Jonathan in surprise visit to Baga, Mubi

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday paid surprise visits to territories liberated from Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa and Borno States. Jonathan first went to Mubi, Adamawa state which was seized by Boko Haram insurgents about three months ago but retaken by Nigerian soldiers shortly after.The President then flew to Maiduguri and travelled by helicopter to Baga, […]

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday paid surprise visits to territories liberated from Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa and Borno States.

Jonathan first went to Mubi, Adamawa state which was seized by Boko Haram insurgents about three months ago but retaken by Nigerian soldiers shortly after.
The President then flew to Maiduguri and travelled by helicopter to Baga, a flourishing fishing community that was virtually destroyed during an attack by the insurgents last month.
About two thousand residents were reportedly killed in the attack even though the military said only 150 were killed.
During the visit, the President met with troops and praised their gallantry, assuring that they would be rewarded “at the successful conclusion of ongoing operations against Boko Haram”.
The President told journalists at the Maiduguri International Airport before his returned to Abuja that he undertook the visit to see things for himself.
He said he wanted to have first hand information on the renewed counter insurgency operation, stressing that the journey to end the Boko Haram has gone far.   
“First and foremost, I went to see our soldiers and to encourage them on their gallant efforts. I also went to convey the appreciation of Nigerians to them.
“Also I went to inspect the weapons we have and to visit communities devastated by the excesses of Boko Haram. I went to see things for myself,’’ he said.
He said he was fully aware that many people had been devastated and communities destroyed but assured that the federal government would take care of them.
“I know there are government departments that will handle the rehabilitation of damaged communities. It is good for you as a president to see things for yourself so that when people are briefing you, you know exactly what they are saying.
“I am very hopeful this time around that the journey to end Boko Haram insurgency has commenced very aggressively  and will soon get to an end,’’ he said.
 The President’s visit came just a day after the Chief of Army Staff visited Baga.
In Adamawa state President Jonathan met with the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu as well as soldiers of 155 Special Task Force Battalion.
The president landed in Yola International Airport around 11 am, amidst tight security, in company of the service Chiefs.
He boarded a helicopter that took him to the military barracks in Mubi where he met with the troops before proceeding to the emir’s palace.
Residents said the president also visited Vintim, the home village of the Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh few kilometres from Mubi.
Jonathan was accompanied by the Chief of Defense Staff Air Mashal Alex Badeh, the Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, the National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki and the Inspector General of Police Alhaji Suleiman Abba.
Speaking to State House journalists in Abuja last night, presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, said the president had assured the troops that the government would ensure that they receive all the equipment and logistics they required to complete the ongoing mission.
He also quoted his boss as assuring the soldiers that all issues pertaining to their welfare would be properly and expeditiously addressed.
He said Jonathan noted that with their recent successes, which had overwhelmingly turned the tide against Boko Haram, the military had proven beyond all doubt that it remained fully capable of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Abati said the president also undertook an aerial inspection of other towns and areas recently recaptured from Boko Haram including Monguno.
Abati said the soldiers responded to the president’s address with chants of ‘Never Again’ and assured him that insurgents and terrorists would never again be allowed to take and hold any Nigerian territory.
He said Jonathan had assured that families of soldiers who lost their lives in battles against Boko Haram would also be well provided for.
He said while in Mubi, Jonathan, accompanied by Adamawa State Governor, Bala Ngilari and Youth Development Minister Bonnie Haruna, assured the emir that the federal government would ensure that normalcy is speedily returned to Mubi and other towns to enable displaced persons return to their homes in the shortest possible time.
He added that before returning to Abuja, the president met and conferred with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri.