President Paul Biya of Cameroon says the Boko haram insurgency has been defeated in the country.

The President made the claim over the weekend in Far North, Maroua, a region which has been the target of suicide bombings and other attacks by the extremist group. Biya who was campaigning ahead of the country’s October 7 elections, said he would focus on rebuilding what has been destroyed in the Far North “now that terrorism has been defeated.”

He however urged the population to remain vigilant and watch against further attacks.

Biya said the country had “overcome the worst” of the conflict against anglophone separatists, as well as the bloody insurgency being waged in the far north by Nigeria-based jihadist group, Boko Haram.

Biya delivered his first stump speech of the campaign to thousands of supporters under a baking sun at Maroua’s stadium flanked by dozens of ministers.

Official campaigns ahead of the October 7 presidential elections began last Saturday.

It should be recalled that this is the President first visit to Maroua since 2012.