Nigerian Rights Group Clarifies Who Defeated Boko Haram
A heated debate has been brewing in Nigeria over who was responsible for defeating the Boko Haram insurgency. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has weighed in on the controversy, affirming that it was former President Muhammadu Buhari, not his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan, who brought the group to its knees.
According to a press statement issued by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, Senator Ali Ndume had earlier credited Jonathan with the feat, but this claim has been contradicted by Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to Buhari. The organization is "miffed" by Ndume’s account, describing it as an attempt to twist the facts of history.
MURIC contends that Jonathan allowed the insurgency to fester by refusing to act at the right time and diverting funds meant for the military. The organization points to the release of $2.1 billion meant for arms purchases to Jonathan’s party men in 2016, which led to catastrophic consequences. Boko Haram fighters soon outgunned Nigerian soldiers, forcing them to flee on several occasions.
The group also references a CNN report from 2015, which revealed that Nigerian soldiers were left on the battlefield after their comrades fled in the face of Boko Haram attacks. MURIC notes that it was Buhari who reversed this situation, energizing the army and motivating them with huge sums of money and sophisticated weapons.
The organization highlights the recruitment of new troops, the purchase of F-16 fighter planes from America, and the acquisition of Super Tucano jets from the US as key factors in the defeat of Boko Haram. According to Aviacon, 32 fighter jets purchased by the Buhari administration elevated Nigeria to the level of a military superpower in Africa.
MURIC concludes that it is "crystal clear" who defeated Boko Haram: Buhari remains the hero who ensured that funds meant for the military were not diverted elsewhere and who purchased sophisticated weapons and motivated troops.
The debate over who defeated Boko Haram is a contentious issue in Nigeria, with both sides presenting their arguments. However, MURIC’s stance provides a clear and convincing account of the events, highlighting the significant strides made by Buhari’s administration in defeating the insurgency.
