Buhari to world leaders: Boko Haram weakened but still preying on soft targets

President Muhammadu Buhari says the Boko Haram terrorist group is fragmented and has been weakened.

He said despite the efforts of the armed forces against the insurgents, they remain active and are “preying on soft targets”.

The president spoke on Friday at the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) general assembly in New York, US.

He said: “Terrorism continues to dominate security discourse worldwide. In Nigeria, Boko Haram terrorist group, though fragmented by internal strife and weakened by our defence forces, is still active and preying on soft targets. Nigeria will continue to work closely with UN counter-terrorism bodies and entities with a view to bringing this scourge to an end.

“Nigeria has spared no effort in addressing the challenges of terrorism posed by the activities of Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, as well as banditry in the north-west and north-central Nigeria.

“The Nigerian security forces have recorded considerable success in the fight against terrorism. As a result of the renewed vigour of our military, many terrorist fighters are voluntarily surrendering to our security forces.”

President Buhari said his government is committed to safeguarding the human rights of women, children, people living with disabilities, migrants, refugees, displaced persons, among others.

He called for a collective global action “to end all forms of violence against women and girls of all ages”.

“Nigeria remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the advancement of human rights within its shores and beyond,” the president said.

“This is so even in the context of a vicious decade-long onslaught by terrorists against Nigerians, quite contrary to unwholesome reports by some who hardly verify what they state against us.”

The president also lamented the “recent rise” in hate-related crimes globally, adding that there is an urgent need to advocate against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.