Final Victory Against Terrorists Is Within Sight – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari Says the battle waged against terrorists is approaching its conclusion and “victory is within sight”.
A statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu on Sunday, quoted President Buhari felicitating with Muslims on the Eid Mubarak celebrations, reiterating his administration’s commitment to tackling terrorism in the country.
The statement read in part: ”As the Holy month of Ramadan reaches its end and Muslims mark the Eid, President Muhammadu Buhari sends his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world celebrating the occasion:
“After a period of fasting and reflection this year, we have cause to welcome the occasion in hope.
”The battle waged against terrorists who falsely masquerade under the name of Islam is approaching its conclusion.
The fight has been long and hard. Final victory is within sight. Boko Haram and its offshoots’ final embers are now fading.
“Last month, the leader of ISWAP was killed in an airstrike. Since the New Year, thousands of fighters have surrendered to enter rehabilitation programmes.
”The territories they used to occupy are now seeing the return of those who were forced to flee their barbarity.
”Normality is finally beginning to return to the Northeast. It is a long process. Yet it is one we are together, now embarking upon.
“With the designation of bandit groups as terrorists, the challenges of banditry and kidnapping are being tackled differently in the North-western and North-central states where the latest military acquisitions and the Armed Forces are being fanned out across the region to thwart acts of terror.”
The president also expressed delight over what he described as ”impressive reports” of the special operations to curb crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the South-South zone of the country.
He noted that in spite of the good news some unpatriotic elements were bent on causing more pollution and destruction of national assets.
The administration is equally getting impressive reports of the special operations to curb crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the South-South with millions of illegally refined products being impounded and illegal refineries destroyed.
“While we are making progress cleaning the environment, some evil people are busy causing more pollution and destruction.
‘‘In response to the disturbing rise in criminal attacks targeting law enforcement and public facilities in the South East, concerted military operations to rid the region of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“And Eastern Security Network elements have in recent weeks led to the overrunning of IPOB/ESN bases, the seizure of weapons and the arrest of a large number of suspects.’’
The president’s media aide explained that President Buhari has approved the establishment of a Naval Base in Oguta, Imo State.
Shehu also noted that reinvigoration of the war against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking were also showing positive results as shown by the arrest of over 12, 300 offenders including seven drug barons; the conviction of 1,400, counselling and rehabilitation of about 8,000 drug users.
He acknowledged the seizure of over 3.4 million kilograms of drugs and cash worth over N130 billion, all in 2021.
According to him, the first quarter of 2022 has seen the arrest of no fewer than 3,536 offenders including security personnel and a well-known billionaire drug baron.
”The seizure of more than 65,000 tonnes of assorted drugs in this period sets a record for the nation.’’
”It is with a view to giving impetus to the concerned agency that President Buhari granted approvals for the promotion of more than 3,500 officers, the procurement of operational equipment, training for personnel and buildings for residential barracks.”
Shehu noted that the president called for an increased coordination and cooperation among security agencies.
