AFRICA/NIGERIA - "Elections can be held in Maiduguri" says the Bishop

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "The security situation has improved, and I think it likely that elections can be held in the city of Maiduguri on March 28, even if not in the whole Borno State" says to Agenzia Fides His Exc. Mgr. Oliver Dashe Doeme, Bishop of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, one of the areas in northern Nigeria most affected by the violence of Boko Haram, the Islamist sect born in this city.
The presidential and parliamentary elections which were to be held on February 14 were postponed for six weeks to allow the multinational military force responsible for combating Boko Haram, to reconquer areas controlled by the Islamist sect and to strengthen security in the northeast of Nigeria (see Fides 07/02/2015).
In recent weeks the Nigerian army, together with that of Chad and Niger, is advancing in the areas occupied by Boko Haram. "Boko Haram is not invincible - says the Bishop of Maiduguri to Fides - and can be defeated as long as one has the will and the motivation to do it".
Despite the pressure to which they are submitted, the men of Boko Haram still abduct hundreds of people. "Unfortunately Boko Haram still manages to kidnap women and children, but nevertheless we see signs of hope. It seems to me that the military, that have received new weapons, are willing to put an end to the rebellion", concluded Mgr. Doeme. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 25/03/2015)