24th February, 2020
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered Nigerian troops to pursue the terrorists of Boko Haram and ISWAP and make them pay a huge price, for attacking soft targets in the country.
Buhari gave the order in an appreciatory note sent to the troops who repelled the attack by the terrorists against civilians in Garkida, in Adamawa state. ISWAP claimed responsibility.
“These attacks on soft targets by the terrorists are obvious signs of frustration because my administration has significantly weakened Boko Haram’s military capability to invade and hold Nigerian territory unchallenged.
“Our gallant forces deserve our appreciation for repelling the attackers but they must go beyond this point. They have our full support to go after the terrorists and have them pay a huge price”, Buhari said.
He condemned the attack on Garkida and expressed sympathy to families of victims.
In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday, the President said that no part of Nigeria would be abandoned to their fate.
”I want to assure the country that terrorists will continue to face the combined power of our military until they give up their mistaken ways.
“These occasional and episodic attacks on poor civilians by the terrorists are mere propaganda efforts to portray them as strong in order to fool the public into believing that they haven’t been militarily weakened by our gallant troops.”
President Buhari said since the inception of his administration, Boko Haram’s ability to invade and occupy Nigerian territories, let alone be able to hoist their flags had been frustrated.
President Buhari assured that in the coming weeks Nigerians would witness an aggressive campaign to rout Boko Haram once and for all.
“Security will continue to be well funded despite the competing needs of social services.
”I appeal to Nigerians to continue to support our troops in their gallant efforts to protect the citizens and secure the country,” he added.