Jonathan visits recaptured territories

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President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday paid a surprised visit to  some of the territories recently recaptured from Boko Haram by Nigerian troops in Mubi in Adamawa and Barga in Borno states.

Jonathan, who left Abuja in the morning, in company of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari, also interacted with the troops on the frontline.

Jonathan told the soldiers that their recent victories against Boko Haram have proved sceptics within and outside the country, who cast aspersions on Nigerian soldiers and questioned their ability and willingness to overcome the insurgents, wrong and confirmed they were misinformed.

President Jonathan also undertook an aerial inspection of other towns and areas recently recaptured from Boko Haram including Monguno.

Before returning to Abuja, the President met and conferred with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.

Briefing State House correspondents on the President’s return to Abuja, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Jonathan applauded the Nigerian troops for proving their mettle once again through the rapid recapture of territories formerly held by insurgents in the country’s North-Eastern states.

According to Abati, “addressing officers and men of the Nigerian Army in both towns, which were recently recaptured from Boko Haram, President Jonathan declared that he and all Nigerians were very proud of the bravery, competence and patriotism with which they were now undertaking operations to expel the insurgents from all parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“The President said with their recent successes, which have overwhelmingly turned the tide against Boko Haram, the Nigerian military has proven beyond any doubt that it remains fully capable of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“The military’s recent victories against Boko Haram, President Jonathan told the troops, have also proven conclusively that all those, within and outside the country, who cast aspersions on Nigerian soldiers and questioned their ability and willingness to overcome the insurgents were misinformed and wrong.

“President Jonathan assured the troops that the Federal Government will ensure that they receive all the equipment and logistics they require to complete the ongoing mission to reassert government’s effective control over all areas formerly held by Boko Haram.

“The President promised the soldiers that all issues pertaining to their welfare will be properly and expeditiously addressed.

“He assured them that they will be duly rewarded for their bravery and patriotic service to the nation at the successful conclusion of ongoing operations against Boko Haram. Families of soldiers who have sadly lost their lives in battles against Boko Haram will also be well provided for, the President further assured the troops.

“The soldiers responded to the President’s address with chants of “Never again,” assuring him that terrorists will never again be allowed to take and hold any Nigerian territory. While in Mubi, President Jonathan, accompanied by the Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Bala Ngilari and the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Bonnie Haruna paid a courtesy call on the Emir, Alhaji Isa Ahmadu.

“He assured the emir that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure that normalcy is speedily returned to Mubi and other towns and settlements recently recaptured from Boko Haram to enable displaced persons return to their homes in the shortest possible time.” he said.

“Before returning to Abuja, the President met and conferred with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri,” Abati noted.