By Sa’idu Fagge, KANO
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, says he suspects international groups that want to destroy Nigeria are behind Boko Haram, adding that it is a fraudulent act, even by the name given to the terror group.
He stated this in Kano while delivering a keynote address at a lunch organized by the state government on Monday shortly after inaugurating some projects.
“When we came into power in 2015, Boko Haram was in control in 13 of the 27 local governments of the state, only four were with the government then.
“More so, half of the local governments in Yobe state were with Boko Haram.
“Today with the help of a patriotic and dedicated governor in Borno state the local governments have been recovered.
“What is Boko Haram? It is very fraudulent. I suspect there’s an international group that wants to destroy Nigeria. If not, how can Boko (western education) be Haram? the President questioned.
Buhari, who was on a state visit to Kano also praised the performance of his administration, especially on how it is able to provide more infrastructure with lesser funds compared to past regimes.
“I want you to recall that between 1999 and 2019 the NNPC production was 2.1 billion barrels per day at the cost of 100 dollars per barrel. So Nigeria was earning 100 dollars per barrel for 2.1 million barrels a day but look at our infrastructure.
“Some of them 60 years old, look at our power sector, what can advance without infrastructure?
“But those in charge in those years were going around not only in Nigeria but the world saying they are wonderful but they cannot explain what they have done.
“But the cost of petroleum today has gone down to about 37 dollars per barrel which only 1.5 million barrels is produced and yet we have put in place a lot of infrastructure. Look at what we have been able to do” Buhari added.
