The tactics, he said, included taking concrete action to build a more efficient and effective coalition of Nigeria and her neighbours against the terrorist group.
Buhari spoke in Elmau, Germany, yesterday during a meeting with French President Francois Hollande after he had participated in the G7 Outreach Programme.
G7 is a forum of the world’s seven most industrialised countries of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan which meets annually to deliberate on global economy, governance, international security and energy policy.
The G7 leaders had earlier requested Buhari to prepare his “wish list” and come with it for their consideration in what is perceived as an excellent goodwill gesture towards him and Nigeria.
Security, anti-graft and economy topped the president’s wish list to the forum.
Buhari yesterday told his French counterpart that his government was totally committed to eliminating the Boko Haram insurgency in the shortest possible time.
He said Nigeria would welcome greater support and cooperation from France and other friendly nations for her ongoing efforts towards overcoming the insurgency as well as restoring full security and normalcy to areas affected by the sect’s atrocities.Buhari also stated that Nigeria would appreciate more intelligence on the Boko Haram’s links with ISIS, movements, training and sources of its arms and ammunition.
This, according to him, is to facilitate the perfection of fresh tactics and strategies being evolved to overcome terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria and the sub-region.
Buhari told the French president that there was absolutely no link between religion and the atrocities of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
He said: “There is clearly no religious basis for the actions of the group. Their atrocities show that members of the group either do not know God at all or they don’t believe in Him.”
Responding, Hollande assured Buhari that France would give Nigeria and her coalition partners greater support against terrorism and insecurity.
Hollande said this support would include military and intelligence cooperation to, as quickly as possible, overcome the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram and its global terrorist allies.
Buhari also received similar pledges of enhanced support from Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and German Chancellor Angela Merkel whom he also conferred with before departing from the venue of the G7 summit.
The French president had also commended Buhari’s efforts towards galvanising Nigeria’s armed forces, security agencies and neighouring nations for more decisive action against the sect.
He had also urged greater bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and France in such other areas as trade, economic and cultural relations.
President Buhari is due back in Abuja early today, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.
Findings in Maiduguri show that hundreds of troops have been deployed with many of them dispatched into the city centre to intensify surveillance following the incessant attacks perpetrated by the Boko Haram especially after the inauguration of President Buhari.
Some of the soldiers are still at the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, waiting to be dispatched to other parts of the state.
Similarly, more equipment, including armoured personnel carriers (APCs) has been deployed.
Earlier in the morning yesterday, there were expectations that the Chief of Army Staff will also be in Maiduguri to monitor the kick-off of the command centre and thereafter address the press but the plan was shelved.
A senior officer who craved for anonymity told Daily Trust that the briefing may likely hold today (Tuesday).
“For now, the new structure will be headed by a general and we are optimistic that all the troubles would be over in a matter of time,” he said.
Asked if the Chief of Army Staff will permanently stay in Maiduguri until the end of the war, the officer said, “Just wait and see how things would work out. I can assure you that all shall be well.”
-Daily Trust
