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Nigeria’s president said Sunday that he would go after Boko Haram in a “truly Nigerian manner” and not let the militants dictate his own course of action.
The comments by President Goodluck Jonathan came after a visit to the remote northeastern town of Bama, where he met with farmers who are struggling to recover after years of violence by the Islamist militants.
“We want to turn Bama into the cradle of the nation. We want to build a nation where people can live.”
“We will no longer let the criminals dictate our course of action, let them dictate our policies,” Jonathan said. “We are in Bama to say to the criminals, ‘enough is enough.’”
The presidential candidate also said Boko Haram has “declared war” on the nation.
“It’s already declared war,” he said. “It has already laid siege to the nation. It is only waiting for a sign from the president to go on.”
As Jonathan delivered his remarks, a group of schoolgirls ran out of their school in Bama to thank him and meet with him for a photo.
Thousands of people have been abducted by Boko Haram, which is believed to have abducted 5300 schoolgirls from their remote school in Chibok in 2014.
“They have captured our girls and are holding them hostage in the bush of Chibok in Borno state,” Jonathan said.
The president said he was ready to lead the nation to rebuild after Boko Haram.
“I am ready to lead this nation to rebuild. I have no doubt that I am the right man to lead this nation,” he said.
In his speech during his five day visit to Bama in Akwa Ibom state, Jonathan promised to bring back peace.
It was also the