Jonathan: Army pushing back Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday dismissed reports from some sections of the media that the Boko Haram insurgency was getting worse.

He insisted that the armed forces were pushing the insurgents back, preventing them from taking more territory for about a week now.

Jonathan made the disclosure while addressing a meeting of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investment Council in London.

“We are improving on security. For about a week now, there have been no reports of Boko Haram seizing more territories. Rather, we are steadily pushing them back,” he said.

“The impression being created by sections of the media that the situation is worsening is not true. I can assure you that it will never get worse.”

The president said that the combined efforts of the federal government, the armed forces and security agencies would soon end the ability of Boko Haram to seize any Nigerian territory.

Jonathan also told members of the council, headed by Baroness Lynda Chalker, that he had offered himself as candidate in Nigeria’s next presidential election because of his conviction that four more years in office would afford him the opportunity to further consolidate on the positive national reforms initiated by his administration and make them irreversible for the good of all Nigerians.

“As you already know, I have indicated my willingness to carry on for another four years if I am given the opportunity so that we can carry forward some of the reforms we have been talking about,” he said.