Bama, Gwoza under control of Nigeria, says FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has debunked the claim that Boko Haram insurgents have taken control of some territories in Borno and Yobe states, saying Bama and Gwoza in Borno State are under the control of Nigeria.

Mike Omeri, director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), said this at the National Information Centre, Abuja while briefing newsmen.

Omeri, who said government was sustaining the efforts at ensuring peace and stability in the North-East, said the government and its armed forces will not allow any part of the country to be in control of the insurgents.

He said, “Bama and Gwoza towns are still within Nigeria territory and government and its armed forces will not cede any part of this country to anybody. As the governor of Borno State has rightly stated, the Nigerian military are working hard to safeguard peace and security in that area”.

While responding to the claim that Boko Haram were well armed than the Nigerian army, Omeri said though, “The Boko Haram were known to have attacked police and other security operatives in the past but whatever it is they can’t be more sophisticated than the Nigerian army”.

On what the government is doing to ensure the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls by the insurgents, Omeri said the government was being careful in its approach to ensure that it doesn’t endanger the girls while carrying out the rescue mission, adding that “they want to try all means possible to bring the girls back alive.

“Those who were in captivity in Syria and Iraq were there for up to five years, the simple attempt at rescuing them led to the death of two journalists, so the government’s mission should not be seen from the perspective of going in and coming out with the girls but to bring them back alive.

“This takes a lot of planning and approach to achieve. Nigerians should exercise patience as the release of the girls is still paramount to the government of this country,” he assured.