and rescue operation so far has been the deluge of misinformation about the whereabouts of the girls and the circumstances of their disappearance, assured, “We shall spare no effort, we shall explore every avenue; we shall turn every stone, to ensure the return of the girls to their families and that the terrorists are defeated”.
Jonathan commended President Hollande, for convening the summit, saying it underscore the French leader’s commitment to Africa’s stability, peace and development. He said the Boko Haram attacks which he described as “unconventional war” had so far claimed “over 12,000 lives, with more than 8, 000 persons injured or maimed, not to mention the displacement of thousands of innocent Nigerians.”
The president who commended his colleagues from neighbouring countries, President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, President Idriss Deby of Chad, President Paul Biya of Cameroon and President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, for their solidarity and friendly disposition in attending the summit at a very short notice, explained that declaring a state of emergency in three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, was the responsible thing to do, adding that, “This became necessary to give the security forces the required scope and authority, to enable them operate more efficiently in the affected areas in order to gain victory.”
Jonathan who also commended the European Union, the United States Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry, and the Rt. Hon. William Hague, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary of the United Kingdom for attending the Summit, said “You have borne with my country, the huge burden of our counter-insurgency operations, sometimes with collateral damage. I thank you for your support and cooper ation.”
Jonathan said their concern and empathy with the government and people of Nigeria were clear demonstrations of true solidarity and brotherhood in ensuring that the current security challenges facing the country were addressed in a definitive and conclusive manner.
Speaking more on the insurgency, Jonathan said, “But let me state clearly from the outset that what started as a local insurgency in North Eastern Nigeria has now evolved into the new frontier of the global war of terrorism against our civilization, our way of life, and against the many prospects of stability in our region. This is not anymore a challenge to Nigeria alone; it is a threat to each and every one of us in this room.
“The Boko Haram sect emerged in 2002 while its insurgency phase started as far back as 2009. Officially known as the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’wati Wal Jihad, which in English means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”, the group is more commonly identified with its motivating principle, and referred to as Boko Haram which literally means, Western or non-Islamic education is prohibited.
“The group is hostile to democracy; it uses every means to indoctrinate its members; its ultimate objective is to destabilize the country, and take over Nigeria in order to turn it into a base of operation in West Africa and the entire continent.
“Since 2009, we have had to contend with many attacks and killings, which have now developed into a full-scale war targeting the stability and integrity of our nation. Boko Haram has launched a vicious guerrilla-style campaign against the government and the people of Nigeria. It has attacked schools, slaughtered students in their dormitories, destroyed villages, communities and government infrastructure and has wreaked havoc on the economic and social life of our people.
“This unconventional war has so far claimed over 12,000 lives, with more than 8,000 persons injured or maimed, not to mention the displacement of thousands of innocent Nigerians.
“We have developed intelligence, which indicates clearly that global terrorist networks are deeply involved in the recent activities of Boko Haram, which has now turned into an integral part of the Al Qaeda network as the West African branch.
The Sun.
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