Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Abdulmalik Mahmood, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Nigerian Army for their significant efforts in weakening the Boko Haram terrorist group. Mahmood made this commendation during an exclusive interview at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria in Abuja.
He expressed relief that residents and farmers in the affected regions have begun to return to their livelihoods, marking a significant improvement from the situation over the past decade. Mahmood highlighted that the menace of Boko Haram has drastically reduced in the North, especially in the North East and North West, allowing people to move about freely and farmers to return to their farms.
When reminded of occasional reports of bombings in areas like Borno in the first quarter of 2024, Mahmood downplayed these incidents, stating they were isolated and far less frequent compared to the widespread terror experienced five to eight years ago. He credited the military for restoring order, particularly in the North East.
This commendation aligns with recent remarks by the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, who noted that Boko Haram’s revenue has significantly declined since 2016 due to the Federal Government’s sustained war efforts. Olotu mentioned that the insurgents had previously funded their operations through kidnapping, armed robbery, illegal mining, foreign donations, and extortion of local communities.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also raised concerns about the 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, warning that this situation could provide a fertile ground for the recruitment of future Boko Haram insurgents if not addressed. Obasanjo made this warning during the inauguration of roads in Bauchi.
