defeat Boko Haram in a country where many are languishing in poverty — Magu  

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has attributed the growing security challenges facing the country to the extreme poverty level plaguing the country. He said a hungry man can do anything, and many end up joining Boko Haram, which in turn makes fighting the terrorist group all the more difficult.

The EFCC boss made the assertion in Abuja during a nationwide walk against corruption.

He said, “Mass poverty in the region due in part to corruption by the ruling elite is largely to blame for the ease with which the Islamists are able to recruit fighters to sustain their aggression against the Nigerian state.”

He maintained that the country would be unsafe if public office holders continue to mismanage public funds and make the people live in poverty.

“Whether we like it or not, corruption and terrorism have become the twin evils, undermining our collective efforts to make Nigeria a truly great country,” he said.

The issues identified by the EFCC boss, topped Buhari’s campaign promises prior to winning the 2015 presidential election. However, the President’s failure to address this same issues after 5 years in power, raises questions about his ability to deliver on his promises.

The President has on Wednesday 12th, paid a sympathetic visit to the government of Borno, but was met with boos of disapproval as residents shouted saying he is no longer wanted in the State for his failure to repay them for their overwhelming support in both 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.

The Presidency however, in its reaction, accused the opposition party of hiring miscreants to give the impression that Borno residents have rejected the President.

Speaking in an interview with the Hausa service of the BBC, in Abuja, on Thursday, the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, said only miscreants protested against the president’s visit.

“I was part of the delegation that entered Maiduguri right from the airport to the palace of the Shehu of Borno. The people came out to say thank you and welcome us,” Shehu said.

“But there was a group which came out shouting ‘we don’t want’.

“Some politicians gathered some miscreants and paid them money to boo Buhari.”