The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Tuesday admitted that the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, has not been killed contrary to many claims of his death by the government in the past.
He explained that it has been difficult arresting the sect leader because the insurgents normally wear masks to conceal their identities and divert attention. He however assuring that Shekau will soon be arrested.
Dan-Ali spoke with State House correspondents shortly after briefing President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of his ministry at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He however declared that the terror group is already defeated in the country, stressing that the group spiritual base and headquarters have been captured by the Nigerian military.
The minister stated that anybody who has the opportunity of visiting Sambisa Forest would know that Boko Haram has been defeated.
He said the nation’s security forces have dominated the sect’s stronghold including Camp Zero that served as their spiritual headquarters and communication base.
According to him, “I believe it is just a matter of time. It took America about seven to ten years to get Bin Laden. So. we will get Shekau as soon as possible.
“The sect’s spiritual headquarters has been ransacked and vandalised. He (Shekau) is on the run.
“He may be hiding in one of the enclaves of Sambisa Forest which we are dominating.
“We have opened up the place. We are using the place as a training area. The Army engineers will open up roads and we shall be patrolling and be ransacking that forest for the whereabouts of Shekau.”
Dan-Ali went on to disclose that he briefed the President about the security situation across the country and he (the President) was impressed with the performance of the armed forces.
He said although it could be difficult to achieve 100 percent, the government is working hard to ensure that there is peace in all parts of the country.
The minister said while Buhari had directed the security forces to do more, they have also requested for more equipment.
He said the plight of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, across the country also came up during the briefing.
Dan-Ali stated that the government was interested in seeing the IDPs returning to their homes so that economic activities can pick up in the deserted villages.