Boko Haram Insurgency Claims 100,000 Lives, N3.24trn Damages – CDS

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has disclosed that the Boko Haram insurgency led to the deaths of 100,000 persons, over 2 million displaced persons and $9 billion (N3.24 trillion) worth of damages.

He spoke at the ministerial retreat held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the insurgency is now restricted to a corner of the territory they previously inhabited even though they have made some inroads into the northwest.

The Defence boss also affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have received N2.5 trillion in seven years in budgetary provision and have been able to “tremendously” increase internal security operations.

However, he regretted that the amount received is just 35 percent of AFN requirements and below 0.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

While speaking on the AFN operations in the Niger Delta, he said militancy has transmuted to crude oil theft, noting the gaps that exist in the National Security Strategy, which he said can be overcome through the initiative of the political leadership, military operations and the attitude of the population.