How Buratai’s presence boosted troops morale in anti- terrorism war – CISS report

A report by the Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) has revealed how the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s presence in the Northeast for two months triggered a monumental turnaround in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP.

Co-signed by its Chancellor, Prof. Ahmed Danfulani and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Samson Bello, the Centre said the COAS’ relocation to the theatre of operations provided the much-needed morale booster for the troops to edge closer to victory.

According to CISS, the result is evident as over 250 insurgents have surrendered voluntarily due to immense offensives by the troops while no fewer than 1,200 lost their lives to the Nigerian Army’s superior firepower.

It added that 600 women and children have been freed from Boko Haram captivity, thanks to the renewed commitment by the Army in its well coordinated onslaught led by the Chief of Army Staff himself.

The Centre, however, urged the COAS and his troops to sustain the momentum, adding that the war against terrorism would end in no distant time.

Read full report below:

Introduction:

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies in its documentation of the Boko Haram war in Nigeria for reference and research purposes has been undertaking bi-monthly reports on the war against terrorism and the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria.

This report is designed to be encompassing to reflect the various aspect of the war as well as the commitment from the Nigerian Military in the prosecution of the war, the commitment of the political leadership in the country, the commitment of the International Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as the commitment of humanitarian agencies and the interventionist agencies.

The War against Terrorism in North-East Nigeria:

The Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria assumed a violent dimension in 2009 when the group began its violent campaign against the Nigerian state. From 2009 to date, the number of casualties has been mind-boggling that has resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands, and as well as the displacements of millions of people in North-East Nigeria.

Successive administrations in Nigeria from 2009 indeed introduced measures to counter the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgent group. However, the group continued to gain popularity amongst the youthful population of North-East Nigeria, which indeed translated to a swell in their ranks.

The Boko Haram group gained affiliations to terrorist networks outside Nigeria, and this saw to an increment in their sophistication in terms of operational style, the sophistication of their arms and ammunition, war tanks and technical know-how in the entrenchment of violence across not just North-East Nigeria, but in Nigeria as a whole as the other parts of the country witnessed Boko Haram attacks continuously.

The Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria was not spared as critical government infrastructures came under the attack of the Boko Haram group, including schools, places of worship, motor parks, the headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, the headquarters of the United Nations in Nigeria and other areas of public concerns. There was also incessant cases of suicide bombings that resulted in the deaths of innocent people across the divide in Nigeria.

The Boko Haram group also resulted in the kidnapping of schoolboys and girls from their dormitories which attracted global condemnation. The activities of the Boko Haram group festered due to the lack of political commitment from the authorities who viewed their activities as propaganda.

How the Nigerian Military has sustained the War Against Terrorism:

The Nigerian Military has continued to sustain war against the threats posed by the Boko Haram group through a combination of factors. The coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 proved to be the game-changer in the war against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.

This political will exhibited by the administration was manifest in the overhauling of the security apparatus in the country starting with the appointments of new Service Chiefs, the relocation of the military command from the Federal Capital Territory to Borno State, as well the reequipping of the Military with modern-day arms and ammunitions to confront the Boko Haram terrorist group.

In 2016, the Nigerian Military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram group with the capture of its operational headquarters in Sambisa Forest, as well as the capture and killing of some of its key commanders in the various operations carried out by the Nigerian Military.

The Nigerian Military also recaptured the over 16 local government areas hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram group. This feat was achieved through the combined efforts of the various security agencies with support from the political authorities at the federal and state levels in Nigeria.

This trend continued till date with the Boko Haram group restricted to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region from where they regroup and launch attacks in Nigeria. It is succinct to state that the Nigerian Military has indeed displayed acts of bravery in reducing the threats posed by the Boko Haram group in Nigeria to the barest minimum through laudable initiatives as well as the professionalization of its operations in line with the rules of engagement in warfare.

The role of the various Service Chiefs in the coordination and persecution of the war against terrorism has been outstanding, and this has resulted in the multiple gains recorded so far. The various rescue operations carried out by the Nigerian Military has seen to the rescue of hundreds of thousands of women and children as well as elderly ones held captive by the Boko Haram group.

There has also been lots of emphasis on the welfare of the troops by the military authorities. This fact is partly responsible for the renewed vigour in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war by the Nigerian forces.

Timeline of Events/Successes by the Nigerian Military in the War Against Terrorism in Nigeria:

The Nigerian Military has indeed made considerable gains in the War against terrorism in Nigeria. From the reports gathered in the field, it can be stated the from 2016 to date; the Nigerian Military was able to redefine the War against Terrorism in Nigeria by ultimately rendering the Boko Haram group ineffective and confined to their hideouts in the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin Region.

In the last two months, the gains recorded are phenomenal with the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria. The number of terrorist that surrendered in the last two months stands at a figure of 250, while those killed by the Nigerian Military stands at over 1200 in the past two months of intensified military operations led by the Chief of Army Staff in North-East Nigeria.

In the last two months, the various rescue operations of the Nigerian Army has led to the rescue of over 600 women and children from Boko Haram captivity spread across multiple locations in North-East Nigeria. This feat was as a result of the renewed commitment by the Nigerian Army in its onslaught against the Boko Haram group that was coordinated by the Chief of Army Staff.

The presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operations has indeed boosted the morale and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria. The troops have been continually engaging the Boko Haram group, and this has led to scores of overtures made by the Boko Haram fighters signifying their willingness to dialogue for a ceasefire.

Recommendations:

The routine presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria, which had been a significant strategy of the Nigerian Army leadership has shown a significant impact on the war against Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. This must be sustained as a culture and spread across the whole armed forces and security apparatus in Nigeria.

The precarious situation that Nigeria has found herself demands that all state actors must take the welfare of their personnel seriously and must be in the trenches with the troops providing psychological support using the example of the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.

It must be stated that if the leadership of other security agencies take a cue from the Nigerian Army experience, the myriads of security challenges would be nipped in the bud. If the Inspector General of Police moves in with its personnel in the forest combing for bandits and other criminal elements, there would be a significant improvement in the security situation in the country.

If the Comptroller General of Immigration occasionally mans the borders with its officers would reduce incidences of smuggling and other trans border-related crimes in the country.

There is a need for greater synergy between the local political leadership and the Military. This has been seen from the constant collaboration between the Military and the current political leadership in northeast Nigeria.

This cordial relationship has helped to eliminate mistrust between the Military and the political leadership which worked to the advantage of the terrorists in the past. Therefore there is a need for a deliberate effort by the political leadership in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security to take control of recovered territories in North-East Nigeria to return life to the communities and make it impossible for fleeing terrorists to regroup against the Nigerian state.

Interventionist agencies in the North-East must speed up developmental activities to help the populace in bouncing back to life by providing the needed infrastructures that would encourage the displaced people to return to their communities.

Conclusion:

The operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria can be described as effective in curtailing the various threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group. The various rescue operations that have led to the release of several women and children held in captivity by the Boko Haram group lends credence to the strategic importance of the role of leadership in the War against terrorism in Nigeria.

The example by the Chief of Army Staff is indeed a worthy example that must be emulated by heads of security agencies in the country in ensuring that our officers and men are in high spirits in pursuant of the task of maintaining law and order in the country.

It is, therefore, the considered opinion of the Centre for International and Strategic Studies that the gains recorded by the Nigerian Military in the War against terrorism in Nigeria is strategic and in line with global best practices that emphasizes teamwork, patriotism, dedication and zeal. These are all the hallmark of the leadership of the Nigerian Military since 2015.

We wish to state that if this momentum is sustained, Nigeria would win the war against terrorism in no distant time.

Counter-Terrorism: Centre urges Security Chiefs to emulate Buratai leadership style

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) has hailed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for turning things around in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists since relocating to the northeast.

The Centre gave this commendation in its bi-monthly report on the state of the war against terrorism and the operations of the Nigerian Military co-signed by its Chancellor, Prof. Ahmed Danfulani and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Samson Bello.

According to CISS, the Nigerian troops have made tremendous progress in the war against the terrorists since 2015 but gained massive momentum in the last two months.

Highlighting the achievements, the Centre revealed that while over 250 insurgents surrendered voluntarily due to immense offensives of the troop, no fewer than 1200 have been killed in different operations led by the COAS.

The Army Chief’s doggedness, bravery and resilience, the Centre reckoned has rubbed off on his troops whose morale and operational effectiveness have been boosted.

In other to achieve similar result, CISS, however, urged the leadership of other security agencies to take a cue from the COAS to address the myriads of security challenges in the country.

It added that Lt. Gen. Buratai is indeed “ a worthy example that must be emulated by heads of security agencies in the country in ensuring that our officers and men are in high spirits in pursuant of the task of maintaining law and order”.

Read full report below:

Introduction:

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies in its documentation of the Boko Haram war in Nigeria for reference and research purposes has been undertaking bi-monthly reports on the war against terrorism and the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria.

This report is designed to be encompassing to reflect the various aspect of the war as well as the commitment from the Nigerian Military in the prosecution of the war, the commitment of the political leadership in the country, the commitment of the International Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as the commitment of humanitarian agencies and the interventionist agencies.

The War against Terrorism in North-East Nigeria:

The Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria assumed a violent dimension in 2009 when the group began its violent campaign against the Nigerian state. From 2009 to date, the number of casualties has been mind-boggling that has resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands, and as well as the displacements of millions of people in North-East Nigeria.

Successive administrations in Nigeria from 2009 indeed introduced measures to counter the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgent group. However, the group continued to gain popularity amongst the youthful population of North-East Nigeria, which indeed translated to a swell in their ranks.

The Boko Haram group gained affiliations to terrorist networks outside Nigeria, and this saw to an increment in their sophistication in terms of operational style, the sophistication of their arms and ammunition, war tanks and technical know-how in the entrenchment of violence across not just North-East Nigeria, but in Nigeria as a whole as the other parts of the country witnessed Boko Haram attacks continuously.

The Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria was not spared as critical government infrastructures came under the attack of the Boko Haram group, including schools, places of worship, motor parks, the headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, the headquarters of the United Nations in Nigeria and other areas of public concerns. There was also incessant cases of suicide bombings that resulted in the deaths of innocent people across the divide in Nigeria.

The Boko Haram group also resulted in the kidnapping of schoolboys and girls from their dormitories which attracted global condemnation. The activities of the Boko Haram group festered due to the lack of political commitment from the authorities who viewed their activities as propaganda.

How the Nigerian Military has sustained the War Against Terrorism:

The Nigerian Military has continued to sustain war against the threats posed by the Boko Haram group through a combination of factors. The coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 proved to be the game-changer in the war against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.

This political will exhibited by the administration was manifest in the overhauling of the security apparatus in the country starting with the appointments of new Service Chiefs, the relocation of the military command from the Federal Capital Territory to Borno State, as well the reequipping of the Military with modern-day arms and ammunitions to confront the Boko Haram terrorist group.

In 2016, the Nigerian Military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram group with the capture of its operational headquarters in Sambisa Forest, as well as the capture and killing of some of its key commanders in the various operations carried out by the Nigerian Military.

The Nigerian Military also recaptured the over 16 local government areas hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram group. This feat was achieved through the combined efforts of the various security agencies with support from the political authorities at the federal and state levels in Nigeria.

This trend continued till date with the Boko Haram group restricted to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region from where they regroup and launch attacks in Nigeria. It is succinct to state that the Nigerian Military has indeed displayed acts of bravery in reducing the threats posed by the Boko Haram group in Nigeria to the barest minimum through laudable initiatives as well as the professionalization of its operations in line with the rules of engagement in warfare.

The role of the various Service Chiefs in the coordination and persecution of the war against terrorism has been outstanding, and this has resulted in the multiple gains recorded so far. The various rescue operations carried out by the Nigerian Military has seen to the rescue of hundreds of thousands of women and children as well as elderly ones held captive by the Boko Haram group.

There has also been lots of emphasis on the welfare of the troops by the military authorities. This fact is partly responsible for the renewed vigour in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war by the Nigerian forces.

Timeline of Events/Successes by the Nigerian Military in the War Against Terrorism in Nigeria:

The Nigerian Military has indeed made considerable gains in the War against terrorism in Nigeria. From the reports gathered in the field, it can be stated the from 2016 to date; the Nigerian Military was able to redefine the War against Terrorism in Nigeria by ultimately rendering the Boko Haram group ineffective and confined to their hideouts in the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin Region.

In the last two months, the gains recorded are phenomenal with the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria. The number of terrorist that surrendered in the last two months stands at a figure of 250, while those killed by the Nigerian Military stands at over 1200 in the past two months of intensified military operations led by the Chief of Army Staff in North-East Nigeria.

In the last two months, the various rescue operations of the Nigerian Army has led to the rescue of over 600 women and children from Boko Haram captivity spread across multiple locations in North-East Nigeria. This feat was as a result of the renewed commitment by the Nigerian Army in its onslaught against the Boko Haram group that was coordinated by the Chief of Army Staff.

The presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operations has indeed boosted the morale and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria. The troops have been continually engaging the Boko Haram group, and this has led to scores of overtures made by the Boko Haram fighters signifying their willingness to dialogue for a ceasefire.

Recommendations:

The routine presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria, which had been a significant strategy of the Nigerian Army leadership has shown a significant impact on the war against Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. This must be sustained as a culture and spread across the whole armed forces and security apparatus in Nigeria.

The precarious situation that Nigeria has found herself demands that all state actors must take the welfare of their personnel seriously and must be in the trenches with the troops providing psychological support using the example of the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.

It must be stated that if the leadership of other security agencies take a cue from the Nigerian Army experience, the myriads of security challenges would be nipped in the bud. If the Inspector General of Police moves in with its personnel in the forest combing for bandits and other criminal elements, there would be a significant improvement in the security situation in the country.

If the Comptroller General of Immigration occasionally mans the borders with its officers would reduce incidences of smuggling and other trans border-related crimes in the country.

There is a need for greater synergy between the local political leadership and the Military. This has been seen from the constant collaboration between the Military and the current political leadership in northeast Nigeria.

This cordial relationship has helped to eliminate mistrust between the Military and the political leadership which worked to the advantage of the terrorists in the past. Therefore there is a need for a deliberate effort by the political leadership in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security to take control of recovered territories in North-East Nigeria to return life to the communities and make it impossible for fleeing terrorists to regroup against the Nigerian state.

Interventionist agencies in the North-East must speed up developmental activities to help the populace in bouncing back to life by providing the needed infrastructures that would encourage the displaced people to return to their communities.

Conclusion:

The operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria can be described as effective in curtailing the various threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group. The various rescue operations that have led to the release of several women and children held in captivity by the Boko Haram group lends credence to the strategic importance of the role of leadership in the War against terrorism in Nigeria.

The example by the Chief of Army Staff is indeed a worthy example that must be emulated by heads of security agencies in the country in ensuring that our officers and men are in high spirits in pursuant of the task of maintaining law and order in the country.

It is, therefore, the considered opinion of the Centre for International and Strategic Studies that the gains recorded by the Nigerian Military in the War against terrorism in Nigeria is strategic and in line with global best practices that emphasizes teamwork, patriotism, dedication and zeal. These are all the hallmark of the leadership of the Nigerian Military since 2015.

We wish to state that if this momentum is sustained, Nigeria would win the war against terrorism in no distant time.

Revealed: 30 top Boko Haram commanders set to surrender, Shekau confused

No less than 30 top Boko Haram commanders have sent words to their leader, Abubakar Shekau, that they will drop their arms and surrender to the Nigerian Armed Forces soon.

The verbal message sent through one of Shekau’s close contacts by the Boko Haram top fighters is said to have devastated the BH leader who has been experiencing terrible outings in recent times and has been hard put trying to convince the top commanders to stay.

The top commanders are said to have moved ahead and begun a process that would see them surrendering to the Nigerian armed forces soon by fortifying their bunkers in case Shekau sends his men after them.

Feedbacks have it that most of the operational commanders of the sect are not happy with their leader for not honouring his promise to surrender to the Nigerian military. 

Shekau had in March, following the near annihilation of his fighting men given an indication that he will be willing to surrender to the Nigerian military if only to save his life and that of his men only for him to dilly dally on the matter which has incurred the wrath of his top commanders.

More than 40 of the Boko  Haram top commanders including including Manzar Halid, Amir Abu Fatima and Nicap, among others were killed last week in a counter attack by the operation Lafiya Dole in what is now a clear indication that the terrorists have been overwhelmed.

High profile commanders and fighters of the Boko Haram namely, Abu Jamratu AL-Naweer, Kaka Bana and Tareta Babakari were also fatally wounded in that operation when Boko Haram terrorists attempted to overrun Banki and other communities in Borno State.

A large number of their equipments , including gun trucks, motorcycles and bicycles were destroyed also by troops.

The top commanders are the strategists and notorious kingpins of the group who  mastermind or lead deadly operations for the group. 

Our correspondents report that the terrorists experienced their worst outings in the last three months.

In March, Nigerian troops eliminated not less than 20 of their top commanders including one Abu Usamah, and over 100 of their fighters who were hiding  in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis as well as in Gorgi, Damboa local government of  Borno State.

In April, Nigerian troops also killed 105 of their men in Buni Gari and captured many weapons including five AK-47 rifles, three GPMG and one Duska anti-aircraft gun.

While in May,  78 members of ISWAP and 56  Boko Haram members were killed and 28 of their informants  were arrested. 

The Boko Haram commanders according to sources, had wanted Shekau to follow up on the notice of surrender he had earlier given and his recent cry for mercy and surrender so that they could together plead for leniency from the Nigerian government.

Shekau in a recent audio tape, was heard ululating about how he has been losing his fighters in the renewed onslaught against insurgency by the military since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai relocated to the Northeast. say the commanders, angered by the recent mass  killing of their colleagues no longer murmur in secret about their intentions to leave but have been bold enough to challenge their leader on why he has failed to do as he promised.

“You know their leader is holed up somewhere in the Cameroon mountains and there is a line of communication between them. 

“Normally their fighters are not allowed to complain as that could attract execution but lately, the commanders are united in their grudges and have dared Shekau to execute them if that would make him win the war.

“But Shekau cannot take any negative action on them because he has lost so many of his top men recently and killing these ones would render him highly vulnerable,” the source said.

The reports claim the Boko Haram commanders and their men are encouraged to take that line of action seeing that the Nigerian government had kept its word not to take any negative action on any of them that surrenders as all their former colleagues that had taken that line of action were well received and rehabilitated. 

They said as far as they are concerned, that Shekau is fighting a lost war as there is no way he can continue the fight with the heavy loss in human and material resources in recent times.

Though most of the commanders are said to be suicidal, sources say many of them are no longer convinced about the doctrine of sacrificing their lives as they have noticed that their leader himself is not ready to die but is being driven by pecuniary motives and not religious or righteous purposes. 

There are also allegations that the greed to continue to benefit from the war is responsible for why he has refused to surrender. 

The commanders are angry that whilst Shekau is currently hiding in the Cameroonian mountain, far from the reach of the Nigerian military, his commanders are being killed ‘like chicken everyday by the Nigerian military especially with the presence of the COAS at the battlefield.’

They made it clear that the message is the final one they would be sending to him before they leave saying they are only communicating with him to see if he would live up to his promise and join them.

Sais the source: “It is not as if they are asking for his permission, they are just informing him to see if he will be willing to join them.”

Recent reports reveal that the Boko Haram/ISWAP camps have been in disarray lately following the heavy casualty they have suffered. 

Cedarcrest Hospital denies treating COVID-19 patients

Contrary to misconceptions on social media, the management of Abuja-based international-standard hospital, Cedarcrest has denied routinely admitting COVID-19 patients, saying it has no such plans at the moment.

In a letter dated May 31 and signed by its Director, Clinical Services, Dr Umelo Ferdinand, the hospital assured that its staff are alert and vigilant about any suspected symptoms from potential clients.

A modern specialist medical care centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Cedarcrest is famously credited by First Lady, Aisha Buhari for saving her son, Yusuf after a ghastly motorbike accident in 2018.

Recently, though, the hospital was accused of secretly attending to a high-profile Nigerian who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

However, Dr Ferdinand, on behalf of the facility said “ we do not admit any suspected cases into our main hospital and our staff are very alert and vigilant about any possible symptoms”.

According to the Director Clinical Services, separate facilities and resources were created for any suspected cases.

The medical practitioner further revealed that on no occasion has the hospital asked patients or visitors to self-isolate.

He further assured the general public that Cedarcrest remains very safe for all patients.

Read full statement below:

Our attention has been drawn to some mis of information in some social media posts relating to the treatment of a Covid-19 patient in our hospital.

While we are unable to discuss the management of any particular patient in the public space, we, however, feel we owe the public a duty to clear a few things in general.

The Covid-19 pandemic remains a risk in every hospital and Cedarcrest has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that our staff and patients are adequately protected at all times.

We do not routinely receive COVID-19 cases for treatment and presently have no intention to do so. In line with the best infection prevention and control practices, we have ensured that our staff have access to and utilise a robust supply of PPEs.

In addition, there are separate facilities and resources created for any suspected cases and have duly had these certified. We do not admit any suspected cases into our main hospital and our staff are very alert and vigilant about any possible symptoms.

We feel proud to say that we have created a very safe environment for staff to work and for routine patients to be treated. We will continue to do all we can in line with recommendations from the relevant authorities and international best practices to keep our patients safe.

Contrary to the false claims alluded to above, no patients or visitors to our facility have any reason to self-isolate. Patients should avoid casual visits to hospitals, just like applies to other public places. It is however very unsafe not to come to hospital for routine or emergent care where required.

We assure the public that Cedarcrest Hospitals remains very safe for all our patients.

Buhari responsible for troops’ successes – Tsav

Recent series of successes recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism and insurgency have been made possible by President Muhammadu Buhari’s deep knowledge and experience in asymmetric warfare, former Lagos State commissioner of police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has said.

Tsav in an interview with our reporters in Abuja commended President Buhari and the armed forces of Nigeria for finally turning the heat against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists at a time when many had given up on the possibility of defeating them.

He said the series of victories have restored peace in the Northeast and given the people hope that it remains a matter of time before the region would be permanently rid of the activities of the insurgents. 

Making an assessment of developments at the Northeast, Tsav noted that any military operation that is won back to back must be as a result of careful planning and sophisticated strategies at the highest level.

He said those who are of the opinion that the current series of successes being recorded against the terrorists were mere happenstance should perish the thought as he explained that military expeditions and conquests do not come by happenstance but through thorough planning and rigorous execution of strategic plans.

Tsav took his time to educate Nigerians on what is happening in the Northeast saying people are not aware that it is the commander- in-chief of the armed forces who holds the coordinates that combine to determine the structure, approach, strategy and results  on the battlefield.

This, Tsav said is the reason why every planning starts with the commander- in -chief while he is also briefed from time to ensure that the overall operation does not go out of his plan.

Tsav said in the case of Nigeria, President Buhari had had the privilege to observe what was going on at the Lake Chad region before he became President. 

He said this, coupled with how the past administration was fumbling on the issue of security must have strengthened his resolve to do something sweeping enough to sack the terrorists and restore sanity to the country. 

“You will recall there was a time during the last administration, when it was said that the insurgents named him as one of those to negotiate on their behalf. 

“That was the height of insult on the experience, integrity and person of Buhari and when they saw that they couldn’t make a anything out of that attempt to blackmail him, he was almost killed while being driven in Kaduna,” he said.

The former commissioner of police said President Buhari has been a thoroughbred professional while in the army who can process an interprete sensitive security information in fractions of seconds.

“That was why the first thing he did on assuming office as president was to order a relocation of the military command to the theatres of war which began to yield results leading to the technical defeat of the insurgents and the retaking of all the 20 local governments areas the insurgents had overtaken in less than three months. 

Tsav said the push button for Buhari which has continued to yield results is the identification of committed and devoted officers to man the three arms of the armed forces followed by the incentives given to the military high command to achieve the feat. 

He said it is to the credit of Buhari that men like the chief of army staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai who not only are thoroughbred professionals but who understand the terrain were appointed. 

Tsav said it is worth mentioning that this is the best time for Nigerian troops as they have regained the confidence of the people and the international community by the feat they have recorded in the last three months. 

He said within the last three months since Gen. Buratai relocated to Northeast, it has been reported that no less than  700 of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists including their top commanders have been silenced while large cache of their arms have either been seized or destroyed.

Said Tsav: “These are no means feats considering that the insurgents have been out there for more than 10 years and have acquired sophisticated weapons as well.

“The clinical efficiency with which the insurgents have been taken out shows clearly that there is superiority in tactics and strategies from the top and this is where I commend President Buhari, Buratai and all the service chiefs.”

Tsav called on all Nigerians to step out and make efforts  to complement what President Buhari and the military are doing for lasting peace to return to the country and for meaningful development to be enhanced. 

Shekau And The Futility Of A Failed War

By David Onmeje

The period since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai relocated to the war front has been one of torment for Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād better known as Boko Haram, the sympathizers of the murderous group and especially its deranged leader – Abubakar Shekau. Far from the aura of invincibility that he has built around himself with the active support of propaganda deployed in his favour by his more highly placed sponsors, Shekau has unraveled in the last two months as someone who hates even his own men more than he hates the secularity of the Nigerian state, key basis of the decade old bloodletting that has been his trade mark.

A few points deserve mention in order to understand how Shekau’s refusal to give up his failed war will be his ultimate doom. Had he given up and surrendered or even declared an end to his pointless attrition against Nigeria, perhaps a case of mental incapacity could have been marshalled to persuade all concerned for a lesser reckoning for his evil. But as things stand, Shekau is due for the maximum punishment and humiliation possible for his failed war and it is not death, but being captured and the humiliating failure of finally realizing that his entire life and life’s undertaken have been failures.

First, the start of the insurgency was tied to exacting reprisal against security forces for the death of the group’s founder, Yusuf Mohammed, in custody. That coupled with a demand for the strict implementation of Sharia law created the impression that the acts of terrorism being promoted by Boko Haram may one day end on the dialogue table where the extremists could get some sort of concession – some had even argued that the terrorists should key into the Sharia rule already being controversially implemented by some states in the northern parts of the country. But when Shekau, in his psychopathic bent, began going beyond military and secular targets to attack churches and later mosques, it became apparent that the campaign of terror was more about satiating his bloodlust than it was about bringing about Sharia rule or avenging Mohammed Yusuf’s death.

Secondly, those who propped up Shekau’s Boko Haram as a political tool are since done with him and his group for several reasons. Ouroboros – the snake is eating his own tail and will eventually consume itself, Shekau had on several occasions turned on his own sponsors effectively cutting off the vital support he got from them. He is also known to kill his own followers on whimsy excuses like accusation of displaying cowardice in battle or betraying the movement, like those who hinted at taking up the offer of surrender were executed whenever they are found out before properly defecting. Nigeria’s francophone neighbours: Cameroon, Chad and Niger – which hitherto were playing the double game that allowed Boko Haram fighters flee into their jurisdiction after attacks in Nigeria have turned on Shekau and his hordes and it seems not even the pressure from France will allow these nations again embrace a snake to their bosom.

Those who ran propaganda for Shekau have tired of their craft. They had thrived at a time when their client was enjoying international support for his killing spree. Theirs was to help escalate the collective feeling of terror from Boko Haram attacks and to paint its demented leader as invincible. They have fallen silent when they saw the efficiency with which the Nigerian Army is decimating Boko Haram and are suddenly no longer able to sing the praises of Shekau or present Boko Haram as a parallel state in which they are prouder than they are in Nigeria. The same goes for the online cheerleading team that had persistently glamourized the acts of terror that Shekau’s Boko Haram committed.

Furthermore, the boost that the terrorists enjoyed in the Lake Chad Basin Region, whether as Boko Haram or the now irrelevant Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), fizzled out with the substantial dismantling of ISIS, Islamic State in the Syria-Iraqi axis with further disarrayed visited on its infrastructure with the killing of its most effective leader yet, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. ISIS extended support to Boko Haram as a way of making it a franchise that will facilitate its quest to dominate the world, an undertaking that was escalated in the year 2015 but one that has not evaporated with the destruction of the international terror group. A sane person would have reckoned with this development and be more realistic about an offer of surrender but not Shekau, who is too far gone in his insanity to realize that Boko Haram/ISWAP has degraded from being part of an international terror brand to being a local nuisance.

Also, the persistence of the Nigerian military seems to have outlived the dubious scheming of third-party nations like France, which have persistently funneled weapons, cash and training to Boko Haram terrorists in pursuit of their geo-strategic interests. The timeframes that such nations set for their objectives have been distorted by the unexpected resilience shown by the Nigerian military, which has achieved the impossible even in the face of crippling blockade of arms sales and other covert sanctions that are intended to prevent Nigeria from being able to deal with Boko Haram internationally sponsored terrorism. After series of incidents that expose the ignoble roles of countries like France and corporations linked to such countries, the appetite of these entities to risk further exposure as international sponsors of terrorism has made them scale back their support for Boko Haram.

Similarly, the NGO arm of Boko Haram have been rendered ineffective following their exposure and the connection of the links they mutually share. Amnesty International is one of such groups that hide under the theme “upholding of human rights” to provide cover for Boko Haram to operate, while it deploys its reports to incapacitate troops from effectively fighting terrorists through the constant dangling of accusation of rights abuses against them it also coordinates other NGOs to offer support that made Boko Haram into a deadly gang. Some of its partners are into steadily supplying food and provisions to the terrorists under the guise of preventing human suffering from hunger, others provide treatment to terrorists wounded in battle without alerting authorities to take them in for their crimes citing the protection of the terrorists’ human rights as excuse. Even more terrifying is the discovery that these NGOs made themselves into the intelligence gathering arm of Boko Haram by passing information to terrorists about troops movement, they get this information as part of security briefings that are meant to keep them safe by notifying them of impending operations against the terrorists.

It must be counted fortunate for Nigerians and unfortunate for Shekau’s Boko Haram that the Nigerian military finally resolved to do away with the political correctness that had allowed the identified terrorist advantages to thrive. In the wake of other events: the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the exposure of Amnesty International as a terrorists supporting NGO, the confirmation of the double standard of countries like France and the Chadian retaliation for Boko Haram betrayal of killing its troops, the Nigerian Army went all out to end the reign of terror in the Lake Chad Basin. The last two months of the resulting military operation have exposed Shekau as one that hates even his own men, someone who is violently prodding them to fight onto death while hiding in his burrows.

A Shekau who had clandestinely negotiated the possibility of his own surrender and safe passage into oblivion would not let his men surrender and end the war, not because he has any hope of regaining the upper hand in his failed war but because he is worried about losing the funds from his sponsors. He has continued to give his fighters and sponsors alike the false hope that he can keep his acts of terror going and wear the troops down by making the military operation drag into another dry season when the terrorists can cover greater distance without being bugged down by the elements. What he is rather succeeding at is sending his men to die in the hands of government troops. He keeps giving them false hope even though they are now guaranteed a journey into the great beyond instead of a return trip to their lairs each time they venture to the battlefield because General Buratai is on ground to supervise every single incursion of the troops.

The fear of Amnesty International no longer stops the troops from doing what the nation commissioned them to do. The NGO is no longer able to author fraudulent reports that absolve the terrorists of wrongdoing while indicting soldiers for fighting evil. Troops are thus able to go for the jugular each time they engage the terrorists. They did everything General Buratai wants in the government troops, what Nigerians want – killing as many terrorists as possible, rescue as many hostages as possible and making the entire northeast inconducive for terrorists. The result has been troops that made us proud, they have killed over 1000 killed in 60 days.

Alas, Shekua who is still in hiding in the Cameroonian Mountains, has continued his ineffectual bid to inspire his fleeing elements to keep fighting, without mentioning that what he now asks of them is a guaranteed suicide mission since the certain outcome for any fighter who heeds Shekau’s call is a bullet ridden and mangled corpse. Shekua hates his own men more than he hates the country to the extent that he keeps pushing them to go get killed even when he has lost over 3,000 of his fighters in a short time. Shekau may enjoy one more day of pushing his hapless fighters into suicidal battles but the only way the present configuration will end is the Boko Haram leader being in shackles as part of the Nigerian Army’s victory parade.

Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

Revealed: How Amnesty International, Foreign agents hinder counter-insurgency war

According to a detailed investigation, it has revealed that the prolonged war against terrorism in Nigeria is a result of the activities of groups like Amnesty International, the Human Rights Watch and other International Non-Governmental Organizations operating in Nigeria.

According to sensitive information gathered, the likes of Amnesty International have been covertly working for a syndicate terror network that specializes in festering conflicts in most African countries with huge mineral and economic resources to have easy access to these resources for sale to a ready market for illicit goods in some European countries.

According to an insider who pleaded anonymity for fear of the consequences, stated that the syndicate group consists of crude oil dealers and arms manufacturers looking for a market for their goods.

“The case of Nigeria is a peculiar one in the sense that an arms manufacturing company has been in the business of selling arms to both the Nigerian Government and as well as the Boko Haram group. They know that should the war come to an end, they would be out of business and as such they entered into a strategic alliance with the likes of Amnesty International and other perceived human rights groups operating in Nigeria to continue to distract the Nigerian Military whenever there seem to be making gains in the war.”

“If you must have noticed that Amnesty International has been laying all sorts of accusations against the Nigerian Military, accusing it of human rights violations. In truth, these accusations are often baseless but a strategy to distract in order for the Boko Haram group to regroup and launch further attacks in Nigeria.”

The source further added that the meeting that sealed the deal concerning the Boko Haram conflict was held in France where representatives of Amnesty International and the syndicate group met and terms were agreed.

“After the meeting, the mandate that was handed over to Amnesty International was to secure the buy-in of INGOs of like minds in Nigeria to continuously issue reports and statements indicting the Nigerian Military for gross human rights abuses in the persecution of the Boko Haram war.”

In a similar vein, according to documents seen, there were a series of email exchanges between Amnesty International and the syndicate group indicating how the plot was to be hatched in phases. In a mail that originated from a destination in France under the heading “research proposal” it was stated that the situation in North-East Nigeria calls for concern with regards to the prosecution of the Boko Haram war.

“This research proposal is as a follow-up of earlier meeting and discussions. The situation in North-East Nigeria calls for concern. The subjects are threatened extinct on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region with little or no room for escape or advancement. Hundreds have been killed, and this calls for concern. There should be a concerted effort to turn the tide ASAP.”

In response to the mail that was copied to Amnesty International regional office in Africa consisting of Dakar, Nairobi and Johannesburg, it stated that efforts are ongoing to turn the tide with the enlistment of critical operators in the theatre of operations.

“The research is well underway. Monies have been disbursed accordingly to participating entities, including some select media organizations to amplify the discourse. We are challenged with restrictions to access to some key participants; nonetheless, we are making concerted efforts discreetly, especially with the fact that our activities are under heavy scrutiny by those concerned.”

This medium also gathered from impeccable sources in the theatre of operations that before the enforcement of the lockdown in Nigeria due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was an influx of foreigners in Borno State. A source stated that he acted as a tour guide for some of these foreigners who placed him on $100 a day for his services.

“I was approached by a friend who is an intern with one of the NGOs in Maiduguri requesting that some of their top management staff are in Nigeria and they would want me to take them around key military institutions in Borno state. In the course of our various trips, I was asked severally questions about the war and what my opinion was as regards the operations of the Nigerian Military and what are the things that motivate them.”

“In some instances, we went as far as Baga in Kukawa local government area where you had the previous headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Baga. They took pictures and gave monies to locals in the area. I recall asking them for their identities, and they said they were representatives of Amnesty International on a mission to ascertain the level of destruction in North-East Nigeria for rebuilding purposes.”

This medium also gathered that the overarching objectives of these foreign agents was to ensure that Nigeria experiences disintegration like countries like Libya, Syria and Yemen where Amnesty International played an ignoble role in festering the conflict through proxies.

According to an insider in Human Rights Watch, she stated that of late there has been an influx of strange faces in their office holding meetings.

“We have experienced an influx of unknown faces, and whenever they come in, we are usually excluded from the meetings even though the core of our operations revolves around us. This has indeed raised suspicion, but we are handicapped.”

She further added that in most instances after such meetings they were asked to make a compilation of the number of deaths that have been recorded in North-East, Nigeria.

“We are always asked to make a compilation of the number of Boko Haram members that have been killed by the Nigerian Military and send out press statements indicating violation of human rights by the Nigerian Military.”

It was also gathered that these groups also use fictitious human rights abuse allegations against troops to lower the morale of troops. In most instances, these allegations are made whenever the Nigerian Military is advancing and recording successes in the war against Boko Haram.
A top security source also confided in this medium that there are multiple Intel that indicates that Amnesty International and some other groups have been engaging in acts that undermines the efforts of the Nigerian Military.
“There are abounding pieces of evidence at our disposal, and that is why we have placed a red alert on some organization parading themselves as protectors of human rights. We know what their game plan is, but we have to be careful because this is a well-funded syndicate operation.”
“Nigeria has also been the recipient of illicit funding from some terrorist network and businessmen that do not want the Boko Haram crisis to end anytime soon because of what they are benefiting in terms of patronage.”
“I advise that those individuals and organizations donating monies to the likes of Amnesty International should desist from doing such because they are indirectly funding terrorism in Nigeria.”
This medium was able to establish that indeed these organizations, in collaboration with their foreign interest, have been hindering the efforts of the Nigerian Military in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.
It would be recalled on numerous occasions; the Nigerian Government has accused some organizations of aiding and abetting the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria in active collaboration with some foreign agents bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria. This is on the heels that there are multiple evidence of how some International NGOs are acting the script of their paymasters in ensuring that the Nigerian Military is distracted at all times to give the Boko Haram group the edge in the war.

Group hails Buratai, troops for killing BH/ISWAP commanders, 72 others

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. T.Y Buratai and troops on the frontlines have received massive commendation for liquidating top Boko Haram/ ISWAP commanders and 72 fighters in Borno.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) showered praises on the COAS for once again leading troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to another victorious outing against the terrorists.

According to the pro-democracy group, on Thursday, the current feat complements the gains made by the military in the last three months, with the fallen terrorists numbering over 700.

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have intensified its onslaught on the fleeing radical Islamic fighters following Lt. Gen. Buratai’s relocation to the northeast.

Most recently, the rejuvenated troops launched a counter-attack on the terrorists who attempted to overrun Banki and other communities in Borno State, and in the process, slew its top commanders alongside 72 others.

In a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, the NDF hailed the COAS for remaining at the field of operation since March, adding that his presence has brought “monumental success for the country”.

With the renewed vigour and gallantry among the troops, the NDF reckoned that the deadline for the total annihilation of the terrorists groups in Nigeria would be met in no distant time.

The group, however, urged “ Lt. Gen. Buratai and his men not to relax or think that the terrorists would relent in their efforts to cause more damage on the polity.”

Read full statement below:

We wish to laud, commend and appreciate the Nigerian military particularly troops of Operation Lafiya Dole which have been fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Northeast Nigeria, who have once again had a victorious outing in their quests to defeat terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

This time, the troops launched a counter-attack on the Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to overrun Banki and other communities in Borno State, and in the process, killed top commanders of the terrorist group and liquidated 72 of their fighting men.

Details of the encounter garnered from various sources indicated that the counter attack followed a failed attack on troops’ location at Banki Junction by terrorists within the 7 Division strike group response area and that it has been confirmed by competent military sources that the high ranking commanders of the Abubakar Shekau’s faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group were killed.

Top commanders of the Boko Haram that have been taken out according to top military sources include Manzar Halid, Amir Abu Fatima and Nicap, among others.

Going by the confession of former Boko Haram members, these men are some of the notorious kingpins of the group who have either masterminded or led some the deadliest operations of the group.

Apart from that we also have it on good authority that 72 members of the Boko Haram were also neutralised and many others wounded with narrow chances of survival.

Those wounded according to released information from the military, include some high profile commanders and fighters of the Boko Haram namely, Abu Jamratu AL-Naweer, Kaka Bana and Tareta Babakari while a large number of their equipment , including gun trucks, motorcycles and bicycles were destroyed by troops.

The Boko Haram terrorists were said to have on seeing the superior fire power from Nigerian troops made to retreat and withdraw from the base but were not successful as troops had already enclosed them due to superior tactics and manoeuvres and liquidated many of them.

Reports also indicate that the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups have been totally shattered and devastated and further weakened after this latest attack which is an addition to the sustained onslaught against the terrorists groups since March this year.

NDF notes that the current feat complements the gains made by the military in the fight against insurgency and terrorism and brings to nearly 700, the number of terrorists top comanders and fighters that have been brought down within a spate of three months.

It also adds to the number of communities and persons that have been saved from attempted attacks by the terrorists in recent times.

This feat calls for an applause to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen TY Buratai who has been at the field of operation since March as well as for the troops for performing at excellent levels and reducing to the barest minimum activities of terrorists and insurgents in Nigeria.

We, at the NDF are not in any way surprised by the success of the current operation as the presence of the COAS in the theatre has brought about monumental success for the country on its campaign against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in the country.

With the renewed vigour and increase gallantry of the Nigerian troops, we are optimistic that the deadline for the total annihilation of the terrorists groups in Nigeria would be met and we have no iota of doubt that the troops led by the Chief of Army Staff would deliver on the mandate.

We notice with pride that since the relocation of the army chief to the theatre of operation, the moral of troops have been boosted and it has been reports of success stories all through.

Nigerians are beginning to see why the President places so much confidence on the current structure of the military high command as Nigeria has never had it so good in the fight against insurgency which at a time seemed to have overwhelmed our troops.

We urge Buratai and his men not to relax or think that the terrorists would relent in their efforts to cause more damage on the polity.

If events of the past are anything to go by, the constant pummelling of the terrorists groups would make them want to prove that they are still deadly and desperate to attempt another attack.

The military must therefore be vigilant to make sure they’re routed out any time they attempt to do so as it has done in several of their attempts to attack major towns and communities in recent times.

We commend the Chief of Army Staff for good and quality leadership, brilliant strategies and planning and for his presence at the war front.

We on behalf of other Nigerians thank him and the troops for making the country secured for all of us to live in and go about our various businesses and we are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for picking the right men for the job.

George Floyd: Abuja protesters besiege US Embassy, seek justice

Hundreds of protesters early this morning besieged the United States of America embassy located in the Central Business District of Abuja to express their displesure over the recent and barbaric killings of George Floyd and several other s black persons in the US.

The protesters under the aegis of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, CALSER said the gathering is not only for the display of physical rage as a result of the indiscriminate killing of black people in the United States of America by agents of the state but a display of emotional and mental rage.

The group said it we would no longer watch how its brothers and sisters to be subjected to all manners of ill-treatment by law enforcement officers in the United States of America.

Led by its convener, Princess Ajibola, CALSER said the death of George Floyd is an act of barbarism that is being spearheaded by the white supremacists in the United States of America because Black Lives doesn’t matter to them. 

“But we say Black Lives indeed matters”the group said

Princess Ajibola said, “The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights have in numerous forums stated that it is indeed time for the blacks and Africans to take their destinies into their hands if we must survive the fangs of the whites whose desire is to see to the extinction of the entire black race in the world. 

“This is over 50 years down the line when the Late Martin Luther King spoke about the emancipation of blacks in the United States of America. Yet, the very issues he canvassed are still present in the United States of America.

“We are not unmindful that some of us have come here out of great trials and tribulation. Some of us have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from where our quest for freedom left us battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering.

“These words of Martin Luther King reverberate till date in the United States of America and other western climes. And the question is, should we suffer untold hardship and persecution just because of the colour of our skin?

Should our children, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers continue to be killed because we are blacks? We are gathered here to register our displeasure with the happenings in the United States of America where Black lives do not matter”she added

The group wants the Ambassador of the United States of America in Nigeria to convey its message to President Donald Trump. 

“Our message is simple. Black Lives Matter and racial discrimination must stop in the interest of peace, unity and progress. If this does not stop Africans must take their destinies into their hands and fight for their rights because according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we are all born free. We all have our thoughts and ideas, and we should all be treated the same way. 

“The rights in the UDHR belong to everyone, no matter who we are, where we’re from, or whatever we believe. We all have the right to life and to live in freedom and safety. No one should be held as a slave, and no one has the right to treat anyone else as their slave. 

“No one has the right to inflict torture or to subject anyone else to cruel or inhuman treatment. Nobody has the right to enter our home, open our mail, or intrude on our families without good reason. We also have the right to be protected if someone tries to damage our reputation unfairly.

Everyone has the freedom to think or believe what they want, including the right to religious belief. We have the right to change our beliefs or religion at any time, and the right to publicly or privately practise our chosen religion, alone or with others.

“And no government, group or individual should act in a way that would destroy the rights and freedoms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These are provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We at the Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights stand in agreement with all these provisions in sending a message to the white supremacist in the United States of America that they are not superior to the blacks. Though the colour of our skin may differ, we are all freeborn, and we are a great people.

We are calling on all Africans to stand up for their rights. It is enough of the humiliation, the deprivation, the persecution, the annihilation, and the delineations. Africans are not slaves and would resist any form of slave treatments from those in positions of authorities in the United States of America and elsewhere in the world.

“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is sounding this warning to the United States of America to protect black lives in the country as the awareness is here to stay that never shall we ever allow our rights and privileges to be trampled upon anymore.  

“The future is here, the future is black, and the future is Africa. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the United States of America and other countries of the world with our strong fist in the air to say enough is indeed enough, and black lives matters.

“It is our wish that the Ambassador of the United States of America in Nigeria sends this message to the present administration in the United States that the rest of Africa is indeed watching on how it intends to write its name in the sands of time. 

“Africa is watching how the present administration in the United States would do to make black lives Matter. Africa is indeed waiting to see that justice is served to the killers of George Floyd. As nothing short of that would be accepted or tolerated.

“That we are black does not mean our rights and privileges should be trampled upon. That happened centuries ago. We shall never allow a repeat now or in the future. Africans must unite in this critical point of our existence. 

Thank you all for coming out despite the short notice, and I believe that our message would get to the relevant authorities in the United States of America”she concluded.

Security is for all but not everyone’s business

By Prof Ahmed Danfulani

There has been a propagation of mischief in the polity with regards to the tenure of the Service Chiefs in the country where some individuals and organizations have arrogated to themselves the powers and responsibilities of dictating and assessing the stewardship of the current Service Chiefs in the country.

As a professor of law and former DG of NIPSS, I want to state that I have been involved with a strategic analysis on Nigeria’s efforts in the war against terrorism and other security threats in the country. I dare say that the bulk of the issues pushed in the public space are not in line with the realities on the ground. Those with little or no knowledge about security have joined in the fray and somewhat dictating to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces with regards to the tenure of the Service Chiefs in the country.

Yes, it can be argued that security is for all. However, it must be noted that it’s not everyone’s business because some undercurrents go with the terrain. However, in Nigeria, every tom, dick and harry seems to be professionals in the security sector, while in truth their involvements serve as a distraction as well as a nuisance in the scheme of things.

The recent calls for the sack of Service Chiefs provide us with a typical example of how some perceived social commentators have arrogated to themselves the discretion to articulate the tenures or the performances of the Service Chiefs in Nigeria.

The forgoing has indicated that some of us have elected not to appreciate the efforts of the present crop of Service Chiefs in the country. In my opinion, this is the height of insensitivity to their numerous sacrifices over the past five years, especially with regards to the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in Nigeria.

We must not forget that Nigeria was on the brink and the coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed the game-changer till date. Nigerians must appreciate the display of strong political will in ensuring that the enemies of Nigeria were put to shame.

As I have stated in numerous forums that the past five years have indeed marked a milestone in the war against terrorism in Nigeria. I can’t but reiterate that in the annals of democratic dispensation in Nigeria, the present crop of Service Chiefs have indeed distinguished themselves and written their names in the sands of time. They were able to turn the tide in record time and the repositioning of the Armed Forces to meet the demands of asymmetric warfare was also outstanding.

Their exploits are replete with an unalloyed commitment to the preservation of the territorial integrity of Nigeria in ways too numerous to mention. But the activity of idle people whose stock in trade is always to throw stones in the wheels of our progress is thriving at the detriment of our unity and progress. This is sad and an indication that if care is not taken, we might wake up one day and realize that we do not have a country.

A situation where those with no knowledge of the intricacies of the security architecture in the country would elect to take the front seat on such a sensitive issue calls for caution. We must be reminded that acts of terrorism are not the same as domestic violence or street protest. There is a wide gap between both and this; the advocates of the sack of the Service Chiefs must come to terms with.

We must face the issue at hand, which is defeating terrorism and not a campaign of smear. This is what it is with regards to the tenures of the Service Chiefs in the country. I won’t say I am disappointed, but I would say that I am at a loss as to why some Nigerians would throw caution in the wind and elect to be on the side of ruining the country with half-truths and illogical conclusions.

Even those with no basic knowledge in National Security have assumed the roles of national security advisers and churning out statements that were conceived in their absolute ignorance and passing same to members of the unsuspecting general public. I am afraid that if this trend is not curtailed, there would be a time where the role of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces would be taken over by these merchants.

As incredible as this might sound, those clamouring for the sack of Service Chiefs are not any different from the famous Pastor that linked the coronavirus pandemic with the 5G network. This indeed was ridiculous until common sense prevailed and he retracted his statements. It is expected that common sense would also prevail.

The same goes for those that are busy occupying pages of the newspapers with stories and articles about the tenure of Service Chiefs and the likes. For one, they are not experts, and they do not understand the intricacies. As such, it is at best a very puerile attempt at the risk of insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians in general and some of us in the field of security studies.

Like I mentioned earlier, security is for all, but not everyone’s business, and so it must remain because it would be a slight on some us that have devoted a substantial number of years in security studies. When such nuisance by ignorant people is allowed to fester is an anomaly that must be discouraged in its entirety.

This group of persons should channel their energies towards charitable ventures if indeed they are that concerned about Nigeria. But for us in this field, we have interacted at the highest intellectual level and conducted researches on the efforts of the Armed Forces in the war against terrorism and our findings has remained consistent. So it is every form of slight for Nigerians to allow some form of propaganda to thrive at the detriment of national interest.

It is, therefore, my considered opinion that it is an abuse of public discourse for politicians and their stooges without the privilege of research and information to write and publish stories about the Service Chiefs in Nigeria. I am using this medium to offer free tutorials to those who want to study security as a body of knowledge so that that can stop taking Nigerians for granted.
The Service Chiefs must be left alone to concentrate on the task at hand as any form of distraction would be counter-productive at this stage. It must be stated that it remains the prerogative of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and not disgruntled politicians that are possibly not happy with the gains so far in North-East Nigeria and other parts of the country.
These crops of Service Chiefs are achievers in their rights, and they have done the country proud. The bulk of us in the security circles would readily attest to this. So, therefore, well-meaning Nigerians must join hands with them to defeat terrorism in the interest of the country. And those with no business with security should not lend their voice in this discourse; instead, they should channel their energies towards productive ventures.

Danfulani is former Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and a Professor of Law & Strategic Studies, Defence & National Security Expert