NewStats: 3,262,878 , 8,178,443 topics. Date: Tuesday, 03 June 2025 at 09:56 PM 3mi64

Boko Haram is still holding territory in Northern Nigeria, commander of the US Africa Command (USAFRICOM), General David Rodriguez, has said.

General Rodriguez’s claim challenges Nigeria’s official position on the seven-year old insurgency that has so far claimed about 20,000 lives and displaced 2.5 million people.

Rodriguez’s assertion comes almost two months after President Muhammadu Buhari told the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, that the terrorist group was no longer “holding any territory as we speak.”

Buhari, who was speaking on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit in the UAE, said Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Multinational t Task Force (MNTJF) had driven the terrorist group from Nigerian territory into “fall-back positions.”

According to an online news portal, Times, Rodriguez spoke on Tuesday in response to a question during testimony before the US Senate Armed Services Committee reviewing fiscal year 2017 defence budget.

His comment about Boko Haram was in response to a question by Senator Angus King of Maine who asked about Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram more than 90 minutes into the testimony.

Angus’ direct question to General Rodriguez was: “Is Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram growing, are they adding ? I know they don’t hold territory, are they adding areas of influence?” to which Rodriguez replied, “actually sir, Boko Haram does hold some significant territory in Northern Nigeria as do Al-Shabaab in limited areas of Somalia.”

He added that recently there is a “tactical upswing” in Al-Shabaab’s operations in Somali but did not elaborate on Boko Haram’s operations, adding in his written testimony to the Senate Committee that containing and degrading the ISIL-d Boko Haram remains one of AFRICOM’s top priority.

“We are watching carefully for signs that the threat posed by Boko Haram to US persons is growing as a result of the group’s alignment with ISIL,” Rodriguez said.

He praised MNJTF allies and partners such as the African Union, , the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Department of State for engaging in the counter-Boko Haram effort.

“Our engagement now can assist our African partners in realizing their potential and gaining the capability to solve African problems,” Rodriguez said. “African solutions to African problems are, in the long run, in the best interest of Africans, Americans, and indeed the world.”

Rodriguez, a four-star general, became the third commander of AFRICOM in April 2013. US Africa Command is one of six unified geographic combatant commands within the United States Department of Defence unified command structure.

He appeared before the Senate committee with Generals Lloyd Austin of US Central Command and Joseph Votel of US Special Operations Command.

General Rodriguez’s testimony came couple weeks after the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade at the US Congress also convened hearings where two policy experts urged the US government to ramp up the push against Boko Haram.

Jennifer Cooke of the Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CSIS) and Alice Friend of the Centre for New American Security (CNAS), urged lawmakers to acknowledge and real advances against Boko Haram that have degraded the group and weakened its leadership over the last 18 months.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/03/11/us-africom-commander-counters-buhari-says-boko-haram-still-holds-territory-in-nigeria/

Ehen?

I don't believe this despite lie Muhammed claims... shioor

Hw will buhari know? when he doesn't live in Nigeria, bt only visits Nigeria

Somebody tell me this is a joke.

This APC crooks are making Nigeria a global laughing stock.

And they told us boko haram as been technically defeated.

Seriously

Can this felas calm down and read the report?

Zombies willbbe like; this guy must be an Ipob.

Mention the territories.

Boko haram should bring their usual propaganda video showing flags in our Local Government Area.

That is the simplest thing to ask.

But wailers abandon common sense just because they want to criticize.

The same US that approved money to enter Iraq because of chemical weapon ? After killing thousands, there was no weapon any wia.

The m0r0nic wailers know all these, but anything negative about the country excites them.

Jokers. No amount of "We tell them" will derail us as a country so brace up for 3- 7 years of unlimited wailing !!!

Tell me to choose between a Government that spent 2.2Billion Naira on prayers against Bokoharam and Buhari's Govt, I will choose Buhari again. That is common sense not ConMan's sense.

A major highway in Borno was opened in February after 3 years of closure because of Boko Haram. If that is not a sign of progress, nothing more will

I have never ever believed any word from the duo of Lai Mohammed and Buhari. Their party is even the worse.

Bursted

Imagine, Americans only concern is that Boko haram is a threat to their citizen not minding its effect on the family of the 20k that were killed and the 2.5 million displaced. Thank God Nigeria Army has made and are making tremendous progress, may the good Lord empower them more. Why should I rejoice on hearing this kind of news when I am not pro-boko haram

Chibaba247:
Hw will buhari know? when he doesn't live in Nigeria, bt only visits Nigeria

And you expect an entirely non Nigerian Gen. Rodriguez to know better right?
Awkward logic & twisted reasoning.

They're looking for an avenue to set up a base in Africa.

dear nairalandders and nigerians, from today on-ward, anything that this government say or dish out to you is nothing but a white lie.

Anybody that is still relying on anything this government says, such an individual must be a complete zombie who will forever remain dumb and fooolish.

These useless sets of zombies are not ready to work, but specialist in the business of lying

Buhari and APC telling lies is like when it is raining, u dont need to tell me it is not raining when it is. cause everybody will definitely know it is raining. What CHANGE of scam!

Buhari and APC telling lies is like when it is raining, u dont need to tell me it is not raining when it is. cause everybody will definitely know it is raining, we know they are all lairs . What CHANGE of scam!

The US commander is the liar here. They see us winning d war without them, hence, their attempt to rubbish our effort.

Orjioorji:
Zombies willbbe like; this guy must be an Ipob.

When an APC senator, representing Borno central, raised an alarm that Boko haram still controls half of Borno, which contradicted Lia Mohammed's averments that Boko haram are no longer in possession of any territory in Nigeria.

Zombies were like: "He was a formal PDP member, so we will believe Buhari and Lia Mohammed over him."

When will some people be delivered from the thralldom of Gullibility?

See what they are saying now:

englishmart:
wetin concern US commander for our matter na

Phame:
The US commander is the liar here. They see us winning d war without them, hence, their attempt to rubbish our effort.

Bro, He is helping by sensitizing Nigerians of the presence of Boko haram, so that we can exert our security measures to constrain their activities and shun vulnerability.

nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/3482148_12801096101545600136441865950030206362338648n_jpeg1e111aac64ce0baf706485f0ba9d7419

How im go know? When he totally chickened out of his promise to lead from the frontlines!

That US Army commander must be Probed.
He mismanaged the Money meant for Arms - Buhari

Really



nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/3236486_buharidefeatsbokoharam4_jpeg3b14d0e7f2d2c32d3b117b1eb1fc793c

wetin concern US commander for our matter na

[size=15pt]True Meaning Of APC (All Promises Cancelled) [/size]

The hidden truth they will never tell us.

am on d look out 4 one of those misguided infected buffon to mis yan.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
I fùcking knew it. It was too good to be true
Recycling old pictures and lying to us.

NA shame on Ur lying asses
Maybe you should go beat the US officer

Cre8:
Who are we to believe?

Alhaji LIE Mohammed our able minister of propaganda and DIS-information.



nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/3480904_apc1_jpege980b9f403e0cdbd1be00ef14a7d8b75

USA should let our matter rest jor.
In other news,I'm a year older today
Alhamdulilah.

lol