Decimated Boko Haram can’t wage war against Nigeria –COAS

The Chief of Army State, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, says the Boko Haram sect has been decimated to the extent that it does not have the capacity to plan and execute war against Nigeria.

He added that the terrorist group had been chased to the fringes of Lake Chad and that it was no longer potent.

The army chief spoke at a June 12 lecture organised in Port Harcourt by a group known as Rivers Unity House, with the topic, ‘Beyond power, passion and politics’.

Buratai, who was represented at the event by the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major-General Jamil Sarham, said the fight against Boko Haram was “hopefully” at its last stage.

He said, “Boko Haram is no longer potent in Nigeria today unlike in 2015. They (Boko Haram) are on the fringes of Lake Chad.

“We have decimated Boko Haram and they lack the capacity to make war in Nigeria. The fight against the group is hopefully at the last stage.”

He noted that the military had reduced kidnapping and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Also speaking, Prof Eme Ekekwe of the University of Port Harcourt explained that security forces must embrace intelligence to get to the hideout of kidnappers and other criminals in the country.