BEVERLY HILLS, February 26, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan, service chiefs and his advisor on national security Thursday sneaked into Adamawa and Borno States, northeastern Nigeria, on a tour of Mubi, Baga, and some other areas recently retaken from the terrorist group Boko Haram by federal troops.
Nigerian troops backed by the multi-regional force from Chad, Cameroun, Niger and Benin Republic have liberated at least six towns in Borno and Adamawa States from the Boko Haram since the latest surged against the terrorist group began this month.
The discredited radical Islamic terrorist group says it wants to carve out an Islamic state in northern Nigeria, and has vowed to disrupt the general elections beginning in roughly five weeks from today.
THEWILL gathered that the President and his entourage arrived at the Yola International Airport, Adamawa, late Thursday morning where he was received by the Governor of the state, Mr. James Bala Ngilari, before they all hopped into a chopper to a secured military facility in Mubi, where he greeted troops stationed at the barracks.
The president and his entourage including the Minister of Youth Development and a former Governor of the State, Mr. Bonnie Haruna, later departed for the palace of the Emir of Mubi, Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, to condole with the traditional ruler and his chiefs following the deaths and destructions of properties in the town by Boko Haram fighters.
Mr. Jonathan also undertook a brief tour of Mubi, visiting Vimtim, the village of the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Air Marshall Alex Badeh, which was also attacked and seized by the Boko Haram.
In Adamawa State, the military has so far retaken the following towns from the terrorists – Mubi North, Mubi South, Michika, Hong, Maiha and Gombi.
President Jonathan also visited Baga, Borno State, where he applauded troops for rapidly retaking the city from insurgents, a Presidency statement said Thursday evening.
The President said that with their recent successes, which have overwhelmingly turned the tide against Boko Haram, the Nigerian military has proven beyond any doubt that it remains fully capable of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
The President also promised the soldiers that all issues pertaining to their welfare will be properly and expeditiously addressed, the statement said.
“He assured them that they will be duly rewarded for their bravery and patriotic service to the nation at the successful conclusion of ongoing operations against Boko Haram.
“Families of soldiers who have sadly lost their lives in battles against Boko Haram will also be well provided for, the President further assured the troops, ” the statement added, noting that Mr. Jonathan also undertook an aerial inspection of other towns and areas recently recaptured from Boko Haram including Monguno.
“Before returning to Abuja, the President met and conferred with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri,” the statement added.
The Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minima had earlier on Thursday announced that Baga town, the fishing town located in Borno State, along the Nigeria/Cameroun border, has been retaken from the terrorists, clearing the path for displaced residents to return.
THEWILL recalls that some weeks back, Mr. Jonathan made a similar surprise stop in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
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