In a recent interview published on Sunday by This Day Newspaper, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said he and his team had underestimated the Islamist extremist group, Boko Haram, whose insurgency in the last six years had led to the death of several citizens, especially in the country’s northeastern regions.
“Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram,” Jonathan said and continues: “God willing, we will catch (Abubakar) Shekau before the elections.”
When he was asked why he thinks six more weeks would make a difference in the fight against Boko Haram, the Nigerian President said: “We are not saying we must finish Boko Haram to conduct elections, but we should get to a point where they will not cause havoc if they make an attempt.”
“My belief is that by 28th of next month, when the elections will be conducted, Boko Haram may not even be in a position to attack any town, God willing.”
Photo Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP