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Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima, Tuesday said peace is fast returning to troubled North eastern part of Nigeria, a region that had been ravaged for several years by the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamist jihadists
Shettima while fielding questions from State House Correspondents Tuesday , said although few areas within the region still witness hiccups, peace is however fast returning to the region.
The cheering news is coming on the heels of preparations for the upcoming visit of President Muhamamdu Buhari to the region next week as part of the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day celebration (NADCEL)
He said the ongoing insurgency problem is largely over, adding that “ we might be having some hiccups but when you compared the past with the present, we have every cause to celebrate”
According to him, “ We have pockets of the insurgents in inlands around the Lake Chad and the Sambisa forest but when you juxtapose the sorry state of affairs three, four years ago and the current situation we are in, I think there is cause for celebration”
He confirmed the earlier held maxim indicating that the Army has degraded Boko Haram’s capacity to carry out attacks adding that “ there is no more cause for alarm”
BusinessDay gathered at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the Nigerian Army has commenced marking of this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) which started from 29 June – 7 July 2018.
It was gathered that Governor Shettima’s visit to the Villa was part of efforts to put final arrangements in preparations for the President’s visit to the state to witness the Army day celebration.
The theme of this year’s Army Day Celebration is “The Nigerian Army and National Security: A Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Development”.
BusinesDay gathered that the Army had lined up several activities including sanitation exercise at Gudumbali and other selected locations in Borno State.
Other activities lined up for the celebration include free medical outreaches in some selected locations within the northeast region
Nigerian Army will showcase modern military equipment exhibition and mini trade fair along the border city of Monguno, in Borno state, as part of the grand finale
