Buni Gari: Yoruba group hails Buratai, troops over assault on terrorists

The Progressive Yoruba Youth Council (PYYC) has heaped praises on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai and his troops over a ruthless onslaught on Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists that left over 150 of them dead in Buni Gari, Yobe State.

PYYC said that the current push by the Nigerian Army is a renewal of the resolve to cap progress made since President Muhammadu Buhari took over the helms of affairs in 2015.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator, Comrade Kola Salau, on Monday, the Yoruba youths attributed this latest feat to Lt. Gen Buratai’s presence at the Theatre of Operations.

To go with the conducive environment his presence availed, PYYC also believes the COAS’ high level intelligence gathering, motivation and top-notch strategies gave the troops victory.

The group added that Lt. Gen Buratai should be applauded for taking out time to visit various military camps across the Northeast, including the Special Super Camp Ngamdu in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, the Army Super Camp 1 at Mulai and the Special Forces Super Camp 12 at Chabbol near Maiduguri.

While also commending President Buhari and the troops for their sacrifices, PYYC, however, urged the latter to sustain the momentum in the final clearance operation.

Read full statement below:

he Nigerian Army has again done us proud with its recent operation at Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government of Yobe State, in which it liquidated 105 of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

Since the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, to the theatres of war at the Lake Chad Region, there have been consistent shelling of the strongholds of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists by Nigerian troops.

This is in line with the resolve of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to put an end to all forms of terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

The Chief of Army Staff has since 2015 following the orders of the President, sustained the pressure on the recalcitrant groups by technically defeating them and sending them fleeing to other countries.

The current push by the Nigerian Army is a renewal of the resolve to cap these efforts with total victory against the insurgents which has started yielding results

This council is happy to note that in that single operation at Buni Gari, not only were the top commanders and foot soldiers of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists liquidated, but weapons and ammunition were recovered from them

These include five (5) AK-47 Rifles, three (3) GPMG, one (1) Duska Anti Aircraft Gun, one (1) PKT Gun, two (2) handheld radio, several ammunition and ammunition links.

The Nigerian Army also recovered hand grenades, magazines with ammunition and assorted hard drugs, while destroying one (1) terrorists’ gun truck.

Coming on the heels of other similar operations which have recorded equal amounts of successes, this is highly commendable as it has not only boosted the morale of our gallant soldiers but has restored the confidence of the citizenry on the ability of our troops not just to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria but also put a stop to any kind of insurgency, mass murder and brigandage within.

We hereby note that the operation which was carried out by troops of Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, led by their Commander, Brig. Gen. Lawrence Araba was done with high level professionalism and efficiency which is characteristic of the high sense of discipline the Nigerian Army which has participated in many international operations is known for.

Rules of engagement were observed strictly and the army has since shown to the world that it is one of the most disciplined when it comes to abiding by rules and conventions guiding warfare.

The success of the operation has been attributed to high level intelligence gathering, top notch surveillance and the superior fighting strategies of our troops but we are quick to note the feats would not have been achieved without the putting in place of an enabling environment by Chief of army staff.

The relocation of the Chief of Army Staff to the North east has provided the needed impetus to the troops to fight and win.

The visitation of troops by Lt. Buratai to various military camps in the North east which include the Special Super Camp Ngamdu in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno, the Army Super Camp 1 at Mulai and the Special Forces Super Camp 12 at Chabbol near Maiduguri, the Forward Operations Base at Alau Dam, and the patrol to Mairimari and Maigilari Forests are positive steps that has demonstrated the seriousness of the military high command to motivate troops.

That the COAS also went to Sambisa Forest where he visited Camp Zairo, the former operational center of the terrorists, as well as settlements within the Forest like Bita and Tukumbere.

This is highly commendable as it demonstrated that he is indeed aware of all the battle holes .

Not only that but the COAS also engaged troops in motivational and encouraging talks, he used the opportunity of the visits to charge troops to capture Abubakar Shekau, the factional leader of the Boko Haram terrorists group, alive or dead

This has also served to emphasise the mission of the current assignment to the troops and make them work towards it.

By telling the troops that what is remaining now is the Lake Chad waters only and observing that the war which has lingered for too long needs to concluded and that the army is poised to rout the insurgents up within a very short time are the kind of tonic needed to stir up patriotism on the minds of troops.

By stressing that he is not leaving the camp until the terrorists are substantially degraded is exactly what the troops at battle field needed to hear.

We call on the Nigerian Army to sustain its current drive and push against insurgents until the last of them is either liquidated or brought to book.

We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the encouragement to the troops and urge him to sustain the support till everyone is satisfied that the insurgents have been decimated.

Other good spirited individuals should also support our troops in any way they can. The success of an asymmetric warfare is also largely dependent on the cooperation from affected communities.

We urge people in communities around the Lake Chad to continue to give the needed support to our troops.

Covid-19: Sirika extends airport shutdown for another two weeks

Nigerian airports earlier shut down as part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in the country will no longer be reopened by the 23rd April 2020 as earlier projected.

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who disclosed this in Abuja Monday said the new projected date of resumption of airport operations is consequent upon the two weeks extension of the lockdown by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, the Minister said “As a result of the extension on lockdown by Mr President, it is no longer possible for us to open our airspace and airports for normal operations by the 23rd April, 2020”.

According to Sirika, the airports will remain closed for a further 2 weeks, which is however subject to review as appropriate.

He has therefore appealed to air travellers and all stakeholders in the aviation industry to see the current situation as sacrifices necessary to safeguard the health and well-being of the people, with the hope that the pandemic will be shortlived.

The federal government had announced the closure of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on March 23rd 2020, for one month in the first instance as part of measures to combat the coronavirus scourge.

Boko Haram, ISWAP weakened, using stones to fight

Fighters of Jama’atu Ahl al-Sunnah lil-Dawa wal-Jihad otherwise known as  Boko Haram and their Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, colleagues, have been weakened through series of counter terrorism operations by the Nigerian Army that they have resorted to throwing stones at Nigerian troops.
Military sources at the theatre of war around the Lake Chad region confirmed that since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai relocated to Borno State to lead the assault on the terrorists from the front; Nigerian Army has stepped up the fight leading to the killing of many of top commanders of the terrorist groups.
The sources revealed that apart from the killing of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, several weapons have been recovered from them while their bunkers, where they store large cache of arms, have been destroyed.
The Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists were years back, fond of displaying in video clips, weapons captured from the armoury and daring Nigerian troops to come after them.
The source said in one of the operations carried out by the Nigerian Army recently, the Boko Haram and ISWAP not only abandoned their posts and ran as they were being brought down by troops, but that some of them picked stones and started hauling at directions they imagined the troops to be.
“They were confused and devastated as the troops chased them in their hundreds. After trying to fight back, they now realized there was nothing they could do again so they took to their heels but as the Nigerian soldiers pursued them, some of them picked stones and started throwing in all directions,” one of the sources said.
The source said this is an indication that not only have the insurgents run out of weapons, but that they are confused and helpless and would soon “be brought to their knees.”
Our correspondent recalls that the Chief of army staff moved to Borno State early this month after scores of insurgents were reported to have fled from Chad and found their ways back to Nigerian territories. 
Buratai, had while addressing troops of Special Super Camp Ngamdu in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on 9 April 2020, said that he will be with them to the nooks and crannies of the theatre.
Buratai was at the Army Super Camp 1 at Mulai and the Special Forces Super Camp 12 at Chabbol near Maiduguri where he interacted with the officers and addressed the troops respectively  and was also at the Forward Operations Base at Alau Dam, and also personally led the troops on patrol round Mairimari and Maigilari Forests.
While at Camp Zairo, the former operational center of the terrorists, the Chief of Army Staff charged troops to capture Abubakar Shekau, the factional leader of the Boko Haram terrorists group, alive or dead.
He said, “Let me say congratulations. But, we must move across to wherever this criminal – Shekau is and catch him red handed. I want you to get him.
“Mr President, Command-In-Chief of the Armed Forces says congratulations to all of you for recovering the Sambisa Forest.
“As far as we are concerned, we have come to the end of this operation (clearing the forest of remnants of terrorists). What is remaining now is the Lake Chad waters only and we hope to do that (clear terrorists from it) also very soon.”
 
 
He observed that the Boko Haram fight has lingered for too long and that the army is poised to rout them up within a very short time.
“There are some countries that have fought counter terrorism for close to 50years. But, we’re not going to leave it to linger that long. We will have to finish these criminals very soon. We will not leave this camp until we achieve that,” he stated and assured  troops that he is going to be with
them through the operations as he launches a final onslaught on the Boko Haram elements in the northeast region.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari has provided all the needed support for the army to engage the enemies in a final battle, which he noted will commence in no time.
He said,“We are here, we will not leave this camp until we
substantially degrade these criminals. By God’s willing, we shall be there with you no going back once we commence,” he said.
“We will be with you in the valleys, on the hill, in the jungle, in the river and so on. As I speak now, we have some elements that are providing us necessary intelligence and once we start, no going back. We are here and we make sure that we get ourselves properly motivated, properly equipped and I assure you will have the best of time.
“Some of you have been here before like two, three times but I tell you are going to have the best of time. We want the best out of you. We need your courage and determination.”
The Army Chief also visited settlements within the Sambisa Forest like Bita and Tukumbere
 
 
 
The leader of the Boko haram , Imam Abubakar Shekau seeing the renewed drive of the troops was reported to have called on the authorities to be lenient with his members.
Nigerian  troops have since the recent operation started, closed in on many of the terrorists who out of desperation and bewilderment are running in different direction but mainly to old bunkers they were chased away from years back.
Residents of communities along the Lake Chad region are said to be in high spirits as they have spotted some the terrorists fleeing and trying to hide in the bushes.
Their dispersal by Nigerian troops has made it difficult for them to get victuals from their usual suppliers and are no longer able to asses more weapons and this has rendered them helpless.
There were indication last week that realizing the magnitude of the devastation on his fighters, the Boko Haram leader is said to be contemplating calling for a cease fire and discussing terms of surrender.
The Nigerian authorities had in the past offered to dialogue with the terrorists but the latter flatly refused and threatened to over throw the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
When the insurgents kidnapped the over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno State, they were approached by the Jonathan Government through intermediaries to state their terms for letting go of the girls.
But the insurgents backed out of the discussion and released a stinging video showing the captured girls and announcing to the world that they have married some of them off while selling some.
They were so powerful then that the impact of the negative activities were felt as far as Kano, Kaduna and the Federal capital territory.
In 2015 following a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari, General Buratai took the fight to the strongholds of the insurgents and since then their activities have been confined to few locations on the borders of the Lake Chad.
The few attempts they made to try to prove their relevance by attacking Maiduguri, Garkida, Biu and Damboa between late 2019 and this year were all rebuffed with heavy casualty on the side of the terrorists.
They were using Chad as a base to launch their attacks but since March when they fell out with the Chadian authorities, the Nigerian army has moved in to complete what it started about five years ago.
The relocation of the Chief of Army Staff provided the needed impetus for the troops who went for the insurgents bringing quite a number of them down.
 A most recent operation at Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government of Yobe State showed that the insurgents have been weakened and are only clutching at straws.
The Nigerian Army in that single operation, killed one hundred and five Boko Haram insurgents  and destroyed their weapons.
Apart from the insurgent’s top commanders and field soldeirs, the Nigerina army recovered five (5) AK-47 Rifles, three (3) GPMG, one (1) Duska Anti Aircraft Gun, one (1) PKT Gun, two (2) handheld radio,
several ammunition and ammunition links, two (2) hand grenades, two (2) magazines with ammunition and assorted hard drugs, while one (1) terrorists’ gun truck was destroyed
The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, led by their Commander, Brig. Gen. Lawrence Araba.
Generale Araba attributed the recent success to intelligence report, which revealed plan by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents to attack the village and the troops swiftly intercepted and engaged the criminals in fierce battle.                                  
 
 
 
 

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.