confident that by the end of this year, Boko Haram’s ability to attack,
seize, ravage and hold any Nigerian territory will have been completely
obliterated.
Speaking at an audience with the Commander of United States Africa
Command, Gen David Rodriguez, President Buhari said that with greater
support from his administration in terms of improved training, equipment,
logistics and welfare, the Nigerian Armed Forces were now well positioned
to meet the December deadline which they have been given to end the Boko
Haram insurgency.
The President seized the opportunity of General Rodriquez’s visit to
restate his appreciation of the United States’ support for Nigeria’s
efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.
“We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and
equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident.
“Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the
year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organized
fighting force, ” the President said.
President Buhari appealed, however, for greater cooperation from the
United States in securing the Gulf of Guinea through which stolen
Nigerian crude oil is shipped abroad.
Decrying the severe revenue losses which Nigeria suffers from crude oil
theft, President Buhari said that his administration was determined to end
this criminal practice and would welcome more support from the
international community in this regard.
General Rodriguez told President Buhari that he was in the country to
strengthen Nigeria/United States military relations, and also explore
further options for assisting the Multinational Joint Task Force
established by Nigeria and her neighbours, to fight Boko Haram.