Only Bama, Gwoza under Boko Haram’s control in Borno – Senators

Senators, mostly from the North East, on Tuesday said only Bama and Gwoza, both in Borno State, are under Boko Haram’s control.
The senators said the military has done much to push out Boko Haram from the North East.
Senators explained that most of the local governments under Boko Haram control have been taken over by soldiers.
They applauded the Nigerian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force for a job well done.
Taking the lead in the commending Nigerian Army, Senator Maina Maji Lawan said: “I have come several times on the subject of the insurgency of terrorist takeover of Baga to direct threats to state capitals and various locations.
“Twenty local governments were inaccessible to Nigerian authorities.
“Painful as it may have been, we elicited the support of this Senate in all the issue.
“It is only fair, Mr. President, that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this Senate.
“I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated.
“Monguno, which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army, has been liberated.
“Baga, my home town, has been liberated.
“The effort is ongoing and I think that it is only fair that no matter what is left, it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing and we appreciate that effort and we ask them to do more so that in the areas that they have liberated, mopping up is concluded for the communities to go back.
“I am very sure that very soon, we will hear good news from Bama and Gwoza because they are the two main areas outstanding.”
Maina urged the senators to understand the emotional attachments of those whose personal houses have been taken over to the successes.
Also, Senator Buka Ibrahim said: “I rise to fully support what Senator Maina has said.
“All the details he has give are correct with the exception of Bama and Gwoza, there is not a single local government in the North East under the Boko Harm control.
“Even Gulani and Gujuba has been liberated even though my house is still occupied by their wives and their children, but we will allow them to stay on humanitarian grounds.
“So I am in total support and there is need for us to show total appreciation for what is happening not only to Nigeria, but also Chad and Cameroon too we must also appreciate what they have done.”
In his own comment, Senator Ali Ndume, who is from Borno South, confirmed the Nigerian Army has done a good job in the North East.
In Ndume’s words: “I want to join my colleagues to commend the Nigerian Armed forces and the other countries armed forces that all joined in this war of insurgency.
“I also appreciate you for always when we come to this chamber in the morning, most of you always ask: how is your places?
“Honestly, I want to appreciate my colleagues for the concern and the support they have been given us, particularly those that have been affected.
“We have been crying out together for the government and the armed forces to do something and we have given them the support that is necessary in order to execute and win this war.
“Results have started coming and we have seen it everywhere.
“Yesterday I had to travel from Maiduguri to Kano by road.
“There is clearly a visible difference between what it used to be six months ago and now.
“In fact, in Milo, one of the villages that was completely abandoned, their market was striving and the population are going back.
“Two days ago when I got to Benishe, even political activities have started picking up in those areas.
“As distinguished Maina said, when we condemn and results start coming, this Senate should also stand up to commend the Nigerian Armed forces and the leadership for the great job they have been doing.
“In terms of meeting up with whatever need they will present to us, especially now that we are doing the budget, in order to encourage the Nigerian armed forces not only to win this war but to be in a position that in the event that anything like this comes up, they are combat ready.
“The challenge we face we know is that the Nigerian Army did not anticipate this kind of situation and therefore did not prepare for it and were not equipped for it.
“But despite that, they were able to stand up to the occasion and I want to say as a barrack boy that I am proud of the Nigerian Armed Forces.