The Coalition Against Terror and Extremism has performed burial rites for Boko Haram Commanders in Abuja.
The members of the group, bearing coffin in their hands, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for defeating Boko Haram.
Comrade Daniel Obaje, the Coalition’s Secretary General, during a thank you march to the Presidential Villa, said: “You must be wondering why we are carrying this coffin today when we say the purpose of our march is to say a thank you to Mr President.
“We understand that when people hold marches and carry coffins, those in authority should tremble, but this is not the case today.
“The coffin we carry today is that of the Boko Haram terror group, which has now been defeated and killed off by our gallant military.
“This procession is part of the final burial rites of all Boko Haram commanders and fighters that have bitten the dust before our troops.
“Today, we mark the disgrace that is soon to befall sponsors of terror.
“For this breakthrough in defeating Boko Haram, we are here today to commend President Muhammadu Buhari, who, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made the right call in his appointment of the Service Chiefs.
“The military chiefs did not disappoint Mr. President.
“They did not also disappoint Nigerians.
“We hail the President on his achievements in the war against insurgency and we hereby communicate the resolve of all Nigerians to work closely with him in returning the North East to again become the booming economic lifestyle before now.
“We can say categorically that since the government of President Buhari came into office in May 29, 2015 significant progress has been made in addressing the security breaches that had threatened the integrity of Nigeria.
“This progress was not easy and could have only been the product of political will and commitment to the Nigerian cause as many forces fought hard to keep the country in the limbo and precarious situation in which Mr President met it.
“Areas where Boko Haram once set up camps have been cleared.
“Some displaced persons are already beginning to return to their homeland.
“The Army freed over 5,000 persons that the terrorists once held captive even as efforts are being intensified to free those that are yet to regain freedom.
“Remnants of the terrorists are risking death to flee across the desert into the Mediterranean.
“The group in its defeat can only now think of hit and run attacks by drug addled fighters who now increasingly opt to fail in their assignment so that the military can capture them for rehabilitation.
“The recent weeks have seen the higher echelon of Boko Haram decimated with several commanders killed in troops’ operations.
“Others have been captured, which has left the group being fragmented with split in its leadership.
“Everything points to a group that has been finished.
“We therefore want to urge Mr. President not relent in continuing with measures that will ensure Boko Haram terrorists are not allowed to regroup anywhere on our territory ever again.
“In fact, we urge that Nigeria does all that is necessary to make sure these killers do not regroup in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic, all of which share borders with us.”
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, commended the group for expressing their support for the Buhari-led government on the current onslaught against Boko Hara
Lawal, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Policy Development and Analysis, Ibrahim Bapetel Hasan, assured the protesting youth that their message would be transmitted to the President.
He said: “I welcome you all and thank you for taking a bold step towards appreciating what Mr. President has promised during the electioneering campaign to tackle the problem of insecurity by Boko Haram.
“I assure you that your message will be handed to the SGF and through him, your message will be delivered to Mr. President.”
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