The Nigerian president has defended the army’s efforts against Islamist militants in the north, after over 200 civilians died in attacks last week.
Addressing recent criticism, President Goodluck Jonathan said the fight against Boko Haram “will improve”.
It comes after the governor of the worst affected state, Borno, called for more troops to be deployed to the area.
Boko Haram has been conducting a four-year campaign of violence to push for Islamic rule in northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, President Jonathan criticised the governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, who recently stated that the Boko Haram militants were better armed and more motivated than the Nigeria military.
He also defended his decision to suspend the outspoken central bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, suggesting it had nothing to do with the governor’s decision to expose corruption in the oil sector.
War of words
Mr Jonathan told reporters if the Borno state governor felt the military were not useful, he would pull them out of the state for a month. He then suggested it would become so unsafe that even the governor would not be able to stay there.
Witnesses complain that Boko Haram attacks have at times lasted for several hours without any response from the armed forces.
Governor Kashim Shettim called for reinforcements in the wake of a five-hour attack on the Nigerian border town of Bama last week. A week earlier, 106 people were killed by gunmen in a raid on the town of Izghe.
BBC
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