"Buhari Spent $2.6bn On Boko Haram Crisis" – Chief Of Defence Staff

To address the humanitarian challenges caused by Boko Haram terrorists, the Muhammadu Buhari administration, in 2016, spent more than $2.6 billion.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, made the disclosure in Washington, D.C. at the meeting of the ‘Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS’.

“After over $2.6 billion was spent by the Nigerian Government to address humanitarian needs in 2016 – more needs were seen when areas were recovered from Boko Haram.

“Many in this room joined us in Oslo, Norway just last February to show support with Nigeria. “Coalition is fundamental. We, therefore, commend Secretary Rex Tillerson and President Donald Trump for remaining committed to fighting the global enemy of us all – terrorism,” Olonisakin said.

The defence chief explained that Iraq’s story in the war against ISIS was similar to Nigeria’s story in the fight against Boko Haram.

“This meeting, therefore, will further strengthen our collective resolve and determination to destroy and defeat ISIS. “To this end, Nigeria is prepared to work with the coalition in the pursuit of the first lines of efforts towards the realisation of the aims of the global coalition,” he said. He commended the steady progress made in Iraq and Syria in denying ISIS access to territories and closing up their supply routes.

According to him, it is, therefore, imperative that as part of the objectives of the meeting, global leaders consider the value of timely sharing of information and best practices on addressing cross-border threats.

He also emphasised the need for mobilisation of resources for partners in the conflict and confronting violent extremist organisations with the digital battle space or cyberspace. He added that reshaping the public narratives around ISIS to one of failure was also critical in the battle to defeat ISIS. “Let me also add that this meeting is of great importance to Nigeria.

This is because Nigeria’s effort to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists is viewed as part of wider efforts to combat violent extremism globally, especially the defeat of ISIS. “Nigeria is open and willing to adopt strategies from the coalition that could further enhance its success story,” Olonisakin was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying. Olonisakin emphasised the role of the coalition to defeat terrorists, drawing from the Boko Haram experience.

“The multinational joint task force is a good example of how a coalition can help tackle terrorism and extremism – in our case, the terrorist group Boko Haram,” Olonisakin said.

Nigeria’s defence chief said ISIS, just like Boko Haram, is a threat to collective global security and challenged the international community to act decisively to defeat the terrorist organisations.

“In the words of Secretary of State Tillerson, ISIS presents a great threat to our collective security. So we must act now. We must act collectively. We must act decisively to destroy ISIS and other terrorist organisations,” he said. At the event, Nigeria and its neighbours received the commendation of the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson for the effective strategies adopted to combat the destructive activities of the Boko Ha- ram terrorists.

Tillerson described the coalition of the Multi- National Joint Task Force against Boko Haram as a success story that the Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS must build on. “Our information sharing as a coalition has prevented a number of attacks, and this must expand and accelerate regardless of departmental or international rivalries. “One example of this is West African nations who have put aside national differences to combat Boko Haram.

“Let us build on this good example,” the Secretary of State said. Tillerson commended Nigeria and the other neighbouring countries for putting aside their differences and uniting against Boko Haram.

“We need greater intelligence and information sharing within our own domestic intelligence agencies and among our nations. “We know military strength will stop ISIS on a battlefield, but it is the combined strength of our coalition that will be the final blow to ISIS,” he said.

He said ISIS was connected across every continent, adding that we must work to break every link in its chain. “Our information sharing as a coalition has prevented a number of attacks, and this must expand and accelerate regardless of departmental or international rivalries. “We also must look this enemy’s ideology in the eyes for what it is: a warped interpretation of Islam that threatens all of our people.”

According to him, “many come from middle class or even upper class backgrounds, drawn to a radical and false utopian vision that purports to be based upon the Quran.”