Jonathan Confident Military Will Maintain Momentum Against Boko Haram

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President Goodluck Jonathan is optimistic that the Nigerian troops will maintain the momentum they have built up in ongoing operations against the Boko Haram and rapidly recover more occupied communities from the terrorist group.

In a meeting held in Abuja on Friday with the outgoing French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jacques Champagne De Labriolle, President Jonathan said the officers and men of the Nigerian Army he met on the front-lines in Borno and Adamawa States on Thursday were in very high spirits, well prepared and determined to successfully complete their operations against the Boko Haram.

“We have already recovered much territory and very soon our troops will clear the terrorists out of other areas not presently under our control,” the President assured the French Ambassador.

Welcoming a congratulatory message from President Francois Hollande to Nigeria for recent successes of its armed forces against the Boko Haram, President Jonathan restated Nigeria’s appreciation of France’s unwavering support for Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.

A statement by a spokesman for the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, said president Jonathan commended his French counterpart for organising the Paris Summit of Heads of State of Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Chad in May 2014 to foster greater regional cooperation against terrorism and insurgency.

The President pledged that beyond the ongoing military campaign in the North East, Nigeria would continue to implement all agreements reached at the summit to ensure lasting peace and security within its borders and in neighbouring countries.

Improved Trade Ties

President Jonathan also reassured the international community of his firm commitment to free, fair and credible polls in Nigeria next month.

The President urged the outgoing ambassador to always be a “good ambassador of Nigeria’’.

Ambassador Labriolle said that France was “confident in the future of Nigeria and its ability to continue playing a huge role in Africa and world affairs”.

The ambassador also expressed delight at improved trade and economic ties between Nigeria and France in the last three years, noting that over 250 French companies are currently operating in Nigeria.