President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said “Boko Haram is false” and their financiers just want to split the country with their support to the terrorist group.

The President stated this when he met with the President of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah, at the sidelines of the African Conference for Peace, held in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

President Buhari, who recounted efforts made to extirpate the Boko Haram ideology in Nigeria in a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, wondered why the group, along with the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) wanted to split the country.

“Boko Haram is false. You say Western education is ungodly. It is fraudulent. Whoever is financing them just wants to split the country. All the grounds they seized before we came have been recovered, and the rebuilding process is going on well,” the President said.

President Buhari, who had earlier been invested with the African Award for Strengthening the Peace, was described by the Shaykh as “a symbol and icon of leadership and integrity,” who would remain an inspiration even after leaving office as President.

Shaykh Bin Bayyah lauded President Buhari’s efforts to eradicate religious extremism, stressing that it is something the world must collaborate to do.

You are doing a great job in that regard, and it is something we need to do wherever such rears its head around the world,” the respected cleric said.

The Shaykh, who invited Buhari to visit Abu Dhabi within the short time left for him in office said: “You have had varied experiences, as a military leader, a democratically elected leader for two terms, and your input will be appreciated in any society. We will be glad to receive you.”