Nigeria Times

By Lawrence Audu

Ahmad Salkida, the Nigerian journalist with direct access to Boko Haram who at a time fell out with the group and had to go on self-exile, lives in a hole. And like every rodent that habituates in cracked spaces, the unsafe nature of such habitation makes him act on impulse.

He oscillates between two extremes in words and deeds that make both his views and actions suspect and at the same time puerile as they are borne out of desperation to keep afloat. In some instances, he deserves pity, though. However, his insistence to be in the public glare prohibits such emotion.

Before his self-imposed exile, Salkida was known to have untrammelled access to top Boko Haram commanders including their leader, Abubakar Shekau, which he uses, from time to time for his benefit.

In August 2016, the Nigerian Army, realising there is more than meets the eye regarding Salkida contacts with the terrorists, relying on the terrorism prevention Act 2011 (as amended), where Nigerians could be punished for failure to disclose information about terrorists or terrorist activities, declared him with two others wanted. They were suspected to be “in possession of information on the conditionns and the exact location of schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in 2014.”

Shortly after that, Salkida resurfaced and humbly began to desist from overhyping himself as the alter ego of the terrorists leader, slowly distancing himself from them.

But this year, he overdid himself when he released reports which embarrassed the sect and particularly their leader. In the audio tape, the Boko Haram kingpin was crying and confessing to the superior fire power of the Nigerian military.

Salkida, through his online publication, HumAngle, also revealed how it is possible that the Nigerian Army had killed more number of terrorists than the number it disclosed to the public. HumAngle in its report said many of the terrorists were felled in villages around the Sambisa forest which the military did not count.

Shortly after that exposè, the Boko Haram leader threatened to deal with Salkida and since then, obviously frightened by the threat, the manipulative journalist has reverted to factory setting, doing only the bidding of Shekau.

Like a rat that lives in a hole, he has run to other side of the extreme to avoid the threat coming from the opposite direction.

And between when the threat was made and now, all the reports from HumAngle about terrorists activities in Nigeria and confrontation with the military have been to massage the ego of the megalomaniac leader of the Boko Haram.

The height of such turn coat tactic was the latest story which tried to undermine the gains recorded by the Nigerian military since the Chief of Army staff, General T.Y Buratai relocated to the Northeast.

The HumAngle reports claims that of the over 1,600 terrorists killed between April and now, over 60 percent of the fatalities were due to the intervention by foreign forces and not Nigeria.

The report added that nearly 1,600 insurgents killed during the period, 65.7 per cent lost their lives during battles with soldiers in Chadian and Cameroonian territories, not Nigeria. It also said that when the additional figures are removed, only a total of 591 fatalities were recorded by the insurgent groups directly from attacks by Nigerian troops.

However, Salkida, characteristically, contradicts himself and cannot confuse the discerning.

The total number of militants killed by Nigerian troops between April and now stands at over 700 even without including the number said not to have been counted around the Sambisa forest.

The figure claimed to have been killed by Chadian forces whether in hundreds or thousands has never been claimed by any report of military onslaught on the terrorists in Nigeria.

The HumAngle was also being clever by half when it denied its own report that the military under reported the rate of casualty and is not clear however if Salkida included that number in the figure he claims to have been killed by Nigerian troops.

But the facts speak for themselves.

When HumAngle reported that Shekau was heard in an audio begging for mercy due to the damage on his fighting men, he forgot that Shekau did not deny that he wept but only claimed as an afterthought that the audio was done some five years ago.

Fact Check, however, revealed that there was no such pounding of the Boko Haram during the Ramadan period of 2015. The type of ululation heard in that video could not have been made by Shekau if the damage had been less.

The fact remains that since Lt. Gen. TY Buratai moved to the theatre of war in Borno State, the Nigerian military has been exemplary in performance to the acknowledgement of all including die-hard cynics.

Within the period, no less than 700 of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists have been liquidated by Nigerian troops while many have been seriously wounded or arrested.

Hundreds of terrorists have been killed in operations in Kwalaram, Nilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala and in Gorgi, Damboa local government and in Buni Gari all in Borno State.

The Nigerian military has also overran the camps of the terrorists in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi near the Sambisa forest.

This was what led to surrender of the 11 of the ISWAP members.

The Nigerian military also repelled attacks on Maiduguri twice and in Damboa, Banki, and Madagali and other places with heavy casualties on the side of the insurgents.

These have been made possible through careful planning and superior strategy by the military.

It was not for nothing that Buratai moved to the Northeast as his presence ensured that he engages troops directly by getting direct feedback from them.

His strategy of moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents has also produced enormous results.

On top of that, the military has acquired more sophisticated weapons. The army for instance has obtained 17 military vehicles consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzer from China consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzers.

The combination of all these has made it possible for the Nigerian military to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists lately, and no fear-induced or eager- to-please pro- terrorists reports can take that away.

Audu is an Abuja-based journalist

By Philip Agbese

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq struck the apex of leadership limelight unexpectedly for many Nigerians. She previously served as Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI)). And before her foray into partisan politics in 2010, she had a stint with the National Assembly Service Commission as a senior staff. Her experience in public service is therefore rich and stainless.

The services of the newly created ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (HADM & SD)  is at the heart of every Nigerian. In the age of countless disasters afflicting Nigeria, and the ensuing challenges, many Nigerians and international partners, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the ministry. It is structured as a coordinating hub for an array of other federal agencies offering humanitarian and crisis management functions.  

The African Doctors for Africa (AfDA) was one of the bodies which commended President Buhari for the creation of the Ministry in a public statement signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Ver-or Ngutor, released in Abuja.

And  the pursuit of  the Ministry’s  agenda forms the swivel of assuaging public agonies,  and enthroning reliefs, happiness,  and comfort to distraught and traumatized people.The appointment of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq is perceived in many quarters as a blend of experience and expertise on humanitarian affairs and crises management. She is often described as Buhari’s Minister on what former Imo state Governor, Sen. Rochas Okoroacha would euphemistically termed as the “Ministry of Happiness.” 

And these past few months, the Minister has dispensed herself as the poster boy of Mr. President by demonstrating to Nigerians what Government and committed leadership embodies. The scope of HADM &SD is large and expansive. It has fused agencies like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI), and, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), subsumed under Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA),  and other extended agencies.

Her mandate is understandably enormous and sensitive to general public social welfare and harmony. The job requires a heart that epitomizes the core values of humanity and compassion. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is a perfect match and blend of the human resources needed to discharge the mandate.

Her managerial ingenuity is not in doubt.  And in the last few months, she has proved her mettle as a performer and leader who knows where the rage of tempestuous waters is hotter on humanitarian crises, social problems and where and when the ministry should pour its ceaseless torrents of interventions instantly.

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is imbued with a unbreakable passion, love, and kindness for humanity. She has a knack for commitment and hard work. Relatively unknown in the political and leadership ladder of Nigeria in spite of the previous sensitive offices she served, President Muhammadu Buhari took Nigerians by surprise when he fished out the Minister from an array of competitive choices to head the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

On the appointment of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the African Doctors for Africa (AfDA) convinced by her past track records, rated her on the new assignment as the right person for the job. The body stated that “Having served as a Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the minister parades all that is required to discharge the duties of her office.”

Nigerians conversant with affairs of Nigeria would concede that the country has been swimming in serious multiple disasters and humanitarian crises for over a  decade now. Whether natural, artificial or man-made, these disasters and humanitarian challenges have exalted strains on a nation eager to extricate herself from its fangs. The affected people have continued to yearn for salvation.

And President Buhari charged the Minister Umar Farouk to ensure that issues of fire and flood disaster, displaced victims, resettlements, refugees, and other humanitarian emergencies are effectively given prompt attention and resolved.

The Minister has properly understood her briefs as she disclosed while declaring open a three-day international workshop on improving civil-security cooperation (CISEC) in Humanitarian interventions in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria as she said, “The ministry has one of its mandates to develop Humanitarian policies and ensure effective coordination of national and international Humanitarian interventions in Nigeria.”

The new ministry has picked up the gauntlet of perfect utilization of funds; coordination of humanitarian/relief services and safety of emergency workers across the country. The Honourable Minister has impressively synergized with relevant agencies in providing   answers to these challenges and the seemingly intractable problems.

As exemplary conduct, she personally appeared at the scene of the Onitsha fire incident, visited and condoled victims of the inferno within a day. She instantly directed relevant agencies under the Ministry to take immediate appropriate actions to provide succor to the victims.

The portrait of Nigeria on disasters and humanitarian crises pulsates the heart in numbing coldness. The Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe present the worse and protracted humanitarian crisis, aside other parts of the country. It is caused by the over 10 years insurgency in the region.

In 2018, a report of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), pegged the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, to 2.24 million, with another 213,179 living as refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.

UNICEF Nigeria Humanitarian Situation Report from 1-31 October 2019 disclosed that insurgency has cropped-up over 7.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, while there are 1.82 Internally displaced people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. And added to the sorrow, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has placed Nigeria on fourth position among list of countries vulnerable to grave risk of humanitarian catastrophe in 2020 after Yemen, DRC and Syria.

The Minister is mindful of these realities and the projections. She has focused a sustained attention on the humanitarian crises in the Northeast where the clouds are darkest. Apart from improved supply of relief materials  and medication to these victims of armed conflicts housed in IDPs camps, the Minister is already working at other solutions and modalities to surmount the challenges. By end of 2019 alone, the Ministry coordinated humanitarian assistance to over 4 million people in distress across Nigeria, according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

And sighting and planning for the future, she has earnestly set in motion a machinery for a Road Map and Action Plan that will entrench a sustainable cooperation framework to  enhance civil organizations and security agencies interactions  in the Northeast. The aim is to define a common front and deepen synergy to tackle disasters and humanitarian crises.

The Minister recently said, “The structures that will emerge are expected to be enduring and mutually beneficial to all stakeholders as well as to the vulnerable groups whose succour is dependent on amicable working relationship between these major players in the Northeast.”

The Ministry is also focused  in 2020 on the resettlement of IDPs in the Northeast; IDPs enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), rent or renovation of houses for IDPs across the states; drilling of boreholes for water supplies;  securing of  land for relocation and reintegration of IDPs in Abuja and Nasarawa States; identified 2,200 families of IDPs targeted for cash assistance in the Northeast  and the resettlement of Bakassi Peninsula returnees in Southern Nigeria.

The Ministry is also in discussions with the United States Government which had pledged humanitarian assistance to Nigeria in 2020 worth US$40million. These are lofty packages that will cushion the effect of hardships imposed on victims of disasters and armed conflicts.

Furthermore, there are over 90 million Nigerians in a country of  198 million population who are living in gross poverty. The indices are scary and dreary! These are heavy burdens the new Ministry plans to discharge. However, the Ministry has planned to uplift about 90 million Nigerians out of poverty in the 2020 fiscal year.

Therefore, the Minister also attended the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission in Washington DC, America, where she fine-tuned partnership with USAID and the World Bank to fund an elaborate programme for persons with disabilities and women empowerment in Nigeria.

In a cheering news, the Minister said; “The Ministry and the World Bank Mission in Nigeria will convene a meeting to discuss modalities and areas to reallocate funds within the International Development Association (IDA) to focus on programmes for disability and women empowerment.”

The Minister also held fruitful meetings with USAID, World Bank and US Institute for Peace (USIP). These organizations and the Ministry are exploring areas of mutual collaboration and support to the Ministry in Year 2020 to aid in prosecuting its programmes.

In continuation of the Minister’s efforts to render improved services to the people, she has continued to source for international assistance. The Ministry facilitated the first official trip outside Europe, of EU’s European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, accompanied by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, UN agencies and other stakeholders who met with President Buhari.

The  EU officials proceeded to undertake a two-day trip to  Nigeria’s  Northeast;  assessed EU-funded relief projects, visited IDPs camps and got firsthand knowledge of the threatening  humanitarian crises in the region.

Lenarčič declared after the visit that: “I saw first-hand today the suffering that conflict has brought to people’s lives and how crucial humanitarian aid is to people’s survival. What matters most is that humanitarian organizations can reach all the people in need, without restrictions, including in areas under the influence of non-state armed groups. It is vital that all States and parties to armed conflicts respect their obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief.” He promised that European Union will allocate an another €26.5 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria.

Under the Minister’s supervision, NEMA launched the unimplemented and forgotten National Emergency Management Policy document  in conformity and compliance with  the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction declaration. The framework as designed and domesticated targets and prioritize actions to prevent fresh humanitarian disasters and diminish existing disaster risks to erect safer and resilient strength in communities susceptible to humanitarian setbacks.

Also, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  with the approval of Mr. President temporary lifted the suspension slammed on Action Against Hunger (AAH) and the  Mercy Corps, (MCps), the  two international Non-Governmental Organizations,  working in Northeast  Nigeria, but the Nigerian Military accused of supporting Boko Haram terrorists.

“The suspension of the two International Humanitarian Organizations namely Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, is temporarily lifted. The concerns and recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) will continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised and comply,” the Minister disclosed.

Consequently, the Minister took it  a notch higher by adopting and refining the 7-point agenda streamlined by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to  encourage coordination and partnership between the humanitarian community and the Government of Nigeria in the Northeast.

It worked and approved operational guidelines for the humanitarian community operating in the Northeast such as establishment of a high-level Policy forum on humanitarian assistance; vetting/due diligence of all humanitarian vendors before engagement by humanitarian actors; and clearance and registration of all NGOs by the FGN before engagement in any assignment;

Other approved procedures included; transportation and allocation of fuel and other sensitive humanitarian commodities etc in the field by  only Government approved vendors/providers; submission of monthly reports on humanitarian activities including funding received and source of funding, development and approval of a cash transfer policy for humanitarian assistance in Northeast Nigeria in accordance with the Laws of the Government of Nigeria etc.

As part of the Minister’s determination to reposition the operations of the Ministry for rewarding performance, in November 2019, she spearheaded a parley between the Federal Government and the humanitarian community in the Northeast dubbed Civil-Security Cooperation in Humanitarian Interventions in the Northeast  by anchoring a Workshop.

The assemblage brainstormed on issues affecting effective discharge of humanitarian services, ironed out differences and cemented ties. An elated UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, attested to the change in leadership by remarking that, “It was the first time that civil authorities, the military, and humanitarian actors from national and international levels were meeting under one roof…to prioritizing prevention always, development wherever possible and humanitarian action when necessary.”

The presence of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  as head of the new Ministry has given President Buhari more confidence that Nigeria will overcome her humanitarian and disasters challenges, no matter how long it takes. And the Minister is justifying the public trust by her diligent, focused and result-oriented discharge of her official duties.  

President Buhari asserted, when he played host to Mr. Janez Lenarcic, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management that  “Our priorities in the next level is to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, are rehabilitated so that livelihood should be established and the children should not lose the opportunity to go back to school, which is very important for the future of that area and Nigeria generally.”

Even at the risk of flattery, one would assert that Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is the much awaited benevolent spirit, which  IDPs across the country have  excitedly yearned to oversee their  fate and ensure that they rapidly get back on their feet. It’s a perfect combination that whereas Gen TY Buratai and troops are sending the terrorists away from their hideouts, the Minister is complementing the efforts to see that those who have been liberated have a reason to return home joyfully. Her job is indeed one that only a woman and a mother endowed with a compassionate heart can undertake and deliver excellently.

Agbese is a researcher in human rights and international humanitarian law and wrote from Abuja.

By Anthony Kolawole

For someone who currently holds the unenviable position of Boko Haram’s most ardent propagandists, defected journalist, Ahmad Salkida, has definitely outdone himself in the desperate attempt to blow the killer group’s trumpet at a time when even the drums of war being beaten by other sponsors are falling silent. Conscious of the suspicion with which content coming from his Twitter handle, @A_Salkida, is now viewed by those that are discerning enough to know the true enemies of Nigeria, Salkida has changed his skin colour but not his character.

Salkida’s branch out from plying the poisoned chalice for which he is known for by way of mutating into the Editor-in-Chief of HumAngle (@HumAngle_), a cross between Sahara Reporters and a horror show. As far as the leanings and orientation of publications or media houses go, HumAngle could be Boko Haram’s attempt to go mainstream in its propaganda by creating a digital news outlet that has all the feel of secularity while clandestinely pursuing the fanatical and murderous agenda of Boko Haram that the world has rejected.

“Security Tracker Disputes Nigerian Military Figure On Boko Haram” is the latest salvo Salkida fired from the webpages of HumAngle. In it, he created a mash-up of manipulated facts, half-truths and patent lies. The story, with the name of a southern Nigeria slammed on it to give it a global outlook, is another of Salkida’s attempt to paint the Nigerian military in a bad light in order to cloak Boko Haram in a wrap of invincibility that it really does not possess. It is a trademark Salkida strategy, one that seems to have been developed with the active input of the third-party nations that inflicted Boko Haram on Nigeria to undermine its corporate integrity.

A first giveaway is the puny attempt to wish away the progress made by the Nigerian Army citing no other authority than the “Nigeria Security Tracker” the incestuous product of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa program, itself an imperialist neocon configuration that has never seen anything good on the African continent. The amount of self-hatred that drives the people running these horror shows beats the imagination, for it will take truly sick persons to enter into alliances for a character like Salkida, who has no qualms about setting his country on fire for the crumbs on offer.

Then comes the ridiculous premise that the Military had help from foreign elements in decimating hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists. It is interesting that in making the laughable claim, the report did not for once cite irrefutable evidence, publish picture or show payment records to show that foreign elements were recruited to do the job that Nigerian troops rightly did to the honour of their fatherland. Perhaps between Salkida, the Nigeria Security Tracker, and the Council on Foreign Relations, there would be a redeeming fabrication of pictures, videos or even audio recording to prove that outside forces were indeed invited to help fight Boko Haram.

Should such evidence even surface, albeit fabricated, it will expose the double standard of those behind it. They had never expressed any sustained grouse against Boko Haram’s use of foreign nationals from as far afield as the Middle East. In the instances where they mentioned foreign connections to Boko Haram, it is always done with such glee that make it obvious that it is something they found worthy of celebrating rather than condemning or galvanizing international support against. Such is the fruit of ingrained negativity.

The bile in Salkida, not different from that of his sponsor, is such that even when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai gave a modest number of the terrorists killed within a referenced timeframe – one that was lesser than what his Nigeria Security Tracker has, he still managed to cast negativity into the headline by celebrating the “dispute” between the reported figures. So, the Nigeria Security Tracker conclude 1,596 insurgents were killed while General Buratai reported that 1,429 insurgents met their end at the hands of troops and HumAngle still came out with a bellyaching headline? There should have only been issues if the COAS had claimed killing more terrorists than the military did. By the way, the 1000 terrorists’ death in encounters with Chadian troops that the Tracker and Salkida readily celebrated is what should have given them concerns – the remains of the terrorists neutralized by the Nigerian troops were seen yet those killed by the Chadian army perhaps dissipated into dust or ashes like vampire corpses do in horror flicks.

It is laughable that in spite of the funds doled out to him in foreign currency, Salkida can come up with only an effort to establish disaffection against the army leadership was to refer to the video of soldiers allegedly cursing the army. How convenient? There have been reports of people shopping for or inciting troops to be mutinous in order for them to encourage Boko Haram commanders that their end is not nigh. The reverse is the case. at the time those trained in producing propaganda videos were filming the “cursing soldiers,” patriotic troops were dealing death to terrorists on other fronts.

Unknotting the irresponsible inferences from Salkida’s HumAngle is nothing compared to disambiguating the murderous dimension to the propaganda he is running from Boko Haram. Nigeria’s intelligence community, including military intelligence, should probe the relationship between the timing of the HumAngle story and the murderous attacks that Boko Haram launched some few hours before the publication of the report. The Nigeria Security Tracker was published on June 1, 2020 and HumAngle only used it as a crutch to promote Boko Haram on June 11, 2020, which could imply that Salkida prompted his contact in the terrorist group on the need to carry out such attack such that the dismal outlook that the Tracker painted about Boko Haram’s future could be mitigated.

Fortunately, all that Salkida apparently set out to do with the half-baked story failed and spectacularly so. He could not prove that foreign elements were instrumental to the high Boko Haram casualty, he could not justify the supposed dispute between the recorded terrorists’ death and neither did he succeed in re-casting his clients as invincible. What he unwittingly achieved was to show that the tide turned against his clients from the moment General Buratai relocated to the theatre of operations. HumAngle has been able to prove that the COAS usually under report the achievements of the army under him.

Salkida has also proven that, as Boko Haram mouthpiece and propagandist , he is out to mislead Nigerians with a new rendition of stories that responsible news outlets had reported professionally without injecting imperialist bias. He has proven that his objective is to diminish the efforts of our troops and their numerous sacrifices especially that of the Chief of Army Staff. These irresponsible attempts make Abubakar Shekau appear saintly while establishing Salkida as the actual Boko Haram leader; this is especially so that the war is moving into a phase where the objective has changed to winning over hearts since most of the terrorist fighters have been eliminated.

It is for this reason that the authorities must actively take steps to increase the number of the “116 Boko Haram informants, spies, and coordinators” arrested since the COAS moved to the war front. The concept is straight forward, cut off the head of the monster and the rest is history. Salkida has proven to be the head of the Boko Haram monster and it is time that he is added to the lower cadre informants and coordinators that are now in custody. He should not be allowed the luxury of activating the Boko Haram cells that answer to him.

Kolawole PhD wrote this piece from Keffi..

By Richard Murphy

We are in an era where fake news has contributed immensely to the propagation of violence and mutual suspicion in Nigeria. It is quite saddening why some individuals would elect to turn the truth on its head just for cheap popularity. These set of people do not care about the implication of their actions that they go about it with such recklessness.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is indeed going through some challenges, especially in the war against terrorism. We are witnesses to the havoc that has been caused by the Boko Haram group since 2009 when it began its violent campaign. We are also witnesses to the efforts of the government and the military authorities in tackling the Boko Haram menace. However, some individuals out of mischief would continue to spread falsehood at the detriment of national security.

Indeed, all Nigerians are entitled to their opinions, as well as the right to freedom of expression. The constitution guarantees such but should we continue in manners that further bolster the activities of those against the interest of Nigeria? You guess is as good as mine. This is my concern and as well as millions of well-meaning Nigerians that have the interest of the country at heart.

This piece is as a result of a post I stumbled on by one Otitoju, where he alleged that Boko Haram attacked Zuwo ward in Gubio Local Government Area and killed over 69 people. Not only is this post insensitive and an insult to our sensibilities, it neglects the numerous efforts of the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria.

It is sad. Sad in the sense that some people would elect to type falsehoods from the comfort of their homes and put these in the public domain without having the courtesy to reflect on the impact of such negativity on the psyche of the generality of Nigerians. This is the starkness of reality in our hands.

I need not state further that the Nigerian Military has recorded gains in the war against terrorism. The records are there to be perused by all and sundry. That no local government area is under the control of the Boko Haram group suffices. That incidence of suicide bombings in the federal capital territory and other major cities in Nigeria indicates that something has indeed changed in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Pre-2015 and post-2015 provide us with this answer. And these landmarks are not magic. They are as a result of concerted efforts by the political leadership in Nigeria as well as the commitment displayed by the military leadership in the country.

It must be expressly stated that Otitoju falls amongst the category of Nigerians that do not want the Boko Haram crisis to come to an end. As such, they are saddened whenever gains are recorded. They attempt to propagate falsehood that bolsters the decimated Boko Haram group.

I challenge Otitoju to provide facts with regards to his despicable post about Boko Haram killing over 69 people in Zuwo ward in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State. Was he on the ground in that ward or he relied on hearsay to draw his conclusions? These are questions we must ask if we are desirous of seeing to an end of the activities of the Boko Haram group.

It is insulting to some of us that are conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria. And also to some of us that have crisscrossed the theatre of operations and are witness to the great efforts of the Nigerian Military in ensuring that normalcy returns to North-East Nigeria.

I wish to throw this challenge to Otitoju and his likes to undertake a tour of the North-East and see things first hand on how our troops are toiling day and night in the trenches to ensure that the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group are curtailed to the barest minimum.

The likes of Otitoju must realize that there is a difference between conventional warfare and asymmetric warfare. He must also recognize that what we are up against is ideological and not physical. As such, there is no room for hasty postulations and deductions. It is not as easy as it seems.

That the Boko Haram group were displaced from their operational headquarters in Sambisa forest and restricted to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region tells a lot about what has happened in the war against terrorism in Nigerian since 2015. It is not a fluke. It’s a product of great efforts from a committed and dedicated leadership that have not relented in the task at hand.

As I mentioned earlier, this is not the time to play by the gallery. However, instead, it is a time for Nigerians to be on the same page with regards to the prosecution of the war against terrorism in the country. We all have a role to play in support of the efforts of our troops. If we don’t support them, I wonder who would do it for us as we have all been victims of the fangs of the Boko Haram terror group directly or indirectly.

The enemies of truth in Nigeria are those who would misinform the general public on issues they are ignorant about. The enemies of truth are those who are holed up in the comfort of their homes and post inaccurate information that misleads and heightens tension in the polity.

The enemies of truth are those who spread terror amongst the populace with impunity. And the enemies of truth are those whose grasps of issues on the Boko Haram war are deficient and propelled for pecuniary gains.

I would state now and always that Nigeria is winning the war against Boko Haram, and there is no place for fictitious postulations. We have gone this far, and no discerning Nigerian would want to see Nigeria go back to the dark years. This much Otitoju must come to terms with. He should do well to verify his sources of information before taking space in the public domain. We have been through hell and back. And never shall we go back to those dark periods where the Boko Haram group wreaked havoc in North-East Nigeria.

Fake news has its implications, and trust me; it is always detrimental to our collective psyche. We must be guided and support the Nigerian Military as they push for the final defeat of the Boko Haram terrorist group. This is my take.

Murphy is a security expert and wrote from Calabar.