'We’ve Flushed Out Boko Haram' - President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that his administration has recorded tremendous success in the fight against terrorism in the country since the declaration of a state of emergence in three states of the north.

Speaking as a guest on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, yesterday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said before the declaration of emergency rule in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, the Boko Haram insurgents had carved out a part of Nigeria and created an enclave where they exercise authority, stressing that the insurgents have since been flushed out by security agencies.

According to him, socioeconomic activities have resumed in the affected states, adding that the people can now go about their normal businesses.

He noted that the level of fear before the declaration of the state of emergency was very high even in the remaining part of the country, saying that has gone down now.

He pointed out that there was also the support of the international community that the administration has enjoyed on the basis of taking this decision, stressing that the International Criminal Court, ICC, prosecutor has also declared that the Nigerian government has done very well in containing terrorist activities and also that it was not true that the Federal Government and the security agencies have been targeting civilians.

Abati also noted that one of the major fall outs of the operation in the last three months has been the special focus of government on border patrol to secure the borders.

"The Nigerian government is doing this in collaboration with the neighbouring countries. So there is greater collaboration at the security level between Nigeria and all neighbouring countries and in fact in the speech by the President declaring the state of emergency, you will remember that he promised Nigerians that he will take further steps to link up with other neighbouring countries and a lot has been done in that regard," he said.