In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that Boko Haram terrorism is gradually coming to an end.
He spoke at the State House, when he received a Letter of Credence from the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Nigeria, Most Rev. Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi.
He said the position of the terrorists, followed the narrowing of their recruitment base, and the renewed onslaught by the Nigerian Army. Buhari said the terrorist group had lost appeal in its initial strongholds, necessitating a steady retreat that would eventually culminate in ending the insurgency. He said: “You can’t indoctrinate people who are below the age of 14 years and blow up churches, mosques and markets, and you keep shouting God is great.
“It is either they don’t know what they are saying, or simply don’t care or believe what they say. “The Nigerian Army is also not making it easy for them to grow, with more intelligence, orientation and regular, measured onslaught on their camps.”
Buhari described the Catholic Church as a strong partner in the development of Nigeria. Archbishop Filipazzi said the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had taken a keen interest in the fight against terrorism, corruption and reviving of the Nigerian economy. He said he had travelled to the North East and was pleased with the efforts of the Nigerian Army in tackling the insurgents, and recovering some of the earlier lost grounds.
