Nigeria Times

By Bayo Adeyanju

Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, you need to “calm down” and look deeply inside the inner workings and actions of people of your state to discover and go for the right solutions to uproot Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in Borno. It is a serious issue which should be devoid of half-measures or public display of empathetic emotions and blame games.

If the Governor is truly committed to extricating his people from the pangs of terrorism, he must be prepared to take a delve deep in the ocean of the veiled darkness in Borno which nourishes Boko Haram. Borno state deserves peace and he must calm down to sight the real problems and actors to hit at them really hard. Other states have achieved this feat and it is not beyond Zulum, only if he calms down and wears his thinking cap.

Understandably, the issue of insecurity is very touchy and the refusal of Boko Haram to abate in Nigeria and particularly, in Borno state needs sterner action. It is sorrowful to see innocent lives wasted and properties destroyed. The social dislocation it creates and the concomitant humanitarian crisis it has continued to generate are problems of grave concerns to everyone, the Military inclusive.

Unfortunately, the hysteria and clattering noises as championed by Gov. Zulum is nowhere near the panacea. He must assume the full responsibilities of a leader and Chief Security officer of his state. Playing public empathetic modes and dragging the image of soldiers destructively into the Boko Haram inferno in his state is counter-productive. He has played the ostrich game with the real roots of terrorism in Borno enough.

Nigerians know the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and the determination of the Nigerian Military to end the violent campaigns of these religious militants in Nigeria. While both the Presidency and the Military have thrown their hearts into the anti-terrorism combats, the political class in Borno state is most disappointingly aloof. They have only mastered public empathetic wailings; but embolden Boko Haram variously.

In recent times, one has observed the inclination of the political leadership in Borno state to regale and stoke tension by resorting to blame games. Borno State Gov. Babagana Zulum is too eager to play this game of blaming the Military each time Boko Haram militants attack any part of the state.

It is like Gov. Zulum goes out every day to scout for perceived or imaginary loopholes in the counter-insurgency operations in order to parrot on the Military or soldiers who are battling day and night to salvage his ensnared people. This is very improper to say the least and capable of causing disaffection or disenchantment in the Military.

Gov. Zulum needs to look deeper to appreciate the problems surrounding him. He has to look beyond the veneer to discern the underlying problems of festering Boko Haram in Borno. He must necessarily bend down to understand why Boko Haram bloody campaigns or other violent crises have waned in several states, but Borno still dogmatically celebrates terrorism.

Like the analogy of the Lagos little boy versus his mother and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which is somewhat like a parable now, Gov. Zulum needs to please “calm down,” and look critically inside to discover the stop-gaps. He is too much in haste to impress politicians and so, ignoring the basic steps.

Again, Zulum needs to ask himself candid questions and proffer genuine answers on why Boko Haram has considerably gone extinct in other parts of the Northeast like Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe states. Or why states like Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger and hordes of others are feting peace from violent and bloody clashes now, but Borno still swims.

It is largely because their genuinely committed political leaders calmed down; assessed the problems, identified the causative factors and tackled it from the roots. They shunned the zealotry of grandstanding and uprooted it from the foundation. But on the contrary, it is apparent Gov. Zulum’s most cherished philosophy on Boko Haram in his state is opposed to dispassionate actions against the problem of insecurity in his domain.

To be frank, Gov. Zulum is stiff-necked and precisely blind to reason. Those who eulogize him are doing so because the Governor is more disposed to applying medicine after death. Since he became Governor of the state a year ago, he has severally blamed the Military operating in his state for any unfortunate incident of Boko Haram attack in his state.

The Governor’s latest outbursts when his convoy was attacked by Boko Haram operatives near the town of Baga on July 29, 2020 was quite unfortunate. But to blame soldiers for the attack on his convoy is most unfortunate and farcical. Much more, to even contemplate blaming it on sabotage by the military is repugnant to logic in every sense and irritatingly repulsive.

Gov. Zulum’s current approach is wrong and he knows it plainly. He has got the passion to work against Boko Haram, no doubt; but the same has betrayed by his emotions basically because he looks at the issue of insurgency in his state more from the periphery. The other day, he was in Chad to ask its Military to come and assist him battle Boko Haram in his state. But a man who has refused to solve his domestic problems need not disturb the peace of his neighbors.

It is difficult to discern where he got the wisdom to mouth endlessly that the Military are sabotaging their own efforts in terrorism combats; how does he want the world to reason with him that the years of sacrifices and hardships faced by troops are now sabotaged by the same soldiers. Some have even paid the supreme price in the process. It is incredulous for a leader in the throes of crisis to reason this poorly and Zulum’s pedigree should make him rise above pedestrianism.

Gov. Zulum has lived long enough in Borno state and under the spell of Boko Haram terrorism to understand the matrix of terrorism in that region. Should anyone necessarily remind Gov. Zulum that the COAS and Leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai’s convoy has been severally ambushed and attacked by terrorists in Borno state at different locations? So, soldiers sabotaged themselves and their boss by Zulum’s verdict?

The former Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi’s and others have had their convoys attacked by Boko Haram in the same Borno state; troops have repeatedly been ambushed and attacked by terrorists also in Borno. And each time it happens, troops battle the terrorists to a standstill. It now defeats sound logic for Zulum to postulate that when his convoy was attacked, the soldiers fighting to end terrorism were responsible. It is infinitely offensive.

It is disheartening that almost all the times, Gov. Zulum places himself in a position of public exchange of words with soldiers on the frontlines. And sometimes, in very derogative and demeaning manner, which tends to portray or deride the professionalism and competence of soldiers. It is embarrassing and insulting to the institution of the Nigerian Military and least expected of a Governor. There is no synergy or partnership between Zulum and the Military.

Someone needs to tell Zulum to please calm down and adopt the right approaches to ending terrorism in his state. In truth, his disposition and strategy does not complement the efforts of soldiers and certainly does not assist in terminating the reign of Boko Haram. His approaches right now are wrong. The Governor can summon the courage like his colleagues in other states to break the mountains rather expending his energies on molehills.

When the Auno Boko Haram incident occurred and President Buhari visited the people on condolence, he offered a clue in exposition of why Boko Haram has refused to let its hands off Borno state. A downcast President was explicit that Borno political leaders and elders are not assisting the counter-insurgency operations in the state.

Buhari bluntly told them that without the support of leaders of Borno, Boko Haram cannot penetrate their communities to kill, abduct and destroy. This angle does not interest anyone of them and the irony is that Zulum has gleefully not bothered to explore it.

This sort of worthy clue should not only excite Gov. Zulum, but a dutiful state leader would immediately set the machinery in motion to unravel the behind-the scene mysteries and the veiled actors promoting and emboldening Boko Haram terrorists in Borno. If Gov. Zulum does not know how to start or confused at this point, he could begin with a Commission of Inquiry; hire the right advisers who will be able to tell him the truth without shirking at any force.

The Governor should assemble the hard facts and truths on why Boko Haram has refused to desert Borno state. And thereafter, Gov. Zulum should work on the suggested remedies and go after every actor in this sordid saga to end terrorism in his state. The solution lies in his hands and it is not the time to play detrimental politics at the expense of the people.

A Commission of Inquiry constituted by Gov. Zulum will unravel the truth and it will shock the Governor and Nigerians, that his Kanuri kinsmen are behind the insurgency or atrocities of Boko Haram in Borno state. He would also discover to his utter amazement that those who supply the terrorists with arms and ammunitions are his own citizens. He should descend mercilessly on the identified actors and culprits. The Military is there to assist him.

The thriving smuggling business around that axis despite the war is done by his own people and it is one of the major sources for the funding of Boko Haram. Who does these illicit businesses, if not his citizens? Frankly, His Excellency can do better to complement the efforts of the Military in combating Boko Harm terrorism in his state, if he religiously adopts these measures.

Gov. Zulum needs to calm down to see better; but blaming soldiers at the slightest opportunity, while overlooking the basic actions to be taken is reprehensible absolutely. It is nowhere near an end to Boko Haram terrorism in Borno. Again, if only Gov. Zulum calms down, he would see why peace has returned to Adamawa, Yobe and other states and emulate the same steps their leaders adopted.

Adeyanju wrote from Kabba, Kogi State.

By Mohammed Haske

On the 4th of November 2011, the two major towns of Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State were on fire following coordinated bombing and shooting attacks on police and other facilities in the State. 

Residents of the two towns for several hours could not fathom what was happening as they ran in different directions for dear lives. 

At the end of the pandemonium which were confirmed to have been attacks caried out by Boko Haram, no less than 150 persons lay dead and several buildings were razed. 

As the Boko Haram terrorists were turning Yobe State upside down, its members were also causing havoc in Maiduguri as they attacked the convoy of the then governor, Kashim Shettima and two of their suicide-bombers attempted to blow up the military Joint Task Force headquarters in Maiduguri in a botched suicide attack on the same day.

All these happening in one day, gives an idea of the kind of terror the people in the Northeast part of the country were being subjected to before the coming of the current administration.

Markets, schools, worship centres and other public buildings became no go areas for several months for fear of bomb and gun attacks.

Those who have no compelling reasons to stay in any of the five Northeastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe and Yobe Stats hurriedly stalling economic activities in those states. 

Access to education and medical care became a tall order as security even such places could not be guaranteed. 

The Boko Haram were having a field day as they were even threatening to match to Abuja to bring down the central government. 

The situation was so bad in 2011, that the Boko Haram terrorists had moved from attacking ordinary residents to threatening the highest symbol of constituted authorities in the states, the governors.

Spokesman for Boko Haram at the time, Abu Zaid, threatened that the Boko Haram would hunt down the governors of Borno, Bauchi and Gombe if they fail to apologise to them. “We would not relent in our efforts of searching for them until they come out publicly and apologize,” he was reported to have said.

Then Bauchi State governor, Malam Isa Yuguda and his former counterpart in Gombe State , Danjuma Goje were so stricken with fear that they had to buy spaces in national dailies to apologise to the terrorists as demanded.

The two publicly appologised  Boko Haram, for any rights violations suffered during the military crackdown on its leaders in 2009.

Said Yuguda, “I apologise to the members of Jama’atu Ahlussunnah lidda’awati wal Jihad for perceived injustices caused them as they have the full rights to be protected by the law,” 

While Goje said: “As a true Muslim, who believes in peace and brotherhood, I hereby tender my public apology to the organisation for any wrong done to it in the course of performing my duty as the then governor of Gombe State”.

The Borno State governor on his part offered amnesty to the terrorists as a way of placating them.

Adamawa too had its bitter taste of the nasty experience with frequent attacks and shootouts, bomb attacks on police stations,  banks worshippers centers, etc..

But with the coming of the current administration the people of the Northeast no longer live in fear.

Adamawa has become safe and peaceful while economic activities and spiritual functions have resumed fully. 

The people of Damaturu, Potiskum, Geidam and other towns constantly attacked  y terrorists in the past, have put such gory incidences behind them.

The atmosphere of peace  and calm is even more pervasive in Gombe and Bauchi states where the insurgents have been completely flushed out.

In most parts of Borno, normacly has also returned.

Most of the rural areas vacated for fear of attacks are now occupied.

The suicide bombers have been frustrated as their attempts have been detected and stalled.

Abduction of young women and girls at random has also been stopped.

The people of the Northeast are immensely grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari who made it a priority to secure and return peace to the terrorism ravaged states of the Northeast. Every time one travels to the Northeast, one cannot help but notice the hope on the faces of residents.

Haske a public affairs analyst wrote this piece from Yola.

By Bukola Olasanmi

President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of his words. During the 2015 elections, he promised to do three things, improve on the economy, tackle corruption and address the insecurity in the country.

He has since assuming office started the fight against corruption from which millions of dollars have been recovered by the government and many serving and former public officials brought to book.

The current administration by the introduction of the Treasury Single Account and Bank Verification Number, BVN, also blocked major conduits for corruption.

The economy has also been on a steady rise since the stabilisation of the exchange rate, increased investment in the agricultural sector and stability of the banking system.

While much has been achieved in the areas of improving the economy and fighting corruption, the focus of this piece will be on security and how the current administration has succeeded where others feared to tread because of the impact it has had on all citizens especially the masses.

Before the coming of the current administration, the level of insecurity was so high that Boko Haram terrorism extended to all the states in the Northeast except Taraba, that life became a living hell for the people of Yobe, Bauchi, Adamawa and Gombe States.

More than 20 local councils in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States were captured by Boko Haram and placed under the administration of terrorists.
Major towns within the axis like Potiskum, Buni Yadi, Biu, Madagali, Gwoza, Garkida, Bama, Baga, Monguno, Benisheik etc. all lost their peace as the insurgents could invade any at will and sack residents.

It was so bad in the country that the Boko Haram terrorist hoisted their flags at Gwoza, excised it from other parts of Nigeria and declared their caliphate there. They did not stop at that but extended their nefarious activities to other states outside the Northeast like Kano and Abuja targetting high profile personalities like the emir and the Inspector General of Police and sensitive buildings like the United Nations building in Abuja and the headquarters of the Department of State Security. States like Niger, Plateau and Kogi State precisely, Okene and Koton Karfe, began to feel the negative impacts of the terrorists.

Extending their tentacles became so easy that the insurgents began planning to settle and extend their reign of evil to Lagos. But as Mr. President took over the mantle of leadership and kept to his words to secure Nigerians, he directed that the operational headquarters of the fight against insurgency move to the theatres of operation. From that moment, things began to change.

The terrorists, seeing the depth of intelligence put into security and the commitment of the government towards fishing them out, fled from Abuja to other places.

The effective monitoring and surveillance mounted in Kaduna, Niger, Kogi and Plateau made the terrorists in those states to also flee. Most of them were later confirmed to flee to reinforce their fast diminishing strongholds at Sambisa forest which was being battered and their members were being pushed to the fringes of the Lake Chad.

The Northeastern states of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Yobe that were being traumatized by the terrorists began to heave sighs of relief as the Buhari administration, through reinforced coordination and strategies sacked the terrorists elements in those states and people began living their normal lives.

The livestock market at Potiskum has since bounced back attracting traders and other business interests beyond the shores of Nigeria while Mubi has retained its verve with schools and other activities resuming in full swing.

With sustained efforts, the Boko Haram miscreants and ISWAP activities have been confined to few border communities in Borno State. Even within Borno, places that were hitherto tormented by the terrorists like Gwoza, Izge, Biu, Benisheik and Konduga, have been liberated and kept free from their operations. 

No doubt, President Buhari has kept his promise of eradicating terrorism in all these states and what is left today is the remnants of the terror group in parts of northern Borno. Nigerians are happy that President Buhari has not disappointed them with his promises to make Nigeria secure for citizens. 

The level of economic activities within the states liberated from terrorism has quadrupled and many who were displaced in various parts of the country have returned to their communities. 

Food security has been enhanced with the increase in the production of farm produce that are found only in those states. The general atmosphere in Nigeria has been that of fresh air and the people are happy that they have been enabled to pick up the pieces of their lives. General Buhari’s credentials as a man of integrity has been enhanced with these achievements.

Olasanmi is a journalist and wrote from Abuja.