President Muhammadu Buhari said Friday in Addis Ababa that Nigeria will
fully redeem its pledge of $100 Million for the Multinational Joint Task
Force (MNJTF) to enhance the operations of the Task Force against Boko
Haram.
Speaking at a high-level meeting of the African Union (AU) Peace and
Security Council, President Buhari said that having already released $21
Million to the task force in June last year, Nigeria will remit the
balance of $79 Million very soon.
President Buhari also assured the Council that Boko Haram’s capacity to
conduct conventional attacks has been “heavily degraded”.
“As at now, there is no single Nigerian territory under the control of the
insurgents other than their hideouts in Sambisa Forest.
“Displaced persons (IDPs) are now being resettled in their respective homes.
“This feat totally accords with our promise to Nigerians to rid the
country of terrorism and extremism within few months of our assumption of
office.
“Our efforts are already yielding dividends and we will not relent until
the terrorist groups are totally decimated and wiped out of our country
and sub-region,” he declared.
The President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to support measures to
end the conflicts in Burundi and South Sudan, including the proposed
deployment of troops by the AU to Burundi.
“Let me re-iterate Nigeria’s deep commitment to ensuring durable peace,
stability and security on our continent.
“Without peace, there will be no development. It is therefore vital for
all of us to join hands in taking appropriate measures to end the
conflicts and bring a stop to the incalculable damage being inflicted on
innocent citizens in the affected countries,” the President told
participants at the meeting.