Speaking in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the 11th Founder’s Day Ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku said Boko Haram remained deadly, and that it was premature to declare that the insurgency was over.
“The insurgents still occupy a specific geographical space,” Atiku said. “They (Boko Haram) still retain the capacity for occasional deadly attacks. Many citizens in the zone still remain vulnerable and live in fear.”
The ex-Vice President’s comments appeared to counter repeated claims by President Muhammadu Buhari and his information minister, Lai Mohammed, that Boko Haram had been defeated, and was no longer holding any territory in the country.
Atiku insisted that it was premature for anyone to claim victory over Boko Haram at this time.
“We cannot say that the problem is over until every displaced person is able to return home, to the office, to the market, to the farm, and resume normal activities.
“People must return to something better, to improved schools, to improved economic opportunities, to freedom of worship and improved inter-religious harmony,” Atiku added.
