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Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan: Tide turned against Boko Haram

February 25th, 2015 | Tags: Boko Haram Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan
Nigeria's president is standing for re-election on 28 March. Photo: BBC NEWS
BBC NEWS

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has said the tide has "definitely turned" against militant Islamists as regional forces recapture territory.

His comments came hours after Boko Haram militants were blamed for killing 27 people in bombings in two commercial centres in the north on Tuesday.

Boko Haram had hit "soft targets" because of the setbacks it had suffered in battle, Mr Jonathan said.

Regional forces have recaptured eight major towns in recent weeks.

So Mr Jonathan's comments appear to have some credence, even if he made similar remarks last year, says the BBC's Bashir Sa'ad Abdullahi in the capital, Abuja.

The Nigerian military, backed by regional troops, is now taking the war to Boko Haram, rather than fleeing the battlefield, our correspondent adds.

However, at least six major towns are still held by Boko Haram, he says.

Many residents fear the militants will regroup and launch a new offensive to regain territory, he adds.

'Mourning victims'

Men inspect a bus following an explosion on the street in Potiskum, Nigeria, on Tuesday 24 February 2015The bomber in Potiskum detonated his explosives as people were boarding the bus

On Tuesday, suicide bombers blew themselves up at crowded bus stations in Kano, the most populous city in the north, and Potiskum, the main commercial town in north-eastern Yobe state.

At least 17 civilians were killed in Potiskum and 10 in Kano, police and hospital sources said.

"The president assures all Nigerians and the people of the north-eastern states in particular that the days of mourning victims of incessant terrorist attacks in the country will soon be over as the tide has now definitely turned against Boko Haram," Mr Jonathan's office said in a statement.

Map

Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary elections have been postponed by six week to 28 March to give troops more time to beat back Boko Haram.

Mr Jonathan is facing a strong challenge from ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari in the poll.

Chadian troops have played a key role in helping Nigeria's military regain territory.

Military chiefs from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin, are currently meeting to discuss plans to create an 8,700-strong force to fight Boko Haram.

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Boko Haram at a glance

Abubakar Shekau (February 2015)
  • Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language
  • Launched military operations in 2009 to create Islamic state
  • Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria - has also attacked police and UN headquarters in capital, Abuja
  • Abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
  • Controls several north-eastern towns
  • Launched attacks on neighbouring states

Why is Boko Haram so strong?

Soldiers without weapons

3 Responses to “Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan: Tide turned against Boko Haram”

  • Concern 1 (25/02/2015, 19:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would love to see Goodluck Jonathan dethroned and a new government instated in Nigeria so that he and his good friend Duggie can pack up and go to Dubai to live they are both dictators and want to rule forever in their respective countries.Duggie est fini et aussi Jonathan.
    • Educator (27/02/2015, 22:44) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Don't say what you do not know. The man is the opposite of a dictator in the sense that people that should be in jail are walking the streets and even contesting election
  • @Educator (28/02/2015, 08:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are you aware if the many deaths this man has caused in Nigeria just to remain in power and only remember to give hand outs to supporters when they need their support .Let him tell you of the many been executed if they ever stand in his way of opposing him and he continues to intimidate the people using his henchmen to carry out his dirty work.Perhaps you only read or hear the good he does and neglect or ignore the wrongs he has created


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