By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s former military President, Mr Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has expressed his joy on the news of successful takeover of stronghold of Boko Haram, Sambisa Forest in Borno State, by the Nigerian troops.
Mr Babangida said he knew President Muhammadu Buhari was capable of defeating Boko Haram and never doubted him on that.
Speaking in a statement issued by his media office, the former ruler, who seized power from Mr Buhari in 1985 through a coup, after Mr Buhari toppled a democratic government in 1983, noted that the crushing of terrorists from Sambisa was a huge relief.
“It is a sign of relief that the military has finally smoked out Boko Haram terrorists from their notorious enclave of Sambisa Forest,” IBB said in the statement obtained by PR Nigeria.
He also saluted the courage and determination of President Buhari, army chiefs as well as armed men and women and other security personnel for their sacrifice for the painful liberation of Sambisa Forest and adjoining abode of Boko Haram.
“May I rejoice with the government and Nigerians on the successful dislodging of Boko Haram from their base in Sambisa.
“With the successful takeover of the sambisa forest, I hope that very soon, the remaining Chibok girls will be located and reunite with their families,” Mr Babangida noted.
He reaffirmed his earlier stand that, “President Buhari and the military are capable of crushing any challenge of the territorial integrity of Nigeria.”
The former military President also paid tributes to all fallen heroes for paying a supreme sacrifice in their efforts of keeping the nation from aggression, saying “the labour of our heroes past, shall never been in vain.”
He urged the military to unveil a new strategy of further defeating pockets of insurgents/terrorists, armed bandits and cattle rustlers all over the country.
Adedapo Adesanya