President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared that the conduct of the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship inside the notorious Sambisa forest, the former enclave of the Boko Haram insurgents, signified the end of the terrorist group.
President Buhari said this while declaring open the five-day NASAC 2017 Championship in Sambisa forest, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to him, the siting of event in the dreaded terrorists’ camp was also a clear testimony that the violent campaigns being waged by insurgent had now come to an end.
The President was represented by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, restated the determination of the Federal Government to ensure the elimination of all kinds of terrorism in the North-East and the country at large.
He said, “This championship is a showcase of the clear defeat and degrading of the Boko Haram‐terrorists group, with the destruction of camp Zero here in hitherto Sambisa forest. It will also mark the commencement of our plan to move speedily to make Sambisa and the entire North-East safe again for law abiding citizens.
“I can categorically say that never again will Boko Haram terrorists occupy any of the Nigerian land. It is an affirmation of the resolve of this government to stamp out all activities and operations of Boko Haram insurgency in our territory.
“I want to congratulate the Nigerian Army for the achievements and reiterate at this point by noting that it is the gains of professional training that brought the Nigerian Army this far. I wish to also use this opportunity to reflect on the importance of training in general to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“It is instructive to note that the government through its Presidential Committee for the North-East Initiative is prepared towards rebuilding the damaged facilities and structures in the region so that the communities will benefit from the gains of democracy.
“May I also congratulate the gallantry of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their selfless sacrifices, dedication and commitment to restoring law and order, peace and security in various parts of our dear country.”
In his remarks, the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, declared December 22 of every year as a public holiday and named it Sambisa Memorial Day, to mark the fall of the forest to the Federal troops.
Governor Shettima noted that the championship marked the funeral of the insurgents and commended the Nigerian Army for sacrifices and patriotism they displayed in liberating the area.
“By this bold and creative decision to hold NASAC 2017 championship right here inside Sambisa forest, I do not have the slightest doubt that the fate of notorious Sambisa is totally sealed.
“Our military has changed the use of Sambisa from being a point where attacks on Nigeria and Nigerians were being coordinated by terrorists to a new point where soldiers are trained to become excellent shooters, whose precision is to defend Nigeria and Nigerians”, he added.
