Buhari Defeated Boko Haram, Not Jonathan – Ahmad Replies Ndume

A former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has stated that Boko Haram was largely and technically defeated by the time President Buhari left office.

Ahmad made these comments in response to claims by Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South, who credited former President Goodluck Jonathan with significant strides in combating the extremist group.

According to Ahmad, when Buhari assumed office, Boko Haram had control over 17 local government areas in Borno State, showcasing the severity of the insurgency at the time.

He emphasized that during Buhari’s presidency, major parts of Borno, along with areas in Adamawa and Yobe States, were initially inaccessible due to terrorism activities.

He said, “It is hilarious when I read a report in the Daily Trust where Sen. Ali Ndume from Borno attempted to credit former President Jonathan for defeating Boko Haram.

“While history is often one of the easiest things to be rewritten in Nigeria, this particular one will be very difficult to change.

“It’s well-documented that when President Buhari took office in 2015, 17 local government areas in Borno were under full control of the terrorist group.

“Large parts of the state including the Senator’s hometown, with areas in Yobe and Adamawa, were inaccessible even by the security at the time.

“Critical infrastructure like airports, schools, hospitals, markets, and many government facilities were all shut down. By the time President Buhari left office in 2023, Boko Haram had largely been defeated and technically became a thing of the past.”