Boko Haram / oil theft: We are on top of the situation – Obada

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — MINISTER of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Thursday, told the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the security challenge facing the country, especially with the activities of members of the Boko Haram sect, will soon be a thing of the past.

Obada who appeared before the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee, NWC, to give her own score card to the party, also disclosed that the Armed Forces were on top of the situation to nip in the bud the Boko Haram insurgency as well as oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, operating a machine gun during The closing activities of Exercise Camp Highland of Nigeria Army at the shooting range in Kachia, Kaduna State recently.

According to the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement, the minister gave detailed operations of her ministry and submitted that the Armed Forces are on top of the security challenges facing the nation.

He said: “She explained that Defence personnel were working in close concert with other security agencies to tackle threats posed by the Boko Haram sect and oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.

“She ascribed the success recorded in the fight against terrorism to the combat alertness of the Armed Forces and the political will of President Goodluck Jonathan in his commitment to providing all the necessary support to restoring normally in the polity.

“The minister also highlighted the role ofNigeria’s Armed Forces inMali, Guinea Bissau and other troubled areas in the African continent. Our intervention has restored hope to citizens of those countries.

“Other ministers are expected to give their report cards to the NWC in the coming weeks.”

Metuh said the meeting was designed in continuation of the party’s drive to create what he described as a synergy between it and its officials in the various arms of government.