General Buratai and the audacity of courage

By Thomas Uzah PhD

Wars are sad experiences anywhere once allowed to start. Terrorism wars and in the case of Nigeria, domesticated as Boko Haram insurgency and its Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) allies are not easy, but they have had their globally publicized dream to conquer Nigeria terminated.

The agenda of the sponsors of terrorism and other conspirators in this satanic scheme against Nigeria, suggests these elements would have completely overran Nigeria now. But they are permanently blocked by the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Gen. Buratai.

These aggressor-terror sects came close to achieving this target up to the first quarter of 2015. Boko Haram had overwhelmed and conquered the entire Northern part of Nigeria. The militant insurgents on bloody campaigns were secretly and speedily exporting their heinous atrocities to the Southern Hemisphere of Nigeria.

It reigned supreme from the Northeast, to the Northwest and down to the Northcentral, including the nation’s capital, Abuja. Nigerians know the floating, gory details, which would not even be recounted to strangers. Even security formations all over the country mounted defence barricades higher than the walls of Jericho for the fear of Boko Haram. Government Houses in Borno and Yobe states were on the verge/threats of conquest and occupation by insurgents.

But looking at yesterday, there is a significant improvement on countering Boko Haram, ISWAP and other emergent terror sects. If some Nigerians maliciously withhold praises for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on any other achievement; they should still thank the Almighty God for donating this conscientious leader to the nation to battle terrorism to its faint, and nearly defeated status now.

Formerly, Boko Harm could strike a community or village in the Northeast serial for three or four days unmolested, wreaked whatever havoc, including massive killings and abductions of people without a whiff from the Nigerian Military.

Our country only found courage and strength to tackle terrorism on arrival of President Buhari as Commander-in-Chief of the war. That’s sad news to some people already. And with a loyal and patriotic servant, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, the progression of the anti-terrorism combats is confrontationally rewarding and victorious for Nigeria.

Ably assisted by a team of equally competent lieutenants, Gen. Buratai’s field leadership of counter-insurgency has deeply bruised Boko Haram/ISAWP elements and other trans-border armed gangs which previously converged on Nigeria. They have not only been dispersed, but now, only faintly bark and smell their dungs in confined holes, in the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin troughs in stealthy ambush of high-profile targets.

What any bookish Nigerian can easily pick from Gen. Buratai character traits is his unbeatable courage, determination, patriotism and an unbreakable resolve to excel on every assignment. He does not shirk, even when his life is the target of enemy forces and Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals.

Thrice, Gen. Buratai faced insurgents and their variegated sects in an ambush on his convoy and defeated them. Instead of dreading the battlefield, Gen. Buratai waxed stronger, spent more time in the frontlines and in the trenches with troops, personally leading troops to battle the debased bastards.

Everywhere, the courage of leaders to continue to do the right thing; put their hearts and soul into an assignment and national cause, stands them tall from the flock. It is a singular leadership philosophy which distinguishes true leaders from an assemblage of leaders. And Gen TY Buratai has shown true leadership exemplariness in all nuances and spectrums in leading the counter-insurgency operations from the warfront. He feels the pulse, the pains and also, savours the victories against Boko Haram together with troops on the fighting turf. Only courageous commanders of war can shadow in this manner.

When he took over the command of the Nigerian Army in July 2015 and after the tour of Army formations throughout the country, including troops at the warfront in the Northeast, he realized, the morale of soldiers dampened and at its lowest ebb so terribly. He identified the problems with firsthand astuteness and acted on the solutions very fast, hence it was the first antidote in winning the war against insurgency.

Today, a reinvigorated Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai has brought Nigeria this far on the path of salvation on counter-terrorism combativeness. Like 7UP soft drink catchy advertisement slogan in the days of yore, the “difference is clear!”

In spite of the malicious and senseless darts hurled at him by cynics, opponents, nihilists and veiled enemies of Nigeria, it has proven inadequate in the repression of the glaring truth to sane and objective minds. Gen. Buratai remains an enigma in every ramification in the warfront, a world class acclaimed counter-terrorism veteran and military leadership guru in warfare and administration.

A time-tested axiom alludes to the insatiability of human beings genetically. Therefore, some Nigerians have frontally attacked, criticized, denigrated, and slighted Gen. Buratai’s actions. At various times, contracted activists, some terrorists’ media pons, detractors and all shades of mercenaries have been hired to demean and defame him.

He is pretty aware, but ignores them, looks the other way and concentrates on his assignment of successfully prosecuting the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP elements with resounding triumphs at every turn. Life generally is a mixture of good and bad. It’s even a scriptural injunction!

Whilst Gen. Buratai is unjustly vilified and scoffed; overwhelming number of unbiased and responsible leaders/citizens, fetes or chant his praises laudably internally and globally. The US war veteran, Gen.Douglas MacArthur, echoed that; “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others….”

Of course, only a fool expects praises or endorsements from all because in the attempts to impose good on society, there are the entrenched interests of evildoers which are terribly hurt and its normal for them to disparage the crusader of good, justice and fairness to all. Gen. Buratai is this victim and let it be known to all Nigerians as the nation celebrates independence @60.

But since Gen. Buratai assumed the mantle of leadership of the counter-insurgency operations in the country, leaders representing millions of people world-wide, have noted his smothering fires on Boko Haram over the years. These respected leaders have never ceased eulogies or special recognitions of Gen. Buratai either directly or in eulogies of the Nigerian Government for performing wonders in routing the monster of terrorism in a short time under the Buhari Presidency.

Buratai brought the world to its knees in December 2016, when he led Nigerian troops to demystify the dreaded Sambisa forest, which assumed global recognition as an impermeable terrorists’ haven for its dreadfulness. Thereafter, he turned the once feared Sambisa forest into a games center and Army arms practice ground. Whether day or night, Gen. Buratai is sighted in the theatre of war. He spends most of his times in the places that anyone else could dread morbidly.

In recognition of his feats, the Government of Brazil conferred him with the rare highest Military honour/award of the country. Conferring the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award on Gen. Buratai, President Michel Remer spewed soothingly; “… the award was in recognition of his exemplary and world’s recognized leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.”

One of the earliest recommendations of President Buhari’s battles against Boko Haram came from the former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Ban Ki-moon, on the sidelines during a bilateral meeting of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York in 2016. The former UN scribe was reported as saying; “the UN recognizes the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram….”

In 2018, after three years of battling Boko Haram, President Buhari was in Washington, and President Donald Trump appraised the counter-terrorism wars positively with these words; “Nigeria is also leading African nations in the fight against Boko Haram, and — another ruthless jihadist terrorist groups.”

And as far back as 2017, Gen. Buratai realized the potent threat of cyberspace terrorism. The COAS immediately erected a counter-cyberspace structure in the Nigerian Army against terrorist’s propaganda; anon-combative wisdom and intelligence strategy. A former US Secretary of States, Mr. Rex Tillerson, at the meeting of ‘Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS’ comprising 68 countries, held in Washington, D.C, implored other nations to emulate Nigeria thus- “But let me be clear: we must fight ISIS online as aggressively as we would on the ground.”

Before former President Olusegun Obasanjo became despoiled, his visit to ex-Borno State Gov. Kashim Shettima in Maiduguri in 2016 acknowledged the changing tides in the counter-insurgency operations.Obasanjo enthused; “… our security forces are on the ascendency over the forces of destruction and the menace of insurgency that we have experienced for almost six years now;’’ and maintained this stand until he became partisan by mid-2018.

But beyond exalting strong and incomparable influences on blighting Boko Haram/ISWAP, Gen. Buratai’s a little less than five years leadership of the Nigerian Army has brought awesome structural innovations into the Army institution in Nigeria. Its essence can only be gleaned upon realization that the Nigerian Army stagnated for over two decades.

Today, however, changing narratives of the Army under the Buhari Presidency/Buratai leadership have seen awful internal expansions of the Army from Six Divisions to eight Nigerian Army Divisions, the latest two, located in Rivers and Monguno, in addition to countless Forward Operational Bases. He has created Human Rights Desk in Army Divisions; ditto the novel Nigerian Army Female Corps; renovated Barracks and so forth. The Nigerian Army has two additional referral hospitals added to its existing stock within five years of Buratai’s leadership.

Scholarly inclined, Gen. Buratai has resuscitated dead, but viable institutions of the Army and established new ones. Among schools revived include, the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Nigerian Army School of Engineering and he has established Army schools to deepen internal training of soldiers like the Nigerian Army Aviation School; the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company; Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) and Nigerian Army War College. Every facet of the Nigerian Army is positively touched under Gen. Buratai’s guidance.

Buratai himself knows; he is the proverbial village mango tree which bears edible fruits in leadership of the Army. So, he consistently ignores the stones hurled at him by traducers, but continues to render selfless service to Nigerian Army and Nigerians. Gen. Buratai has really displayed rare enigmatic and charismatic leadership outcomes, only the divinely anointed are capacitated to display such audacity of courage; the type very rare anywhere in the world. Nigerians fondly remember this war monger as the nation clocks 60 years of independence.

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

Boko Haram: Group describes Zulum’s Call for Chadian soldiers irresponsible

The Citizens Against Insurgency (CAI) has condemned the call by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for Chadian troops to help fight Boko Haram terrorists, describing it as “irresponsible” and “ill-conceived”. 

According to the group, ” no governor worth the mandate was supposedly given to him by the electorate, who are Nigerians, should ruminate over such outrageous proposition talk less of voicing it out”. 

The Citizens Against Insurgency made these known in a press statement signed by Director of Strategy and Communication, Adamu Bala, on Thursday. 

The group wondered the rationale behind Zulum’s acton considering the ties between Boko Haram, Chadian government and France. 

” The Citizens Against Insurgency is alarmed by the ill-conceived appeal by the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum to President Muhammadu Buhari to invite Chadian troops to help fight Boko Haram,” the statement reads. 

“We condemn this call by the Borno State governor as irresponsible and underpinned by an abysmal lack of understanding about the roles being played by international politics of geostrategic interests and the dynamics of terrorism.

“With the kind of demand that Governor Zulum made, we now have a fairer understanding of how and why he continues to put himself in harm’s way to the extent that his convoy came under attack from Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists thrice in a short span of time.

“It is inconceivable how the Chief Security Officer of Borno State, which is most ravaged by the evil activities of the terrorists, can contemplate the Chadian Army as being part of the solution when in reality it is a major source of the problem. 

“This kind of mindset is possible only for someone that is unaware that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists always get free passes to flee into Chadian territory after committing atrocities in Nigeria. The well-publicized offensive by the Chadian military against Boko Haram was merely a face-saving measure after the terrorists killed some troops contrary to the arrangement they have with Chadian authorities to not interfere with their insurgency.

“Governor Zulum should have rather approached Chad’s colonial master, France, which still pulls the strings to make that francophone country appear to like being active in countering insurgency. 

“It is too soon for the well-educated governor to have forgotten the accounts of survivors of terror attacks who reported airdrops of logistics and supplies to terrorists’ camps by French livered helicopters or the French trainers that have been arrested with terrorists in the past.

“The French interest in fossil fuel around the Lake Chad Basin and its quest to control Uranium mining from the area spanning Chad through Mali is not something that a highly placed governor like Zulum should reckon without.

“Citizens Against Insurgency counts it as unfortunate that the Borno State government has never demonstrated a capacity to listen or heed advice or else we woulprescribeed that he submits himself to the tutelage of experts to properly educate him on how Nigeria’s (Borno’s) francophone neighbours, Niger, Chad and Cameroon repeatedly frustrated efforts at building a multi-nations coalition against the terrorists by failing to hold their side of the assignment”.

The group, however, conceded that Governor Zulum’s antics is jeopardizing Nigeria’s ability to properly respond to Boko Haram terrorists through the constant distractions he constitutes to the military in addition to the surreptitious activities of the state’s stakeholders. 

“He must note that Nigerians and even Borno people find his obsession and romance with Chad unnerving like when he sometimes ago visited that country in a faux pax that saw him usurping the roles of a President by undertaking activities that would ordinarily be reserved for heads of state,” the statement added. 

“Citizens Against Insurgency strongly recommends that Governor Zulum takes the advice offered by his peers and fellow governors as conveyed by the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state who admonished him to exercise caution in his activities in the state. Governor Zulum should desist from activities that undermine efforts to restore peace and security to Borno state and its environs”. 

Activists ask Commonwealth Secretary-General to discard APPG letter on Nigeria

Some activists in the United Kingdom have urged the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, to disregard a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Nigeria. 

The group, known as Commonwealth Activists (CA), made the call in a peaceful procession to the Commonwealth House, London on Thursday, demanding an end to external interference on Nigeria’s sovereignty. 

Recall that the APPG had alleged genocide in Nigeria, adding that failure of the Federal Government to protect its citizens is a breach of its obligations under the Commonwealth Character. 

Speaking on behalf of other activists, CA’s president, Hameed Williams challenged the Commonwealth to rise in defence of Nigeria at this critical time of its history. 

While admitting the security threats confronting the African nation and the efforts of the government, Williams said the Commonwealth, like other stakeholders, have a huge role to play. 

According to the activists, APPG’s intent is to cause chaos that would ultimately lead to the country’s disintegration. 

The group, however, expressed solidarity with Nigerians and its government, urging the Commonwealth to do likewise. 

It also asked the Commonwealth to act in the best interest of Nigeria and not rely on postulations by individuals and groups that have elected to stand against the truth.

Read full statement below:

As you all know, these are indeed trying times for Nigeria due to the activities of non-state actors that have constituted themselves into impediments to the sustenance of peace and progress in the country. More worrisome is the fact that some externalities have joined the fray, thereby making things the more difficult for the people and government of Nigeria. 

We are concerned because Nigeria remains a strategic partner amongst the Commonwealth Nations and it consequently behoves on the Commonwealth Secretariat to rise in its defence by providing that critical rope as a support base for it to navigate the strong tidal waves it is running against.  

We have seen, and we have read all sorts concerning the efforts of the Nigerian government in addressing the various security threats in the country. Yes, we know, these threats are politically motivated, but it is not enough to dwell on that alone. There is a need for collective action from all stakeholders concerned, and that is why the Commonwealth Activists is embarking on this procession to the Common Wealth House to solicit that support for the people and government of Nigeria from the Commonwealth Nations of the world. 

The threat is real and palpable. Nigeria cannot afford to be left alone in this trying period as that would be most insensitive and counterproductive. Its sovereignty is also under threat posed by some external forces bent on seeing to the disintegration of the country in fulfilment of doomsday prophecies.

We are in solidarity with Nigeria, and our stance is hinged on exposing the half-truths and the conspiracy against its existence that has recently assumed a dangerous dimension with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the United Kingdom attempting to bring about a sectarian crisis in the country through a report released wherein it was alleged that genocidal acts against Nigerian Christians were ongoing and rampant.

It is our considered opinion that the report by the APPG was meant to further interests that means no good for the people and government of Nigeria. This same interest has evolved over the years and to think that it has birthed in the United Kingdom is most worrisome. 

The affinity Nigeria shares with the United Kingdom predates contemporary era, and this is the more reason why acts of sabotage against the country should not be traced or domiciled in the United Kingdom of any of the Common Wealth Nations.

This procession is to call for action from the Common Wealth Secretariat to safeguard the sovereignty of Nigeria as a Commonwealth nation. As an organization, we have done our bit by looking at the issues raised in the APPG report and coming out with the facts and the figure with regards to the actual state of affairs in Nigeria.

We have documented this information in a report titled “An x-ray of the report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group U.K. on acts of genocide in Nigeria to ascertain the underlining issues as well as the credibility of the sources of the report by the Common Wealth Activists.”

I have to mention that painstaking efforts were deployed in this report with the overarching aim of putting issues in proper perspectives to aid positive action towards Nigeria in her quest for sustainable growth and development. 

The various perspectives highlighted in the report were drawn from primary sources in Nigeria and this, to a large extent, eliminates second-guessing and illogical conclusions, but rather a reflection of the realities on the ground. 

This report we shall be availing the Commonwealth Secretary-General for his kind perusal to understand the conspiracies against Nigeria and why the exigencies of time require urgent action in the overall interest of the people and government of Nigeria.  

The Commonwealth Activists remains in solidarity with the people and government of Nigeria in this critical point of their existence and why we are in procession to the Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver this report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General for urgent action.  

We are not here for lengthy speeches. We are here to canvass for urgent steps to be taken in addressing the various conspiracies against Nigeria. We are also here to ensure that the Commonwealth acts with the best of intentions and interest towards Nigeria and not rely on postulations by individuals and groups that have elected to stand the truth on its head. 

We have consequently come out in our numbers to drive home our point for the Commonwealth Secretariat to act and act now before these agents of darkness plunge Nigeria into a crisis of immeasurable proportion. 

We believe that our report on Nigeria and the various underlying issues are well captured and would aid the Secretary-General in making an informed decision towards safeguarding the sovereignty of Nigeria. 

Thanks and please accept our warm assurances, as, always.

Ondo gov: APC accuses Mimiko of seeking third term

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the former and two-term governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, is plotting a third-term bid surreptitiously through Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), one of the political parties contesting the October 10 governorship election in the state.

The ruling party said it is not surprising that the entire governorship campaign of the ZLP has centred on Mimiko rather than the obscure and supposed ZLP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

In a statement signed Tuesday in Abuja by the deputy national publicity secretary Of the APC, the ruling party recalled how how the former governor factionalised his then political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for his political divide and rule tactics in the party and government.

“Perhaps, Mimiko deludes himself that the good people of Ondo state have forgotten how they were subjected to his arbitrary, tyrannical and dictatorial actions when he governed the state. They have not!

“Under Mimiko, government projects and patronage were disproportionately distributed only based on political servitude, not priority needs of the State.

“Little wonder many of Mimiko’s associates have ditched him and are now frontline leaders of the APC, in firm support of our candidate, incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

“It is understandable, that the ZLP’s supposed governorship candidate has nothing to campaign on after juncketing several political parties to purchase their governorship ticket to contest the October 10 election in Ondo state.”

While assuring that the people of Ondo will vote massively for the incumbent governor Rotimi Akeredolu, APC said: “The good governance credentials of our candidate, incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is visible to all, particularly in the area of infrastructure, agriculture, human capital development, industry, entrepreneurship, among others. This is the focus of our well-received campaigns.

“Governor Akeredolu’s first-term administration has ensured prudency, accountability, transparency and blocked leakages which has ultimately enhanced good governance. Ondo State has witnessed unprecedented and massive infrastructural developments, culminating in over 300 kilometres of critical roads being constructed and rehabilitated.

“Ondo is one of the model states that is successfully domesticating and implementing the diversification and agriculture drive of the APC government, with an army of over 6,000 trained Agripreneurs.

“The Ondo people know Governor Akeredolu as the governor who signed into law, a contributory health insurance scheme which enables all classes of people in the state access to affordable health care services.

“Under Governor Akeredolu, the good people of Ondo state are better off and are poised to overwhelmingly return him to continue his administration’s good work, come October 10.”

Zulum: Attacks cowardly propaganda, group urges military to sustain onslaught against terrorists

The Coalition of Northern Civil Society Organisations have urged the Nigerian military to sustain its current onslaught against terrorists in northern Borno. 

According to the CSOs, the recent attacks by the sect is a propaganda attempt, born out of desperation to remain relevant amidst massive success by the troops. 

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja through its spokesperson, Chief Aper Adam, the group said Boko Haram’s new penchant for targeting Governor Babagana Zulum is a frantic attempt to satisfy its financiers by making a high-profile score. 

It added that the terrorists’ use of Improvised Explosive Devices, especially on bad roads, to attack troops and innocent citizens is another new tactics. 

While calling on the state government to fix major roads in parts of northern Borno, the CSOs urged the troops to maintain the momentum. 

The group, however, warned those supporting the sect to withdraw as it has no hope and future. 

Read full statemt below:

Gentlemen of the press, just as we were preparing the text of this press conference to decry the lingering of Boko Haram activities in northern Borno, attacks on the Governor of Borno State and the determination of the Nigerian military to end the insurgency as quickly as possible. 

Let’s start by saying that the targeting of the governor is a worrisome trend of Boko Haram/Islamic state West Africa Province (ISWAP). It can only be described as a resort on the part of Boko Haram/ISWAP to desperate measures to remain relevant in Northern Borno. It is unfortunate that the terrorists, who have lost practically all their camps to the anti-terrorism operation of the Nigerian military, are attempting to make their last stand using Governor Zulum’s convoy as prop. 

There are other possibilities we are looking at as well because there have been two of such attacks in the last one month, with the one of last Friday though the Governor was not in the convoy  being the deadliest and another one on Sunday which was successfully repelled. Knowing that the Governor has adequate security cover from the military and other security agencies, we can only conclude that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have gone full kamikaze because their game is up.

Nigerians would have noticed that Boko Haram/ISWAP was rarely in the news in recent months. When the terrorists do make the news, it is often report of them taking punishment from the Nigerian military. Boko Haram commanders are being blown sky high with bombs dropped from fighter jets on their camps. The destruction being visited on the terrorists’ camps is so severe that it has reportedly worsened the infighting among them while their wounded have overwhelmed their makeshift treatment centres and are spreading disease and infections among others.

This is a development that has made the financiers and supporters of Boko Haram’s acts of terrorism to have begun re-evaluating their continued expenditure on the group. These financiers are reportedly told the terrorist leaders that they will cut off further funding unless their fighters can demonstrate that they are still able to inflict disturbing damage.

The newfound penchant of the terrorists for targeting Governor Zulum is apparently a desperate attempt to satisfy these financiers by making a high-profile score. This is likely why they targeted the late Colonel Dahiru Bako and troops under his command in the hope of creating the impression that they are still able to strike high value persons.  

In addition to this obsession with the state governor, Boko Haram’s resort to increased use of (Improvised Explosive Devices) IEDs, especially on bad roads, to attack troops and innocent citizens  is another of the new tactics they adopted to tell the world that they are still relevant.

We call on Governor Zulum to review the protocols for his movements in northern Borno since the desperation of the terrorists is such that they could attempt a lone wolf attack with person borne IED. It would be a great disservice to Borno state and Nigeria as a whole if he should come in harm’s way from these sociopaths.

We further want the governor to beam the searchlight on political office holders and highly placed persons in the state, including those in his government, as these attacks could also be the radical elements of Boko Haram trying to harm him before the terrorists’ surrender he is championing takes root. The way the terrorists are able to pinpoint his convoy with precession should be of concern to all and could only be possible if someone from inside his circle is feeding information to the terrorists.  

The Coalition of Northern CSOS calls on the Borno State Government to commence repairs of major roads in parts of northern Borno, which will make it impossible for the terrorists to plant IEDs without road users noticing and avoiding them. When the roads are in order cars will also be able to move faster and avoid falling into the hands of the terrorists.

We advise those that are propping up Boko Haram/ISWAP that now is the time to pull back from supporting the terrorist group. There is no hope and future for the Boko Haram members if they do not surrender for rehabilitation and reintegration into the society just as their sponsors are guaranteed to meet a disgraceful end.

Our appeal to the Nigerian military is to prevail on the governor, when necessary, not to visit areas that still have remnants of the insurgents, since it is now apparent that he is being targeted.  He can defer his working visits to these areas when the indigenes and residents  that are returning have fully rebuilt and bring about societal order to their communities.

AI, IPOB leading disruptive campaign against Nigeria abroad, CALSER tells Commonwealth Sec-Gen, UK Parliament


Some ‘discredited’ groups, including Amnesty International and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), are steering a campaign to dent Nigeria’s image abroad.

This is according to the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) in its address to Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth Secretary-General and the United Kingdom Parliament.    

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, Executive Director, Abubakar Gana brought the attention of the Commonwealth and UK to the deliberate attempt by these groups to paint Nigeria negatively in the international community. 

CALSER said it will be dangerous to depend on AI, IPOB and other organisations with ill-intents to judge the situation in Nigeria. 

According to the group,  the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) have also been covertly aiding and abetting non-state actors in the festering conflict towards an overarching aim of destabilizing Nigeria.

CALSER said AI lacks the moral right to condemn the Nigerian government especially as it has ignored the numerous crimes perpetrated by proscribed IPOB and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. 

The centre, therefore, warned Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group to desist from their despicable campaign against Nigeria.

It added that Nigerians will not tolerate any further attempts at undermining the efforts of the government towards the preservation of peace and stability. 

CALSER, however, warned that should there be an escalation of conflict in any part of Nigeria, Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group should be held responsible.

Read the full statement below:

The exigencies of time demand that urgent and proactive steps are taken towards enlightening members of the unsuspecting general public as well as organizations the ignoble role some foreign organizations playing in the perpetuation of violence and instability in Nigeria.

CASLER as a key stakeholder in the entrenchment of sustainable development in Nigeria is alarmed that some organizations such as Amnesty International and recently the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) have been covertly aiding and abetting non-state actors in Nigeria in the festering conflict towards an overarching aim of destabilizing Nigeria.

We are aware that these groups have been in the vanguard of providing intellectual assistance to militant and terrorist groups in Nigeria by engaging in acts that undermine National Security in Nigeria.

These discredited groups recently took their trade too far by releasing a report alleging government-aided genocidal acts against Christians in Nigeria. While we wish to state that this remains a figment of their imagination, there is a danger in allowing this narrative to go unaddressed at the risk of igniting sectarian conflict in Nigeria.

The case of Amnesty International presents that of an organization whose mission in Nigeria have on numerous occasions attempted to distract the Nigerian security agencies while bolstering the activities of terrorist and militant groups such as the Boko Haram, Independent People of Biafra, and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Amnesty International has, on numerous occasions, led the recruitment of young Nigerians into the ranks of these militant organizations under the guise of training programmes targeted at youth development. This much has been exposed and necessitated the call for the expulsion of Amnesty International from Nigeria by Nigerians who took to the streets in protest. Amnesty International has also been using its network across the globe to receive funds from terrorist networks around the world on behalf of terrorist and militant organizations in Nigeria.

It is also on record that Amnesty International has been receiving funding from some questionable sources in Europe as a result of a strategic partnership it entered to undermine the efforts of the Nigerian Military in the war against terrorism and other forms of criminalities in Nigeria.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights consequently wishes to use this medium to draw the attention of the Secretary-General of the Common Wealth that groups such as Amnesty International, IMN and IPOB are pursuing narrowing interests that are against the collective existence of the country.

We also wish to state despite the avalanche of crimes instigated by IPOB that has led to countless deaths in the country; Amnesty International has continued to come to their defence while criticizing the efforts of the Nigerian security agencies towards the restoration of peace in the country.

IPOB, as an organization has been in the vanguard of instigating violence in Nigeria. On numerous occasions, their members have burnt down police stations and attacked police officers going about their lawful duties. The activities of IPOB has also deprived innocent people their sources of livelihood by disrupting commercial activities by attempting to impose a forceful sit at home order in parts of South-East Nigeria.

CASLER wishes to put it on record that IPOB has continued to harass and intimidate innocent people through their nefarious activities and the likes of Amnesty International still supports their activities at the detriment of peace and stability in Nigeria.

It consequently defeats common sense that any organization would rely on reports and statements issued by Amnesty International and their affiliates in APPG in interfering in the affairs of Nigeria.
It is thus our considered position that the relying on these organizations to make categorical statements on Nigeria is most uncharitable and a case of giving a dog a bad name to hang it.

CASLER in pursuance of peace and stability in Nigeria wishes to send a note of warning to Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group to desist from their despicable campaign against Nigeria.

We shall not tolerate any further attempts at undermining the efforts of the government of Nigeria towards the preservation of peace and stability in Nigeria. We also wish to advise them to do well to take their trade elsewhere as Nigerians are aware of their plot to see to the disintegration of the country in fulfilment of the mandate given to them by their paymasters.

CASLER also wishes to warn these organizations to take their trade outside the shores of Africa as every attempt at destabilization and disintegration would be resisted in the overall interest of political and Socio-Economic Development of Nigeria and the African continent.

It is our considered opinion that interfering in the affairs of sovereign nations, mainly when such is hinged on outright falsehood and an insatiable quest for the escalation of conflict is tantamount to a crime against humanity.e Common Wealth must also be circumspect in their conduct at the expense of ignorantly giving a voice to the activities of terrorist organizations.

CASLER is as a result of this putting it on record that should there be an escalation of conflict in any part of Nigeria, Amnesty International and the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group should be held responsible.

I thank you all for your time and attention, and it is our prayers that as worthy partners in the Nigerian project, we shall join hands to defeat the enemies of Nigeria.

God Bless Nigeria

MFM – Is Maureen Badejo Really Fighting for the TRUTH, the British People and the Public?

By Betty Alade

I want to emphasize here that I am doing this as a duty to myself, the public and to God Almighty Jehovah only. I am not in support of any man but in defence of my conscience. First as a Christian who is aware of the imminent second coming of Jesus for judgement; A child & mother and member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries/participant at the “Corridor Prayer” and what I have witnessed.AS A CHRISTIAN
After watching 5 YouTube videos of Ms. Maureen Badejo with various titles but all on ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DR DANIEL OLUKOYA’ OF MFM. I asked myself a question out of sincere confusion at the end of the video, which is: Is she a Christian?
Ms. Maureen Badejo said at the end of that particular episode ” ko si bi e se le mu mi bi nu to, I will still pray,.” (Simply put: no matter the extent of my anger… ).

If Ms. Maureen Badejo is a Christian as she indicated from her use of the name of Jesus, she should have controlled her outburst of anger, her hate speech and boastful utterances/gesticulation as admonished by Christ.
It is true that “one with God is a majority” but the question is which god? The Living God or the god of this world? If it is the living God, then is God with that individual? Can such a person be fighting with God Almighty on their side as they demonstrates so much uncouthness amidst hailing from the crowd of supporters?

What I saw in the videos shows a very biased reporting which can be suspected to have stem out of some personal motivation for or on behalf of a subject of interest. She repeatedly mentioned Sowore’s name and what he told her to do once she gets to court and which she was going to do.
The supposedly investigative platform was clearly one-sided, closed-up and already conclusive regardless of any expository information that might be put forward. It was like someone being the accuser, the jury and the judge plus the executioner in a case. It was full of negative innuendos and assumptions totally contradicting the book of 1Thesalonian chapter 5 verse 21 and James Chapter 3.AS A CHILD AND MOTHER
I noticed that in the ” war” being fought by Ms. Maureen Badejo, an innocent minor has been dragged into the mud by the adults who are supposed to protect him. I was once a child and a mother hence I know the implication of this thoughtlessness and insensitivity on the part of a mother herself. A mother is supposed to know the pains of other mothers and should be a mother not just to the child that came through the openings in-between her legs.
A child is not supposed to be exposed to ridicule because of the circumstances of their birth – purported or proven or because of who their parents are as this may affect their emotional state of mind especially in their teenage age when they are trying to understand the world and the hormonal riot within them.

I consider it as wickedly insensitive to have brought up the subject of the son of Dr. Olukoya in such a destructive campaign against him on allegations that have not been proven to be TRUE. Bringing up purported financial worth of the child in a world that is full of evil-minded humans in terrorist organizations looking to extinguished the gospel of Christ through the annihilation of believers and their families, kidnappers for ransom and the like is like advertising the innocent child as being for sale.

This is definitely not the action of a true mother. I personally feel very sad with her action more so when she mentioned she needed to end the show because she had other appointment/ she needed to go pick up her son. It looks to me like the proverbial dog who knows to nurse her own baby while biting that of others.

Ms. Maureen Badejo wonders why Dr. Olukoya is afraid and hiding his son; himself going about with licensed plate security?

By placing MYSELF in his shoes, I don’t think Dr. Olukoya is afraid of anything or anyone otherwise he would not be in the position he is today RATHER I see someone trying to be protective of a child as any sane parent would, in order to let him have as normal a life as he can have growing up.

I can see that, he wants the child to grow up in an environment where he would not be accord any preferential treatment; where he can play, fall, laugh and grow without special body guards, teachers and attention as a child of a “celebrity” (if I can borrow that word) or the royals. Or is it that those royalties are special than the child in question?

Those politicians “doing a great job spending money when they visit the UK”, do they keep their minor children by their sides on rallies and political campaigns. Do they keep them at home in their local government, states or country here in Nigeria?
Similarly, should a child of a gospel minister who is a minor, be left alone or does he deserve to have at least one of the two parents to look after him when the other is busy? Dr. Olukoya is a father to millions of children all over the places he goes to share the gospel of Christ. Should not his son have a stable life in order to get education and proper development?

They even said that this child rides on public bus to school. Which would have been impossible here in Nigeria as I who is still believing God for grace do not even leave my children to go to school by themselves nor travel in a commercial bus unaccompanied. All because of the insecurity and the wickedness thriving in our environment.

Ruminating on this, I want to believe that could be a PROBABLE reason Pastor (Mrs.) Shade Olukoya who is always by her husband’s side might have had to sacrifice going away to the UK to bring up their son whom they had in their advance age in the ministry unlike most other GOs in similar position. This is what I would do if I were to be in her shoes.
Even God Almighty instructed the earthly parents of our saviour Jesus Christ to take Him away to hide in Egypt for a period.

Moreover, everyone is aware of the fact that the Pastor (Mrs.) was usually present at most power must change hands programme at the Prayer City in Nigeria. A programme which takes place every month while Dr. Olukoya is said to regularly visit the UK and most times they are known to travel together till recently when we heard from the grape vine that she might be pursuing further studies. Are we then saying that she does not have the right to further develop herself?

The longest time I have not seen the Pastor Mrs. in Nigeria is in the last 6/7months of the WORLDWIDE COVID-19 lock down where everyone had to stay where they were/are not knowing what would happen next. Asking what she is doing in London while her husband is in Nigeria I believe is totally misleading and using this against Dr. Olukoya as been sex starve is tantamount to giving a dog a bad name in order to kill it.AS A MEMBER OF THE MFM AND A PARTICIPANT IN THE “CORRIDOR PRAYER”
Corridor prayer is just a name for one of the prayer programmes the GO organizes for people in the church. Just as you can have mountain prayer, personal prayer, congregation prayer, etc.

The MFM/Dr. Daniel Olukoya’s Corridor Prayer arrangement is where the GO with the assistance of other ministers and pastors directly conduct deliverance for people and consistently minister to them until their cases are solved through prayers. People whose cases require a “second touch” as in Mark chapter 8 while also attending to all other visitors, staff, pastors both within and outside the church. It is the same place everyone and anyone who has prior appointment or who is ABLE TO GET TO THE PLACE BEFORE A PARTICULAR TIME on his counselling days, meet with him.

The GO’s office is opened to the large space hall/corridor where crowd seats according to numbers waiting for him. His office door is ALWAYS AJAR with just a curtain. People seating and praying at the corridor can see the inside of the office as people go in and out.

It is by this curtain that the GO stands for hours attending to everyone – men, women, young or old; physically sick and healthy only occasionally seating for short meetings with all and everyone who comes to him, including Kings.
The only office I have seen without a table. Even the permanent chair in his office are just 2 sets. Chairs are brought in time to time whenever he is meeting people who needed to seat down for the meetings and then removed again to give room for people being prayed for.

The GO’s office is nickname” THE CLINIC”. You get to see a lot of cases that could put fear into your heart if you are witnessing the scene for the first time.
Being the General Overseer of such a blessed and peculiar ministry, people usually targets when he would be around hence thousands besiege his office from all over the world.

I want to believe this avenue was created out of wisdom, for him to attend to as many of them as possible within his schedule. There, he encourage people to develop themselves and pray on their cases by keeping them by his office corridor where he and other pastors can monitor them pray with already prepared prayer points targeting individual problems and challenges while simultaneously attending to other matters and at interval come pray sealing prayers for people at the corridor one after the other in order.

In the process of praying, some gets more attention because of what they exhibited or the severity of their cases and not because he liked them and are comfortable with them as Ms. Debby claimed. These are the people he placed on admission for more intensive prayers just as in hospital and they are in multiples at a time.

Cases you would never believed if told outside unless you were there or you were the person involve. People tearing up their clothes, aged voices speaking out from the mouth of young persons, people behaving like wild animals and vomiting right there on his carpet and pastors who are always standing ready at the opened door running in to attend to them and helping to remove this mess like professional nurses. People falling over and knocking down chairs and some times almost injuring others in that state of completely unconscious/uncontrollable manifestation of demonic possession.

It is at this point that the few second short video recordings are made while praying for them. If you are conscious, there is no way you will not adjust your dress if perhaps it was opened when you fell.
People would be lying every where on the floor and at every corner; people coming in and going out and he is attending to all at the same time. Even the Ms. Debby said that she was never alone with Dr. Olukoya.

Therefore, if others were there and he was the one who sent her the video, shouldn’t that point to her state of mind and consciousness at the moment of the recordings? If she was conscious, why didn’t she cover up her body or was her hands tied up?
I believe he attends to new letters and cases when he get home because that is when he picks up calls and makes direct calls to some people to discuss their cases with them if it requires urgent attention. I believe this is when he sends and discuss any video recording too with the person involve. The first question is: “what happened to you today?” If you don’t know then he send a clips and tell you what you unconsciously did or said or both. That is what will determine the next course of action and prayers he would recommend.

The question he might ask you at times I must say were usually very direct and precise just as your doctor would. Dr. Olukoya is not tactical or careful with words in my opinion. He would call a spade a spade both on the pulpit and else where. He would scold you directly letting you know how you contributed to the problem. He doesn’t care whose horse is gored. This is a first hand account hence not peculiar to Ms. Debby and nothing occult from my personal experience.

Anyone can go to the church, obtain an appointment to confirm the above and reach a personal conclusion.
Every ministry has a mandate I suppose and this is the centre of their doctrines. The fact that you don’t agree with someone else’s ideology does not mean it is wrong.

Ms. DEBBY/CHINYERE
Who ever goes to the hospital cannot avoid being touched by the consultant Doctor but where you do not want to be touched then you don’t go. If peradventure the Doctor acts unprofessional to take advantage, then report immediately to the authority and stop patronizing the clinic.

Why would you continue to receive help and Lagasse from A VERY DANGEROUS MAN? Why would a VERY DANGEROUS MAN be paying your children school fees in a prestige private School till 2 out of 4 finished secondary school? Why would the same man be paying your living expenses plus feeding allowance for your children? Why would a man who was and still responsible for your accommodation for years ALL OF A SUDDEN become VERY DANGEROUS AND WICKED? What went wrong? Isn’t there a missing link to be found?

Instead I saw Ms. Maureen Badejo consistently trying to put words into the lady’s mouth several times, trying to make her admit to some insinuations and laying emphases on those insinuations which she didn’t even say as if that was what she meant.
If Ms. Maureen Badejo was interested in the truth, she could have obtained Dr. Olukoya’s phone number or email address and ask him his side of the story or send undercover agent to go and investigate the allegations but rushing out without caution in such a manner I believe is not what true journalism stands for.

If she had done this, she would have had a better grip of the true situation positive or negative which spiritually discerning people can work with. You say people should beware and stop following the ministry but you haven’t shown us why.

ON MONEY LAUNDERING
I believe the authourity can investigate if Dr. Olukoya is guilty or not. It will be rather unfair, if we have to crucify someone for the crime committed by another person just because we want to prove a point regardless of the direction our compass is facing. One mustn’t just say they are doing good, they must be seen to be doing it.

If Dr. Olukoya is guilty, please prove it for us to see without any bias but with some level of decorum as a journalist with professional ethics and some respect for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ whose emblem he carries if truly you are a Christian and doing the world a favour without any motive for personal gain.

Let us not discourage people who are considering coming to Christ especially after this trying times where people are learning about God and His salvation plan for mankind through the death of His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Let us not nail Jesus to the cross again with our actions.
Jesus Christ is Lord!

*Betty From Lagos Nigeria.

Zulum Convoy Attack: Borno Elders Charged to Lead Calls on Boko Haram Terrorists to Surrender

The Patriotic Elders Council (PEC) has charged fellow elders from the north-east to lead the call for Boko Haram terrorists to surrender. 
 
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Simon Shango and made available to newsmen on Monday, the PEC challenged leaders and stakeholders from the region to rise up against the terrorists. 
 
The PEC’s call follows the recent attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum. 
 
According to the group, some leaders in the Northeast and members of the communities where resurgent insurgency rages have overtime failed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in fighting Boko Haram.
 
It noted that synergy between the Military in warfare and traditional or political leadership is crucial in ending the war against insurgents. 
 
“We must unequivocally state that we are extremely unhappy that some leaders in the Northeast axis and even some members of the communities where resurgent insurgency rages have overtime failed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in fighting Boko Haram,” the statement reads. 
 
“International and local security experts have conceded in various analysis available in and outside the country and from the experiences of other countries similarly afflicted with terrorism like Nigeria that synergy between the Military in warfare and traditional or political leadership is crucial and a strong weapon of defeating terrorists anywhere.
 
“Unfortunately, it is lacking in Nigeria. There is an unbridged gulf on this in Nigeria. While the Nigerian forces have quenched the fires of Boko Haram on the battlefield, leaders and some members of local communities have failed to support or sustain these efforts.
 
“Let us remind ourselves again that our colleagues, the Northeast leaders, elders and stakeholders must rise up now to complement the Military’s efforts by calling on the insurgents, their own children to surrender and embrace peace in Northern Borno now. There is no better time to do that than NOW!
 
“We make this public statement knowing well that everyone is sad at the seeming pleasure of some leaders and stakeholders from the northeast to see their people afflicted for years and Nigerians suffer massively under the scourge of Boko Haram without intervention. All they do is silence or at best, scolding the military each time, insurgents hide in the villages, and communities, shielded by locals to bloodily strike at them. It’s extremely unfair for any reason whatsoever.
 
“Today, our patriotic political leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has committedly battled the Boko Haram insurgency to a standstill. He has assembled the best Military experts in warfare as Service Chiefs and funding the counter-insurgency operations devotedly, despite meagre national resources.
 
While saluting troops on the frontlines for their “courage, sacrifices and patriotism”, the group, however, urged the leaders, elders and stakeholders in the Northeast to stop the leisure in the comfort of their houses in Abuja or elsewhere outside their troubled region, waiting only to come out to condemn the Military when there is any casualty from an attack by insurgents is condemnable.
 
Read full statement below:
 
The Patriotic Elders Council (PEC) commiserates with the Federal
Government of Nigeria , led by President Muhammadu Buhari; the executive Governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Zulum and the leaderships of Nigeria’s security agencies, pointedly, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force and everyone over the sad event in Baga a few days ago.
 
We also condole with families of all the security personnel and the Civilian Joint Task Force, (C-JTF) members and indeed, all Nigerians over the sad incident of Boko Haram ambush and killing of security agents and civilians on a convoy to Baga town to receive returnee IDPs on Saturday, September 26, 2020.
 
The sad incident has again thrown our nation, Nigeria and particularly Borno State into another state of mourning. We mourn all our beloved ones lost in the course of fighting the Boko Haram insurgency and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and associated cross border armed gangs and criminals who have illegally infiltrated our lands with bloodshed.
 
The agenda of these satanic agents , actively backed by foreign interests is clear to all Nigerians. However, what they have failed to understand is the unalterable reality and knowledge by these criminals that forceful campaigns to re-conquer any territory within Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is no longer possible.
 
We deeply appreciate the priceless sacrifices of all Nigerians, especially, security personnel who have paid the supreme price (past and present) for peace and security for Nigerians. PEC is also appreciative of our gallant troops in the frontlines, despite the deliberate frustrations of their efforts, energies and sacrifices for a peaceful and united Nigeria.
 
Our slain heroes, heroines and volunteers are martyrs of this struggle, and we believe, their resolve never to relent in the warfront until Boko Haram and its allied forces are conquered is a true reflection of our resilience, courage to overcome the impossible and enviable spirit of patriotism. They will forever be remembered for their unquantifiable sacrifices to safe guard and preserve the nation , with their names inscribed in gold in Nigeria’s Hall of Fame. Rest in perfect peace heroic compatriots!
 
Let us remind all compatriots again, that our nation faces the most difficult and turbulent times today in our 60 years of existence as a nation by deliberate acts of sabotage and mischief. However we urge everyone never to shudder, but have an abiding faith in the power of God behind us to overcome these tribulations.
 
What we are experiencing today and the touchy sacrifices are not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Other nations also paid the costly prices to have true freedom and liberation. Our determination and support to security agencies should never waver until we conquer the foes against the country.
 
Nigerian troops at the battle front have been given their hearts and minds to the counter-insurgency operations. We must unequivocally state that we are extremely unhappy that some leaders in the Northeast axis and even some members of the communities where resurgent insurgency rages have overtime failed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in fighting Boko Haram.
 
International and local security experts have conceded in various analysis available in and outside the country and from the experiences of other countries similarly afflicted with terrorism like Nigeria that synergy between the Military in warfare and traditional or political leadership is crucial and a strong weapon of defeating terrorists anywhere.
 
Unfortunately, it is lacking in Nigeria. There is an unbridged gulf on this in Nigeria. While the Nigerian forces have quenched the fires of Boko Haram on the battle field, leaders and some members of local communities have failed to support or sustain these efforts.
 
Let us remind ourselves again that our colleagues, the Northeast leaders, elders and stakeholders must rise up now to complement the Military’s efforts by calling on the insurgents, their own children to surrender and embrace peace in Northern Borno now. There is no better time to do that than NOW!
 
We make this public statement knowing well that everyone is sad at the seeming pleasure of some leaders and stakeholders from the north east to see their people afflicted for years and Nigerians suffer massively under the scourge of Boko Haram without intervention. All they do is silence or at best, scolding the military each time, insurgents hide in the villages, and communities, shielded by locals to bloodily strike at them. Its extremely unfair for any reason whatsoever.
 
Today, our patriotic political leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has committedly battled the Boko Haram insurgency to a standstill. He has assembled the best Military experts in warfare as Service Chiefs and funding the counter-insurgency operations devotedly, despite meagre national resources.
 
The Military have also justified the spirit of nationhood by putting in their best in the battles to liberate Nigeria. Can we imagine that it is the same Nigerian Military which recovered the over 17 LGAs in the Northeast under Boko Haram control; dislodged the insurgents Caliphate in Gwoza/Baga; freed most of the 276 abducted Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls; neutralized numerous Boko Haram top commanders; demystified the dreaded Sambisa forest; freed over 20,000 hostages of Boko Haram in secret camps and elicited the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram foot soldiers and top commanders?
 
It is therefore unimaginable today, that only in Northern Borno that this has refused to give way for peace to reign. Every Nigerian must be worried at this and silence is no longer Golden.
 
Regardless of anything or the conspiracy of anybody involved in the persisting heist of insurgency, we are strongly prodded to glowingly commend Mr. President and his Service Chiefs, some of whom have narrowly escaped death in the warzone for doing all to restore peace to the Northeast. This is despite the actions/inactions, distractions and frustrations of veiled actors and fifth columnist in festering terrorism. But the imperative of leaders and stakeholders of this region to pair up with Gov, Zulum in calling on insurgents to surrender is very pertinent now.
 
Again, from the bottom of our hearts, we salute the courage, sacrifices and patriotism of the Military and Nigerian troops in all ramifications. They have fared well in the counter-insurgency operations. The recent Boko Haram ambush on the convoy of Government officials on their way to a restored Baga to resettle IDPs returnees after more than three years of deserting their communities and scores of security personnel on escort duty lost their irreplaceable lives should prick the leaders, as we mourn.
 
But a situation where the leaders, elders and stakeholders in the Northeast leisure in the comfort of their houses in Abuja or elsewhere outside their troubled region, waiting only to come out to condemn the Military when there is any casualty from an attack by insurgents is condemnable! It smacks of the worse insensitivity and advertised severance from the counter-insurgency.

It is therefore our considered opinion that all stakeholders in Borno State and beyond come together to prevail on their children to stop this high scale atrocious against innocent Nigerians in the north east without further delay.
 
Enough is enough! Nigeria and Nigerians deserve their peace. 

Boko Haram: Time to Heed Zulum’s Call for Peace in Northern Borno

By Adam Bulama

The Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria had indeed festered since 2009 when the group began its violent campaign against Nigeria. Successive governments introduced various initiatives aimed at addressing the scourge but to no avail. Instead of the Boko Haram group losing steam, it gathered momentum and continued to wreak havoc of unimaginable proportion.

I believe there is one hard truth we are not telling ourselves why the activities of Boko Haram have continued to fester in Northern Borno despite the efforts of the Nigerian Military. We might wish to recall that there was a time the six states in North-East Nigeria were once under the constant threat of the Boko Haram insurgents. So much so that over 16 local government areas was under their control. But the efforts of the Military as well as the political authorities at the federal and state levels saw to the dislodging of the Boko Haram group from these local government areas including their operational base in Sambisa forest.

The Nigerian Military toiled day and night, in ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgents were decimated and indeed gains were recorded that five out of the six states in North-East Nigeria were utterly rid of Boko Haram insurgents. However, the case of Borno still presents a mystery as to why the Boko Haram insurgents always find Northern Borno a haven for their nefarious activities.

Today, Northern Borno is the only region experiencing pockets of Boko Haram attacks. The several instances where the convoy of the Governor of Borno State was attacked is in Northern Borno. It is on this premise that the governor has made several attempts at galvanizing the support of the political leaders and stakeholders in Northern Borno in bringing to an end the activities of Boko Haram in Northern Borno.

The governor in doing this has never failed to acknowledge the efforts of the Nigerian Military in restoring normalcy in other parts of the state and wishes for same to be replicated in Northern Borno which would ultimately signal the end of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

There is a famous saying that politics is local as well as happiness is local. And for peace to return to Northern Borno, the actors must come to a consensus because these insurgents are not spirits. They are domiciled with the people, and they are somewhat known, I believe. I say this because strangers cannot come to a foreign land and dominate the people. There must be some level of cooperation with the people in the case of this or it is the people themselves that are perpetuating the dastardly act.

I stand to be corrected, the case of Northern Borno is that of arms struggle, smuggling, criminality and with lots of political undertones. This much has been highlighted in numerous forums, and the question is what has the stakeholders in Borno done in this regard. It is not on record that they have disputed this position and it is on record that they have not been forthcoming in addressing the threats in their region.

This indeed calls for concern and the time for all the stakeholders in Northern Borno to heed to the call of the governor of Borno state for peace in Northern Borno. Like I stated earlier, these insurgents are not spirits. Abubakar Shekau, Abu Musab al-Barnawi and all other Boko Haram commanders are Nigerians, this much we all know and as such it should not be rocket science for these individuals to lay their arms and embrace peace. The Nigerian Military has been playing its role and as such other stakeholders must step into the fray to play their parts in bringing the Boko Haram insurgency to an end.

Aside from the deployment of Military might, there is also a place for other mediums with which these insurgents can be prevailed upon to give up their arms struggle and embrace peace. And this has been the missing link towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency, especially in Northern Borno. I must not fail to commend the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum. He has indeed demonstrated an unalloyed commitment towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the state even at significant risk to his life.

Let us make no mistakes, what is indeed needed now is a call for the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents to embrace peace, and the governor has been leading this charge calling on all stakeholders to join hands with him in the arduous but surmountable task of bringing long-lasting peace to Borno State. All hands are required to be on deck in support of the efforts of the Nigerian Military that have been exceptional, especially in the past five years.

We must admit that this wasn’t the situation five years ago. And who would have thought that in five states North-East Nigeria would be free from the Boko Haram scourge. And even in Borno state, the Military has been able to confine their activities to Northern Borno alone. This is indeed a remarkable feat that must be commended and as well supported in the overarching aim of bringing to an end the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

I very much support the call for peace in Northern Borno. And this would only happen if the relevant stakeholders agree to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Military in this regard. The principle of structural functionalism suffices, which is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

I can go on nonstop in this regard, but I must, however, warn that all the gains recorded in the past five years would go down the drain if the call for peace in northern Borno is not heeded. Those that can speak should speak. Those that can reach out should reach out. Those that can negotiate should negotiate, and those that can calm frayed nerves should do so in the overarching objective of retuning Borno State to the Home of Peace. This is my two cents.

Bulama wrote from Maiduguri, Borno State.

Boko Haram: APC governors rally behind Zulum to end terrorism

Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on all Nigerians to support efforts of governor Babagana Umara Zulum, to end activities of insurgents and return the displaced citizens back to normal life in the North-east region.

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) believeed that the recent strategies and tactics currently adopted by Borno state government and security agencies are very effective, hence the attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020 on the two convoys by the Boko Haram insurgents to distract the government from ensuring that life return to normal in the state.

The PGF, in a statement signed Sunday in Abuja by its chairman and governor of Kebbi state, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commiserated with the people and government of Borno state over the attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020 on governor’s two convoys along Maiduguri/Baga road of Borno state.

The APC governors called on the federal Ggovernment to immediately provide more logistical support to security agencies deployed to Borno state to ensure speedy return to normal life in sate and the whole of North-east.

“We join our brother, Governor Zulum, our leaders in Borno state and all Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives. In this painful period, Nigerians should be strengthened by the determination of Governor Zulum to expedite peacebuilding process in Borno state and indeed the whole of North-east.

“All Nigerians should rise in support of the laudable initiatives of Borno state government to return citizens in the state back to normal life. We must rise in support of the people and government of Borno state to end all activities of Boko Haram insurgents, which promote trade and tax administration that fund their heinous activities.

“Clearly, the strategies and tactics currently adopted by Borno State and security agencies are very effective and the attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020 on the two convoys by the Boko Haram insurgents is to distract the government from ensuring that life return to normal in Borno State. While we commiserate with the Government and people of Borno State, we call on the Federal Government to immediately provide more logistical support to security agencies deployed to Borno state to ensure speedy return to normal life in Borno State and the whole of North-east.

“We commiserate with the people and government of Borno State over the unfortunate attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020 on two convoys along Maiduguri/Baga Road of Borno State – one belonging to His Excellency Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the second belonging to the Committee on Baga reconstruction.

“As Progressive Governors, we are saddened by this dastardly attack, which has resulted in the unfortunate death of precious lives of security personnel and innocent citizens.”

The forum promised “to support our colleague, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. We re-affirm our commitment to support our security agencies to end all activities of Boko Haram in all parts of Nigeria.”