REUBEN ABATI AGAIN: CLAIMING THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS WINNING WAR AGAINST BOKO-HARAM

Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, has come all out to say that the Federal Government is winning the war against terrorist Islamic militant sect, Boko Haram.

Abati made this known on Al-Jazeera interactive programme ‘The Steam’ hosted by renowned journalist Femi Oke. According to him, he said thus: “The government is winning the war against Boko Haram. The violence has reduced compared to the situation a year ago. Nigerians go to church with fear and trepidation every Sunday but that does not happen anymore.”

Reuben who was on the programme with a serving senator, Ahmad Khalifa, Aminu Gamuwa, and Babatunde Rosanwo, was taken aback when  Rosanwo said “the government must come down to the level of its citizens; they are the ones that are being killed.” And that “The government is definitely not winning the war against Boko Haram,” he said. ‘’You need to stop this centenary nonsense,” he said. “How can you celebrate when forty three kids were killed? What stops Mr. President from visiting Borno?” he asked rhetorically

Senator Khalifa agreed with Rosanwo saying the government has failed in protecting the lives and property of citizens in the affected areas. He punctured Abati’s argument saying the insurgents are within the community – a notion contrary to the official stance of the government which suggests that the Islamic militant sect adopts a cross-border guerrilla attack strategy.

Rosanwo stated that the president needs to show some empathy to the victims of Boko Haram in Yobe, Borno and Bauchi by paying a visit to the region instead of sitting put in Abuja.
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Abati, like other political jobbers before  him countered ,saying citizens  especially a serving senator, should be careful not to make statements that are capable of demoralizing the troops fighting against insurgents. He assured Nigerians of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to the security of every citizen.

It will be recall that Suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Jakana town in Konduga local government area of Borno State, killing no fewer than 42 people. Jakana is just 10 kilometres from Mainok, the village attacked by the terrorists on Saturday and which lost 39 people.