TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says Boko Haram insurgents have been sent away from Yobe and Adamawa states and now remains a force in its heartland of Borno state.

Since 2009 when the sect unleashed its campaign of violence, the three north-eastern states have been its targets.

But Buhari, who said the military has “technically won the war” against insurgency, expressed optimism that the militants would soon be sent out from Borno.

He was speaking on Thursday during an interview with BBC.

“They have been driven out from Adamawa and Yobe states… Boko Haram has reverted to using improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” he said.

“Indoctrinating young guys… they have now been reduced to that. But no more articulated conventional attacks on centres of communication and populations.

“So I think technically we have won the war because people are going back into their neighbourhoods. I can assure you that Boko Haram as an organised fighting force, has been dealt with.

“A key priority for the government now, is to rebuild infrastructure and help all displaced people to return to their homes.”

Though critics have capitalised on the frequent suicide attacks to discredit the success against insurgency, the current administration believes that it has tackled insecurity better than the previous government.

At a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said the sect has been decimated, alleging that most of its members are now sick and hungry.

Buhari initially gave the military a deadline of December to stamp out activities of the group.