Abubakar Tsav: A Strong Voice Is Gone

Tribute by Patriots and Friends

The demise of Abubakar Tsav has brought down the curtain on an era. It marked an end to objectivity, patriotism and unbiased criticism. An era where only one voice resonated in the country with regards to critical issues of governance.

Tsav’s death was greeted by mixed feelings; a rude shock and a consolation that he indeed lived a good and worthy life in service to humanity and the country. Just a handful of Nigerians can boast of superior accomplishments. If indeed there’s any.

His meteoric rise through the ranks of the Nigerian Police Force was an indication of his absolute commitment to the Nigerian cause and this much he exhibited in his illustrious career.

Indeed, Nigeria has lost a distinguished son, one whose commitment to the eradication of every form of social injustice cannot be overemphasized. Tsav practiced what he preached, never shy to bare his mind on burning national issues. This earned him loads of admirers.

While some called him the socio-critic, others simply perceived him to be the mouthpiece of the masses. However, to us, he was much more; that strong voice that spoke the truth at all times, even in the face of grave danger. He was a rare breed, a great loss to the good people of Benue State and the nation at large being a detribalized Nigerian who saw the nation as a project that must not fail.

The passing of Abubakar Tsav, though, brings into our consciousness the need for selflessness in our public conduct and sincerity of heart and purpose in our various endeavours. The late ex-Police Commissioner had these traits aplenty and it was not in vain as successive governments had to buckle up in that task of governance.

Even in death, Tsav cannot be silenced. His enviable legacies remain with generations yet unborn. Those lofty standards as a father, grandfather, an elder statesman and a nationalist whose views resonate across tribes and religions, however, may never be replaced.

There is no doubt that the country is in mourning on the passing of a great and illustrious son. Tsav always dreamt of a better Nigeria where every citizen would have the right to freedom of expression and the right to live. We are in mourning. We are mourning the passage of an extraordinary man and a father figure to all from various parts of Nigeria. His bowel of wisdom and his sagacity is second to none. He was fiery to injustice and insensitivity to issues of national concern. He would speak, and he would advance a cause so long it is in the overall interest of the country.

This much we appreciate and this much a vacuum his death has created. But we are consoled that all would not be in vain. His indelible footprints have been stamped in the sands of time. Abubakar Tsav might be gone, but he lives forever in our hearts.

We join millions of Nigerians in celebrating this strong voice that devoted a substantial part of his life to service of humanity. He might have gone the way of all mortals, but his ideals would continue to live with us for generations to come.

Tsav didn’t just live life; he was purposeful, exemplary and worthy of emulation by those saddled with positions of authority in Nigeria. His life and times should task those in governance to be responsive to the affairs of the people. They must lead with openness and must be ready to be held accountable for their actions and inactions.

The much-loved Tsav was a rare gem whose life story serves as a source of strength and inspiration to millions of Nigerians that it pays to stand on the side of truth.

For us, it was a life well spent. And for the family he left behind, God in his infinite mercies would continue to console them to bear this irreparable loss. We are buoyed by his life and times and wishes to state that his legacies would never be forgotten.

Continue to rest in peace the great man of peace and valour. We celebrate you despite your absence. We desire that even in death, your voice would continually be heard. Rest in peace and may Allah forgive your shortcomings.

Nigeria misses you and your legacies would continue to live forever. Adieu to the strong voice.

SIGNED:

THE PATRIOTS AND FRIENDS OF ABUBAKAR TSAV

MFM begins Live TV Church Services June 10

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has concluded arrangements to henceforth transmit her services live on television. The live services begin Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
This followed the ongoing provision of adequate measures and installation of facilities to ensure successful reopening.
Chairman of the MFM Media Committee, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, who disclosed this, said “To reach more members, the Sunday services will be transmitted from 8am to 9am; Manna Water services on Wednesdays between 5 and 6pm, while the monthly power-packed Power Must Change Hands programme will be on air by 7 to 8am on the first Saturday of every month on the Lagos Television (LTV) from Wednesday, 10 June.
He also said that the Ministry’s General Overseer worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, considered the safety implications of opening the church for service, in view of her crowded services, prayer and deliverance nature, vibrancy and the peculiarity of her worship modes.
The International Headquarters of the MFM, situated at Onike, Yaba, in Lagos, hosts no fewer than 15,000 in any of her services.
The MFM urged her members to continue to fellowship through the media platforms already provided, which includes YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, MFM TV.
The ministry reminded members that services have not resumed yet, assuring that adequate notice will be given before the services resume.
.

Corruption: NDDC stinks, take it back to presidency, Frank urges Buhari

A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank, has asked President Muhammad Buhari to remove the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) currently under the Niger Delta Ministry back to the Presidency.

Frank described as embarrassment allegations and counter allegations between the Senate and the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry Godswill Akpabio, over alleged missing N40 billions and other contract racketeering, saying politicians have turned the commission to a cash cow.

In a statement made available to newsmen Tuesday in Abuja, the Bayelsa born political activist said it is sad that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies were still looking other ways despite the ongoing revelations between the Senate committee Chairman on Niger Delta Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi and the Minister, Godswill Akpabio, regarding alleged contract racketeering and looting of public funds in the commission.

Senator Nwaboshi, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Luka Igbinoba, had accused Akpabio of looting the NDDC through contracts, adding that documents available with him clearly show that the Minister recieved N500 million contracts from the NDDC in 2017 when he served as Minority Leader of Senate.

The activist said there were also allegations that the Minister has been demanding for 30 percent kick-back from all the contractors he ordered the commission to pay, saying all these allegations must be investigated.

Frank said while majority of his people in Niger Delta are living in abject poverty, “politicians are daily running the commission like a private business against the purpose the commission was established.

“Where is the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari today? I commended the President when the news broke that he had ordered for the forensic audit of the commission but today the story remains what it was.

“It is shamful and embarrassing to the people of Niger Delta because each day you open the pages of Newspapers the damaging reports of looting in NDDC is always conspicuously written.

“I hereby call on the government to save the region of this daily embarrassment by removing the NDDC from the control of the Niger Delta Ministry back to the Presidency and ensure that all the names mentioned in all the allegations of looting in the commission are brought to book.

“I will also call on the Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside for now to allow an independent probe of the commission.”

Frank called on EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to do thorough job of cleaning the NDDC of corruption and expose all those who have used their influences to enrich themselves through fake contracts and all manners of activities in the region.

Frank, however, called on all the elders and leaders of Niger Delta region to put pressure on the presidency to return the commission back to its control so as to save it from total collapse ,adding that since the commission was brought under the Ministry nothing tangible has been achieved.

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.