Jonathan threatens to withdraw Army from Borno

Abuja - President Goodluck Jonathan has threatened to withdraw the military from Borno State for a month following alleged unguarded statements by the State Governor Kashim Shettima.  

“The statement from the governor of Borno state is unfortunate. If he thinks the Nigerian army is helpless, I will pull them out for one month and we know whether he will still stay in government house or not. There are challenges but a governor must show moderation in what he says to the public,” the President said during the Presidential Media chat.

His statement came after the governor recently stated that the terrorist were better armed and better motivated than the military. 

“We are in a state of war. That is what I came to tell the president. I made it emphatically clear to Mr. President that Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated than the security forces,” Shettima was quoted as saying during an interaction with media.


He said unless more troops and more resources were deployed to Borno, “it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram.” 

Borno is one of three states that are under emergency rule following incidents of terror blamed on the Boko Haram sect.

Thousands have died as a result of the militant attacks.