Deby’s death’ll create vacuum in fight against Boko Haram, ISWAP – Buhari

PRESIDENT Buhari has described the late Chadian President, Idriss Deby, as a “gallant leader.”

Deby’s death is a big blow to the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State in West Africa Province, said the president in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Titled ‘President Buhari: Idriss Deby was a gallant leader,’ the statement read in part:

“The death of Deby will surely create a big vacuum in the efforts to jointly confront the Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State West Africa Province.”

He said Buhari is sad over Deby’s sudden and tragic death on the front line, fighting against rebel soldiers.

Continued the statement, “I’m deeply shocked and devastated by the sudden death of Idriss Deby on the battle front to defend the sovereignty of his country.

“The late Deby had played a very active role in our regional joint collaboration in the military campaign against the Boko Haram terrorists,” he further quoted the President as saying.

Eulogising Deby’s gallantry Buhari described the late Chadian leader “as a friend of Nigeria who had enthusiastically lent his hand in our efforts to defeat the murderous Boko Haram terrorists that have posed grave security challenges not only for Nigeria, but also our African neighbours, particularly Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic.”

While condoling with the people of Chad and their new leader, President Buhari called for greater collaboration to defeat the terrorists.