VISIT: Goodluck Jonathan (right) and Presisdent Idris Deby of Chad Republic during the Chadian leader’s one-day visit to President Jonathan at the State House. |
The Chadian President, Idris Derby Monday made a volte face as he said
that he does not know the where about of the leader of Boko Haram,
Abubakar Shekau.
President Derby had in a widely circulated claim said some months ago that he knew where the Boko Haram leader was hiding and had warned him to surrender or risked being killed by Chadian forces.
President Derby had in a widely circulated claim said some months ago that he knew where the Boko Haram leader was hiding and had warned him to surrender or risked being killed by Chadian forces.
But speaking with state House correspondents after meeting with
President Jonathan, President Derby said even if he knew where the
terrorist was, he would not say where he is.
“I cannot tell you today that I know where Shekau is hiding and even if
I knew I won’t tell you” he said tersely in an answer to a question.
President Derby hinted that the inability of the Nigerian and Chadian
army to carry out joint operations may have affected the success of the
on going operations in the North east to tackle Boko Haram.
“Is regrettable that the two armies that is the Nigerian army and the
Chadian Army are working separating in the field, they are not
undertaking joint operation. If they were operating joint operation
probably they would have achieved more results” he said.
He said he was in the Presidential Villa to consult with President
Jonathan on the fight against terrorism and to congratulate him for
setting a good record for Africa by conceding defeat in the just
concluded election.
“I came to consult with my brother President Goodluck Jonathan. As you
all know Nigeria and Chad are two countries that have a lot of
similarities in fighting insurgents.
“Chad has had its own problems in the 70s and 80s and Nigeria assisted chad during those difficulties times.
“On the 2015 general elections, I came principally to congratulate Mr.
President for the statesmanship he demonstrated during the elections. We
all know that elections in Africa is always contested but Mr. President
demonstrated a lot of statesmanship, that he is a real democrat by
conceding defeat and congratulating the President-elect.
You all know that when Nigeria sneezes the neighbouring countries catch
cold. If Mr. President had not taken that laudable initiative, you all
know what would have happened now. Nigeria is still living in peace, you
all are living in peace and that would not have happened but for that
laudable initiative he took.
“So I came to congratulate him for leaving a legacy not only for Nigeria but for Africa as a whole” he said.
On the fight against Boko Haram, President Derby said:
“As you all know we both work together to fight Boko Haram. I thought
it was important that before Mr. President leaves office, I will come
for us to have overview of what we did together, what we achieved
together in the fight against Boko Haram.
“It Is true Boko Haram has not been completely eradicated but they have
been tremendously weakened. I did not want to wait and come during the
inauguration of the new government, I thought I should come to consult
with Mr. President, to congratulate him and to have this exchange and
have overview of what we have been able to achieve in the fight against
Boko Haram” he said.
The chadian President said that the four countries around the Lake Chad
Basin that are currently securing the area have formed a multinational
mixed force that will metamorphose to a Rapid Response Force that the
African continent.