Nigeria winning terrorism war, Badeh insists
He spoke to State House journalists today after leading some service chiefs to a breakfast meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. The defence chief asked all Nigerians to have faith in the military, assuring that the country would win the war against terrorism. Responding to a question on whether Nigeria could be said to be really […]
He spoke to State House journalists today after leading some service chiefs to a breakfast meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.
The defence chief asked all Nigerians to have faith in the military, assuring that the country would win the war against terrorism.
Responding to a question on whether Nigeria could be said to be really winning the war, Badeh said: “We’re certainly not losing it. We’re winning the war. Don’t worry, Nigerians should have faith in their military. The nation will win this war”.
He explained that Jonathan invited them to give an update on the current security situation in the country, saying they had told him the stage they were and their plans.
“Of course, you’re aware of the security situation in the country. The president thought it fit to call us this morning for us to come and brief him about the current situation of things. We’ve told the president exactly where we’re and our future plans. As you know, we can’t talk about our future plans here; that’ll mean us telling the enemy what we’re doing”, he said.
Badeh also assured that the 2015 general elections would be conducted in the troubled north-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. “Elections will hold there. Don’t worry”, he said.
He affirmed that there were fifth columnists in the ongoing terror war, saying however that the military was handling “fifth columnists in its own way”.
Badeh declined comments on the reported arrest by the Department of State Security, of fake Boko Haram members and the purported ceasefire, saying “It’s better not to discuss those things. SSS is on it. They’re doing their own investigation. They did a briefing yesterday (Tuesday) and they’ve told you exactly what they’re doing. It’s better we leave the SSS to handle that one”.
The defence chief said normalcy was gradually being restored to the areas hitherto ravaged by the insurgents, including Mubi in Adamawa State.
“Normal life is back in Mubi and around that place. We’re liberating more and more communities. People are moving in; life is returning back to normal gradually”, he said.