Disclosing this in a statement signed by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, EU Commissioner emphasized that Nigeria plays a big role in the African continent and globally in economic, social and other spheres and asked for the development of a plan between the EU and Nigeria concerning the issues in the Northeast. He said he had visited Borno State and appreciates government’s efforts to end the conflict there.
Recall that Buhar had insisted that his administration has defeated Boko haram technically. In February 6th, 2016, Buhari was asked whether it was fair to say a group which killed over 65 persons in a single attack had been “technically defeated,” the President responded, “Well, that’s your own description of it. My own description is that they can no longer mobilise enough forces to attack police and army barracks and destroy aircraft like they used to do. They can no longer do that.
“All I know is that out of the 14 Local Government Areas in Borno State where they (Boko Haram) used to hold and hoist their flag, they are nowhere in charge of any of them again. But they can still regroup and go after attacking soft targets,” he said.
However, on Friday, January 24, 2020, Buhari wondered why people think his administration cannot defeat Boko Haram.
He told Janez Lenarcic that if Nigeria after 30-month civil war was able to unite and reorganized itself, Boko Haram will soon be dealt with.