Convoy Attack: Group urges Borno Gov, Military to remain focused on Counter-insurgency

The North-East Peace Assembly (N-EPA) has urged Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum and the Nigerian Military to remain focused in its fight against terrorism in the state.

The group’s plea is in response to Friday’s attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which resulted in the death of some  persons including soldiers, policemen and members of the Civilian JTF. 

According to the North-East Peace Assembly, the latest attack is a growing desperation of the terrorists and their supporters to reclaim relevance when they no longer have any. 

“We commiserate with the Borno state government, the Military, Police, Civilian JTF and families of the deceased and pray that those that continue to fuel terrorism in parts of the north-east will one day account for their crimes,” National President, Musa Babangida, said in a statement on Saturday. 

“We condemn the attack in the strongest terms, it is despicable, repulsive and is a confirmation that none of the terrorists is deserving of any sympathy by any segment of the Nigerian state or within the international community. This attack should attract the harshest response possible from the forces fighting the terrorists.

“Security experts had postulated that newly defected terrorists from Abubakar Shekau’s Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād faction would try to impress the ISWAP faction they recently joined by carrying out extreme attacks. But it is pertinent not to ascribe any undue capabilities to the bloodthirsty terrorists behind Friday’s attack since that is what they crave.   

“Considering that the governor was on an inspection tour of Baga area when his convoy was attacked, it is apparent that the terrorists want to create the impression that people cannot return to their homes even when the military has successfully ejected them from these areas”. 

“Analysis of the attack has confirmed the growing desperation of the terrorists and their supporters to reclaim relevance where they no longer have any. The use of landmines and lone wolf attacks in parts of northern Borno just targeted at creating unnecessary noise by the terrorists in efforts to show that they are still active whereas in real sense they have been fully defeated”. 

The group, however, urged the military and the Borno state government to handle the aftermath of the attack in a manner that does not give Boko Haram/ISWAP propagandists and cyber agents the opportunity to exploit it for terrorists’ media manipulation.

It said, “There are already ongoing efforts by terrorists’ propagandists to give dubious slants to the attack on the Governor’s convoy in order to strain relations between the Borno State chief executive and the military. This must not be allowed to happen. 

“The military should repeat the clearance operation it carried out the day before the attack on the convoy during which it successfully neutralized several top Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ commanders like Abu Usman, Alhaji Shettima, Modu Mainok, Bukar Gana, Abu Summayya, Amir Taam and Amir Kuraish, among others. It should invade and totally lay waste to the islets on Lake Chad from where the terrorists are staging their last stand.  

“The Borno State government should on its part sustain its pressure on willing terrorists to surrender to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society. Governor Zulum should lead the state’s stakeholders to get the terrorists and their commanders to surrender before it is too late for them.

“We urge the people of the state to support the military and the state government to succeed. Displaced persons should not be discouraged by this attack since part of the intention of the terrorists is to create the impression that people cannot return to their homestead to resume a life of normalcy. The true defeat of terrorism in the north-east will be achieved when the people are able to send a strong message to these killers that they can never win against the Nigerian state”. 

Insecurity: British lawmakers’ letter targeted at destabilising Nigeria – SHAC

Foremost human rights group, Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) says British parliamentarians’ letter to the Commonwealth Secretary-General is aimed at destabilising Nigeria.  

The SHAC, at a press conference on Friday in Abuja, said the lawmakers are back at its agenda to incite sectarian violence in the country having failed in previous attempts. 

Recall that some members of the UK’s House of Lords in a letter dated September 14, addressed to Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, said failure of the Federal Government to protect Nigerians was a breach of its obligations under the Commonwealth Charter. 

This comes after the lawmakers had alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria. 

Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Abubakar, speaking on behalf of SHAC, said the parliamentarians are not sincere and have a motive to cause division in the country.  

While the Boko Haram and other crisis was at its peak, the SHAC said the group didn’t rally for international intervention and instead of apologising, it is stocking the fire of division. 

The human rights group, therefore, called on the rest of the world to pay attention to the nature of the campaign being waged by the UK lawmakers against Nigeria. 

It warned that the parliamentarians should be held responsible for any further breach, degeneration or worsening of the security situation in Nigeria. 

The group, however, urged the Nigerian military to remain focused and not in any way be dissuaded by this distracting strategies.

Read full speech below:

Gentlemen of the press, we have observed with concern that  s Parliament is back to its game of hounding Nigeria. Earlier in the year, the APPG mounted a campaign of disinformation against Nigeria through the publication and marketing of a report titled “Nigeria: Unfolding Genocide?”

This effort to market the report of doom fell flat as few Nigerians fell for the intended incitement to sectarian violence. The authors of the report packaged it such that people would be misled into reading targeted sectarian killing into the attacks being carried out by Boko Haram, bandits and militant herdsmen. Had Nigerians fallen for the manufacture of dissent the entire country would have been on fire by now.

We at that time drew attention to the mischievous nature of this report and the potential it has for doing damage. We also noted the deviousness of the APPG trying to separate itself from the UK Parliament by claiming that its decisions do not reflect the view of the Parliament and are also not binding on the house. For us this is a trick by the APPG to evade responsibility for the destabilization agenda it is implementing in Nigeria. This same organization used reports its fraudulently authored against the interest of Nigeria to make a case for the discontinuation of funding to the country.

Thankfully the efforts of the APPG to trigger a sectarian division in Nigeria failed. The APG has now resorted to finding other means of dividing the country by highlighting new areas in this report this is what it tried to do when it wrote to the Secretary General of Commonwealth. It has not deviated from alleging persecution of Christians and targeted extermination to now focus on other areas that are totally unrelated to the issues at hand. It is surprising that the same APPG that could not offer solution in its own home country is asking the Commonwealth though to intervene in their face of Nigeria. Had the APPG being sincere and tackled the issue of Boko Haram head on as well as the issue of and herdsmen we will not be where we are now. 

Boko Haram was able to spread as much as it did because international countries that should have come to the aid of Nigeria did not do so is sincere APPG would have coordinated these other countries to respond in the appropriate way to the problems that Nigeria was facing from terrorism as represented by Boko Haram. But instead of apologizing to Nigeria and Nigerians the APPG is rather stocking the fire of division by creating the impression that the government of Nigeria has abandoned its citizens whereas this is not the true position.

It is our earnest opinion that the APPG has run short of ideas it’s a strong shot of ideas because it cannot even think about something original anymore but has rather resorted to quoting discredited Amnesty International as its latest source to demonize and put down the government of Nigeria.

The APPG report says the government of Nigeria’s abandoned its citizens and we are wondering how this can be so. It is on record are the Nigerian army and the other services of the military have successfully routed terrorists in places where they once considered as a stronghold.    Government troops have liberated villages towns and other communities that the terrorist once camped out. The military us also significantly decimated Boko Haram’s ability to operate on the scary scale it once did.

This Amnesty International that the APG is now celebrating is the same organization that has been known to be sympathetic to Boko Haram terrorists. There had been instances where Amnesty International openly supported terrorists against the government and there have also been instances when this Angel shared classified military information and intelligence with terrorists leading to troop deaths. There is therefore something suspicious but an organization that proudly serve as a caucus of the parliament and the unique in the United Kingdom come out to be promoting the falsehood packaged by Amnesty International. 

We therefore want to alert the world and other stakeholders to the devious nature of the campaign being waged by APPG against Nigeria. The APG and the United kingdom’s Parliament should be held responsible for any further breach, degeneration or worsening of the security situation in Nigeria. Ordinarily would like to wonder why APPG is interested informant in trouble for Nigeria but we say that the parliamentarians who are members of this group do not believe that colonization is over. It is most unfortunate that something like this can be happening at a time when the entire world has become aware to issues of racial equality.  

We are therefore restating our earlier call and demand that the APPG, the United Kingdom’s Parliament and any other country with such intent should desist from treating Nigeria as a conquered colony. We think the United Kingdom has enough issues of its own that eight parliamentarians should focus on they should stop obsessing about Nigeria. 

We would like to urge the Nigerian military not to in any way be dissuaded by this distracting strategies, because that is what we see The APPG report to be. we want the Commonwealth to disregard the letter sent to his secretary general by the APG this isn’t interest of natural justice. The United Kingdom cannot cause problems for Nigeria on one hand and then turn around pretending to proffer solutions when in reality it is looking for ways to make the situation worse.    

Our demands to the federal government is that should write to the Commonwealth not to interfere in the affairs of Nigeria in the manner suggested by the APPG. Our position is that where the Commonwealth refuses to back down or decides to interfere in Nigeria’s affairs in the manner suggested by the APPG the Federal Government should strongly consider withdrawing Nigeria’s membership of that body and immediately begin the process of achieving same.  

Thank you for listening. 

Group condemns IPOB over alleged killing of soldiers, violence in south-East

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has condemned the killing of soldiers and the growing spate of violence associated with the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). 

In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Ifeanyi Igwe, on Thursday, the INM said the escalation of violence by IPOB is unacceptable. 

Recall that members of the proscribed group attacked unsuspecting soldiers of the 144 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Abia State, on Wednesday, killing two and injuring many. 

This comes barely two weeks after similar assault on Police officers in Enugu. 

In reaction, the INM distanced itself from these attacks and urged other Igbos to do likewise. 

According to the group, this act of terror is a dangerous acceleration of the reversal of the fortunes of Igboland, which is currently the most peaceful geo-political zone of Nigeria. 

“Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) strongly condemns the attack by gunmen, which lead to the death of two soldiers of the 144 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Abia state. The attack, which also injured other soldiers, is an unwarranted provocation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The escalation of violence by IPOB is unacceptable,” the statement said.

“It is on record that IPOB vowed revenge against law enforcement agencies in the aftermath of its August 24, 2020 bloody clash with the DSS and the Police. Even though the group has cowardly not come out to claim responsibility, It is repulsive that they decided to launch their attack first in a state that is not the scene of their previous clash and secondly against the personnel of an institution that is not responsible for whatever these terrorists are angry about. 

“This attack, masterminded by IPOB, should be condemned by all peace loving Igbo and entire Nigerians, especially since it is coming after an attack on Policemen at checkpoint by fifteen gunmen from the same group in Abia State. 

“Nigerians should especially be concerned by IPOB’s quest to increase its arsenal as confirmed by the theft of the deceased soldiers’ weapons. The modus operandi is consistent with the threats made from pro-IPOB social media accounts online where IPOB members vowed to build their war arsenal from the weapons they will take from government forces”.

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement urged “elders and leaders to call IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Emma Powerful and their terrorist members to order before the group’s growing violence turns into a conflagration”. 

It, however, appealed to the Nigerian Army not to abandon the region in spite of this recent provocations as that will translate into falling for the trick of IPOB. 

“We therefore call on our elders and leaders to call IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Emma Powerful and their terrorist members to order before the group’s growing violence turns into a conflagration in the south east. Our region, owing to its dense population and highly built up nature cannot survive the kind attacks that those in the desert, creeks and forests unleash on their own homelands in the name of being terrorist,” the statement added. 

“INM warns that Igbos should not be misled by the utopic dream of sending the Nigerian Army out of the south-east since this would be suicidal. It is the series of the military operations put up by the Army that freed the south-east from the grip of kidnappers. This is even as the military operations were bundled with free medical outreaches that have brought succor to communities.  

“We appeal to the Nigerian Army not to abandon the south-east in spite of this recent provocations since that will translate into falling for the trick of IPOB, which wants the military to leave the geo-political zone so that it can again resume terrorizing the people. The last quarter of the year that used to be characterized by the kidnapping of Igbo sons and daughters is here and the presence of the Army is key to keeping people safe.

“The international community, including NGOs like Amnesty International and InterSociety are urged to note the terrorist acts being committed by IPOB so that they will not accuse security and law enforcement agencies of being high handed when they conduct clearance operations to rid Igboland of terrorists”. 

Subsidy: Protest unnecessary, NYCN opposes NLC, TUC

National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has condemned the proposed call For mass action and strikes by the Labour Unions against the recent deregulation policy of the federal government.

The youth body warned that it will amount to misleading unsuspecting Nigerians instead of be in the forefront of advancing a Socio-economic paradigm shift for the country.

Addressing newsmen Thursday in Abuja, NYCN national president Comrade Solomon Adodo, described Labour unions’ action as a show of inconsistency and lack of understanding of the implication of converging economic issues.

“The order by the NLC and TUC for the Federal Government to revise the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and revert to the Old subsidy regime is not only out of sync with the pricing realities of the product under discussion, but also falls below par in our current economic logic.

“Truth is that when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Mr. Mele Kyari announced that subsidy was gone forever, NLC and TUC were probably on COVID-19 Lockdown, but certainly not asleep or dead.

“Therefore, as far as the issue of Petroleum Products Pricing is concerned, NLC and TUC are aware that subsidy was withdrawn months ago. Though there was COVID-19 Lockdown, the two (2) Trade Unions did not hold Press Conferences or threaten post lockdown industrial action.

“So, it is surprising and hypocritical that they are now trying to blackmail the federal government and advance unfounded arguments. This gives clear credence to the fact that the Labour Unions have been seriously compromised to score political points.”

According to NYCN President, the argument of Nigeria returning to the subsidy regimes is unsustainable and cannot sail through.

“Nigeria cannot afford to hold itself down by trying options that do not and can never work. And the Trade Unions should not be the ones pushing Nigeria to her continued economic doom,” Adodo said.

While passing a bite of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, Adodo said: “The National Youth Council of Nigeria supports the total deregulation of the petroleum industry because that is where there is hope for the youth.

“There is no economic sense in spending less 3 trillion Naira annually on capital projects, while spending about 1.5 trillion Naira on Petroleum subsidy. Remember that while we budget below 4 trillion Naira for capital projects, actuals releases have been less than 3 trillion Naira.

“Our continued deficit balance of trade needs to be improved upon, we lose almost all the gains of crude oil export by massive importation of refined products. We will not recover from this deficit till deregulation attracts massive investments in the oil sector.

“The pressure on Foreign Exchange because of refined products importation will keep the Naira struggling against foreign currencies (particularly the United States Dollar).

“The deregulation of the Petroleum Sector will go a great extent in correcting this as refineries are now being built locally. Most importantly, the youths are denied jobs that will inevitably come with deregulation.

“The monies spent on importation and subsidy payment will be channeled to other internal economic activities. Obviously, the Federal Government cannot even afford this subsidy in the face of other competing issues demanding government’s attention.”

Global Peace Index and Nigeria’s resilience against all odds

By Lawrence Audu

There have been insinuations in some quarters discrediting the efforts of the Nigerian government towards addressing the various security challenges in the country. This trend in recent times has assumed a pronounced dimension with an avalanche of reports by various organizations indicating government’s failure towards addressing the various security challenges in the country.

Some concerned stakeholders have indeed voiced concern and consequently carried out an independent assessment of the security situation in the country, as well as the efforts of the government and her institutions towards addressing the various security threats in the country.

In a recently released Global Peace Index report by the Centre for International and Strategic Studies, it indeed dissected the various security issues in the country as well as the role of various actors in Nigeria towards making Nigeria peaceful and prosperous. The report was an exposition of the history of armed conflict in Nigeria. It highlighted in no small measures the role of successive governments towards addressing insecurity in Nigeria.

It stated that “For Nigeria, security concerns of the last two decades have challenged the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. None of this myriad of challenges has posed a more significant threat in these past years as the illegal and dehumanizing activities of Boko Haram. Just as the Al-Qaida, Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram gradually increased in ideological and military influence in the North East region of Nigeria.”

The report further highlighted that “The Boko Haram group exerted their authority and control over some areas of Borno State, and their activities have since harmed human security and development. The group made the Sambisa forest a reliable defence, training and command centre for their operations as such; it became apparent that the Nigerian Armed forces had to take Sambisa at all cost. Taking Sambisa was not a question of “if” but a question of “how” for the Nigerian Armed forces who faced a daunting task of wrestling the forest from terrorist control. Several factors stood against this task. First was the terrain, (Just like Afghanistan’s grave of Western Forces) a “new” theatre of warfare for a military set-up that had known no war or at least engaged in any full-blown military campaign since the 1967 Civil War.”

“However, President Muhammadu Buhari on taking over power, understood that successes could only be recorded if the above factors were effectively and efficiently checked. First on his agenda was to bring corrupt security officers and officials to book and also recover looted security funds. He also directed the National Security Adviser to institute a community to investigate weapon procurement since 2007 to check irregularities that lead to the purchasing of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment.”

The report described President Muhammadu Buhari thus “As a trained military thinker, he is actively involved in the policy and strategy thinking in the fight against the terror group. The policy and administrative arms of the military had been accused of being detached from the reality of soldiers on the frontline. Complaints from troops about inadequate supplies of equipment and poor welfare were nullified by the relocation of the military command centre to Maiduguri. This centralized move operations, cut-of bureaucracy, and speed up decision-making.”

“These initiatives paid off quickly evidenced in the continual retreatment of the Insurgent groups into neighbouring countries and the eventual dislodgement of the group from their strongest position. The superior firepower of troops especially those provided by the Nigeria Airforce caused a large number of the terrorists to flee their hideout in Sambisa Forest towards Lake Chad in the northern part of Borno State on the Nigerian/Niger Republic border. President Buhari in a national broadcast announced the success of Operation Lafia Dole occasioned by the capture of the epicentre of Boko Haram operations in the heart of Sambisa forest known as “Camp zero” and other surrounding camps.”

On the role of the Army in support of efforts to enhance national security, it was stated that the scaling up of the counter-insurgency operation by the Nigerian military in north-east Nigeria since May 2015- especially in Borno and parts of Yobe – appears to have dislodged Boko Haram fighters from areas they had ‘captured.

“The counter-terrorism operations of the Nigerian military have yielded positive results so far as is evidenced by the drop in the number of terrorism-related deaths in the country. Total deaths from terrorism in Nigeria fell to 1,532 in 2017, a decrease of 16 per cent from the prior year. The decline follows the 63 per cent drop in deaths in Nigeria in the preceding year and a 34 per cent drop in 2019. This highlights the effectiveness of the counter-insurgency operations undertaken in Nigeria and its neighbours, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.”

“The Nigerian Army has been applauded for its counter-insurgency efforts towards the restoration of peace and security of lives and property in Borno State as well as the entire North East of Nigeria. This feat was achieved through the introduction of innovations in the operational strategies in the prosecution of the war against insurgency and other militant and criminal activities.”

“The Nigerian Army has also been credited to have liberated communities in North-East Nigeria that were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents. Five of the six northeastern states have been fully liberated, but for Borno State still experiencing pockets of Boko Haram activities, which have mainly been attributed to the lack of cooperation by the political authorities in the state with the Nigerian Military.”

On the issue of military involvement in internal security management, it was sufficiently highlighted that the government began to put in measures towards addressing the various internal security threats in the country from 2016. Between 2016 and 2019, substantial progress was made in the management of the internal security crisis in Nigeria with the involvement of the Nigerian Army in internal security operations.

“The Nigerian Army has launched over 40 different operations and exercises in the last five years to contain various security challenges across the country. Some of them include ‘Shirin Harbi’, to combat restiveness in Bauchi and Gombe States; ‘Harbin Kunama’, to tackle cattle rustling and armed banditry in the Dansadau Forest of Zamfara State and environs as well as ‘Crocodile Smile I’, to take on Niger Delta militants crippling Nigeria’s oil installations. In July 2017, Operation ‘Harbin Kunama II’ was put in place in the North West and North Central to deal with cattle rustling, armed banditry and clashes between pastoralists and farmers.”

“Another one code-named ‘Operation Dokaji’ was launched in the North West and North Central to deal with cattle rustling, armed banditry, and clashes between pastoralists and farmers. Similarly, ‘Operation Egwu Eke’ to fight crimes like cultism, militancy, and kidnapping in Niger Delta states was launched in October 2017.”

“Operation Karamin Goro’ covering Minna-Birnin Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general area was launched in January 2018; while another one code-named ‘Operation Ayem Akpatuma’ aimed at tackling banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed militia in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states were put in place in February 2018.”

“In January 2019, ‘Operation Python Dance III’ was launched in Lagos to tackle violence before, during and after the 2019 general elections and in April of the same year, ‘Operation Harbin Kunama III’ was launched to cover forest areas of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states, in a bid to end activities of bandits. Later in September 2019, Operation Python Dance I came into being to check the spate of robberies, kidnappings, and cultism in and around Anambra.”

“In October 2019, an operation tagged, ‘Cat Race’ was launched in Niger State to contain perennial insecurity caused by bandits, cattle rustlers and other criminal elements across the country. ‘Operation Positive Identification’ was also put in place at the same time to fight the fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in November 2010 the North East, while ‘Operation Atilogwu’, (Operation Dance for Peace) came up in the South East about the same time to address security challenges.”
“The year 2019 ended with the launching of ‘Operation Rattle Snake’ targeted at selected locations within the North East to “further degrade remnants of the terrorists as well as deny the insurgents safe havens and freedom of action.” Other operations launched during the period in the review included: Operation Long Reach in the North East; Operation Sharan Daji in the North West; Operation Whirl Stroke in the North Central Zones; Exercise Sahel Sanity North West and Operation Ruwan Wuta I, II, and III in the North East.”

It is thus sufficient to state that Nigeria indeed rose to the occasion despite the avalanche of conspiracies by foreign interest, especially in the funding of the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group. This is on the heels that there exist tangible pieces of evidence with regards to the role of some foreign interest in the festering of the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria. This indeed aided the Boko Haram group in their nefarious activities.

Despite all of these, the report indicated that the average level of global peacefulness in Nigeria had improved slightly. “This was the first time that the index improved in the last 15 years. The average country score improved by -0.09 per cent. According to information from the Global Peace Index Nigeria was not classified amongst the top five least peaceful countries in the world. Nigeria was also not classified amongst the top five ongoing conflict domains in the world.”

“This revelation indeed negates the supposition that Nigeria was amongst the most terrorized countries in the world. This fact was highlighted with the numerous interventions of the Nigerian authorities in the sustenance of peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.”

“The involvement and commitment of the Nigerian Army in addressing the various security challenges cannot be overemphasized. This much was evident in the various operations launched by the Nigerian Army aimed towards addressing the various security threats across the country, and the consequent results speak volume.”

“Consequently, there has been relative peace and tranquillity in Nigeria, and this is against the insinuation in some quarters that Nigeria is amongst the most terrorized countries in the world. It is indeed a statement of the fact there that cannot be the case in Nigeria with the commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration towards the security of lives and properties.”

The report concluded that a careful look at the Global indexes for countries experiencing forms of conflict; Nigeria was not listed amongst the top five least peaceful countries and countries undergoing conflict. It thus suffices to state that Nigeria has made substantial gains in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminal activities, and these campaigns can be adjudged successful and responsible for peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.”

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the involvement of the Nigerian Army in addressing the security threats in the country cannot be overemphasized and resilience against all the odds.

Is El- Zakzaky Truly a Terrorist?

By John Alli

Some Nigerians occupy their time needlessly; or expend energies on worthless issues. I am tempted to ask the above question again because there seems to be some trouble brewing between one so called Sheik Ibraheem Yaqoob El Zakzaky and his motorized but now proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN); and some highly respected producers /actors of the film “Fatal Arrogance,” which is still in its preparation stages.

But some publicized select scenes from the film has piqued the IMN members and it is driving them illogically crazy and restless . I learnt, aside allegedly issuing death threats to the Nollywood movie producer/ actors of the film, the incensed outlaws and adherents of El Zakzaky have gone a step further by hurling petitions to heads of major security agencies like the Director-General, Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

According to the contents of the petition by the IMN sect members, the film, “Fatal Arrogance,” has demeaned, denigrated and portrayed their leader, El Zakzaky who is currently in detention for crimes against the state of Nigeria as a terrorist. The sect members are already threatening fire and brimstone and, may likely declare a “fatwa” on the film producer and actors/actresses.

Some people say, Nigeria is a failed state; but I don’t believe in this verdict. But if the IGP, the Director-General, DSS or any other head of Nigeria’s security agency who acts on a petition with signatories under the banner of IMN, I will be surprised. IMN as far as Nigerian laws are concerned has been officially proscribed. And any government institution which honours an assemblage of people under the logo of IMN amounts to the condonation of and, giving official seal to the breach of laws of the Federation of Nigeria. That’s a different ballgame anyway.

But the real and urgent question is whether Sheik Ibraheem El Zakzaky is a terrorist? There is no hedging on it, but the straightforward answer is a simple “YES.” He has lived and acted like a terrorist all his life. The realization of Government now to the status of El Zakzaky as a terrorist is even slightly belated by my judgment. I say this with much gusto because I personally know the incarcerated IMN leader, way back in our undergraduate days at the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria. That’s where he cut the teeth of terrorism.

He was studying economics; while I was reading political science, all under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ( the great FASS). El Zakzaky was quite a brilliant student and the toast of lecturers as well as students. But he soon lost this prestige and aura of a friendly dude when he begun to assemble Muslim brothers to preach radical Islamism. He was very active in Student Islamic unionism on campus and worked his way to become the Secretary-General of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). And that is where the problem started.

Armed with this official power by virtue of his position in MSSN he started to import and infuse into the Muslim brotherhood on campus, the ideologies of the 1979 Iranian Revolution which dethroned Iran’s monarchy and Ayatollah Khomeini took over.

He assembled a small group of students under the auspices of Muslim Brothers, which later became broadened as IMN and frequently sermonized Iranian model of an Islamic state for Nigeria. It caused a split in the MSSN on campus and placed El Zakzaky on permanent collision course with the university management, which accused him of incitement of students against the government and breach of extant campus regulations.

After graduation, El Zakzaky proceeded to Iran and trained as a Shia cleric. On his return, he consolidated his position as the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Shia sect (IMN). But all along, Sheik El Zakzaky never desisted from propagating IMN’s objective predicated on ensuring strict enforcement of Shia sect Islamic legal and administrative systems, with the target of creating an Islamic state in Nigeria.

His preachments attracted an appreciable number of adherents and from a small membership, IMN’s population in Nigeria grew wonderfully over the years because of his radical preachments. The sect is financed by Iranian actors interested in forcefully converting Nigeria into a Shia Islamic republic.

Therefore, followers of El Zakzaky have been indoctrinated and brainwashed by him into the mistaken belief that Islamic revolutions are accomplished by brute force. So, in their worship places, public processions or any religious festival, like Quds day, organized by IMN, the members possess and brandish dangerous weapons. Sometimes, they bloodily attack those they presume to be against the sect. With the general problem of the proliferation of arms and ammunitions in Nigeria, IMN members have a field day, as they also allegedly possess guns of varying descriptions and capacities to launch unprovoked attacks on targets.

So, in the secular Nigerian state, much like in his undergraduate days, El Zakzaky has had problems with the government and constituted authorities because of this disposition emulated by his followers. Incidents of IMN’s violent confrontation with government at different times are too numerous.

But I was stunned in 2015, after the IMN’s clash with soldiers in Zaria, leading to the arrest of El Zakzaky, the sect’s publicist, Sheik Abubakar Koki openly stated in a public statement that IMN and her members are not answerable to the Nigerian Government, but holds their allegiance to the Republic of Iran. The statement was striking when I assessed it in the light of what is happening to Nigeria on Boko Haram.

The statement by Abubakar Koki alludes to an insidious nexus between IMN and Boko Haram terrorism. We all know that apart from Mohammed Yusuf, the founder and first leader of Boko Haram, successive leaders of the sect have also pledged allegiance to the Islamic state in Iran. Boko Haram’s factional leader, Abubakar Shekau voiced publicly its sponsorship by Iran; while the splinter faction, ISWAP led by Musab Al Barnewi is funded by Iran.

And when Sheik Ibraheem El Zakzaky feigned illness under imprisonment and government granted him permission to seek medical attention in India; he indulged in pranks to outsmart security agents and escape. But his plan was to escape and take refuge in Iran.

Now, the republic of Iran has the unenviable reputation as the global exporter of terrorism to other parts of the world. And when I consider the actions of El Zakzaky and his adherents, it strikes a semblance of a budding terrorists sect. IMN might become more disastrous than Osama Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda terrorists sect, if government dilly-dallies or handles the sect with kid gloves.

Precisely, El Zakzaky is the emerging Osama Bin Laden of Africa. He has planned to visit Nigeria with terrorism for years and government should not blink an eye, until he is cut to size. I believe El Zakzaky is more than a terrorist and with his education and exposure, Nigeria shall be in real trouble if he is not tamed now. This is expressed more pungently to the world by the recent violent actions and bloodshed by his followers which have stamped IMN’s spiritual leader as a deadly terrorist, as his foot soldiers faithfully discharges his mandate.

Alli is a retired civil servant and contributed this piece from Zaria.

General Buratai and his Strategic Ministration to Nigeria

By Abubakar Gana PhD

“…tactics …is only a small part of generalship. For a general must also be capable of furnishing military equipment and providing supplies for the men; he must be resourceful, active, careful, hardy and quick-witted; he must be both gentle and brutal, at once straightforward and designing, capable of both caution and surprise, lavish and rapacious, generous and mean, skilful in defence and attack; and there are many other qualifications, some natural, some acquired, that are necessary to one who would succeed as a general.” -Socrates.

The above quote describes generalship in every sense of it hence the subject of this article. I have, on numerous occasions, stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is a gift to Nigeria. This position of mine is hinged on the exploits of the Nigerian Army in its counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria, as well as its involvement in internal security operations.

I stand to be corrected; there has not been a time like this since the Civil war that the Nigerian Army has been this stretched. With over 40 operations running simultaneously across the country, it would take a legend to be able to coordinate such operations in a period as critical as this in Nigeria.

I want to dwell on the efforts of the Nigerian Army in internal security operations across the country, and I dare say the Nigerian Army has indeed risen to the occasion in times too numerous to mention. This is on the heels that Nigeria has experienced a plethora of security issues before the coming on board of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The country was on the brinks with the activities of non-state actors, from militancy to armed banditry. Cattle rustling, kidnappings and abductions to mention but a few were some of the issues confronting Nigeria.

But all of these changed because one man decided to take the bull by the horns in repositioning the Nigerian Army for more remarkable exploits. The Nigerian Army of today is one that has responded positively to addressing threats posed by non-state actors in Nigeria despite the avalanche of conspiracies against it. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai might not be loud, but his grasp of issues as regards warfare is indeed legendary. As a military historian and one who has held strategic positions in the course of his illustrious career that culminated in his appointment as the Chief of Army staff in 2015, one would not have expected anything less.

That the Nigerian Army was able to turn the tide against the Boko Haram insurgents in North-East Nigeria in a record time speaks volume of a man on a mission. Regardless of what some individuals and associations would want the members of the unsuspecting general public to believe, the Nigerian Army has indeed proved that with the right leadership, great exploits would never be in short supply. Making a comparison with the situation in Nigeria six years ago and now, one would come to terms with the fact that the the Nigerian Army has transformed into a professional force that has elicited commendations from wide and far.

This is aside from the fact that the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Army in the prosecution of the Boko Haram insurgency have become a reference point in counter-insurgency operations around the world. Today, the Boko Haram insurgents have been displaced from their operational headquarters in Sambisa Forest. The Boko Haram insurgents have not been able to carry out attacks in the federal capital territory in the past five years, unlike in times past where the Boko Haram group ran riots.

Even though this undeniable fact has been downplayed by the propaganda machinery of those that have elected to stand the truth on its head, it doesn’t take away the fact that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has indeed justified his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.

The legend in Lt. Gen TY Buratai is such that he has been able to boost the morale of troops by routinely leading counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria. On numerous occasions, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has been seen with soldiers in the trenches in North-East Nigeria leading the charge against the Boko Haram insurgents. The welfare of the troops has witnessed a complete turnaround occasioned by prompt payment of allowances to officers and soldiers in operation in North-East Nigeria.

The ingenuity of Lt. Gen. TY Buratai is also such that places him on a pedestal fit for only legends because in five years, the transformation that was witnessed in the Nigerian Army are such that would have taken donkey years to achieve if a mediocre was at the helm of affairs. He has been nothing but outstanding, he has been remarkable in his conduct, and he has indeed proved all that is there to demonstrate with regards to patriotism, dedication and commitment to the Nigerian cause.

That the Nigerian Army has always been called upon to assist the Nigerian Police in internal security operations indicates an unalloyed belief in its operational effectiveness in addressing security challenges in the country. It must be noted that this wasn’t the norm in times past, and all thanks to the leadership strides of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in repositioning the Nigerian Army for more extraordinary exploits.

I dare say that the feats displayed by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai are rare and in some westerns climes he would have been given the highest honours in the land. This is not an individual that any well-meaning country takes for granted. The best we owe the likes of Lt. Gen TY Buratai is continued support and words of encouragement. Those that understand what it means to lead troops in battle would understand the pressure on the shoulders of the Chief of Army Staff. And that the Nigerian Army has been able to maintain and sustain the tempo and achieve results in addressing the security threats in the country speaks volume. I know for sure that Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai remains one of the best things that happened to the Nigerian Army in the fulfilment of its constitutional mandate of preserving the territorial integrity and other task assigned to it.

There are numerous instances to on how Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has indeed distinguished himself in service to Nigeria. It consequently behoves on us all to continue to extend our unalloyed support to him as he continues to render invaluable services to Nigeria.

Gana PhD is a researcher and conflict resolution expert, writing from Keffi.

Edo: APC tells Ize-Iyamu to accept outcome of election

Yobe state governor and the Chairman Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee ( CENCPC) Mai Mala Buni, his Kogi state counterpart Yahaya Bello and the candidate of the party at the just concluded Edo governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have met behind closed door in Abuja.

It was the first outing of the APC candidate after the governorship election.

The closed door meeting with Ize-Iyamu took place Wednesday afternoon at the Abuja residence of governor Buni.

Reason for the meeting could not be ascertained as at the time filing this report but it was gathered that the party leadership was persuading Pastor Ize-Iyamu to accept in good faith the outcome of the election.

A source closed to the meeting said the discussion centered on the way forward with Pastor Ize-Iyamu after the Edo election.

The APC leadership through a statement signed by governor Buni had congratulated the winner of the election, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The statement titled, “Edo State Governorship Election: Victory for Democracy”, the ruling party noted the “conduct of the election and its outcome represent victory for Nigeria’s democracy”

According to the party, “the September 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election is over, the winner has been declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the person of the Mr. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP). We hereby congratulate the winner of the election, the people of Edo State and all Nigerians. The peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represent victory for Nigeria’s democracy.”

The party said it joined President Muhammadu Buhari, who had on Sunday congratulated the winner of the election, to affirm ‘‘commitment to free and fair elections’’ in order to strengthen ‘the foundation for our political and moral authority’.

Magu Probe: Why Malami should not appear before panel – group

The Global Integrity Crusade Network(GICN), has called for caution in plans to extend invitation to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. AbubKar Malami, SAN, to appear as witness before the Justice Isa Ago Salami Panel.

The Justice Salami Panel is currently probing allegation of corruption against the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

GICN at a press conference in Abuja, explained why the AGF should not appear before the panel.

Executive Director of GICN, Barrister Edward Omaga, said it is needless for the AGF to appear before the panel because the panel has gathered evidence which are enough to do justice in its report

He said since the proceedings at the panel began, the group decided not to dabble into the affairs of the panel, to enable the panel come up with a report that cannot be faulted by Nigerians because ”we trust the integrity of the former president of the Court of Appeal”.

Omaga said, ”There were reports that the Attorney General of the federation and minister of justice(AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) is to appear as witness before the panel and like we rightly stated earlier, we at GICN want the members of panel to be allowed to use their own wisdom in discharging their mandate without being teleguided by people who are supposed to be busy defending themselves by responding to allegations made against them.

”Already, the panel has gathered evidence which are enough to do substantial justice. In case those calling on the AGF to appear the before the panel do not know, the AGF has been playing a supervisory role on the EFCC and we make bold to say that the number one chief law officer of the Country has played this role creditably well, so there is no need to have him as witness before the panel.

”We at GICN also need to remind them that after the completion of the sitting of the panel, the report of the panel would be sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, who will in turn seek the legal view of the AGF, so, if he is invited to be a witness before the panel, he would be deprived from offering his constitutionaly recognized legal view when sort, having appeared as a witness at the panel.

”The handwriting of some mischievous elements is very clear. There may appear conflicting roles as AGF may be regarded as a witnessing party and someone offering legal advice on the matter to Mr. President. We envisage a situation where some individuals want use this as a bait to deprive the AGF of rendering his Constitutional responsibilities of offering legal advice on the matter as well as deprived Nigerians from benefiting from the AGF’s legal acumen.

”Therefore, we are calling on the Justice Isa Ayo Salami panel to ignore the call for Mr Malami to appear as a witness before it”.

He said if the minister is allowed to appear as a witness before the panel, it will compromise his constitutional duty adding that as AGF, inviting him is tantamount to compromising his legal duties.

He also said in framing a charge, as is the case with all other proceedings, the office of the Attorney General is exercising a constitutional role of prosecution and not a role of testimony.

Omaga also stated, ”Demanding the office of the Attorney General to testify in a witness capacity, in a facts findings enquiry, will have the effect of compromising on its constitutional role of the office of the AGF as it relates to the examination of the eventual discoveries within the context of its constitutional role.

”The constitution does not envisage the role of a witness in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation over a matter in which it stand in a prosecutorial and supervisory role.

”It can not therefore be placed in a compromise position making it impossible for the office to exercise its constitutional role of proffering a legal opinion or prosecuting the allegations when the report establishes a prima facile case justifying prosecution”.

Terrorism Index: Centre commends Nigeria’s progress on peace despite threats

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) has applauded Nigeria’s progress on peace as indicated by the Global Peace Index. 

The centre also dismissed reports which ranked Nigeria as one of the most terrorised countries in the world.

Based on this year’s rating by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Nigeria climbed one spot to 147 ahead of some supposed peaceful nations like Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. 

And according to CISS, this is a welcomed development that must be commended despite the barrage of challenges confronting the country. 

The centre made this known in a report unveiled by its Programme Officer Dr. Jude Okunebo at Top Rank Hotel, Abuja on Wednesday. 

In attendance were renowned scholars, Professor Ahmed Danfulani, Dr. Abubakar Gana, Dr. Ifure Ataifure, Brig. Gen Rabe Abubakar and Prof. Peter Maidoki of the University of Abuja as well as presidents and heads of various non-governmental organisations and civil society groups. 

Contrary to speculations, the centre said that Nigeria is not ranked third in the Global Terrorism Index, as this year’s ranking is yet to be released. 

While reviewing the report, Dr. Okunebo said the fact that Nigeria wasn’t classified amongst the top five least peaceful and top five ongoing conflict domains in the world negate the supposition that Nigeria was amongst the most terrorized countries. 

Okunebo disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s uncompromising stance, commitment and dedication turned the table around for the country. 

He also noted that the president’s emergence birthed an all-new approach that has rubbed off on the troops and their counter-terrorism operations. 

“Nigeria, as a sovereign state, has witnessed several plethoras of challenges emanating from her internal political environment. The country has been under siege for some years mainly due to militancy, and the act of terrorism perpetrated by some individuals against the state. However, the most severe security challenges witnessed in Nigeria between 2001-2019 include; Niger Delta crises, kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling, Boko Haram crises and the Farmers –Herders conflict,” the report said in part. 

“The Government began to out in measures towards addressing the various internal security threats in the country from 2016. Between 2016 and 2019, substantial progress was made in the management of the internal security crisis in Nigeria with the involvement of the Nigerian Army in internal security operations. 

” The Nigerian Army has also been credited to have liberated communities in North-East Nigeria that were hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents. Five of the six northeastern states have been fully liberated, but for Borno State still experiencing pockets of Boko Haram activities, which have mainly been attributed to the lack of cooperation by the political authorities in the state with the Nigerian Military. The Nigerian Army has launched over 40 different operations and exercises in the last five years to contain various security challenges across the country”. 

The CISS report, however, concluded that the current administration has lived up to expectations in ensuring that the issues of security take centre stage. 

It disclosed that the involvement and commitment of the Nigerian Army in addressing the various security challenges cannot be overemphasized. 

“Consequently, there has been relative peace and tranquillity in Nigeria, and this is against the insinuation in some quarters that Nigeria is amongst the most terrorized countries in the world.   It is indeed a statement of the fact there that cannot be the case in Nigeria with the commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration towards the security of lives and properties,” the report noted. 

“A careful look at the Global indexes for countries experiencing forms of conflict; Nigeria was not listed amongst the top five least peaceful countries and countries undergoing conflict. It this suffices to state that Nigeria has made substantial gains in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminal activities and these campaigns can be adjudged successful and responsible for peace and tranquillity in Nigeria”. 

In reaction, Brig.- Gen Abubakar from the National Defence College applauded the CISS for putting up a report that clarifies the issues of peace and security in Nigeria.

“I am indeed very glad that a very important centre of international repute dismissed the insinuations making the rounds by some individuals and groups both locally and internationally to paint Nigeria as the most terrorised and unpeaceful nations of the world,” he said. 

Brig.- Gen Abubakar, however, assured that the troops are not resting on their oars.

He added, “They are not there sleeping but to ensure the peace and security of lives and properties of citizens. We have no doubt seen some achievements and changes between 2015 and now when General Buratai took over the mantle of leadership of the Nigerian Army as the Chief of Army Staff. This momentum, I believe we are able to sustain. – peace and security despite other challenges”.