SENATORS from the north-eastern part of Nigeria, on the floor of the Senate, on Tuesday, said Nigerian troops have, so far, liberated 18 out of 20 local government areas previously occupied by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The senator representing Borno North, Senator Maina Maaji Lawan, who raised a point of order to bring the cheering development to his colleagues, said it was important that the lawmakers laud the military for their exploits.

The senator stated that he had sometimes ago raised the subject of insurgency and activities of terrorists who took over Baga town and their threat to Maiduguri, the state capital.

“About 20 local government areas were inaccessible to Nigerian authorities. Painful as it may have been, we elicited the support of this Senate in all the issue. It is only fair Mr (Senate) President that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this Senate.

“I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated; Monguno which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army has been liberated.

“Baga, my home town, has been liberated, the effort is ongoing and I think that it is only fair that no matter what is left, it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing and we appreciate that effort,” he said.

Another North-East Senator, Buka Abba Ibrahim, who represents Yobe East, said he was delighted that apart from Bama and Gworza, which are outstanding, there is no other local government under Boko Haram control in the state.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Navy, Senator Chris Anyanwu, said it was commendable that the senators from the North East recognised the efforts being made the government and the military.

She said successes being recorded by the military confirmed that President Goodluck Jonathan knew what he was doing on the insurgency situation all along.

Senate President, David Mark, who presided over the sitting, lauded Senator Lawan and other North-East senators for raising the point of order, adding that the senators spoke courageously.

“I must also commend the regional forces that have come to corporate with us; Chad, Niger and Cameroon, not only for their assistance but for the corporation,” he added.