Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.
Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa. Simon covers President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the U.S. government, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington D.C. and New York City.
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Boko Haram attack on Garkida, Adamawa State, extending his sympathy to families of victims.
Boko Haram insurgents attacked Garkida town in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State for six hours on Friday night. The town is located on the Gombi-Biu-Damaturu Road, which shares proximity with Southern Borno and Sambisa Forest.
reports quoted the Islamic State West Africa as claiming responsibility for the attack and saying it killed three soldiers and took some worshippers in a church hostage in addition to other villagers in the community.
Local newspapers reported that police barracks, churches and a house belonging to Gen Paul Tarfa (retd.) were among several buildings burnt by the terrorists during the attack.
In a reaction on Sunday, President Buhari assured that no part of Nigeria would be abandoned to their fate.
President Buhari said: “These attacks on soft targets by terrorists are obvious signs of frustration because my administration has significantly weakened Boko Haram’s military capability to invade and hold Nigerian territory unchallenged.
“Our gallant forces deserve our appreciation for repelling the attackers but they must go beyond this point. They have our full support to go after the terrorists and have them pay a huge price. I want to assure the country that terrorists will continue to face the combined power of our military until they give up their mistaken ways.
“These occasional and episodic attacks on poor civilians by terrorists are mere propaganda efforts to portray them as strong in order to fool the public into believing that they haven’t been militarily weakened our gallant troops.’’
President Buhari said since the coming of his administration Boko Haram’s ability to invade and occupy Nigerian territories, let alone be able to hoist their flags had been frustrated.
The President said in the coming weeks Nigerians would witness an aggressive campaign to rout Boko Haram once and for all.
“Security will continue to be well funded despite the competing needs of social services. I appeal to Nigerians to continue to support our troops in their gallant efforts to protect the citizens and secure the country,’’ President Buhari further added.
