The Federal Government on Friday boasted that rather
than being frightened by the destructive activities of
Boko Haram, it will intimidate the deadly sect
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre for
the ongoing war against insurgents, Mr. Mike Omeri,
told journalists during a briefing in Abuja that the
government would not be distracted in its drive to
bring back the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in
Chibok, Borno State by the sect.
Omeri urged Nigerians to support the Army, adding
that the government was making steady progress in its
fight against the terrorists.
He said, “We are working here as citizens of Nigeria to
further our collective national interest. Therefore, we
will not be distracted or be intimidated; rather, we will
intimidate the enemy with our collective energy,
interest and capacity.
“The security services deserve our support. Now they
are making steady progress and we are sure that
whoever is holding our children will soon be defeated.”
Omeri said the international outreach had helped
consolidate regional and global support for the rescue
of the abducted girls.
He said, “You will recall that we mentioned that
Nigeria
has made a request to the UN for sanctions to
be declared against Boko Haram. That was successful
as the council voted unanimously to affirm Nigeria’s
position on defeating the sect.
“To further secure Africa’s support and understanding,
Mr. President will be visiting South Africa this
weekend where he hopes to meet his counterparts from
other countries of Africa. The visit is with a view to
discussing and achieving a holistic approach to address
the issue of terrorism in the continent.”
On the report of a purported mutiny by soldiers at the
Maimalari Barracks on Thursday, the spokesperson for
the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said
the story was false.
He said, “Checks and investigations have found that to
be totally false and untrue. No soldier was involved in
any incident in the Maimalari Barracks yesterday
(Thursday). Rather some residents of the barracks
complained about the transport facilities and it was
treated immediately. So, all other embellishments are
wishful thinking.
“Again there was no protest by any soldier in the
barracks yesterday. On the issue of allowance, no
soldier protested and I want to make it clear that
soldiers are not being owed and allowances for the
month of May have even been paid.”
Meanwhile, the Presidential Fact-finding Committee
on the Abduction of the Chibok Schoolgirls on Friday
said it had made substantial progress in its assignment.
The committee’s spokesman, Kingsley Osadolor,
disclosed this in a statement made available to
journalists in Abuja.
Although Osadolor did not disclose details of the
committee’s findings so far, he admitted that the
committee members who are currently in Maiduguri,
Borno State have not concluded their assignment.
He said, “I would like to inform you that the committee
has made substantial progress in its assignment. It has
received the cooperation of the various stakeholders
the committee has interacted with.
“However, the work of the committee is not finished.
The committee will visit Chibok, and you will be
informed accordingly.”
Osadolor said members interfaced with members of the
Borno Elders Forum as well as representatives of the
Chibok community on Friday.
He recalled that the committee was also briefed by the
District Head of Chibok, Zannah Mai Chibok, on
Wednesday.
He also denied media reports (not Saturday PUNCH’s)
that the committee members were barred by soldiers
from visiting Chibok.[PUNCH]
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