CNM alleges Diaspora being radicalised to destabilise Nigeria

Some Nigerians with questionable character in the Diaspora have indulged in malicious campaigns to radicalize their compatriots and promote destabilization back home. 

This revelation was made by the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja.  

According to the group, these subversive elements intend to tarnish the image of leaders, while ultimately activating insecurity and economic crisis that would lead to anarchy.

In his address, CNM’s leader, Patriot Sabo Odeh said Nigerians must be aware of these elements who deliberately instigate problems back home and escape with their families to safe abodes.  

According to Odeh, they sponsor youths to protest under the pretext of democratic liberty and fails to speak out when it turns violent. 

The coalition recalled the role played by these Nigerians abroad in fuelling last year’s EndSARS protest which eventually led to arson, unrest and bloodbath.  

The group wondered why these Nigerians who criticised the Federal Government for quelling further breakdown of law and order suddenly went mute when police were deployed at U.S. Capitol Hill. 

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement, however, advised Nigerians to wake up from slumber, before the antics and sinister plans of these elements in the diaspora would cause the total ruination of our country.

It added that the mindless assault and undermining of the peace and security of our country in the guise of the exercise of democratic rights must cease. 

Read the full statement below: 

The Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) is wishing you a prosperous and happy New Year, as we welcome you most warmly to this press conference.

We are elbowed to address this press conference to speak to the generality of Nigerians over the trending mindsets and inclinations of Nigerians in the diaspora who have decided dodge the pains, discomforts and scars of nation-building, but indulges in subversive actions against the country. Whilst this clan of Nigerians have decided to hoe themselves in foreign lands, they deliberately instigate problems of frightening dimensions on insecurities, but escape to the safer abodes of other nations with their families when the conflagrations they ignite goes wild aflame. 

The troubleshooters abandon the rest of us to our fate, after making us susceptible to the problems they generate by their actions and utterances’. We are baffled at the manner these Nigerians in diaspora dubiously misinterpret and apply the doctrines of freedom of speech and the rights to public protests by the citizens in the expression of grievances against the government in a manner which projects them as blind to the discernment of peace and violence.

This tendency has become too pronounced under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last four years. These diasporan Nigerians prod and sponsor our youths to protests under the pretext of democratic liberty, but hardly know the difference between peaceful and violent protests as espoused by democratic Governments globally.  Even when such protests become violent and bloody, or marred by destructions the Nigerians in diaspora use various weapons, especially social media platforms to bolster the perpetrators of such evil against the people and the nation to continue in self-destruction.   

Whilst we are unexcited at recounting the gores of some of these recently ugly so-called “democratic” public protests in Nigeria, which did only become bloody but violated the basic doctrines of liberty under a civilian government, but it has become pertinent to use the incidents for illustration and clarity.

We are aware of the age-long aberrations’ and the nuisances inherent in members of the outlawed sect, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) or the Shiites in Nigeria led by Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.  The sect’s devious members have repeatedly invaded Abuja with guns and other dangerous weapons under the guise of protesting what they believed in their narrowed senses as the unlawful incarceration of El-Zakzaky.  

The protests were organized at two or three separate instances; but quite sadly, the Shiites defiled all sanity, turned violent and brutally engaged security agents drafted to maintain public law and order. In one of the incidents, they crudely attacked and gruesomely murdered Nigerians including a senior police officer.

Let us again look at the violent dimension of the #EndSARS protests of last year. It was executed with the same tenor of the IMN’s protests or other such demonstrations in Nigeria under the Buhari Presidency. All of us can attest to the scary bloodbath, rape of women, cruel butcher of security agents by the protestors, the destruction of public and private properties, looting, acts of arson and vandalization which were committed.

Nigerians were subjected to this level of barbaric violence and brutality in the pretext of “democratic” protests. This is not permissible anywhere and under any system of government in the world. Unfortunately, while the incensed madness lasted, Nigerians in the diaspora shamelessly rather emboldened and encouraged the crisis-printers agents of darkness and the hoodlums.

Strangely, Nigerians in the diaspora were rather faulting the strident measures President Buhari adopted to halt the carnage and restore public peace. The Nigerians in foreign lands lectured us on how undemocratic Mr. President acted by ordering the Military to quell the insane violence. They branded President Buhari a civilian dictator and all manner of derogative sobriquets.

But we must realize that democracy is not practised in Nigeria alone or Nigeria’s brand of democracy emanates from the skies. Almost every nation on earth has embraced this system of government. And with it, the fundamental doctrines of freedom of expression and liberties as also guaranteed in other nations. But there are limitations and the citizen’s exercise of these rights is also guided by the principles of decency and the consciousness of resisting the temptation on encroaching on the rights of other countrymen and women.

But most pointedly, no democratic leader allows national security to be compromised by hoodlums and miscreants in the guise of exercising democratic rights either in public protests or any other endeavour.  National interest supersedes every other consideration. Therefore, democratic protests which assume the character of bloodbath are ruthlessly crushed with the force it deserves.

Nigerians have seen it done elsewhere in recent times. We know America as the global bastion of democracy. But outgoing President Donald J. Trump could not tolerate lawless protestors. He ordered American Military out to protect America’s national heritage from abuse by vandals, looters, arsonists’ and brigands. It happened during the #BlackLivesMatter demonstrations’ over the police murder of George Floyd. No one raised an eyebrow.

And it was recently, we witnessed the episode of the violent invasion of Capitol Hill building by pro-Trump protesters. In a split-second, security agents murdered five Americans.  The venom expressed by the protestors at Capitol Hill was just an insignificant fraction of what Nigerian youths did during the #EndSARS protests in the country. Among victims of the police reaction to the enraged and violent protesters was a woman who was shot point-blank on the chest and she died instantly.

Unbelievably, CNM observed with consternation the conspiratorial silence of Nigerians in the diaspora over the brutal police encounter with protestors at Capitol Hill. None of them neither condemned nor queried the excessive application of force by the American police.  We expected to hear a public condemnatory statement from the Nigerians who administer the Abuja country office of Amnesty International, but no word has been heard from them to this moment. But these are the people who pick bones in everything Buhari.

We must understand the motive and hypocrisy in the malicious campaigns of these Nigerians in the diaspora against their country. The masterminds of the bellicose campaigns are diaspora Nigerians who are at best, outcasts and renegades who escaped or sought asylum in foreign countries after committing criminal acts in Nigeria. Many of them were school dropouts, rapists, lawbreakers, armed robbers, bank robbers, looters of our commonwealth, failed businessmen and lazy baboons. 

CNM is therefore calling on all Nigerians to wake up from slumber, before the antics and sinister plans of some Nigerians in the diaspora would cause the total ruination of our country. It appears to us now that what Nigerians who have escaped to foreign lands learn first are the tricks of how to orchestrate the destabilization and destruction of their country. This is condemnable and unacceptable. 

This is the time for us to unite to tackle these questionable characters headlong. The Diaspora Office must be revisited.  We suggest that it should be scrapped because it has lost its relevance. Those who congregate under its roof are mere opportunists. They are bringing their disappointments abroad to implant a lawless society in Nigeria that was not accommodative to them before taking a flight abroad. The Diaspora office has failed. It has become an avenue for disgruntled elements to congregate against the interests of the entire country.

The CNM is pleading with all the citizens of our country rise against the negative influence and interferences by Nigerians in the diaspora who mean no good for our beloved country. This is not the time to procrastinate in taking the appropriate action. The mindless assault and undermining of the peace and security of our country in the guise of the exercise of democratic rights must cease. 

NDF threatens mass action against ICC, AI

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has warned the International Criminal Court (ICC), Amnesty International (AI) and other “enemies of Nigeria” to prepare to meet the masses, whose lives they are jeopardizing with their subversive activities.

The NDF made this known on Tuesday in reaction to the alarm that these international organisations are colluding to undermine Nigeria’s war on terrorism.

In a statement signed by its Director of Public Enlightenment, Dr Samson Ayo, the group further noted that the ICC, AI and others have allied with the opposition in a devilish pursuit of a possible regime change. 

According to Dr Ayo, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is the last obstacle in their quest, hence the constant attacks on the service chiefs.

To achieve this, he added that the ICC conjured up a dubious report alleging war crimes and rights abuses against the military. 

The NDF, however, urged the Federal Government to take decisive actions to counter the threats posed to Nigeria’s democracy and security by the ICC and Amnesty International.

Read the full statement below:

The National Democratic Front (NDF) is alarmed by the revelations from the Federal Government that the International Criminal Court of justice (ICC) and international NGO, Amnesty International are colluding to undermine Nigeria’s war on terrorism. There can be no greater travesty than such callous undermining of Nigeria’s right to defend its territorial integrity. 

NDF is further concerned that the ICC, Amnesty International and their associates are collaborating with the opposition in this devilish pursuit, which lends credence to assertions in some quarters that these organizations are jostling for an illegal and possibly a forceful regime change to plant elements of the opposition in positions that will enable them to destroy the country from within. 

The decision of this syndicate to target the leadership of the military in Nigeria with spurious and unfounded allegations of war crimes and rights abuses is one that should set the alarm bells ringing in the collective consciousness of Nigerians. This is because they recognize the Armed Forces of Nigeria as the last obstacle to their attempt with the opposition to illegally sack the government, especially since the Military Service Chiefs had serially promised to defend Nigeria’s democracy at any permissible cost. 

NDF recalls that it had warned in the run-up to the 2019 General Elections that the opposition is desperate to see the removal of the military chiefs so that pliable and pro-coup replacements can be named following which they would massive and coordinate civil unrest that they will then use as a basis to overthrow the government with the backing of foreign partners that have now proven to be the ICC and Amnesty International. 

We are therefore not surprised that the opposition’s frantic call for the sack of the service chiefs is now being followed by a dubious report from the ICC aimed at forcing the exit of the gallant commanders in addition to subtly blackmailing their eventual successors into doing the biddings of Nigeria’s enemies as represented by the opposition, Amnesty International and the ICC.

It is most unfortunate that the ICC and Amnesty International, institutions that have the safeguard of human rights as the core of their mandates, are the ones that have now constituted themselves into pro-terrorist organizations simply because of their desperation to implement the evil agenda they have in the country. They have also committed themselves to actively sabotaging Nigeria’s hard-won democracy, which qualified them as the country’s leading enemies. 

NDF has no choice but to unequivocally demand that the Federal Government takes decisive actions to counter the threats posed to Nigeria’s democracy and security by the ICC and Amnesty International. Things have gotten to the point where these organizations, irrespective of their now abused international status, must treat in the manner they deserve.

Conscious of the fact that it had in the past expressed concerns about the dangerous activities of these organizations with unheeded warnings to them to desist, NDF is warning the ICC and Amnesty International that they must now be prepared to meet the masses of Nigeria, whose lives they are jeopardizing with their subversive activities. 

The Diaspora and it’s Negative Influence on our Democracy

By Abubakar Gana

We yearned and prayed passionately for democratic leadership for decades. It was not easy for a nation as famous and naturally endowed like Nigeria to face the enslavement of dictatorship for the years it was imposed on us by our Military. At last, democracy reincarnated in Nigeria in 1999. Good enough, for over two decades now, we have savored the gains and experienced the extraneous froths and thrills inured to democratic governments.

Not deterred by setback, we are still struggling to reshape democracy in Nigeria; our leaders have their eyes fixated on it. President Muhammadu Buhari is labouring unstintingly to redefine and indoctrinate in us, the ideal democratic culture in Nigeria. That’s one of the legacies he strives to bequeath to us after serving out his leadership tenures.

But there are the reneges and betrayers of the Nigerian regeneration project who have implanted multiple thorns on his path. At every turn, we notice grand plots to frustrate the refining and purification of Nigeria’s democracy by the Buhari administration from these unpatriotic subverters.

I have observed overtime, a very dangerous obsession of defilements of the land by the Nigerians in the diaspora. Ordinarily, Nigerians in the diaspora should be admirable ambassadors of our country. But in contrast, the league of Nigerians in foreign lands have insensitively constituted themselves into potently brazen forces of antipathy for any agenda on sanity and progress in their home country.

Nigerian compatriots in the diaspora have re-baptized our land with varied destructive tendencies and repulsive acts. These vampires and old fags in the diaspora have turned Nigeria into a cesspit of an uninhabitable land only evocative of the fate of the aborigines in the oasis of Bhangarh Fort, in Delhi, India. The natives deserted it because a sorcerer cursed it.

We are being dragged to a similar fate now. Nigerians in the diaspora have morphed into celebrated Luciferic reincarnates and destroyers of our beautify country with unnecessary incitements and persuasions of youngsters in the country to embrace evil at the expense of decency. They want us to desert our land gifted to us by God. The Nigerians in diaspora chant songs of war against their country when they ought to erect orchestras of merriments.

Evil has enmeshed almost all of them neck-deep and they prefer to sedulously work and see to the absolute collapse of Nigeria at the slightest chance of internal upheavals. They are usually vociferous in the condemnation imaginary “evil” in Nigeria; but operate a treacherous web with external destabilization forces against the unity, peace and security of our beloved nation. We have appropriately decoded their ungodly pretensions and demonic machinations against Nigeria.

I cannot endure their excesses this long without raising a voice of condemnation publicly. Most Nigerians in the diaspora who are the leading campaigners’ and protagonists in the perpetration of disguised evil against the country are haunted by the ghosts of their earlier disfigured lives, while they resided in the country.

It was their motivation for taking refuge abroad and the external forces against us have found worthy weapons in them to exploit against Nigeria. They are usually blind to the evil in foreign nations and countries of their domiciliary; but very vocal about an evil they have conjured and promoted against Nigeria.

The actions and conducts of Nigerians in the diaspora connote an assemblage of people on a revenge mission against their country and adroit in imposing it. They angle for Nigeria to break in smattering pieces, so, deploy all arsenals, such as blackmailing leaders, defaming and distracting the Nigerian Military; mindless and instigative utterances which promotes hatred in the citizenry and goad gullible Nigerians into destructive and regrettable actions against our country.

An Africa adage says; “he who frequently breaks the calabash is unmindful of an earlier crack on it.” Knowingly or unknowingly, these diasporan Nigerians; some of them opinion moulders and leaders in their new domains have vowed to always ensure they catapult Nigeria into a state of quandary. Some of them no longer veil their identities in executing these sinister plots. And we are also aware of those working behind the curtains.

However, it is indubitable that diaspora Nigerians have become a bad influence on their home country as emerging activists who inexplicably delights more in ruining the subsisting peace and security of the country. They are initiates of masochism, who are only excited whenever they sight blood and destructions in their home country.

These Nigerians in foreign nations are narcissistic and egoistic; they perceive themselves as embodying the finest of leadership or governance qualities; but in a realistic sense, its fake and immersed in evil. They are after the pursuit of an agenda antithetical to the people and anti-Nigeria. They have masked patrons oversees who surreptitiously bankroll their nefarious outings against Nigeria and craft the script of the sequence of actions. At best, they are spies and hired goons of anti-Nigerian interests.

Therefore, they migrate into the country, alien habits, lifestyles and non-existing governance codes against Nigeria to pacify their foreign masters at the detriment of our nation. Let’s look at a few examples from them. It is a great puzzle why the leader of outlawed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu claims agitating for self-determination, but would ignore all lawful means in pursuing the actualization of a Biafran state?

Rather, the escapee jailbird, Kanu is more at home with bloodbath of his kinsmen and other acts of criminalities in the pretext of secession agitations. The same IPOB leader frequently ignites irresponsible violence and bloodbath at home, but effeminately runs away together with his wife and children to foreign lands when the heat is hot. He allows others to die for his troubles, whilst he escapes to secured sanctuaries abroad. He shirks from remaining behind to shepherd his minions on the cause of his convictions.

The last time, he stoked the violence, Kanu saved himself through a nocturnal escape to the United Kingdom and has remained permanently a self-exiled fugitive, but keeps hurling missiles. Had Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid campaigner and heroes fought independence from the black minority in South Africa with Kanu’s style, the country would still have been in chains.

The emotionally distraught and physically drenched Omoleye Sowore claimed he wants his home country Nigeria, to be a better nation. He sought a democratic means of seeking to offer leadership personally by contesting the presidential elections of 2019. It was a standard procedure of seeking to provide leadership alternatives as endorsed by democracy.

Unfortunately, Sowore was resoundingly rejected by Nigerians through the ballot. He polled a paltry 33,000 votes in a country densely populated like Nigeria. Sowore’s presidential bid was apparently financed by the same external forces of destabilization. We sensed the diabolical agenda against us and casted him off our leader ladder. But Sowore has become indefinably restless. He plotted a #RevolutionNow protests to overthrow a democratic government. But the plot could not fly.

Unrelenting, he shadowed in the first phase of the bloody #EndSARS protests, but the dream was also drooped. He flouted every bail condition granted to him by a lawful court and vainly attempted to re-introduce the second phase of the violent #EndSARS protests, but again, the agenda flopped.

For Christ’s sake, how does our conscience speak to us in solemn moments? Sowore faults and sermonizes on the “bad” leadership of President Buhari; he tells me and Nigerians that he wants a better nation and a country where the rule of law takes center-stage. But he is law breaker himself. How would anyone of use reconcile these juxtaposed traits by the self-disesteemed “activist?”

What most of us fail to decipher is that the likes of Kanu, Sowore, Deji Adeyanju and cahoots enmesh themselves in these nonsensicalities because of the pecuniary gains in the sumptuously irresistible dollars and pounds sterling offered as baits. The political buccaneers who get the funds through various channels can create any public anarchy, cause public fracas and even kill to ensure it never stops flowing into their wallet.

Therefore, for the sake of the zeal and thirst to secure these foreign funds and grants, the undertakers have donated themselves to the sponsors as merchants of bloodbath; they have pledged allegiance to foreign organizations and interests that ordinarily hates Africa as a continent. And Nigeria is topmost on their list of targeted countries. But let me assure these hired betrayers and sabs after the soul of Nigeria that with President Buhari still in Aso Rock, they stand no chance of turning Nigeria into the deserted Bhangarh Fort of Delhi.

Gana is a public affairs commentator writing from Kaduna.

Yoruba group wants NIDCOM scrapped over activities of Diaspora

The Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants (COD) has urged the Federal Government to totally scrap or restructure the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) over threats to national security by some Nigerians in the Diaspora. 

According to the Oduduwa group, this has become paramount following hate campaigns by some disgruntled elements abroad , endorsing negative publicity about Nigeria.

The COD made these known at a press conference on Tuesday in Lagos.  

Speaking on behalf of the group, National Coordinator, Lekan Ekundayo, said NIDCOM has failed in its mandates thereby discouraging many investors, exaggerating the security situation and underreporting the success made in the fight against insecurity.

The group noted that many campaign of calumny against the country abroad are spearheaded by these Nigerians abroad.

According to COD, these criminal elements hiding abroad have also encouraged enemies of the Nigerian state like Boko Haram, insurgents and other economic saboteurs to continue to wreak havoc on the country. 

Instead of promoting the image of the nation abroad, the Yoruba group said NIDCOM has become the refinery for the processing of crude, scathing critics and all forms of negativism against Nigeria.

The Oduduwa descents, however, urged the FG to scrap NIDCOM or restructure it inorder to focus on its “fundamental objectives of harnessing our human resources for good and not for the destruction of Nigeria”.

It also advised the commission to focus on researches that would facilitate development in Nigeria in the fields of science, engineering, agriculture and medicine. 

Read full statement below:

Gentlemen of the press,

We are addressing you today on an issue of urgent national importance.

This has to do with the way our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora have constantly been portraying Nigeria in negative light thereby influencing our citizens and other citizens of the world to hate our dear country, Nigeria. 

We are also alarmed by the official consent given to these hate campaigns by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, which is like given an official endorsement to negative publicity about Nigeria.

Going by the kinds of texts and literature coming from our kindred in the Diaspora, one would assume that there is absolutely nothing good about Nigeria and that this country is only fit to be discarded and dumped in the refuse bin.

Saying anything positive about Nigeria is now considered demeaning and for one to belong to the class of individuals seen as deep intellectuals, one must attack the Nigerian  government and speak of happenings in the country as the worst in human history.

It is this kind of mindset that gave birth and nurtured the self hating and seditious sentiments of the likes of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB who kept referring to Nigeria as a zoo and had wanted  to start an insurrection until he was checkmated by the Nigerian Government. 

These set of people have become in the words of Prof. Toyin Falola, “like the Europeans in 19th century Africa, the colonizers,  who saw nothing good about the continent.”

THE IMPLICATION 

According to a United Nations 2017 report, there are at least 1.24 million migrants from Nigeria in the Diaspora but that this figure is likely to be higher in 2018 and 2019 with the recent trend in migration from Nigeria.

These include people who have done their basic and tertiary education in Nigeria but are unwilling to contribute their quota for the development of the country and have set their minds only on looking for greener pastures elsewhere. 

These are people who have benefited from the free primary and basic education programmes of previous Nigerian governments, enjoyed various forms of scholarships at the tertiary levels and were treated with high respect and dignity and given choice appointments upon graduation from the universities.

These are the same set of people that have now turned their backs on the very country that gave them these opportunities.

So, as these Nigerians who benefited from the Nigerian system continue in their hate campaigns, the damages they’re doing to the well being of the country is better imagined.

By their actions and comments, they have discouraged many investors from coming into Nigeria as they exaggerate the security situation in the country and underreport the success made in the fight against insecurity.

Unfortunately, their comments influence other unsuspecting citizens not to believe in themselves but begin to think that nothing good can come out of Nigeria and that the only way they can make it is to escape to other countries.

They have encouraged corruption in the public sevice because people who are reading them have come to believe that the only way they can make it is tosteal from the public till and send their children to schools abroad no matter the cost even as Nigeria offers better opportunities in that regard. 

The utterances and actions of these Nigerians in the Diaspora has stalled the growth of public institutions in Nigeria as their self hate sermons has encouraged a lackadaisical attitude towards everything the country represents. 

Worse still, it has encouraged enemies of the Nigerian State like the Boko  Haram terrorists, insurgents and other economic saboteurs to continue to wreak havoc on the country in the misguided belief that they share common passion with Nigerians in the Diaspora. 

Their attitude has also served to dampen the morale of security agencies who are in the field putting their lives on the line to secure the country as troops go home with the belief that they’re not appreciated.

THE ROLE OF NIDCOM

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, which was created to provide for the engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria and for the purpose of utilising the human capital and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development has unfortunately allowed itself to be used by these see -nothing -good -about-Nigeria set of Nigerians.

Rather than adhere strictly to its role of fostering development, NIDCOM has now become the refinery for the processing of crude but scathing criticisms and all forms of negativism against Nigeria.

The Commission, rather than insist on the positive aspect of its role is lending itself to the projection of negative images about Nigeria and this is most unfortunate. 

THE WAY OUT

NIDCOM must be called to order and reminded of its fundamental objectives of harnessing our human resources for good and not for the destruction of Nigeria. 

It should not allow itself to be used by self-seekng opportunists to paint the country in bad light.

If the Commission refuses to fall in line, it should be restructured and reconstituted to allow only those with passion to develop the country come on board as the Commission has failed by becoming an avenue for disgruntled elements to congregate against the interest of the entire country.

Nigerians in the Diaspora on the other hand, should focus on researches that would facilitate development in Nigeria in the fields of science, engineering, agriculture and medicine and not jusy to be regurgitating worn out political theories that have become stale and are no longer applicable in the new world order.

They should be making remittances home not just to build hotels and mansions in their villages for camping young girls but to build industries for the employment of youths.

Nothing stops Nigerians in the Diaspora from building basic infrastructure like schools and hospitals to complement what the government is doing.

They should also use their various positions abroad to project Nigeria as an emerging world economy to woo foreign investors and they should stop magnifying the country’s challenges as there is no nation without challenges. 

Finally, we call on Nigerians in the Diaspora to in the words of Prof. Falola remember that, “You are supposed to empower your people, not destroy them. Statements to uplift and upgrade are different from statements to ridicule. We all criticise, even we criticise family members, but not that we want to push them to the mouth of the lion.”

Thank you.

ICC plans to release “trumped-up report” on indictment of Nigerian Military leader

By Lawrence Audu
Fresh facts have emerged on how the International Criminal Court (ICC) has perfected plans to release a report indicting some members of the military hierarchy for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in Nigeria.

According to credible sources, the ICC is planning to indict some military hierarchy members, especially those at the forefront of the war against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria. The source who is a member of an international network of intelligence gathering organization scooped that the bulk of the report was trumped up with little or no evidence to back their position.

“In the coming weeks, the ICC would attempt to cause a global stir by alleging that some military commanders in Nigeria have been found wanting in committing war crimes. We know the ICC report is laced with illogical conclusions as there were no evidence to back the claims. However, some vested interest in the ICC has vetoed for the report to be released” he said.

He further stated that the report did not get the required consensus, but plans have been perfected to make it public.

“From the foregoing, I think that Nigeria should brace up for what to come from the ICC as it would indeed cause some discomfort and distractions in the ongoing war against insurgency.”

This medium also gathered that in a bid to give the report some semblance of credibility, the ICC is relying on some perceived human rights organizations to amplify the report in the public domain through press statements in support of the ICC report.

Another top security source who pleaded anonymity stated that the ICC report is targeted at a top Military commander for his tough stance in the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

“We have credible Intel on who the target of the ICC is, and we also know that the ranks of the ICC must have been infiltrated by some very powerful interest in the middle east who have devoted large sums of monies to ensure that the ICC indicts Nigeria for an incidence that happened some years back that almost sparked a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the country which has considerable interest in the affairs of Nigeria.”

“I tell you that at this stage there is no turning back for the ICC because the body has been compromised greatly with massive monetary inducement. But I tell you that the plot will fail because there would be a backlash as there is no tangible evidence that suggests that crimes against humanity were committed; instead, it is the other way round.”

According to some correspondence seen by this medium, Amnesty International and Transparency International have been conscripted into the plot to provide backup to the ICC. In one of the mails tagged “ the urgency of now” the focus is to recruit willing individuals and groups in Nigeria to lend support to the cause that is tailored towards bringing about ” necessary change” in Nigeria.”

This fact was also corroborated by a top intelligence source who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issues at stake. He stated that “Amnesty International and Transparency are part of the ICC’s plot to discredit Nigeria. They have been covertly mobilizing willing individuals and groups under the tag of 2021 retreat for enhancing human rights compliance in Nigeria.”

“I tell you that the plot is real. It is a destabilization plot that if allowed to succeed, the consequences might be severe as it would greatly affect the efforts towards addressing the security challenges in the country.”

“The involvement of the ICC is the height of the desperation as all previous plots have failed and due to the global image of the ICC, an indictment would open a flurry of opening for scathing attacks on the Nigerian Military towards ensuring that there is a distraction that would enable insurgent and terrorist groups to regain lost grounds.”

The source further advised Nigerians to be vigilant and wary of invitations for seminars and capacity building workshops by some known civil society organizations.

“Nigerians must be vigilant as in the coming weeks; there would be invitations for capacity building workshops by some local and international organizations, especially from Amnesty International, Transparency International and their proxies. These workshops aim to serve as recruitment avenues towards the grand plot to launch an offensive against Nigeria.”

“The target of this recruitment drive are youths between the ages of 25 and 40 and some of those with considerable social media leverage whose platforms would also be utilized in mobilizing the youthful population in Nigeria for a repeat of something in the mould of the EndSARS campaign.”

It would be recalled that Nigeria has been under constant criticism for the Nigerian military’s role in the war against insurgency and other acts of militancy in parts of the country.

Gen Buratai as African Steward Man of the Year 2020

By Thomas Uzah

Eventually, the Year 2020 grudgingly dragged to an end. It was a difficult and tough year for all Africans. From economic meltdown to wars, conflicts and the blight of the global Covid-19 pandemic. In the continent, Nigeria also had her fair share of these troubles. These predicaments were varied and complex.

As already known, the position of Nigeria in the continent is very strategic and sensitive. It is a country with a large landmass and huge population. And it is not disputable that the African continent is troubled and threatened anytime a misfortune adversely affects Nigeria.

What troubled Nigeria deeply and almost brought the country to her knees last year was the nagging spate of resurgent insecurities. Nigeria was confronted with the menace of resurgent Boko Haram insurgency and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists. The armed gangs regrouped and came back like a bad penny in what appeared in every countenance like a revenge mission over their defeat by soldiers.

And also, emerging from a general election year, Nigeria grappled with the challenge of the infiltration and proliferation of weapons; intrusion of hired armed mercenaries, ethnic militias, armed bandits, the scourge of kidnappers, oil pipeline vandals, buccaneers, ethno-religious eruptions, vicious secession agitations, communal skirmishes and the bloody #EndSARS protests.

Certainly, the peace, security and stability of the country was extremely tested by these organized armed criminal gangs. They registered presence in most parts of the nation and in overwhelming numbers, perpetually overpowering civil security. And in all instances of internal security breaches, the magnitude consistently attracted the deployment of soldiers on special assignments on Internal Security (IS).

These forces of darkness pushed Nigeria to the cusp of total destabilization and disintegration. There were glaring signs of the absolute compromise of national security, like the #EndSARS protests, had Government failed to take proactive steps to extinguish the smokes of these insecurities and disable the brigands. But at the end of the year, Nigerians gracefully crossed into 2021 with less of such troubles or precisely, their absolute obliteration based on the interventions of the Army.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai dispensed himself in these troubled times as Nigeria’s loyal and trustworthy salvationist. He deserves the most endearing and profound eulogies for imposing security sanity in Nigeria today.

The Army Chief led soldiers to accomplish these difficult security tasks professionally, and distinctively. Gen. Buratai doggedly ensured the berth of peace and security in Nigerian and by implication, the African continent. He rescued Nigeria from the hands of armed captors, sanitized the country and opened fresh vistas of security regeneration or rebirth.

As Punchman of the counter-insurgency operations in the country, Gen. Buratai discharged his stewardship to fatherland with dexterity, distinction and splendor. He salvaged Nigeria and restored lost hopes. His works erased the feeling of hopelessness harboured by most Nigerians over insecurity. And surely, with him still on the saddle, Nigerians have settled with the reality that it is possible to live in the previously tormented country, free of security threats or molestations from armed gangs.

The last quarter of 2020 was particularly challenging for the country. Political desperadoes ignited a carnival of fires in the guise of #EndSARS protests. Almost the entire Southern part of the country was engulfed by the heat of the violent #EndSARS protests. The quantum of destructions and bloodbath orchestrated by the sponsors and promoters of #EndSARS was appalling.

Nigeria was on the verge of complete anarchy, and the total breakdown of law and order. But Gen. Buratai staged out and effectively quenched the destructive fires triggered by the pig -heads of the #EndSARS campaigners. The Army marketed itself as Nigeria’s redeemers.

In the wake of resurgent insecurities in April 2020, Boko Haram insurgents’ and ISWAP terrorists bounced back with venom. Gen. Buratai relocated to the Northeast region. He spent two months in the trenches, directing and personally leading troops of the “Operation Lafiya Dole” in the battle against terrorists in the frontlines. And the positive results within a week were incredible. He was able to neutralize over 2,000 terrorists, destroyed their re-established camps and confiscated numerous weapons from insurgents.

Armed bandits and allied criminals terrorizing the Northwest region groaned and numerously met their waterloo, when Gen. Buratai launched “Operation Sahel Sanity.” Within weeks, troops dislodged them from their hideouts in the various forests; neutralized hundreds of the bandits in fierce battle encounters with troops. The Army impounded the weapons abandoned by fleeing bandits. Scores of the criminals, logistics suppliers and connivers were also arrested in the course of these operations. Gen. Buratai saved Nigeria from this nightmare.

The kidnap of the Kankara schoolboys and later, the Mahuta school children by bandits, sparked national uproar and outrage. Tongues sharpened even in the international community to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari, if the abductees do not regain their freedom. But Gen. Buratai saved the day. He immediately marshalled out troops which moved fiercely after the abductors.

And in a skillfully executed unarmed operation, soldiers rescued all the kidnapped school children within six days. Also, none of them was either injured or wounded in the course of the operations. They were reunited with their families in a presidential ceremony. State Governors whose states were tormented by armed bandits and cattle rustlers have attested to the restoration of peace and security by soldiers.

Similarly, the ethnic warlords and militias tormenting communities of the North central region were also repressed by Gen. Buratai. Hordes of the gang leaders and the foot soldiers of these criminal sects were apprehended; while many of them kissed death in battle encounters with troops.

Southern Kaduna has known peace from ethno-religious conflagrations now because Gen. Buratai refused to shirk. He doused the restiveness, imposed peace and security in the warring areas. At this instance too, Gen. Buratai discharged his stewardship to Nigeria with enviable patriotism and dedication.

Furthermore, violent campaigners for secession also attempted several times to disrupt the public peace by breaching security. They were essentially an assembled band of criminals, who operated as armed robbers, kidnappers, and indulged into other repulsive acts of criminalities. The COAS again sauntered unto the stage and never allowed the armed criminals perpetrate any form of evil against Nigeria. He rescued an entrapped people of the Southeast.

Therefore, Gen. Buratai deserves the medal of African Steward Man of the Year 2020. He has proved faithful military service to his country. He has always intervened in the darkest hours in the history of Nigeria with the candle of illumination.

Nigerians who never believed that it is possible to exist in Nigeria and insulated from lethal insecurities are loudly testifying to Gen. Buratai’s exceptional prowess and unique military competence in tackling Internal Insecurity (IS) threats. Whether these security threats manifested the character of resurgence or freshly created, the Army boss descended on the criminals. The ombudsman of the counter-insurgency operations is incontestably the winner of the African Steward Man of the Year 2020. Congratulations, sir and may you soar higher in bringing peace and security to Nigeria and Africa.

Uzah PhD is the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Kwararafa University Wukari.

CJA alleges AI, ICC set to implicate military hierarchy in report

The Centre for Justice in Africa (CJA) says it has uncovered a fresh plot by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Amnesty International (AI) and Transparency International (TI) to destabilise the Nigerian military through a “fictitious” report.  

The centre, which raised this alarm at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, also revealed that the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are the target. 

Speaking on behalf of the centre, Director of Communications, Comrade Dauda Owolabi Abdullalteef, noted that the three foreign groups have formed an evil alliance to undermine the Nigerian military.

Comrade Abdullateef noted that each time Amnesty is unable to hold back the Armed Forces, it outsources the responsibility to Transparency International which then brings corruption allegations against the military. 

According to CJA, both organisations and more recently, the ICC, are operated by the same cabals and set of subversive saboteurs. 

The centre, however, urged the Federal Government to immediately call Amnesty and Transparency to order, by writing formal complaints with cease-and-desist orders to their international headquarters.

 It further demanded that the FG set up a committee to review the country’s continued membership of “monster” ICC.

Read the full statement below

Gentlemen of the press, it is with the utmost sense of national duty and responsibility that we invite you here today. Our invitation is out of our concern for an escalation in the onslaught of subversive activities against the Federal Republic of Nigeria by organizations that ordinarily are expected to promote the corporate integrity of nation-states.

The organizations we are referring to are: (i) The International Criminal Court (ICC) (ii) Amnesty International (iii) and Transparency International.  These organizations have turned themselves into tribunals that exist only to preside over the affairs of Nigeria. They are specifically targeting the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a manner that undermines the ability of Nigeria to address the problem of terrorism and extremism besetting it. 

It is interesting to note that these organizations have perfected the subversive operation they are running against Nigeria in a manner that makes it appear as if they are running their legitimate day to activities. The ICC, for instance, hounds Nigeria’s military officers and commanders in a way that appears as it is legitimately investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity; Amnesty International keeps up the charade of pretending to monitor adherence to human rights protocols while Transparency International has perfected the strategy for finding corruption in transactions that never took place. 

Several Nigerians, groups and organizations had in the past expressed concerns about the true intents and agenda of these organizations without Nigerians paying heed. The recent declaration by ICC that it has grounds to investigate Nigeria’s military for rights violation in the war against terrorism in the northeast of Nigeria. However, this is merely a facet in the misguided report from the ICC. The other subversive contents in the report included that it placed the Nigerian Armed Forces on the same pedestal with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. This was no error or accident; it was a calculated attempt to diminish the country’s military and elevate Boko Haram fighters to the level of a national army ahead of when its Amnesty International allies will market a negotiation programme. Nigeria will then be cornered into negotiating with terrorists as if they are a sovereign country. 

Worryingly, Boko Haram/ISWAP is merely a card in the evil plot put together by ICC with its Amnesty International and Transparency International collaborators. The ICC report clearly identified other wildcards in the nefarious agenda. It listed the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) as victims without acknowledging the crimes they have committed against Nigerians and continue to commit. It also failed to properly name them as terrorist groups, which suggests that ICC is prejudiced to the point where it has refused to recognize Nigeria’s competent judiciary that proscribed these groups. 

ICC had consequently lived up to its billing as a lynch mob that exists solely to vilify, victimize and humiliate African countries by dragging their leaders before it even when no crimes are committed with the flip side that leaders of some countries can order drone strikes that kill women and children on an industrial scale or invade sovereign nations to ruin them without being held to account. This racist disposition has been repeatedly reinforced by the ICC and it seems it is now on the path to becoming rabid with its latest incursion into Nigeria.

Additional facts about the ICC’s activities is that the so-called evidence it relied on to decide to investigate the Nigerian military was largely produced by Amnesty International. The negligible portion of the evidence that was not produced by the international NGO was sourced from its local affiliates that have sub-contracts to malign the reputation of Nigeria’s security forces. 

A lot has been said about how Amnesty International sources its tainted evidence. It coaches respondents on what to say and has even gone as far as using paid actors as interviewees. Its Country Director, Osai Ojigho during recent protests in Nigeria, infamously accused the military of committing genocide but could not provide a single shred of evidence other than to retort that the Armed Forces have a practice of taking away evidence when she was pressed for proof of her claim during a television interview.  

This same Amnesty International had been implicated in passing military intelligence obtained in the course of its work to Boko Haram terrorists such the insurgents were then able to evade military operations launched against them and simultaneously able to launch deadly attacks. Whenever the military issues classified advisories about areas that humanitarian and rights groups should avoid, Amnesty International passed the same to terrorists until it was found out, which promoted it to become more antagonistic of the military. 

We have not also lost sight of the fact that Nigeria was denied access to buy weapons based on lies that Amnesty International packaged as reports. This denial allowed the terrorists to boldly operate for a while until the military leadership that came with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration found innovative ways to get the needed hardware and logistics to prosecute the anti-terrorism war. This ability to fight the war against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other brands of terrorists is what has riled Amnesty International to a point where it will tell just any lie to undermine the fighting capacity of the Armed Forces. 

Gentlemen of the press, we invite you to note that each time Amnesty International discovers that it is not able to hold back the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria it outsources the function to Transparency International, which then brings allegations of corruption against the military. It is instructive to note that the supposed corruption is sometimes around weapons that Amnesty International – induced sanctions have prevented the country from buying. They fail to explain how money what has not been released can be stolen. 

It must be further noted that Amnesty International and Transparency International are operated in Nigeria by the same cabal. The same set of subversive saboteurs overlap on the boards of both organizations and they often compare notes on how best to go about their contract to undermine Nigeria. They have the same media contractors that they use to spin whatever damaging fictitious report they want to publish against the country. This media asset was deployed for promoting the ICC report, so, it is apparent that the ICC, Amnesty International and Transparency International are different facets of the same problem. 

Today’s world press conference is, therefore, to draw global attention to the evil plot by agents of destabilization led by the ICC, Amnesty International and Transparency International to ruin the peace and stability of Nigeria through fictitious charges that they are now cooking up against the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under a new report that ICC is about releasing. 

This is why we salute the courage of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in boldly stating that the subversive activities of the ICC, Amnesty International and Transparency International are undermining the ability to effectively fight Boko Haram/ISWAP and other terrorists’ threats. We want the government to go further in taking actual steps to curtail the excesses of the identified groups. 

We, therefore, demand that the Federal Government immediately calls Amnesty International and Transparency International to order, which includes writing formal complaints with cease-and-desist orders to the international headquarters of these organizations.  These should be backed with formal protest letters to the embassies or high commissions of the countries where these organizations have their headquarters. They cannot continue to jeopardize the safety of Nigerians for whatever reason. 

As for the ICC, we demand that the Federal Government immediately set up a committee to review Nigeria’s continued membership of this monster. The committee’s terms of reference should include an interrogation of the proprietary of Nigeria remaining a signatory to the Rome Statute when it is now apparent that its creation is being wielded as a weapon of mass destruction against Nigeria. The Federal Government must ensure that this is done in the shortest time possible. 

As for ICC, Amnesty International and Transparency International, we want to put them on notice that the day of reckoning will eventually come and they shall answer for their crimes against Nigeria because ultimately, the will of a people becomes the highest court. 

Thank you.

Group warns Nigerians about war mongering diaspora

Nigerians have been alerted of a grand plot by “destructive elements” in the Diaspora to plunge the country into war by sponsoring terrorism.  

Nigeria First, a social-political and economic movement gave the notice on Monday in Abuja at its inaugural press briefing on the state of the nation. 

In his speech titled, “We must save Nigeria before the destructive elements achieve their aims”, pioneer president, Comrade Philip Agbese said all acts of socio-political or economic sabotage must be resisted in all ramification. 

According to Agbese,  some Nigerians in Diaspora have constituted themselves into great danger to democracy back home, backing plots to overthrow a democratically elected government. 

If not properly checked, Comrade Agbese noted that Nigeria might soon erupt in flames in fulfilment of the desires of those agents of darkness that are against the country’s soul.  

Nigeria First, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to rise and save their country. 

The group also urged Nigerians to rebuke the negative influence and interference by its compatriots in Diaspora who do not mean well for the country. 

Nigeria First, however, vowed to regularly carry out activities that would name and shame these despicable Nigerians in the Diaspora that are working in hands with enemies of the country in undermining sustainable growth and development. 

Read the full statement below: 

First, I welcome you all to this inaugural press briefing convoked to shed light on the State of the Nation and the quest towards sustainable growth and development in the country. 

It must be stated that Nigeria First is undertaking this venture as part of the overall strategic objective of contributing its quota to Nigeria’s growth and development in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. We are also duty-bound to ensure that peace and tranquillity reign supreme in Nigeria through the periodic engagement of activities that foster peace and unity. 

Nigeria First see the peace and tranquillity of Nigeria as a collective endeavour that should be undertaken by all well-meaning Nigerians. As such, all acts of socio-political or economic sabotage must be resisted in all ramification. 

This is on the heels that recent events in the country have indicated a grand plot by some despicable elements to truncate our nascent democracy by the sponsorship of acts of violence in parts of the country. 

It remains the candid opinion of Nigeria First that the bulk of those engaged in this despicable enterprise is in the Diaspora where they have been sponsoring acts of violence against the country to fulfil the desires of their paymasters.  

It is quite sad that some Nigerians have elected to be blinded by filthy lucre by availing themselves as willing tools for use by those vested interests against Nigeria’s peace and unity. 

It is also said that some Nigerians in Diaspora constitute the bulk of these groupings that have been engaged in this despicable act aimed at undermining national security in Nigeria. It is expected that Nigerians in Diaspora would carry themselves as worthy ambassadors of the country. However, the reverse has been the case in light of the recent revelations in the country. 

It is instructive to state that some of these individuals are known faces who have been carrying out like advocates of good governance. While in truth, they are promoters of violence, crime and criminalities. 

These individuals have also perfected the acts of using all available mediums to spew hate and innuendos that aims to cast the government of Nigeria in bad light before the populace and the international community. 

Without mincing words, it is the considered opinion of Nigeria First that some Nigerians in Diaspora have constituted themselves into great danger to democracy in Nigeria; they are the brain behind plots to overthrow a democratically elected government in Nigeria, 

They are also behind the escalation of fake news in Nigeria as evident in the EndSARS protests across the country where wild allegations were made without any tangible evidence to back such claims. 

Nigeria First is stating in unequivocal terms that should these acts be allowed to go unchecked, Nigeria might one day erupt in flames in fulfilment of the desires of those agents of darkness that are against the soul of Nigeria.  

Consequently, Nigeria First uses this medium to send a clarion call to all well-meaning Nigerians to come together and save Nigeria before the destructive elements in our midst, and the Diaspora achieve their aims. 

Nigerians must see this as a challenge to our continued existence as a country and the urgent need for us to speak in one strong and united voice on sustainable growth and development in this critical point of our existence. 

Nigerians must rebuke the negative influence and interference by Nigerians in Diaspora who do not mean well for the country. The fact that they have elected to be against Nigeria is a shame that should require that they bury their heads in shame. 

Nigeria First wishes to reiterate that moving forward it shall regularly be carrying out activities that would name and shame these despicable Nigerians in the Diaspora that are working in hands with enemies of Nigeria in undermining sustainable growth and development in the country. 

Nigeria First shall also endeavour to demand decisive actions to be taken against those in Nigeria and the Diaspora to preserve our nascent democracy and save Nigeria disintegration. 

Nigeria First shall also utilize all necessary means to ensure that those against the interest of Nigeria are exposed and made to face the full wrath of the law. 

We thank you all for your kind attention. We desire that all well-meaning Nigerians come together to save Nigeria against those who have elected to cause crises of unimaginable proportion. 

Nigeria First is using this medium to pledge to champion the cause for the restoration of Nigeria’s glory in fulfilment of the strategic objective of sustainable growth and development in Nigeria in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. 

Thanks and God bless. 

Ebonyi indigenes tackle Umahi over ownership of multi-billion naira PH hotel

Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID) has asked Governor David Umahi to speak up over a viral picture of a multi-billion Naira hotel located in Rivers state, allegedly named after Osborn Umahi.

The association expressed concern that the governor had maintained the sealed lips since the images of the said Port-Harcourt Osborn La Palm Hotel went viral on the social media.

The hotel which is almost completed is said to worth about N40 billion.

In a statement released to newsmen Sunday in Abuja, by its President, Amb Pascal Oluchukwu, urged the anti-graft agencies to begin to gather their facts and evidences in case of any vow play.

According to AESID, the said hotel is located in the heart of the oil-rich city of Port-Harcourt, Rivers state specifically at No. 3 Olaka Street, off Abacha Road, G.R.A, Port-Harcourt has a roof-top swimming pool and a Presidential Penthouse as one of its many special features.

The statement said: “The fact that the said hotel project started just in 2016 is even more worrisome for the indigenes of a state like Ebonyi where endemic and anthropogenic poverty is the order of the day, having been accurately ranked the poorest state in the entire Southern Nigeria and the 3rd poorest among the 36 States of the Nigerian Federation.

“Our position on this revelation is that Governor Umahi must speak up on this monumental allegations within at least 24 hours and the anti-graft agencies should begin to gather their facts and evidences aright and await the days of reckoning, knowing that immunity protects him from being prosecuted by the Nigerian government even at this point.”

The Ebonyi governance and accountability platform said: “We believe it should be wisdom for Governor Wike to revoke the land where the said hotel is situated especially if Umahi fails to open-up on these weighty allegations against his person.”

Reacting to the spate of insecurity in the state, AESID said its deeply worried that the political actors, have continued to heat up the polity by dispensing mindless violence, killing and maiming innocent and helpless Ebonyians particularly those in opposition parties.

“To this end therefore, AESID, again calls on the Police and indeed, all heads of intelligent security agencies to uncover and nip these killings in the bud and bring all perpetrators of these heinous attacks to book no matter how highly placed.”

General Buratai: Why Leadership is Key in the War Against Insurgency

By David Onmeje

Leadership is an art meant for those that understand the intricacies involved in bringing about positive change in every society. I say this for the fact that in Nigeria, one of the banes of our numerous challenges remains the lack of sound and credible leadership by those saddled with the responsibility of translating our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities.

The recent commendation of the Air Task Force, Operation Lafiya Dole by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai for playing a decisive role in repelling the Boko Haram attack in Marte, Borno State, recently brings to fore why leaders in Nigeria must rise to the occasion when the need arises.

The action of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is such that should inspire hope in Nigeria on the commitment of the security agencies towards addressing the security threats in the country. I can’t but commend this display of professionalism in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. The synergy level that has existed amongst the Armed Forces is exceptional and contrary to the insinuations in certain quarters of a lack of cooperation and other acts that undermines the winning of the war against insurgency in the country.

I know for sure that the ground troop in warfare requires air support in advancing because of its considerable advantage. The Army increasingly views airpower as indispensable to its warfighting concepts. It seeks mechanisms to ensure that it is available and responsive to the needs of the land forces. This much has been exhibited in the war against insurgency in Nigeria. Needless, I mention that the recent commendation by the Chief of Army Staff indeed buttresses this strategic alliance which is an indication that the overall operational strategy deployed is yielding the desired results.

For those of us conversant with the dynamics involved in asymmetric warfare, I say that the Chief of Army Staff’s posture has indeed indicated that the Boko Haram war would come to an end sooner than we think for all the indices shows so.

I am of the firm conviction that the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as Chief of Army Staff was not an accident as he has continually provided that leadership that turned the tides against the Boko Haram insurgents. And the fact that there has been no grandstanding or taking personal credit is an attribute of a leader that understands that success is a function of teamwork and not individual efforts.

This also brings to the fore that a true leader leads even within leadership. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has been providing leadership even amongst equals which also confirms the Nigerian Army’s contributory role to the war against insurgency. This is noble and must be emulated by others in the security sector in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in Nigeria.

What I am saying, in essence, is that credit must be given to whom it due. For example, the Inspector General of Police must commend the Nigerian Army whenever successes are recorded in internal security operations. And likewise, the Chief of Air Staff must also commend the Nigerian Army whenever successes are recorded in joint operations in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and other acts of criminalities in the country.

The Nigerian Air force case is pronounced because they must work with the Nigerian Army to address the security threats in the country. Both institutions must sustain this alliance which remains crucial to ending the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Make no mistakes; I am not by any stretch of imagination insinuating that there hasn’t been that synergy between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force. However, instead, I am bringing out the positive gains that would be attained if the present synergy is sustained and built.

This piece is consequently an appeal to the Armed Forces’ leadership in Nigeria to see the task at hand as a collective endeavour rather than a solo run. There must be a synergy that leaves no room for individual glory. That has remained the norm in successful outings in warfare globally. The Air Force uses air power to clear the path for ground troops and provide that critical cover in battle.

This example provided by the Chief of Army Staff is indeed noteworthy. It must awaken us to the reality that for Nigeria to work, we must imbibe the principle of structural functionalism which requires all playing their role in the task at hand. We must also realize that the Nigerian Army cannot do it all alone. Like the Nigerian Airforce played a decisive role in repelling the Boko Haram attack in Marte to support the ground troops.

We must learn to commend the security agencies when they do well to encourage them to carry out more exploits in addressing the security challenges in the country. I can bet that if this is the order of the day, Nigeria can defeat acts of terrorism in no distant time.

At this point, my commendation goes to the leadership of the country’s security agencies for their great sacrifices thus far. It can only charge them to continue to give in their best in service to our fatherland.

I also want to commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who has exhibited credible leadership since he assumed office. His level of professionalism and dedication to duty has seen the numerous successes recorded in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and other criminalities acts across the country.

The leadership qualities of the Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai were also in focus on the involvement of the Nigerian Army in internal security operations across the country in support of the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force. This is also commendable and gives us a peep that leadership entails that what you do has a far more significant impact than what you say. This is the Tukur Buratai style that should be imbibed by leaders across Nigeria in our quest for the Nigeria of our dreams.

As I mentioned earlier, the commendation by the Chief of Army Staff might seem a simple task. However, it goes beyond that for it is indeed strategic and sends a strong message to those in the business of perpetuating crime and criminalities in the country that there is a synergy amongst the country’s security agencies. And no matter how hard they try; the ranks of the security agencies can’t be broken.

I can go on non-stop. But the take away is that with sound leadership, Nigeria would defeat its adversaries. The Chief of Army Staff has indeed done well so far, and I expect that other security heads would toe this path in the country’s overall interest.

The war against insurgency has recorded tremendous success so far, and I am of the firm conviction that the end must be seen in our time with the efforts so far. It consequently behoves on us to see to the fact that the efforts of our security agencies are appreciated. We should do well not to join the bandwagon of mischievous elements whose actions are propelled by the support they have been receiving from crisis merchants in their despicable and desperate plot to cause Nigeria’s disintegration.

Onmeje is the Managing Director, TheNigerian News and is based in London.