Nigerian armed forces well positioned to end insurgency December – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja said he remained fully confident that by the end of this year, Boko Haram’s ability to attack, seize, ravage and hold any Nigerian territory would have been completely obliterated.

This is even as the President appealed for greater cooperation from the United States in securing the Gulf of Guinea through which stolen Nigerian crude oil was being shipped abroad.

Decrying the severe revenue losses Nigeria suffers from crude oil theft, President Buhari said his administration was determined to end this criminal practice and would welcome more support from the international community in this regard.

Speaking at an audience with David Rodriguez, the commander of US Africa Command, President Buhari said with greater support from his administration in terms of improved training, equipment, logistics and welfare, the Nigerian Armed Forces were now well positioned to meet the December deadline, which they have been given to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

The President seized the opportunity of Rodriquez’s visit to restate his appreciation of the US’ support for Nigeria’s efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

“We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident.

“Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organised fighting force, ” the President said.

Rodriguez told Buhari that he was in the country to strengthen Nigeria/US military relations, and also explore further options for assisting the Multinational Joint Task Force, established by Nigeria and her neighbours, to fight Boko Haram.