We have increased capacity to deal with Boko Haram

Abuja - President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria

and neighbouring countries now have an increased

capacity to deal effectively with Boko Haram and

other terrorist groups.

Buhari stated this in Abuja on Friday at an audience

with Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the United

Nations Secretary-General’s Special

Representative and Head of the United Nations

Office for West Africa.

He hinged his remark on the formation of a stronger

regional coalition.

The President reaffirmed his belief that the full

activation and deployment of the Multi National Joint

Task Force which had been established under the

auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission would

lead to the speedy defeat and elimination of Boko

Haram.

He added that with the Command and Control Centre

of the Nigerian military now in Maiduguri, Borno, the

morale of troops in the front-line states had

improved significantly.

'You can tell the Secretary-General that we are

doing our best and our best will be good enough for

the nation and the sub-region," he told Ibn

Chambas.

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Against the background of upcoming elections in

Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and Burkina Faso, the

President also called on the United Nations to assist

African in the acquisition and use of innovative

technologies to ensure more credible elections.

"When citizens recognize that their votes count, it

will boost their confidence in democracy and their

countries’ electoral system," he said.

Recalling the last general elections in Nigeria, the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

used smart card readers to authenticate

prospective voters.

Buhari observed that while Nigeria could afford the

use of such technology in its elections, other

African countries may require support and

assistance from the international community.

Ibn Chambas commended President Buhari for his

strong and positive actions against terrorism.

The United Nations envoy also welcomed President

Buhari’s successful visit to Cameroon and his

reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to the

peaceful resolution of all border issues with

Cameroon.

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