Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has expressed that the Federal Government is winning the war against terrorism in the north-eastern part of the country.
The minister stated this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
He recalled how some communities under full control of the insurgents before 2015 had been reclaimed by the Federal Government through what he described as the relentless efforts of the military and other security forces.
The minister attributed the successes recorded to the various morale-boosting efforts of the Federal Government in addition to the acquisition of new military hardware.
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Mohammed stated, “There is no doubt about the fact that the government is winning the war against the terrorists. A few years ago, when we came into power in 2015; of the 20 local government areas in Borno, about 13 were under the effective control of Boko Haram.
“On December 5, 2015, we travelled to Bama, Konduga, Kaure and Maiduguri. The distance from Maiduguri to Bama is about 78 kilometres, but no single vehicle was on the road. It was like a suicide mission. The week after we left, a commander was killed on the same route. When we got to Bama, of the over 6,000 houses in Bama; not one was standing. They had all been bombed by Boko Haram.
He continued, “Today, go to Bama and see for yourselves. And when we went in 2015, you couldn’t travel more than a few kilometres outside Maiduguri metropolis. So, there is no doubt in my mind that we are winning. And if is further evidence; thousands of insurgents that are surrendering speak volumes. We were in Maiduguri two weeks ago for another very successful town hall meeting where all stakeholders were in attendance like the traditional rulers, the military, police and CSOs.
”The governor confirmed that the heightened assaults and attacks by the military had led to the surrender of many insurgents. And again, the military has recently acquired more platforms and these are making life difficult for the terrorists. That’s why any time they make an attempt, they are being repelled fiercely. There is no doubt in our minds that the Federal Government is winning the war, very very much.’’
