Boko Haram Holds Significant Territory in Nigeria - U.S General Faults Buhari's Assertion

U.S four-star General and commander of the US Africa Command (USAFRICOM), General David Rodriguez, has said Boko Haram is still holding territory in Northern Nigeria contradicting President Buhari's assertion.

Coming about two months after President Muhammadu Buhari told the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, that Boko Haram was no longer “holding any territory as we speak,” the commander of the US Africa Command, USAFRICOM, General David Rodriguez, has stated otherwise.
Rodriguez who spoke on Tuesday in response to a question before the US Senate Armed Services Committee reviewing fiscal year 2017 defence budget.

Senator Angus King of Maine had asked the General 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 members? 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-affiliated Boko Haram remains one of AFRICOM’s top priority.