Jonathan pays a visit to Mubi, Baga praise soldiers

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday made a surprise visit to some
territories recently recovered from members of the Boko Haram sect by
the Nigerian troops in Adamawa and Borno states.
The Presidency in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President
on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the visit, that
took Jonathan to Mubi in Adamawa State and Baga in Borno State among
others, as an on-the-spot assessment of efforts of the military and
morale booster for the troops.
According to Abati, in the two towns recently recovered, Jonathan, who
was dressed in full military camouflage, applauded the Nigerian troops
for proving their mettle once again through the rapid recapture of the
territories formerly held by insurgents in the country's north-eastern
states.
The presidential spokesman quoted Jonathan as telling the officers and
men of the Nigerian Army in both towns that he and all Nigerians were
very proud of the bravery, competence and patriotism with which they
were now undertaking operations to expel the insurgents from all parts
of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
He further quoted the President as saying that with their recent
successes, which had overwhelmingly turned the tide against Boko
Haram, the Nigerian military had proven beyond any doubt that it
remained fully capable of defending the territorial integrity of
Nigeria.
He added that Jonathan also told them that their recent victories
against Boko Haram had also proven conclusively that all those, within
and outside the country, who cast aspersions on Nigerian soldiers and
questioned their ability and willingness to overcome the insurgents
were misinformed and wrong.
The statement read in part, "President Jonathan, who was accompanied
on the trip by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki and
all the Service Chiefs, assured the troops that the Federal Government
will ensure that they receive all the equipment and logistics they
require to complete the ongoing mission to reassert the government's
effective control over all the areas formerly held by Boko Haram.
"The President promised the soldiers that all issues pertaining to
their welfare will be properly and expeditiously addressed.
"He assured them that they will be duly rewarded for their bravery and
patriotic service to the nation at the successful conclusion of
ongoing operations against Boko Haram.
"Families of soldiers who have sadly lost their lives in battles
against Boko Haram will also be well provided for, the President
further assured the troops."
Abati said the excited soldiers responded to the President's address
with chants of "Never Again" and assured him that insurgents and
terrorists will never again be allowed to take and hold any Nigerian
territory.
He said while in Mubi, Jonathan, accompanied by the Governor of
Adamawa State, Mr. Bala Ngilari, and the Minister of Youth
Development, Mr. Bonni Haruna, paid a courtesy call on the Emir,
Alhaji Isa Ahmadu.
He further quoted the President as assuring the Emir that the Federal
Government will do all within its powers to ensure that normalcy was
speedily returned to Mubi and other towns and settlements recently
recaptured from Boko Haram to enable displaced persons to return to
their homes in the shortest possible time.
He said Jonathan also undertook an aerial inspection of other towns
and areas recently recaptured from Boko Haram including Monguno.
Before returning to Abuja, Abati added that the President met and
conferred with the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, in
Maiduguri.
It will be recalled that Jonathan had on January 15 paid a similar
surprise visit to Maiduguri, Borno State believed to be the stronghold
of the sect.
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