The Nigerian government has repeatedly boasted that it has defeated Boko Haram, the Party of the People of the Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad, or was just about to do so. It vowed to defeat Boko Haram by the end of 2014. And by the end of 2015. In mid-2017 it called the movement a spent force. In February 2018, it again claimed that the jihadis were defeated. They weren’t, and aren’t. Tukur Yusuf Buratai’s claim will join the others as yet another false reassurance given to the Nigerian people, and to the world.
“Boko Haram will be crushed in days, says Buratai,” by Saxone Akhaine and Abdulganiyu Alabi, The Guardian Nigeria, March 8, 2020:
As the military continues to record success in its fight against insurgents, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai has assured that Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past.
Buratai gave the assurance during the celebration of Nigerian Army Special Day at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade fair.
Represented by Lt. Gen Lamidi Adeosun, Army’s chief of policy, Buratai said: “The Nigerian Army (NA), aside from its primary role of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, is also involved in fighting insurgency in the Northeast and other internal security operations across the length and breadth of the nation….
“Specifically, few days ago, our troops deployed in Damboa Bornu State recorded a resounding tactical victory against the evil forces of Boko Haram, who dared the superiority of our Forces.
“They paid very dearly for it by the monumental losses in men and equipment. Let me once more remind us that the ongoing operations in the Northeast are asymmetrical and not conventional warfare. We hereby solicit the support, prayers, patience, and understanding of all Nigerians…”.