Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari says the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northern part of the country is largely fuelled by youth unemployment and poverty, noting that the “level of poverty is almost unimaginable.”
Buhari made the sentiments in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
According to Buhari, his government has done a lot to fight the terrorists but the problem in the “North-East is very difficult.”
He said he believes the majority of the Boko Haram members are Nigerians after being told so by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who according to him, is working very hard and taking a lot of risks.
He noted that he recently changed service chiefs to re-energize the fight against Boko Haram and other security challenges.
“You can’t kill innocent people and say God is great,” said President Buhari while condemning the Boko Haram terrorists.
He, however, added that his administration has recorded significant achievements, noting that Nigerians know the difference between when he came in and now.
Meanwhile, the remarks came barely a few days after media houses globally reported that the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, has killed himself in a rival rebel fight.
Neither Boko Haram nor the Nigerian government has confirmed his death.
