Nobody has said Boko Haram has been eliminated but they have been defeated – Buratai.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai stated on Tuesday that the Boko Haram terrorist’s group remains defeated but are not eliminated.

Speaking on the BBC’s Hard-Talk programme, Buratai said terrorism fight anywhere in the world is not something that can be eliminated in one fell swoop because of its resilience but noted that the group has been degraded to the extent that they can’t cause severe security challenge anymore.

 He said, “I do not think anyone has said the Boko Haram has been eliminated. Terrorism is something that is resilient.”

 The COAS cited the inability of the Boko Haram insurgents to attack the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and other northern states like they did before May 2015, as a confirmation that they had been defeated.

 “Before May 2015, the Boko Haram insurgents were even in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna. They were operating even to the South. We had to stop them.

 “For the past one and a half years, we have not had any attack in Jos, Abuja, Kano and many other places, not even as close as Gombe State.

 “They are only concentrated within certain areas

 On the decision to swap Boko Haram Commanders arrested and under detention with Chibok girls, Buratai said it was not a military decision.

 The Army Chief said the Federal Government saw the swap deal as the best decision at the time.

 “As far as I am concerned, we performed our own role for the safe passage of the abducted Chibok girls. The Boko Haram terrorists’ swap for the Chibok schoolgirls was a political decision, not a military decision”.

 “It is in the best interest of the nation and based on the circumstances, the government felt it was the best course.

 “Personally, I think it has its own advantages; the message is to rescue the Chibok girls.

 END