Buratai insists sect has been defeated

Buratai said “We were given three major tasks and we have made efforts toward achieving two,

“The first task is to defeat Boko Haram and I want to tell you that as at today Boko Haram has been defeated.

“When I say defeat, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be hitches here and there. We have entered the mop up stage of our operation.”

Buratai also praised the elders, adding that the Army is doing its best to restore law and order in the state.

He also told the elders that the initial challenges encountered by the troops have been surmounted.

According to the Cable News, the Army boss also said “The second task is to support the civil authorities in caring and protecting the internally displaced persons and to help the civil authorities in restoring normalcy and rebuilding those areas that have been liberated.

Read: Troops foil Boko Haram's attack in Dikwa, seize large cache of arms

“It has already commenced in places like Bama, Gamboru Ngala, Baga, Mongonu and most of those areas are deserted because they are afraid that they could be attacked.

“So, we will embark on confidence building to encourage them to come back by assisting the civil authorities.”

A local vigilante group recently arrested a member of Boko Haram who allegedly posed as the sect’s leader, Abubakar Shekau in some of the sect’s videos.