Boko Haram Is Finished, Army Just Going In To Mop-Up The Remainder - Amosun Says

Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd.) the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, has expressed optimism over the final destruction of the Boko Haram sect, stressing that the Nigerian military has succeeded in reducing the Boko Haram sect to a shadow of its former self.

Amosun who made this known in Abuja yesterday during the fly-out parade at the Nigerian Air Force Base held in his honor as he bowed out of the military, warned against complacency, saying that terrorism is real and must be fought with utmost ruthlessness.

He said that the December 2015 deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari for ending of the Boko Haram threat is more of a military operation.

Amosu said: "Don’t forget there are two aspects of fighting terrorism; one aspect is the counter-to be led by the military – must conclude by December. The other aspect – the anti-, is a continuous process with Custom and other paramilitary agencies involved, with the police leading the operation,”

Amosu went on to say that, "The fight against terrorism is going to receive higher boost. I want to assure you that the people we have left behind are part of the team, and of course we know that the freedom of movement and actions of the Boko Haram terrorists have been substantially curtailed. What is left now is mop-up exercise and to make sure some of our borders are completely closed and secured."

He continued: "The threat of terrorism is very real, and should the terrorist succeed no part of the nation will be spared, hence, it is absolutely critical that we match the determination of terrorist with an even more ruthless determination of our own to overcome the threats of terrorism."

According to him, Nigeria needs the arm forces to rise to the challenge of defending the country against terrorism and restoring the peace and security necessary for sustained development.