Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff stated that Boko Haram has been substantially degraded while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s NewsNight on Monday August 5.
According to the military chief, the fight against insurgency is far much better than it was 4-5 years ago. He further stated that the terrorists have been caged to the Lake Chad region.
“The situation (insurgency fight) today is far better than it was some four or five years back. Boko Haram has now been more or less caged to a particular area, mainly the Lake Chad area.
“In 2015, when we saw them coming to Abuja, Nyanya was bombed twice. Madalla, the United Nations headquarters was equally bombed. We also had an explosion in the Bannex Plaza area.
“So if we put the picture of where we are coming from and where we are today, I think it will be very safe to say that Boko Haram has been substantially degraded,” he said.
Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar however admitted that they have not totally won the fight against insurgency but have recorded much success under President Buhari. He hinged the success recorded on Federal Government’s support and recruitment of personnel.
“Certainly, the manpower disposition of the service in 2015, in my opinion, was grossly inadequate (4:45) looking at the kind of challenges we are facing.
“And from 2015 to now, I think we have got about 7,500 recruits and we have also enlisted 400 Direct Short Service Commissioned officers apart from the ones coming from the Nigerian Defence Academy,” he said.
