Nigerian troops prepare for ‘final assault’ on Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army’s Chief of Staff Tukur Buratai has told troops in the north east of the country to prepare for a final assault on the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

Addressing troops in Borno State on Thursday, Lt Gen Buratai told the soldiers to take their training seriously and to make use of new specialist equipment in hastening the defeat of Boko Haram. 

The army boss offered words of encouragement, indicating that an end to the conflict was in sight.

“As you all know we have been on this ground for long and I expect us to remain resolute, selflessly committed and push for the total defeat of the Insurgents in the coming days”, he said.

The Nigerian government has been engaged in a protracted conflict with Boko Haram militants since 2009. 

In 2015, the insurgents were substantially forced back by a Nigerian-led coalition of African and Western states. However, since 2018 the group has again been growing in strength, solidifying its position as the world’s deadliest terrorist group in terms of number of people killed. 

Photo: Andalou Agency