We are at war with Boko Haram - Presidency confesses

By Ehi Ekhator

The Presidency has yesterday, rephrased the statement that “Boko Haram sect were on the run and desperate” to “we are at war with Boko Haram in the country”

Many have criticized the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on the method of handling the terrorists and mixed and contradictory statement concerning Boko Haram and inability to stop the attack on the innocent lives of Nigerians..

In numerous occassions, President Jonathan has said that the offensive against Boko Haram in the Northern Part of Nigeria is a success and continuously said that Nigeria will win the war against the sects in May despite the increasing death of innocent Nigerians.

According to Presidential spokesman, Doyin Okupe, while speaking with Channels television said that Boko Haram problem was “a war situation”

He said “We are dealing with a very, very serious enemy,” AFP quoted Okupe as saying on Channels TV.

“We are engaged in a war that has been internationalised,” he added in an apparent reference to Boko Haram’s reported but unconfirmed presence in neighbouring countries like Cameroon.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of Nigerins since 2009 with increasing death since the government declared state of emergency in three most troubled states.

According to UN and figures compiled by AFP, nearly 300,000 people have been displaced in the region and more than 1500 people killed.

“It is very difficult, very costly in terms of lives lost. But we will overcome,” Okupe said. “We are in the dying phase of this insurgency.”

The defence ministry on Thursday said the insurgents were “desperate” to escape Nigeria because of military pressure and would be “degraded towards elimination shortly.” (0)

We are at war with Boko Haram - Presidency confesses