Nigeria Army’s successes over Boko Haram sends foreign agents, fake activists into coma – CAFA

The Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA) believes the Nigerian Army’s recent victory over Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Yobe State has sent fake activists in the country as well as their collaborators outside the shores into a prolonged state of deep unconsciousness.

CAFA said this is apparent as these so-called social crusaders and their international allies have suddenly gone AWOL and lost their voices following the troops’ clearance operation in Buni Gari that left over 150 insurgents dead.

The Nigerian Army, led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has received massive adulation from all and sundry for turning the tides in its final clearance operation in the Northeast.

The COAS’ decision to relocate fully to the Theatre of Operations until the fleeing terrorists are flushed out has endeared him further to Nigerians but even more importantly, the international community.

However, some activists, with a long history of criticising the troops, have bizarrely turned blind eyes and dumb, failing to acknowledge this latest feat.

In a statement signed by the Interim Secretary General, Abu David, on Monday, CAFA said it had waited for over 24 hours to see if these activists would at least react.

The group, however, concluded that the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, Ahmad Salkida, Omoyele Sowore, Aisha Yesufu and Deji Adeyanju are in mourning at the moment as the Army’s feat spoilt their livelihoods.

CAFA, therefore, called on Nigerians to condemn this nauseating hypocrisy of mischievous elements who only celebrate when they perceive the country is losing in the anti-terrorism war and become mute when there’s a win.

The anti-fake terrorists group advised these questionable Nigerians to have a rethink and repent as the country belongs to everyone and it is only wise that citizens come together to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

Read full statement below:

The Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA) has waited for over 24 hours after the Nigerian Army carried out decisive attacks that has killed over 105 Boko Harm/Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists to see the kind of treatment the compromised activists in the country and their collaborating international media circuit will give to the event.

Not surprisingly, the gang of compromised activists and the international media have maintained a loud silence on the neutralization of these terrorists, which has now confirmed that the activism of these identified saboteurs has more to do with the monetary gains they can make off other people’s suffering than a zeal to improve the country.

CAFA noted that the lack of comments more than 24 hours after the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists met their waterloo is sharply at variance with the timeframe within which the so-called activists usually issue statements and troll from their social media accounts whenever the military recorded any kind of casualty in the anti-terrorism war.

Nigerians should at this time no longer be in doubt that the feeble condemnation that these activists usually direct at the military is in reality a commendation of terrorists hence their inability to properly recognize the success that the army just recorded against the insurgents. We urge Nigerians to condemn this nauseating hypocrisy of mischievous elements who only celebrate when they perceive country is on the losing side in the anti-terrorism war and become angry when Nigeria is making progress.

The impression CAFA formed from this development is that the likes of Oby Ezekwesili, Ahmad Salkida, Omoyele Sowore, Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju and other paid activists are in mourning because of the large-scale death visited on the terrorists whose crimes they usually exploit as leverage to blackmail the military and incumbent government. These pseudo activists are apparently in mourning because a key component of their livelihood, terrorism, is about being taken off the table.

CAFA urges these questionable activists to have a rethink and repent as Nigeria belongs to everyone and it is only wise that citizens come together to build the nation envisioned by founding fathers especially as time is running out to put up a united front against the enemies of Nigeria. Hunger or the need to earn money, even in foreign currency, will never be an acceptable justification for siding with the enemies of Nigeria.

In this regard, CAFA equally condemns the activities of a section of the international media organizations that hysterically report the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP while disregarding the successes of government troops, first in holding the terrorists at bay and more recently in decimating them on a scale that is soon to make terrorism a thing of the past in Nigeria. We are aware that they exploit the desperation of these paid activists, whom they use as resource persons in the futile attempt to give credibility to the lies they tell about the true state of affairs in Nigeria’s war against terrorism. We find it odd that these international media organization can follow every single activity of Boko Haram but have not been able to inform their audience about the terrorists’ source of funding and weapons as well as the recruitment and radicalization programs that had allowed them recover from previous degradation by the military. Organizations that know the truth and hold back on them in order for terrorism to remain strong are themselves guilty of terrorism.

CAFA wholeheartedly lauds the Nigerian Army for the blow it dealt Boko Haram/ISWAP, which is consistent with the prowess of Nigeria’s military as we know it. We are confident that without external or third-party nation interference by way of weapons, funding, propaganda and training support to Boko Haram/ISWAP, the Nigerian Army will continue to defeat all these charlatans and their conspiracies against Nigeria.

We urge the Army to ignore the so-called plea for a truce by the disoriented terrorists. Troops should continue to show them the might of the Nigerian military until such a time it is apparent that all Boko Haram/ISWAP components – fighters, commanders, cyber warriors, NGO arm, paid activists, international media and others are truly ready to allow Nigeria to exist in peace.

Intensify onslaught against fleeing terrorists, Arewa youths urge Nigerian Army

The Arewa Action for Change and Peace (AACP) has urged the Nigerian Army to sustain its momentum against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists following a successful onslaught in Buni Gari, Yobe State that left 105 casualties on the side of the insurgents.

AACP made this plea in a statement signed by its President, Hon. Haske Abdulmuminu, on Monday.

The gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Saturday, neutralised an attempted attack by terrorists on Buni Gari Village in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.

This comes barely a week after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai relocated to the Theatre of Operations, promising not to leave until the Northeast is rid of fleeing terrorists.

With the recent development, Arewa Action for Change and Peace believes this mission is closer than envisaged, especially with the charismatic, dogged and resilient COAS on ground.

However, the group said even more can be achieved with acknowledgement and the right motivation from citizens.

While urging the nation to rally behind the troops, ACP assured of its unflinching support, especially in dampening the work of Boko Haram sympathizers to disconcert Nigerians by purveying fake news on social media.

On its part, the Arewa youths appealed to the troops to intensify efforts to flush out the remnants of insurgents and also be mindful of the dynamics of how COVID-19 interplays with the military operations.

AACP, though, advised the troops to approach the remaining operations without the intention of taking captives to avoid the Chadian situation where 44 of 58 captured terrorists committed suicide.

Read full statement below:

The Arewa Action for Change and Peace (AACP) has called on troops of the Nigerian Army to intensify the ongoing war against Boko Haram to ensure that the final defeat of terrorism as ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai is actualized on a timely basis and with lasting results.

The catchment area of Arewa has been on the receiving end of Boko Haram’s murderous acts and lawlessness, which makes the defeat of the terrorists of key importance to us. With the success of the army, we envisage that our economy in the north of Nigeria and our way of life can be restored to levels that are consistent with our aspiration as a people.

It is on this note that we describe the war efforts of the Army as impressive even as we are citing the recent neutralization of 105 terrorists during an operation in Yobe state as proof that the Army would have completely wiped out Boko Haram if they were not finding safe havens within the borders of Nigeria’s neighbors to the northeast. We will like to see more unrepentant Boko Haram fighters bite the dust, the ideology that drives them is in no way related to the Arewa way of life or the religious piety they are using to brainwash their members to take up extremism.

Now that the terrorists are no longer free to escape across the border, beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction, we can see that troops led by Lt. General Buratai, who relocated to the theatre of operations, have made enormous gains beyond the expectations of Nigerians. The troops could do more with acknowledgement and the right motivation from citizens and AACP will not be found lacking in providing this non-material and non-monetary incentives to the troops. They have found in us a cheerleading group that is confident of their capacity to deliver victory.

We consequently want to assure the troops and the leadership of the Nigerian Army that Nigerians are fully and in total support of all their efforts. Citizens will continue to pray for the troops to vanquish the evil represented by Boko Haram. AACP will on its part dampen the efforts by Boko Haram sympathizers to disconcert Nigerians by purveying fake news in the social media. We will as part of our support regularly appraise citizens about the efforts the Army is making to restore peace to our region.

AACP is however appealing to the troops and the leadership of the Nigeria Army to be mindful of the dynamics of how COVID-19 interplays with the military operations. The pandemic makes it imperative that the Army finishes this war once and for all especially at a Time that the enemies are in disarray whilst their cyber assets are in hiding for fear of Covid-19. The other imperative is the need to mop up the remnant of Boko Haram during ongoing COVID-19 lockdown so that they will not be in a position to spread virus later on account of trying to escape into other major Nigerian cities.

While not being insensitive, AACP is of the view that the current onslaught should be merciless on the account that previous instances where troops showed mercy were abused by terrorists who later storm detention centres to free their members in captivity. Captured terrorists that regain freedom have proven to be more vicious and disproportionately more bloodthirsty than those that have never been captured.

It is also important that troops approach the remaining operations without the intention of taking captives in order to avoid the kind of mess in which the Chadian authorities have now found themselves after 44 of 58 Boko Haram terrorists they captured during battle committed mass suicide while in custody. Boko Haram NGO assets are now using the incident to criminalize the Chadian government; and it is on record that the international NGO conspiracy against Nigeria is more intense so it will be catastrophic for Nigeria to fall into such situation where captured terrorists die in captivity.

Boko Haram/ISWAP: PMB as another Nostradamus

 
By Gabriel Onoja
 
“The future will show whether my foresight is as accurate now as it has proved heretofore.” –Nikola Tesla
 
Writer Nikola Tesla has made a definitive exposition on the power of foresight on the future and its rewarding potency in needy times, if appropriate preparations are finalized today. Clairvoyance in leaders is an indispensable and powerful asset.
It gives the leader, a calculative mind that predicts what is to come and the best means to reposition in the immediate to absorb the unexpected.  A leader who is barren of foresight is like a General without troops. 
President Muhammadu Buhari is one gifted leader, with the exceptional ability to glimpse the future like a soothsayer. And uses this rare power to initiate and embark on actions that will salvage any dimension of an ugly scenario in the future.  He sees tomorrow coming and prepares for it.
Insecurities have been the bane of Nigeria under President Buhari. But the President has not been overwhelmed by its multiplicity because he saw tomorrow since yesterday and prepared for it. In the olden days, philosophers would have widely celebrated President Buhari as a man who saw tomorrow on the fate of his country and prepared adequately for it.  
Boko Haram Insurgency as we all know was one of the nagging and pronounced problems of Nigerians when President Buhari campaigned in 2014 to be elected Nigeria’s democratic leader. By his impeccable credentials, Nigerians had no misgivings in trusting in his competence to blight Boko Haram insurgency and they endorsed him massively at the ballot to lead the country of Nigeria on all fronts.
But beyond the glaring problem of Boko Haram, President Buhari suspected the emergence of other monstrous security problems. And true to his suspicions, Nigeria has slipped into the hands of other multiple insecurity challenges. The country presently contends with multifarious insurgencies and insurrections which have culminated into the spate of insecurities assailing the country.
Good enough, President Buhari envisaged it and their manifestations did not take him by surprise. What terrorists, armed bandits, kidnappers, religious extremists, ethnic warlords and a pantheon of other armed criminals have failed to discern is that the President had sufficiently prepared for the experiences of today through his first and choice Service Chiefs.
 
President Buhari assembled a dependable, reliable, and very competent team of Service Chiefs to lead the battle on insecurity. Among them, the President also went for a perpetual, unbending and unbreakable warrior cum strategist, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. And after emerging as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Buratai’s responsibilities doubled with his appointment as the coordinator of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.

Candidly, President Buhari saw the dark clouds of tomorrow, by the appointment of Gen.  Buratai to coordinate and lead the military assault against the terrorists. In action with the Nigerian troops on the battlefield, Gen. Buratai smacks as an exact replica and direct shadows of Mr. President in the counter-insurgency wars, reminiscent of Buhari’s hey days in the Nigerian Army 
As soon as Gen. Buratai moseyed on the coast; the warzone became a place too hot for Boko Haram terrorists to handle. Gen. Buratai terminated the dream of terrorists to hold the whole of Northern Nigeria to ransom; he ended terrorists satanism in holding Abuja inhabitants captive with detonated bombs and the COAS has eradicated the shadows of Boko Haram terrorists in extending their atrocious acts to the Southern part of the country.   
Gen. Buratai has ingeniously obliterated the practice of terrorists recruitment of Nigerian youths as foot soldiers of the sect; he has buried the act of female suicide bombers; he is able to put a halt to the reckless abductions of vulnerable Nigerians by Boko Haram and he has frustrated Boko Haram agents and sympathizers’ with a fatal blow on cyberspace terrorism. 
The Army Chief has arrested the anxiety terrorists camps raised in Nigeria through amplification of fake news. Now, ever since, the Army become noted for the timely dishing out of accurate information to the public about counter-insurgency operations. 
Every day and with Gen. Buratai on the saddle of the Theatre of war, Nigeria has ceaselessly feted good news from the frontlines since 2015. From the outset when Gen. Buratai assumed the commanding height of the anti-terrorism war, Nigerians began to celebrate reclaimed Nigerian territories annexed by Boko Haram; tens of thousands of rescued Nigerians holed in Boko Haram secret camps and the demystification of Sambisa forest deified by Boko Haram insurgents’ as their impenetrable shield. 
 
Furthermore, Nigerians have remained elated with the continuous return of normalcy and restoration of security, as attested by the depletion of IDPs camps. Nigerians are excited with the endless return of hundreds of thousands of IDPs to hitherto desolate communities in the Northeast.    
Nigerians keep expecting better news from the theatre of war and Gen. Buratai and Nigerian troops have not disappointed them. Very often, Nigerians hear of how Nigerian troops repelled Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists which ambush or attack them, and in all instances, the insurgents are neutralized in droves.
 The people of Nigeria are infinitely joyous that the capacity of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to go berserk in gruesome attacks, killings’ and arsons has been decapitated. Nigerians are proud of Nigerian troops for confining the intermittent operations of terrorists to the Lake Chad vicinities.   
Nigerians are excited that the combined force of the Super Camp strategy and the “Operation Last Hold,”  as well as the  “Operation Deep Punch,” in the last phase of clearance operations against residues of terrorists in the Northeast are yielding expected results.
There was thunderous applauses from Nigerians a few days back, as the COAS relocated to the Northeast together with the entire focus of the Army Intelligence, strategy and infrastructure to the warzone. Surely, it signals the end of terror as far as the counter-insurgency operations are concerned.  This was soon as Buratai ended his operational tour to troops locations in the Northeast.
 
By this move, Gen. Buratai is again in the trenches personally “overseeing and directing the overall operation in the theatre and other Nigerian Army operations across the country.”  The Army Chief told troops at the Special Super Camp Ngamdu in Kaga LGA that he will trudge with them to all the nooks and crannies of the theatre of war.
 
Now the die is finally cast against the elusive remnants of Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists in the Northeast and elsewhere in the country. Nigerians shall not wait for long   before they news of the ship of final victory against terrorists will be anchored on shore with rent the air. And the results will be sure beautiful and resounding enough to attract national eulogies for Gen. Buratai and Nigerian troops.
Certainly,  like Jim Butcher said,  “One can have only as much preparation as he has foresight.”  President Buhari’s foresight as a man who saw tomorrow and prepared his country to face the emergent realities anointed Gen. Buratai to lead the counter-insurgency operations ab initio. This is justified by the day with lasting impression Gen. Buratia’s leadership capacities has brought to bear rewardingly on the counter- insurgency operations in Nigeria despite its multiplicity.

Onoja is National Coordinator, Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism.

Over 100 Boko Haram terrorists killed by Nigerian troops in Buni Gari

It has been gathered that troops of Sector 2 command of Operation Lafiya Dole have killed over 100 Boko Haram terrorists in Buni Gari, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

According to a top military source, the operation was carried out using the new operational strategy introduced by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, who is now in charge of the activities of Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole.

“The new operational policy of the Chief of Army Staff is yielding the desired results as the Boko Haram group have been enduring a hard time recently. We had credible Intel that a part of the group felt they needed to take their destinies into their hands, embarking on a headless journey outside the Timbuktu Triangle. Unfortunately, however, they met their waterloo,” our source said.

“I can tell you that the revised operational code of conduct has an emphasis on credible Intel and this is responsible for the feat recorded in Buni Gari. Our troops engaged the terrorist squarely and amid the battle, reinforcements were sent in on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, who monitored the operations himself.”

It was also gathered that the move by the Boko Haram group was a decoy by Abubakar Shekau to take the attention away from himself and some of his top commanders that have been trapped in their hideouts for weeks.

“We got the Intel that there was a mass movement of terrorists along the Gombi-Baromari axis. But the movement didn’t align with the numbers trapped. What we did was to reinforce the Sector 2 command in Damaturu while the focus was still on the Timbuktu triangle. And this yielded positive results. We initially thought the number of casualties was not much. However, after a follow up exploitation operation, we realized the number of fatalities was over 100 and with several gun trucks destroyed and a large cache of arms and ammunition recovered”

Many locals and villagers who spoke to this medium were full of praises for the gallantry of the troops. According to a resident of Buni Gari, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, they noticed movements into their communities late in the night of Saturday. He stated that they knew it wasn’t soldiers because the movement was uncoordinated, and the whole community subsequently took cover.

“We have been in this crisis for long, and we, to a large extent, know the movement of soldiers because they are always coordinated. But on Saturday night, we sensed an unusual movement of vehicles coming towards our community. At some point, it halted. Not long after, we started hearing gunshots from the other flank and I can tell you that it was a very tough battle. “

The source further added that the gunshots lasted well into the early hours of the morning before it subsided.

“We came out from our hiding in the morning to see corpses of Boko Haram terrorist littered everywhere. Not long after, we saw soldiers who came to clear the place. We saw lots of weapons everywhere. We are grateful to the soldiers.”

Another resident of Buni Gari also stated that, but for the intervention of the soldiers, Buni Gari would have been consumed by the Boko Haram terrorist just like they did in Buni Yadi in 2014.

“The event of 2014 in Buni Yadi is still fresh in our minds. But we are very grateful to the Nigerian Army for saving us from the evil of Boko Haram. The soldiers displayed gallantry that led to the death of these Boko Haram terrorists.”

This medium was able to gather that the Chief of Army Staff was pleased with the operation in Buni Gari that he ordered a 24-hour surveillance around Yobe State to track fleeing Boko Haram terrorist that might have been fortunate to escape the Buni Gari onslaught.

A top source in the theatre command stated that “The Chief has instructed that surveillance operations are carried out within that sector to ensure that all feeling terrorists are tracked. As we speak, troops from Sector 3 are currently combing the area for remnants of Boko Haram terrorists that might have escaped and I can tell you that they would be apprehended.”

He added: “ The clearance operation is structured in such a way that these terrorist are boxed to a corner using a triangular format where the only option would be to surrender because it is no longer business as usual and no commander wants to incur the wrath of the Chief of Army Staff.

“The Buni Gari experience tells a lot of the reinvigoration of the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria led by the Chief of Army Staff. The new operational code is yielding the desired results, and we can’t but thank the Chief of Army Staff for his ingenuity in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war.”

It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff recently relocated to Borno State to coordinate the operations of the Theatre Command in a new offensive against the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Exhausted Boko Haram Commanders in desperate lobby for state pardon

Fresh facts have emerged that since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, took over the operation of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria, some commanders of the Boko Haram sect have elected to surrender and abandon Abubakar Shekau on the condition that the government grants them pardon. This is coming on the heels of the intensified military action by the Nigerian Army against the sect in the past weeks.

According to military sources, the Boko Haram camp is in disarray, and some of the top commanders of the sect have indicated their willingness to surrender if the government can grant than state pardon.

A top military source in the know of the new plot stated that with the way and manner the Boko Haram commanders are going about their resolve to surrender indicates that all might not be well.

“ I can tell you that the leader of the Boko Haram sect is on the verge of losing some of his top commanders who, by all indication, are overwhelmed and war-torn. They have come under heavy military bombardment from several flanks, and this has indeed put them in a very tight corner that the two options left are either to surrender or die.”

He further stated that Abubakar Shekau seems to have lost the trust of some of his commanders with the manner they have reached out for a truce through proxies.

“ I can confirm to you that some top commanders of the sect have taken their destinies into their hands by reaching out through proxies for President Muhammadu Buhari to grant them pardon for them to surrender and undergo rehabilitation and reintegration into civil life.”

“This is not coming as a surprise to the military hierarchy as the Chief of Army Staff has been leading the operation since he relocated to Borno State some weeks back. The Chief of Army Staff has taken over the operations of the various sectors of Operation Lafiya Dole and all the commanders are on their toes as it stands.”

Another source who preferred anonymity stated that if the government decides to oblige the request of the Boko Haram commanders, there is a tendency for Abubakar Shekau to be killed by his lieutenants who are obviously in a fix with the turn of events in recent times.

“ Abubakar Shekau has been in hiding on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region. Credible Intel gathered indicates that he has been trying to pacify some of his top commanders to continue to fight till the end. But this seems complicated because there is no escape route since their means of retreat has been barricaded by troop under the Multinational Joint Task Force, led by Chadian soldiers.

“ Before now, the Boko Haram group relied heavily on the escape route from Mile 4, a small Nigerian village a few kilometers west of the town of Baga to Ngouboua in Chad from where they regroup and launch subsequent attacks on Nigerian soil.”

The source further added that the President of Chad, Idriss Deby, has shown a renewed commitment in recent times and this has seen to the operational efficiency of the Multinational Joint Task Force with headquarters in Ndjamena, the capital of Chad.

“ Idriss Deby has given his words, and he is living up to them as the various routes through which the Boko Haram group uses to escape have been taken over by troops from Chad and this act has left the Boko Haram group with no choice than to remain in their present location. This has indeed limited their operations as they can no longer get supplies, neither can they move to their camps on the Islands of the Lake Chad Basin region on Chadian soil.”

It was also gathered that aside from reaching out to the military hierarchy, some top Boko Haram commanders have also reached out to some International NGOs in North-East Nigeria to seek a truce for them with the federal government.

According to a source that was reached by the commanders of the sect, stated that there is more than meets the eyes with the recent offers from the Boko Haram group. He said that it seems Abubakar Shekau is no longer in control of the group as from all indication, the group is in disarray.

“ I do not know what the issues are precisely, but I got a text message in Arabic from a strange number indicating that they are ready for peace, that they want to the federal government to grant them forgiveness before they lay down their arms.”

“ I could not reach the number when I tried calling, and I subsequently availed the military this information for them to carry out their relevant investigations. I told them plainly that I do not know the sender of the message, neither do; I know how they got my number, and I do not want to be a part of it for any reason.”

This medium was able to gather from reliable sources that the Chief of Army Staff does not seem disposed to the idea of pardoning the Boko Haram group as he believes that they have caused enough damage in the North East. They must be held accountable for their actions.

“ You know the Chief of Army Staff has been actively present in North East. These overtures have been passed to him from our intelligence arm, who confirmed that the overtures are true. But it doesn’t seem likely that the request would be granted as the Chief of Army Staff hasn’t given a thought to it, he has given directives that all the Boko Haram Commanders including Abubakar Shakau must be captured alive at all cost.”

“ This resolve has resonated among the officers and soldiers in the Theater of Operations. I am not sure anyone would go against the directive of the Chief of Army Staff as it stands. It’s a tense atmosphere as it is believed that the Chief of Army Staff is not in the mood for frivolities.”

All attempts to reach the Nigerian Army for confirmation proved abortive before going to press.

Buratai: A Strategist and his Magic Wand

By Charles Robert
 
Two American generals have been celebrated over the years for their gallantry and superior strategies at the battlefield.
The first is General George Patton, an intellectual soldier, who is known for studying the strategies adopted by his predecessors, recruiting the best experts he could find to analyse and process them and using their advice to formulate and deliver his winning strategy.
The other is General Colin Powell, under whose leadership, the US Army and other allied forces marched to the Gulf for ‘Operation Desert Storm.’
Powell won the 2006 Truman Peace Prize for his efforts on “war against terrorism,” and is known for prosecuting wars through diplomatic as well as military means while averting regional and civil conflicts.
A keen observation of the efforts of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, would reveal a great understanding of these two war generals.
Upon assuming duty as the Chief of Army Staff in 2015, General Buratai brought systemic coordination on the war against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.
Since the Boko Haram terrorists took up arms against the Nigerian state in 2009, various military approaches have been deployed to defeat the sect.  President Umaru Yar’Adua in his initial reaction went for the military option and ordered a crackdown on the activities of the sect.
The strategy worked in one aspect but failed in another. The purely military intervention saw to the elimination of the Boko Haram foot soldiers and the arrest of their spiritual leader but did not put in place measures that will make it difficult for the sect to reorganize and stage a comeback which was what they did after about two years in the cooler. That gap only further hardened the remnants of the sect who regrouped and continued their heinous activities with more aggression and under a new leadership.

When then President Goodluck Jonathan succeeded Yar’dua, the approach changed as he concentrated mainly on the diplomatic approach by trying to bring the terrorists to a round table but the overtures were severally rebuffed by the terrorists.
The reluctance to take on the terrorists and the focus on dialogue gave the insurgents the impression that the Nigerian government was weak and enabled them to recruit in large numbers and carry out attacks with more ferocity.
During this time, banks in major towns and cities were raided, communication installation were vandalized, security posts overran, barracks subdued and weaponries invaded and emptied by the terrorists.
It was an all time low for Nigeria as Nigerian troops sent to confront the sect members fled to neighboring countries for safety and many were declared AWOL due to the high number of casualty.

It was when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Buratai as the chief of Army Staff that the story began to change.
On assuming office in June 2015, General Buratai used the first trimester to study the strategies adopted in the past by his predecessors and this enabled him to understand where the mistakes lay.

The observations he made gave the Nigerian troops a good understanding of the enemy, the terrain they operate, why past tactics failed and galvanized them into understanding why the war is winnable with a different strategy.
 
 
He also brought to bear the experience of world renowned generals and in no time, the Federal Government of Nigeria became very confident that it set a December 2015 target for the defeat of Boko Haram.
The tempo which the order was carried out made the Federal Government to gleefully announce the technical defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists. This was unprecedented as the base of the terrorists was terribly weakened and the dreaded base of their operation, Sambisa Forest, was laid bare for all to see.
Military and security experts who were quick to see a novel strategy that did not only confounds the enemy but obliterates the possibility of resurgence while avoiding civilian casualties at work, tried in vain to explain the phenomena.

Other nations who were giving up on Nigeria began to look its way and became interested in knowing the formula with which Nigeria was beginning to turn things around.
It was later that it struck a chord that Buratai must have combined the Patton finesse for assessment of strategies and Powell’s military cum diplomatic approach.
The combination of high intelligence, subtle diplomacy, military precision and assemblage of the best brains in counter terrorism all worked to produce the desired result.
General Buratai as it turned out had equipped the turf with both human and material resources and added his own experience and knowledge to mobilize men and officers to the battle field.
Said Buratai: “I have directed for a change from a wholly defensive posture to one where we defend in numbers and conduct offensive operations in smaller packets but simultaneously in different fronts.”
 
Some other personal touches like leading the troops to war from the front, talking directly with soldiers at the war front, on the spot review of strategies and recognizing hard work have paid off.
The result was the technical defeat of the terrorists and insurgents in a few months, the capture and takeover of the Sambisa forest, the recapture of 21 local governments hitherto under the command of the terrorists, the destruction of the weapons and arsenal of the indigents.
In one fell swoop, Buratai provided a leadership that made it possible for  Nigeria to exercise all the four indices of total control and authority on the entire landscape of Nigeria.
Having defeated the insurgents, the next step was to sustain the feat, making it impossible for the terrorists to operate with the reckless abandon they were used to.
This is a country that at a time ranked as the most terrorised country in Africa followed by Cameroon, Somalia, Egypt, Congo, Libya, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Sudan and Kenya.
But from 2016 when Nigerian troops made it difficult for the terrorists to launch attacks and capture communities leading to the split in their ranks and the formation of ISWAP, Nigeria has been able to achieve a lot.
Buratai reorganized the army and in a bid to improve overall operational responsiveness and professionalism, redeployed many field and operational commanders in order to inject new ideas in the command and control structure in various operations of the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian army under Buratai expanded  in-theater training for troops in the frontlines to afford them the required capabilities to operate and conduct effective operations and special attention was given to providing local and foreign training opportunities for all cadre of officers and soldiers.
Border security was tightened by troops such that recruitment of more fighters and their radicalization by the terrorists was made difficult. The Troops’ ability to respond to and mitigate terrorist attacks were enhanced as well as the capacity to investigate and prosecute terrorism.
Nigerian troops after capturing the turfs of the terrorists in places like Baga, Bama, Damboa, Konduga and other places making them to flee into mainly Chadian territories for cover, made it difficult for them to either return or launch counter attacks.
For a long time, the land borders was not breached as Nigeria continued to maintain a posture to defend Nigeria’s territorial rights and interests while maintaining  security relations with neighboring countries like, Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.

Internal security within Nigeria was also improved which made movement of terrorists and their weapons and other supplies within Nigeria detectable. 
Apart from the physical defeat, the Nigerian army also took steps to defeat the ideas the terrorists were propagating by making it difficult for the unsuspecting to be exposed to such doctrines and philosophies.
The Nigerian Army also identified the need to support the Federal Government’s efforts at encouraging Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to return to their ancestral homes and conducted Operation Last Hold which facilitated the relocation of nearly 10,000 IDPs to their communities.
 Officers and soldiers who have innovative ideas and competencies were supported while full collaboration with the Defence Industries Coorporation (DICON) for needed parts and small arms and ammunition while engaging some foreign technical companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to help repair and refurbish some heavier and more delicate platforms.
The welfare for troops was also given serious consideration, adequate healthcare to personnel and their families was emphasized where many soldiers and their family members benefited in medical evacuation both within and outside the Country.
Due to insinuations of human rights abuse, Buratai also established Human Rights Desk offices in all formations for speedy attention to human rights allegations.
General Buratai is indeed one of the finest generals in Africa in terms of counter terrorism strategies.

Robert is a conflict resolution expert and wrote from the United Kingdom.

Abba Kyari: Amaechi mourns, condoles with family

Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has condoled with President, Muhammadu Buhari and the Kyari family on the passing of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

In a statement Saturday, Amaechi described Abba Kyari as a seasoned and remarkable administrator who took his job seriously and contributed immensely to the success of President Buhari as his Chief of Staff.

“Today, I join Nigerians, members of cabinet and staff of the presidency to mourn late Abba Kyari and pray for the repose of his soul. I also pray that his wife, Mrs. Kulu Abba Kyari, his family and loved ones find strength in this very trying time to bear this heavy loss,” he said.

Amaechi also urged Nigerians to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously and follow strictly all health safety protocols.

“As we have unfortunately experienced, the virus is no respecter of persons. Please adhere to the laid down health advisory, obey the restrictions and safety rules, so that together we can win this war, save more lives and come out stronger at the end of it all,” Amaechi said.

Abba Kyari: Media group condoles with Buhari,Nigerians, family

TheNigerian News Group has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians and the entire Kyari family over the death of Abba Kyari who was the Chief of Staff to the President. 

The Management of the organization in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Group Managing Director of the Company, Mr David Onmeje said, “we received the news of the passing of Mallam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, with shock. 

He described Mallam Abba Kyari’s demise as a huge loss to the country, given his commitment to the overall growth and development of Nigeria, as evidenced in his invaluable role in the governance of the country since his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. 

He said, “the late Mallam Abba Kyari was an epitome of humility, selflessness, and devotion to the Nigerian cause in the past five years. This much was seen in his loyalty to the President and the Nigerian people over the years. 

“This unfortunate event saddens TheNigerian News Group. It wishes to extend its condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Kyari family and Nigeria in general that have been thrown into mourning over the death of Mallam Abba Kyari. 

“Mallam Abba Kyari’s death is indeed a huge loss to the entire country, given his dedication and absolute loyalty to his principal, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the country at large. His numerous contributions to the developmental strides of the present administration cannot be overemphasized. 

“TheNigerian News group is deeply saddened by this tragic event in the light of the fact that he died in active service to our fatherland and in a crucial time where his wealth of knowledge and experience are genuinely required in steering Nigeria to greatness. 

“Mallam Abba Kyari indeed wrote his name in the sands of time, and posterity would be kind to him when the history of Nigeria is being written in this generation and the generation ahead. 

“TheNigerian News Group acknowledges the fact that the late Mallam Abba Kyari was a distinguished citizen in all ramifications, a workaholic, a disciplinarian, and an astute administrator whose devotion to duty was infectious and spoke volume of a man that has the interest of the country at heart. 

“The late Mallam Abba Kyari touched lives in ways too numerous to mention over the years both in the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy. His belief in the socio-economic potentials of the country was unwavering. He stood tall in the discharge of his duties as the Chief of Staff to the President. He was also the driving force behind the sound economic and developmental policies of this present administration. 

“The late Mallam Abba Kyari was an ardent believer in the potentials of the country, and he indeed ensured that he gave his all in service for our dear country. 

“TheNigerian News Group joins President Muhammadu Buhari, his family, and friends in mourning the demise of this great citizen of Nigeria whose death has indeed left a vacuum in our hearts. Though coming at a time where his services are needed most, we are consoled that he lived a life worthy of emulation in all ramifications. 

We pray the Almighty God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. Amin” he said.

Abba Kyari’s death a loss to Nigeria, APC governors mourn

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has described as a loss to entire Nigeria the death of the Chief of Staff to President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

In a condolence statement signed Saturday in Abuja by its Chairman and governor of Kebbi state, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the APC governors, while condoling with President Muhammad Buhari and the entire nation, said the death of Mallam Abba is a further call on all Nigerians to be united in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

“We received the death of Mallam Abba Kyari with heavy heart and gratitude to Allah (SWT) for a life well blessed.

“We, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), join the family, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR and the nation to pray for the repose of the soul of our dear and beloved Mallam Abba Kyari. His death is a loss to the nation and the Nigerian progressive community.

“We pray to God Almighty to grant the family the fortitude to bear this heavy loss. May Allah reward all the good work of Mallam Abba, forgive his limitations and bless what he left behind.

“As Progressive Governors, we, on this sad day, hereby re-affirm our unconditional support to the laudable initiatives of the President Buhari-led Federal Government.”

The APC governors called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their political, religious, ethnic, social status or any other differences, to support the federal government in the fight against the deadly virus.

“We also call on all Nigerians to observe all the social distancing measures and stay safe as we salute all our frontline medical personnel under the leadership of our Federal Ministry of Health and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“May God continue to guide our country and the world to succeed to bring to an immediate end this world pandemic.

“May the soul of Mallam Abba Kyari rest in peace!”

Counter-Terrorism: Inter-Faith group declares hour of victory, prays for Buratai, troops in battle

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NIFROP) has declared that this is the “hour of victory” for the Nigerian Army in its final clearance operation against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

Armed with the extra motivation of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai on one side and prayers of Nigerians on the other, NIFROP urged the troops on the frontlines to step up and deliver the final punch to the insurgents.

The inter-faith and religious group gave this charge in a statement signed by National President, Bishop Sunday Garuba, on Friday.

According to the respected cleric, the relocation of the COAS to the Theatre of Operations is a sign of imminent triumph for the Nigerian forces just like in the biblical times where anointed leaders guided the armies of his children to war.

NIFROP added that this isn’t a time to relent, though, calling on religious leaders and all Nigerians to join them in prayers for the troops.

The group, however, urged those sabotaging the war against terrorism to learn from Chad and repent, take heed of the clear warning in Romans 2:5.

Read full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT
(April 18, 2020 Abuja) The National Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NiFROP) has noted with joy the fulfilment of the words of God that Nigeria will be free from the bloodletting that Boko Haram has tainted the land with. Our joy derives from the ongoing mobilization by the Nigerian Army to strike the heart of Boko Haram, with additional confidence coming from the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai to the battlefront as it was in Biblical times with those under God’s anointing leading the armies of his children.

Following from our previous declaration about the future that await unrepentant terrorists, NiFROP hereby declares the words of God as recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy 20:3-4 “and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’”

But we shall not rest as people tasked by God to intercede on behalf of the faithful and all Nigerians. NiFROP therefore call on all Nigerian clerics – imams, pastors, priests and all those the Lord has placed the burden on to pray for the Nigerian troops in their final onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists.

The prayers of the clergy and faithful have in the past given victory to our troops in the past in several battles against the hordes of evil that the Boko Haram terrorists are. This time, we are increasing our prayer point for the Nigerian Army to be victorious in the battle ahead and to also finally win the war so that there will be no further battles.

We are confident that God in his infinite mercy shall bring the end of the war into fruition because even those that once dealt treacherously with Nigeria have been touched by God such that their eyes have been open and their hearts turned around to realize that they should not embrace serpents to their bosom. The repentance of Chad, which was once a safe haven for Boko Haram terrorists is divine. It is a sign to those sabotaging Nigeria’s efforts at ending the terrorists’ activities that are running out of business.

We urge those sabotaging the war against terrorism to learn from Chad and repent. They should take heed of the clear warning in Romans 2:5 that clearly stated that “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each one according to his deeds.””

The final hour of victory has thus come and it is now. This is why we confidently assure our military commanders as assured in the Book of Joshua 10:8 “The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them (Boko Haram); I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” The Nigerian Army will strike, and Boko Haram terrorists will be scattered in a thousand directions. So shall it be in God’s name.