EU to Buhari: Soldiers alone cannot defeat Boko Haram

The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management, Mr Janez Lenarcic, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to apply international law and international humanitarian law in dealing with Boko Haram.

According to him: ‘military effort alone would probably not be sufficient’ to  tackle Boko Haram crisis in the country.

“We would like to support your efforts. We believe all relevant actors; military, civilian as well as humanitarian should come together. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs is suggesting such high level dialogue.

“In situations such as what we have in the northeast, international law and international humanitarian law should apply. We believe in your efforts to end the conflict; military effort alone probably will not be sufficient without identifying and addressing the socio-economic factors causing it, “he stated.

Disclosing this in a statement signed by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, EU Commissioner emphasized that Nigeria plays a big role in the African continent and globally in economic, social and other spheres and asked for the development of a plan between the EU and Nigeria concerning the issues in the Northeast.

He said he had visited Borno State and appreciates government’s efforts to end the conflict there.

However, on Friday, January 24, 2020, Buhari wondered why people think his administration cannot defeat Boko Haram.

He told Janez Lenarcic that if Nigeria after 30-month civil war was able to unite and reorganized itself, Boko Haram will soon be dealt with.

Boko Haram is responsible for the killings of over 17,000 Nigerians, particularly in the North-East.