Nigeria’s Chief of Defence, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has expressed the wish that the borders between Nigeria and Chad could be closed as part of the measure to control the activities of the deadly Boko Haram.
Badeh who spoke to newsmen shortly after a meeting of Security Council in the Presidential to review the nation’s battle with Boko Haram mainly in the North East said: “I wish it could be closed but how do you close such a very large border? And it is not for military to close border any way, or is it?”
The Defence Chief confirmed that there was attack by members of Boko Haram on the military base in Baga, Borno state, adding: “don’t worry, we are at work.”
He gave assurance that the military to retrieve Baga from Boko Haram, but added: “I can’t give you exactly what is going to happen.”
Badeh assured that the security situation in the North East in particular and Nigeria in general would improve this year, and that the security operatives are working on it.
Asked to comment on whether it is true that Chadian and Nigerien forces have pulled out of multinational force, the Chief of Defence Staff said: “No. They have not pulled out of multinational force because we have held several meetings. they are still part of the multinational force. What has been happening is that they have not contributed troops to the point of Baga. Chad has people of their own side but I believe they have withdrawn. Niger had people with us; they too withdrew and left Nigeria only at the multinational force headquarters.”
Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governors of Adamawa, Bala Ngileri, Yobe, Ibrahim Gaidem, (accompanied by his predecessor, senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim), Borno, Kashim Shetima (accompanied by the State’s SSG, Abba Ahmed Gida) and the Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero.
Others are the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Bade, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, Director General State Security Service (SSS), Ekpenyong Ita, Inspector General of Police, Sulieman Abba, and DG National Intelligence Agency , Ayo Oke.
Others are Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Gusau and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Amyim. [myad]
