TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says his government is doing its best to bring an end to the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

Speaking when he received Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s minister of defence, Buhari said a multinational taskforce will soon be established to patrol the waters of the Gulf of Guinea.

He said patrols by the taskforce will augment and boost ongoing efforts to improve security in the Gulf, and curb crude oil theft and piracy.

“When we got into office in May, last year, Boko Haram was effectively controlling at least 14 local government areas. But now, it is no longer so, and they have resorted to attacking soft targets with improvised explosive devices,” Femi Adesina, Buhari’s spokesman quoted him as saying.

“We are determined to secure all of our territory effectively. We are doing our best and our troops are now operating in the Sambisa Forest.”

Buhari also expressed his government’s appreciation of the assistance and support of France and other G7 countries, which he said, has helped Nigeria achieve significant successes against Boko Haram.

Le Drian assured the Nigerian leader that France will continue to assist his country to overcome Boko Haram, saying that all militants must be seen as common enemies of the free world.