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Tag: Borno State

  • FG distributes food items to 45,000 displaced households in Borno

    The Federal Government (FG) on Monday said it had provided food assistance to 45,000 displaced households on monthly basis in Borno State, under its Food Emergency Intervention for Northeast Programme.

    The Programme’s Supervisor, Navy Cdr. Manga Danjuma, disclosed this in Maiduguri to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said that assorted food items were provided to each of the deserving families at designated Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, host and liberated communities based in Borno.

    Danjuma also said that each of the households with an estimated population of six persons was given over 50 kilogrammes of assorted rationed food items on monthly basis under the programme.

    “The Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been  distributing food items to displaced persons since the  inception of the programme in May 2017,” he said.

    Danjuma commenting on food items donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, revealed that the items would be distributed to 35, 000 households in Borno and Yobe in the next four months.

    Danjuma also added that 59. 8 kilogrammes of food items would be distributed to some families at seven selected IDPs’ camps, nine host communities and four liberated communities.

    He listed some of the would-be benefiting communities to include Teachers House; Bakassi, Farm Centre, Goni Kachelri and Custom House I & II IDPs camps as well as Benisheikh, Mainok and Jakana.

    “Each of the families would receive 25 kilogrammes of rice; 25 kilogrammes of beans, four kilogrammes of flour, two kilogrammes of seasoning and two kilogrammes cooking oil,’’ Danjuma said.

    NAN

  • Metele massacre: Sack service chiefs now

    SOME retired military officers and security experts yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the nation’s service chiefs over Boko Haram’s attack troops in Metele, Borno State.

    In different interviews with our reporters yesterday, the ex-military officers and security experts charged President Buhari to replace the service chiefs with new officers, saying that the country was not getting the desired result in the fight against the insurgents.

    Many officers of the 157 Task Force Battalion were reportedly killed by the deadly sect in the said attack, while several military officers who had gone to evacuate the bodies of their fallen colleagues were also killed in another attack by the insurgents on November 19.

    Early media reports put the casualty figure at about 100, but the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, said that only 23 soldiers were killed in the attack. He also put the number of troops wounded in action at 31.

    A two-time Minister of Science and Technology and former head of the Nigerian War College, Gen. Sam Momah (rtd), said the country has to change its tactics in the conflict against Boko Haram.

    His said: “It is a guerrilla war and it is obvious that we are still using conventional methods to confront it, and that is wrong. It will not work. We have to change.

    “How can you be using fighter jets to fight people who are not all located in one place?

    “Troops have to undergo re-training in countering terrorism. The army has to join them in disguise and destroy them from within.

    “The army have to move in and know who they are, know who their commanders are and know their lines.

    “It is not about fighter planes right now. I’m embarrassed by the current tactics of the army. These are simple tactics that the commander in chief should be aware of.

    “Then you have to depend on the citizens to give you information about them. And to do that, you have to ensure that they the citizens have good roads, basic health care, light, food and water.

    “You have to take care of your citizens so they can assist you to curb terrorism.”

    Asked whether it was time to change the service chiefs, he said: “Surely, it is not out of place for Nigerians to raise their voices and call for the sack of the service chiefs.

    “Calling for their sack depends on the overall variables, which will determine that they should be changed.

    “It is definitely not out of place for service chiefs to be changed if we are not getting expected results.”

    Momoh’s position was also supported by retired Group Captain S.B. Adamu, who feared that the security chiefs are not in tune with what it takes to crush the insurgents.

    He said: “From the look of things, it seems that the people in charge of the security of the country have run out of ideas on how to tackle the issue.

    “It also seems that it might be necessary that the service chiefs step aside so that new hands can be tested.”

    Commodore Abimbola Olaribigbe Ayuba (rtd), also said: “Based on the recent attacks launched by the insurgents after they were thought to have been defeated, it may be in the general interest of the people to replace the current service chiefs with new ones.

    It is about time that such should be done.”

    Brig-Gen Peter Omale (rtd) regretted the manner the officers were massacred by insurgents.

    He noted that the Metele incident has further exposed the weakness of the Nigerian army in war situations.

    Omale advised President Muhammadu Buhari to procure modern war equipment and task the military on intelligence gathering to tackle the menace of Book Haram.

    He said: “Since the attacks by the sect are on the increase, there is the need for the military to change tactics and use maximum force.

    “The war against Book Haram has further exposed the weakness of the Nigeria Army in war situations.

    “Boko Haram has become a big time business where capitalist countries are happy in advancing their trade of arms’ sales.

    “The solution will not be immediate. Moreover, there are moles in the army whose loyalty is divided. Some of the soldiers have one of their legs in the Nigerian Army and one with Boko Haram.”

    A security expert, Hon Dipo Okeyomi, asked President Buhari to sack the service chiefs, adding: “The service chiefs have tried their best for the country and should take the bow at this point.

    “This is the time to bring in new officers who understand the terrain.

    “We need new officers who are familiar with the areas of operation. If we do otherwise, we would never achieve the desired result.

    “Aside from replacing the service chiefs, I will also strongly advise that there should be discipline among security operatives in the country.

    “Security business requires high level of discipline and the earlier we enforce this, the better.”

    Okeyomi further advised the Federal Government to consider involving traditional rulers in security issues because “they know the people and can use their clout to promote peace and fish out undesirable elements in the society.

    “Lastly, citizens should consider playing active role in security issues by providing information to security operatives.

    “The security operatives should also do well to gain the confidence of the people by protecting their identity when they give them useful information.”

    Another security expert, Wilson Esangbedo, who is the Chairman, Lagos Zone of the Association of Licensed Private Practitioners of Nigeria, opined that based on what is happening now, “empirically, the government needs to go back to the drawing board because as the elections are coming, it may be that there could be more attacks.

    “Remember during ex-President Jonathan’s time, before the election, the attack from Boko Haram became vicious and President Jonathan had to postpone the election so as to have more time to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “When the government announced that the war against Boko Haram had been won, people were happy. But right now, which foreign investor is going to come in when there are killings and attacks?

    “It is not possible.”

    On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of King Davids Security, Dr Davidson Akhimien, said the government should re-strategise to defeat Boko Haram. “And the new strategy should take into consideration all aspects and encompass different strategies.

    “Who is Boko Haram? A rag tag army? If not that corruption has eaten into our system, who is Boko Haram to be compared with our army?

    “We restored peace in Liberia. We restored peace in Sierra Leone. So who is Boko Haram?

    “We should re-organise our army. Let’s get our act together and do the needful.”

  • Buhari to military: End Boko Haram threats now

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State, ordered the military to eliminate all threats of Boko Haram.

    According to him, the war against terrorism is “a must win’’.

    He made the remark while declaring open the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “It is a must win war. I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted by speculations but remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the surface of the earth,’’

    He assured the military that his administration will continue to address their needs in terms of manpower development and equipment supply.

    The President  promised that their welfare and entitlements will also be improved.

    “I want to reassure you that as your Commander-In-Chief, I will do everything within my power to continue empowering you by providing all the necessary equipment, force multipliers and enablers required for you to prevail on the field.

    “I also want you to be aware that I am currently looking into measures to improve your entitlements and welfare generally,’’ he added.

    He commended the efforts and sacrifices of the military in safeguarding the peace, security and territorial integrity of the country.

    He said “The officers and men who are fighting against the curse of terrorism in the North East deserve all the attention our country’s leadership can give them.

    “As President of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country. To achieve this, the security agencies must rise to the challenge and curb threats to security in our country.’’

    President Buhari called on the armed forces to embrace “the wind of change that is blowing across the country,” urging more cooperation at inter-service and inter-agency levels.

    “To this end, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs must work closely together as well as with other security agencies to improve on strategies that will defeat terrorism, militancy and other forms of criminal activities in our country,” he said.

    President Buhari, who also addressed officers and men of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Barrack, headquarters of Operation Lafiya-Dole, said he shared in the agony of loss of gallant soldiers.

    “I have come to pay homage to the gallant soldiers lost by the nation and to console the injured ones in recent terrorist attacks. I urge you to remain focused and win the war,’’ the President said.

    Read Also: Buhari cancels private visit to Daura

    President Buhari also commended Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding democracy and urged them to remain committed to their profession.

    “As we approach the 2019 General Elections, I want to urge all members of the Armed Forces to live up to their responsibilities and remain non-partisan. In addition, you must all remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period and alongside other security agencies, prevent every form of violence that could disrupt the process in line with your Rules of Engagement,’’ he said.

    He urged the soldiers, who were on parade, to always show disciplined conduct.

    “No matter how equipped the military is, the military is of no use if it doesn’t have discipline,” he said, urging them to uphold the tenets of the constitution and ensure tight security to protect lives and property.’’

    In his statement at the conference, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai said internal security had greatly improved from what it was in 2015 when President Buhari assumed office.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai said a new proactive strategy would be put in place to counter the recent military losses.

    He said the army remains neutral and non-partisan and will carry out their constitutional duty of safeguarding the nation’s democracy.

    The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) assured the President that the military was putting in place new strategies to stabilize the country.

    President Buhari asked for a minute’s silence in memory of the gallant soldiers and before his departure, he went round the wards to visit wounded soldiers in the hospital within the army barracks.

    He gave assurances that the soldiers would be taken care of.

    At the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, President Buhari said his administration will do everything to secure the country, commiserating with all Nigerians who lost loved ones  following recent setbacks in the fight against terrorists.

    “We have to remind ourselves where we were and where we are now and what happened in between. The people of Borno State know what we did in the last three years. The situation would have been worse,” he said.

    President Buhari also expressed his determination to change the unemployment situation of youths in the country, pointing out that “Jobs for the young persons, especially those who are 30 and below in Borno State and across the federation continue to engage our attention. We go to bed with it and wake up with it.”

    In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, who spoke on behalf of the State’s Council of Chiefs, thanked the President for bringing peace to the state, and asked for intensive security patrols across the territories to save people from attacks on farms.

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting started around 11.03am when Osinbajo arrived the Council Chamber.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday visited Borno State as part of efforts to sympathize with soldiers, who recently lost colleagues and friends and loved ones to deadly attacks by the insurgents, Boko Haram.

    About 18 ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, were in the Council chamber during the rendition of the opening National anthem.

    Read Also: Education must be prioritized – Osinbajo

    The National anthem was followed by Muslims prayer offered by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, while the Christian prayer was said by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah.

    Among the issues scheduled for consideration is biometric presentations by some government agencies.

    Stakeholders to make the biometric presentation during the closed doors meeting include the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Federal Ministry of Health.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Tight security in Maiduguri as COAS conference kicks off

    Borno CP appeals to resident to cheer Mr. President from far

    We will divert traffic

    Maiduguri metropolis and its environs have been placed under heavy security ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari tomorrow.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is billed  to declared the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Conference open in Maiduguri tomorrow.

    The conference which was earlier  scheduled to hold in Edo State was shifted to Maiduguri, Borno State with the president expected to open the conference on 28 Wednesday, November, 2018 at the Command Guest House Maimalari Barracks.

    In a bid to ensure a successful visit of the president to Borno State which is the epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency, security measures have been put in place for adequate security to avoid any embarrassing attack by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The heavy presence of security in the metropolis is a clear indication of the measure put in place by the security forces.

    Borno State Police Commissioner Damaian Chukwu in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Maiduguri informed that his men have put everything in place to ensure that the president visit to Maiduguridoes not witness any ugly incident.

    The CP disclosed that traffic will be diverted from the major route in the metropolis that the president motorcade will move through.

    Read Also: Ayade, COAS launch Operation Crocodile Smile III

    CP Chukwu also appeal to residents and lovers of the president not to come close to his motorcade in attempt to cheering him but that they should do that in a distance.

    His words: ”When Mr. President is said to be coming, it’s our responsibility to ensure that adequate security is provided. It is true he is coming for a military event but the military have promptly alerted us to enlighten the public that we have a very serious role to play. That role has to do with ensuring free flow of traffic before and during the visit of Mr. President and the route that he will follow.

    “I am reliably informed that the president will be landing at the air force base airstrip close to the general airport and move to the Shehu’s palace on a courtesy call and interact with international institutions and later move to Baga road to Maimalari Barrack where he would attend the Chief of Army Staff Conference and from there return to the airforce base and take off to Abuja.

    “We know that the president is a politician and people must come out to cheer him but we are appealing that people should do that from afar and should not come close to the his motorcade for security reasons. We are going to deploy personal on the long stretch of the rout and there will be diversion of traffic but the road will not be closed.

    “I have directed one of my DPOs to meet with the Baga market people to suspend normal activities at the area at least within three hours of the president’s visit. As you know, the Baga market area is very rowdy and we don’t have to take chances around that area so we are appealing to the traders to please cooperate with us to ensure a hitch free visit of Mr. President to Borno State.

    “We are not focusing on the road alone but across the metropolis and its environs. My man are going to begin an aggressive patrol on through the night to fish out any suspicious elements that will intend to frustrate the visit, CP Chukwu informed.

  • Atiku faults presence of Service Chiefs at Buhari’s campaign launch

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said that perhaps the killing of about 70 Nigerian soldiers at Metele; Borno State would have been avoided if Service Chiefs were allowed to concentrate on their jobs.

    This is coming on the heels of accusation by the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) that Atiku was selfish and mercantilist in his reaction to the killings of the soldiers.

    Read Also:2019: Southwest may lose out as Southsouth lobbies PDP, Atiku for SGF slot

    Atiku had announced the dedication of his 72nd birthday, which coincided with his turbaning as the Waziri Adamawa to the memories of the slain soldiers.

    He had gone ahead to ask those wishing to contribute to the celebration of the events to channel their contributions to support the families and relatives of the dead soldiers.

    In a statement Monday by his campaign organisation, Atiku, quoting media reports, recalled that the soldiers were attacked and killed on November 18, at a time the Service Chiefs were attending the launch of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign document, “Next Level”, at the presidential villa.

    The statement said, “The nation can only wonder if the Metele massacre could have been avoided if the APC and President Buhari had allowed the Service Chiefs to focus on their core duties, rather than on his ill-fated re-election campaign”

    “Incidentally, the APC’s statement accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of ‘selfishness’ and ‘mercantilism’ which is very curious as the Waziri dedicated his birthday, not to himself, but to celebrating the 100 or so heroes of the 157 Taskforce Battalion of the Nigerian Army who lost their lives to Boko Haram at Metele in Borno State.

    “That the Waziri Adamawa asked for anyone who wished to give him birthday gifts to instead endow such on the families of the slain heroes is the opposite of selfishness.

    “Ironically, the All Progressives Congress that is now accusing Atiku Abubakar has not seen fit to pay tribute to these gallant men who gave their lives in order to secure the lives of others.

    “As a party, they have not issued even one statement condoling with the slain or their families, neither have they offered any tangible support to the families of these fallen heroes. Yet, they are accusing the Waziri, who has shown commitment to honouring these heroes, of selfishness.

    “As a matter of fact, we now know through Premium Times report, that these real Nigerian heroes were killed on November 18, 2018 which was the exact time that the candidate of the APC, Muhammadu Buhari, invited the Service Chiefs to attend the launch of the plagiarised #NextLevel launch at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa”.

    The Atiku campaign however, commended the Service Chiefs for beating a hasty retreat from the event, saying they must have discovered that President Buhari was trying to hoodwink them.

    It added that it took Atiku only a few hours to respond to the incident and express support, while it took President Buhari a whole week to express “shock”, wondering who is truly “selfish”.

    “It is left to Nigerians to compare and contrast who is a leader and who is a follower based on the conduct of these two parties.

    “In any case, we would like to inform the APC of Waziri Atiku Abubakar’s call for financial support from well-meaning individuals and Institutions for the survivors of the Metele massacre, and indeed for all who paid the supreme sacrifice in the frontlines for us to be safe.

    “Seeing as the APC spent ₦100 million to buy front page advertorials in all the papers on that fateful day of November 18, 2018, we appeal to them to consider donating even 10% of that amount to the endowment for the families of our heroes as proposed by Atiku Abubakar.

    “If they can spend ₦100 million to promote fraud, they should be able to spare at least ₦10 million to promote patriotism”, the statement added.

     

     

  • Metele Boko Haram Attack: Masari condoles Nigerian Army

    The Katsina state Governor, Aminu Bello Masari on Monday in Katsina condoled the Nigerian Army over the loss of dozens of Nigerian Soldiers in an ambush attack by the Boko Haram insurgents at Metele, a remote village in Lake Chad Basin border with Kukawa local government area of Borno state
     
    The Governor who was speaking at the Government House where he received Course 41 students of the Command and staff College Jaji in Kaduna state, who visited him as part of their routine geo-strategic course programme, said Nigerians appreciate the decision of the men and women of the Nigerian army to wear uniform to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country
     
    He said “We wish to commiserate with the armed forces of Nigeria for the loss of dozens of Soldiers to Boko Haram attack in Borno state’’
     
    “The service you provide is the highest any person can make to his motherland. we as politicians appreciate you more than you think and we look up to you for a much united country, You must eschew primordial interests and work very hard to safeguard your territory’’
     
    The Nation recalled that dozens of soldiers were killed and many others sustained gun wounds when Boko Haram insurgents invaded their base at Metele Kukawa local government area of Borno state on Sunday, November 18.
     
     Meanwhile Governor Masari has extolled the rich history of Education in Katsina state which he said predates the coming of the colonial master about 1000 years ago

    Read Also: Group canvasses support for Buhari, Masari

     
    Responding to the remark by the visiting military students from the Command and Staff College, Jaji, that they chosed the state as a case study on ‘’Nigeria’s Educational system and National Development’’. He maintained that the rich history of the state’s education sector started with Islamic education before the advent of colonial education
     
    He said “Our history abounds with renowned Imams and Malams and the gallantry of Katsina people. The first post primary institution in the northwest was established in this state. The first generation of Nigerian leaders and even our current President were products of the native authority school’’
     
    Earlier in an address, the Team leader of the delegation, Brigadier General O.R Ayeniba thanked the governor for the warm reception and logistics accorded them

  • …’attackers disguised as friendly soldiers’

    Indications emerged yesterday that the attack on troops by Boko Haram insurgents at Metele village, Guzamala Local Government Area, Borno State, which claimed many lives on Sunday, was possible because the attackers disguised as friendly soldiers.

    A soldier, who escaped the attack by a whisker, said an advanced team of the insurgents had come into the base as friendly forces and went into the office of the commander where they fired him and five other soldiers that were with him in the office.

    According to the source, the troops became confused when they heard the sound of gunshots from their commander’s office.

    He said: “We saw some people dressed in full military uniform who came into our camp, but we thought they were friendly forces.

    “They went straight to the office of our commander and shortly after, there were gunshots in the office.

    “We became confused, waiting for orders but it was too late. Boko Haram had already surrendered us.

    “They killed the commander with five other soldiers that were with him in the office.

    “Before we knew it, there was heavy fire from Boko Haram from all sides of the camp with more fire at the entrance.

    “One of our anti-bomb vehicles tried to charge through the barbwire but got hooked. It was a terrible fight.

    “We couldn’t do much because their number and fire power were more than our own.”

    Meanwhile, the army command in Maiduguri has evacuated the bodies of the soldiers that were killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

    A military source disclosed that more than 70 bodies were evacuated to Maiduguri by the military after the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and the GOC, 7 Div yesterday went to Monguno and strategised on recovering the bodies.

    The Nation checks revealed that the first rescue and evacuation team was foiled after Boko Haram launched an attack on them and they were forced to withdraw.

    The military source who spoke on condition of anonymity said more than 100 soldiers were feared dead in the Metele attack.

    He added: “As at today, the bodies of some of the dead soldiers have been evacuated and brought to Maiduguri. More than 70 bodies have been brought, but I am sure many may not have been recovered.

    “I am not sure, but the soldiers that died in that attack will be more than 100.”

    The Nation could not verify the story with the army authorities yesterday as calls and text messages to the Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Chukwu Texas, were not responded to.

    The Nation checks also revealed that Boko Haram has sacked six military formations from that axis since September, each coming with a heavy casualties on the side of the Nigerian troops.

    It will be recalled that Nigerian troops in Metele suffered a similar attack in September this year when about 18 Nigeria soldiers were killed while another 151 soldiers and six officers were declared missing in the same area in another devastating attack on 157 Battalion on October 8, 2018.

    However, the official figure released by the military was that only seven soldiers were killed while 16 others were injured. They claimed to have killed at least 76 Boko Haram fighters in Metele as at then.

  • PDP laments, tasks Buhari on killing of Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented the incessant but avoidable killings of Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    In a statement Friday by the spokesman for the PDP, the party demanded explanations from President Muhammadu Buhari on the killing on Sunday of over 70 Nigerian soldiers.

    Read Also:Anger in Senate over troops death in Boko Haram attack

    The soldiers, attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Borno State, were attacked and killed by invading insurgents.

    The PDP lamented that the insurgents has reportedly sent a threat letter the previous Friday, stating their intention to take over military locations in the area.

    The main opposition party said the clarification from the Buhari Presidency was necessary in view of the consistent claims by the government that the insurgents have been defeated.

    The PDP expressed worries about reports of alleged compromises, neglect and inattention to military formations in the Northeast, leading to the vulnerability of the soldiers engaged in the counter insurgency war.

    The statement said, “This is in addition to apprehensions by Nigerians that the Buhari Presidency has been distracting our military by dragging our Service Chiefs to participate in his re-election campaign activities, instead of concentrating on their statutory duties.

    “The PDP however notes that it still has implicit faith in the Nigerian military and urged the Buhari Presidency to desist from acts that tend to whittle the proficiency and compromise the safety of our men and women who are daily risking their lives in defence of our nation.

    “Our party, therefore, charges President Buhari to be alive to his responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief by immediately reviewing his parade to ensure greater professionalism and welfare of our officers and men.

    “Finally, the PDP calls on Nigerians not to despair in the face of this ugly development but continue to join forces with our security agencies in the effort to cleanse our land of bandits, insurgents and marauders”.

  • Why I didn’t visit Chibok – Jonathan 

    …Saboteurs leaked my plans to foreign media

    The Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed why he refused to visit Chibok after the abduction of about 276 girls from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno State.

    Jonathan in his book, ‘My Transition Hours’ said he had planned to pay an unannounced visit to the community but he had to cancel after information about the proposed visit was leaked to the foreign media.

    He also dismissed the claim that several local government areas were under the control of the insurgents when he handed over power to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    He argued that elections would not have held in those communities if they were not liberated from the control of the insurgents.

    According to him: “Again, I was accused of not visiting Chibok immediately after the abduction of the girls. A lot of assumptions were made. What was not countenanced was the fact that a President moved with security advice from experts because he ceases to be a private citizen the moment he wears the powers of state.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that I had made up my mind to visit Chibok even against the advice of my Service Chiefs and sent an advance party to the area in preparation for my visit. It was meant to be an unannounced visit.

    “However someone in the know, most likely a saboteur, leaked the information to the Western media and they reported it.

    “Of course when it became public knowledge that I planned to visit Chibok, the security chiefs requested the trip to be cancelled. Their advice was germane and regrettably, my visit had to be cancelled.

    “Sometime, in the heat of the moment, one got the impression that I was being goaded to appear there in the great expectation of something untoward happening to me. I was to access Chibok in a helicopter that would have flown over Boko Haram infested areas.

    “This wave of misinformation on the kidnap of the Chibok girls is similar to the malicious propaganda still being spread by those who saw nothing commendable in all we did to curb the Echo Haram situation in the North East.”

    On whether he was slow in his response to the abduction, the former Presidnet said: “The criticism over alleged slow response was one of those absurd injections into the discourse, but when it comes from eminent persons who were supposed to be circumspect; it began to look more plausible to observers.

    “My administration was not slow in responding to the Chibok incident. How could response have been slow in a military occupied zone? Before the Presidency was alerted by the intelligence services, the military were already on it.

    “As soon as I got the intelligence report, I summoned the service chiefs for briefing. I was informed that the Air Force was already using several surveillance aircraft to search the area.”

    On the number of communities liberated from the insurgents before he handed over, he said: “They claimed that I left several local government areas under the control of the insurgents.

    “Fortunately, the Nigeria military had successfully liberated most of the local governments in the North East from the insurgents; a situation that made it possible for INEC to organise elections in all the affected areas.

    “The towns and communities liberated before the 2015 elections include Bama, Dikwa, Buni Yadi, Baga, Konduga, Madagali, Mubi, Gamboru-Ngala, Michika, Damboa, Monguno, Gwoza, Marte, Gujba, Bara, Hong, Kukawa, Goniri, Askira and Abadam.”

    On efforts made to rescue the girls, Jonathan said he did everything humanly possible to rescue the girls.

    “We did everything humanly possible to locate the girls. I wrote letters to the Presidents of the United States, Barack Obama, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, President of France, Francois Hollande as well as leaders of China, Israel and our neighbouring countries for help.

    “They supported the search in their different ways and capacities but until I left office, it was all to no avail.

    “On several occasions when raids were conducted and news of rescue of hostages filtered in, my hopes were raised but almost immediately dashed when victims were processed and none of the Chibok girls were among those rescued.”

    “As an aside, while thanking the men and women of the US security services who were deployed to Nigeria and toiled day and night in the Northeast in search of the Chibok Girls, my surprise at the role played by the then US. President Barack Obama, still calls to doubt his genuine intentions for Nigeria.”

    Jonathan also blamed Obama for the low success recorded in the fight against Boko Haram.

    “For some strange reasons, the Obama administration had tactically penciled Nigeria and my administration for failure. Amongst many manoeuvres, was the refusal to provide any real military backing to Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

    “President Obama and his security adviser, Susan Rice, bluntly refused to sell any military hardware including jet fighters and attack helicopters to Nigeria.

    “Obama cited the Leahy Law as the reason his regime prevented the American Government from supporting Nigeria in providing weapons to fight Boko Haram.

    “Even when the State of Israel expressed the willingness to sell attack helicopters to Nigeria, the gesture was frustrated by the Obama administration that kept waving the same Leahy Law like a banner.

    “My administration, including a team of international partners with their respective governments, devoted considerable amount of resources in the search and rescue of the girls.

    “I believe one day some of the security experts and actors that were involved in the search and rescue will tell the world the truth about the kidnap of the Chibok school girls.

    “I am glad that at the time of writing this book, some of them have been found and I hope the rest of the girls will be found and re-united with their families.”