Five persons were confirmed dead from bomb explosions that rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital to herald President, Muhammadu Buhari’s working visit to the state. One of the bombs went off in a residential area, killing a young lady and severely injuring two boys.

Another exploded in a mosque in Umaru Shehu Hospital, while others went off in 1,000 Housing and 707 Housing Estates, claiming four victims and destroying houses.

All the explosion sites are close to the Maiduguri Airport and the Nigerian Air Force Base where the President landed ahead of his project commissioning in the state.

The explosions were short of Governor Babagana Zulum’s expectations as he had earlier called on the people of the state to come out en masse to give President Muhammadu Buhari a rousing welcome.

The governor who noted that President Buhari had hugely supported the state government’s effort towards peaceful co-existence in the state, especially as it pertains the onslaught against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the state made the call as he inspected the Customs Flyover in the state, which was one of the projects billed for the president’s commissioning.

While in the state, president Buhari according to a statement, released by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesinadeclared that his government was in final phase of its campaign against insurgents and other criminals in the country.

According to Adesina, the president noted this as he addressed troops of Operation Hadin Kai, at the Air force Base in Maiduguri, who are in the frontlines against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist in the North-east, urging them to remain steadfast.

According to President Buhari, the entire nation remained grateful for the gallantry displayed of the troops in ensuring gradual return of peace to the North East, while condoling with families that have lost loved ones, and the wounded. 

“I urge you also to stay focused to achieve our strategic end-state which is the defeat of all adversaries and restoration of an economically viable North East geo-political Zone and other parts of the country where Nigerians are free to go about their activities without fear or harassment,” he said. 

 “I am delighted to be with you today and to convey my gratitude and that of the entire nation to you all, as you continuously strive to secure our dear country.

“Your career is like no other because it is a conscious commitment and preparedness to give your best for the sake of others.

“I am therefore here on behalf of a grateful nation to thank and commend you for your service and sacrifices.

“Let me start by commiserating with you all on the unfortunate loss of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkushu and other personnel of 25 and 28 Task Force Brigades, who died on November 13, 2021. 

“I do this mindful of the fact that we have lost others in this Theatre of Operation as well as other operational areas across the country,” the president said.

While noting threats posed by the terrorists with their employment of Improvised Explosive Devices, the president disclosed that substantial resources had also been directed at procuring equipment for explosive ordinance disposal.

According to him, similar attention was also being given to Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Assets.

“These measures and the platforms being received would accord you the necessary reach, fire power and protection to project force across the theatre and bring the fight to a logical and successful end,” he said.

The president expressed appreciation to the government of Borno for its continuous cooperation with the Federal Government in multiple spheres.

“This has been critical to the furtherance of our mutual efforts at restoring peace to the state. I particularly commend, Governor Babagana Zulum, for your untiring commitment and cherished collaboration with my administration for the overall good of the people of Borno.

“Yours is a good example of the inherent benefits that are accruable from conscious positive interaction between the Federal Government and states.”

He also commended the Minister of Defence as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the heads of all other security agencies for forging a common front of collaboration and cooperation which had continued to enhance operations.

 “To my dear troops, as your Commander-in-chief, I am mindful of your selfless sacrifices which in some cases have entailed paying the supreme price.

“The nation owes you a debt of gratitude for your commitment, dedication and unalloyed loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Our government will continue to work with your respective heads to ensure that your welfare receives priority attention and that our wounded comrades are given the best medical care possible,” he assured.

The president said the  manpower challenges which have limited the rotation of some units from the theatre would be addressed by concerted efforts to increase recruitment and ensure that the remaining units due for rotation were relieved as soon as practicable.

While acknowledging praises from the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Umar Elkanemi as he paid him a courtesy call, the President Buhari, said: “Nigerians should be fair to the administration in terms of reflecting on where we were before we came in 2015 and where we are now.

“In relative to time and resources, I want people to check with CBN and NNPC between 1999 and 2015. Oil production was 2.1 million barrels per day and at cost of $100 per barrel. I challenged everybody to go and check.

“When we came, unfortunately, the militants from the  South south were unleashing on the pipelines,  the production went down to half a million barrels per day.

“The prices went down to $36 per barrel. So relative time and resources, would make you know that this administration has really worked hard,”said Buhari