Boko Haram Progressively Weakened, Says Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan Friday declared that the insurgent group, Boko Haram, has been progressively weakened by the security strategy put in place by the government. The President stated this at an audience with the outgoing Representative of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. David Mac Rae. HE said the measures taken by his administration had resulted in a significant reduction in the occurrence of terrorist attacks in the country. He noted that the federal government would keep on doing everything possible to further enhance security in all parts of the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted him as saying: “As a government, we are doing everything possible to improve our country on all fronts. “We are consistently adapting our security architecture to deal with terrorism which has become a challenge to the whole world. “Boko Haram is being progressively weakened but we are not resting on our oars. We will continue to do everything possible to achieve greater security for all who reside within our borders.” The President said that his administration would continue to do its best to correct negative perceptions about Nigeria especially concerning widespread insecurity and corruption. He welcomed the declaration by the outgoing ambassador that he had recently travelled to the Niger Delta and some Northern states and found people there going about their normal lives and businesses without fear. President Jonathan urged him to assist in correcting current misconceptions about Nigeria by taking that positive message to the EU and the rest of the world. He also commended the EU for its past and ongoing support toward improving the electoral process in Nigeria and assured Mac Rae that Nigeria would act to facilitate the early conclusion of a partnership agreement between ECOWAS and the EU.