Boko Haram: Buhari vows to fill the “loopholes” in Nigerian soldiers

The Nigerian president vowed to fill in the “loopholes” that would have allowed Boko Haram militants to kill dozens of soldiers at a military base in the north-east of the country.

For the first time, Muhammadu Buhari publicly speaks of Sunday’s attack, whose existence was only confirmed by the army on Friday.

At least 40 soldiers were reported killed when Boko Haram fighters fired on the Metele base in Borno State. But the army refused to confirm the existence of this attack until Friday. When it issued a statement contesting the death toll, without giving a figure.

Boko Haram, also known as the West African Province of the Islamic State, said it perpetrated Sunday’s attack. And killed at least 40 people.

According to senators from the Nigerian opposition, 44 soldiers were killed in this attack. But a video broadcast by the Nigerian army, more than a hundred soldiers were killed. While a Nigerian newspaper said the death toll of the attack could reach 118 dead.

In a statement released on Saturday, Muhammadu Buhari said he was deeply shocked by the news of the attack. The head of state, presidential candidate scheduled in three months, said no responsible leader can afford. And let terrorists “endanger the lives of its military personnel and other citizens.”

He planned to meet military leaders and intelligence chiefs “in the coming days” to plan the “next steps” in the fight against Boko Haram. Buhari came to power in 2015 after vowing to defeat the jihadist group that is wreaking havoc in Nigeria. With a wave of attacks aimed at overthrowing the government and creating an Islamic state.

Even though the army has taken over a large part of the territory, the jihadists continue to carry out deadly attacks.