1st June, 2015
President Muhammadu Buhari will visit Chad and Niger on Wednesday as part of his initial steps to find solution to Boko Haram insurgency, Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, told journalists in Abuja on Monday.
Boko Haram has stepped up attacks in Borno and Yobe State since the retired General was sworn in on Friday.
Buhari had acknowledged the contributions of Nigeria neighbouring countries to the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in his inauguration speech during his swearing in.
He also indicated his intention to relocate the military command centre to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the epicenter of Boko Haram activities to battle the insurgents.
Shehu told journalists on Monday that the President’s one day trip to Chad and Niger, was further aimed at exploring ways of ending the insurgency in the northeast.
“The president has Niger and Chad ahead of him. This will be his first trip outside the country on obvious matters of security,” he said.
Shehu also explained that Buhari is yet to take residence in Aso Rock presidential villa because renovation was still going on at the facility.
“The contractors are working probably at their own pace, if I need to know or if you need to know this, probably we have to talk to someone,” he said.
“I am not saying he’s comfortable where he is at his rented house but he is operating from there, at the moment when the villa is ready he will move in.”
Shehu however said he has no idea of when Buhari will announce the names of members of his cabinet.