Damboa: Tsav hails Buratai, troops over gallantry against terrorists

Ex-Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and his gallant troops for a display of sheer “gallantry and patriotism” against Boko/ISWAP terrorists.

According to Mr Tsav, the COAS has once again silenced his critics and proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is worthy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trust and that of Nigerians despite the conspiracy.

Scores of insurgents lost their lives on Wednesday after the gallant troops repelled an attack in Damboa, a town 85 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Nigerian soldiers were unscathed from a five-hour gun duel which left dead bodies of the insurgents and their 19 abandoned trucks littered on the ground.

Being a security expert himself, Alhaji Tsav likened the Nigerian troops to its American counterparts with zero tolerance for terrorists.

He expressed pride in their consistent show of bravery and courage amidst distraction by paid critics behind beguile negative scripts.

Mr. Tsav added that this may not have been achieved without Lt. Gen Buratai’s focused leadership and tenacity, who he says has done enough to earn his respect and that of all Nigerians.

This victory, according to the ex-CP, however, is an indication that all the military need is encouragement and not disparagement from Nigerians.

Read full statement below:

I am compelled by the extraordinary gallantry and patriotism displayed by our patriotic troops in their recent encounter with the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to issue this public statement because of the excitement that overwhelmed me and countless Nigerians.

I wish to stress that Nigeria belongs to all of us. And when it borders on matters of national security, it is also our collective responsibility to encourage and support the efforts of FGN and our troops in securing our lives and property in any part of the country.

There is a deliberate malevolence and dampening scolding of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and Service Chiefs over alleged incompetence in handling the fresh spate of insecurities in the country. I sensed for a long time that it has assumed the tone of conspiracy by a select elite.

But contrary to such regressive thoughts, our Armed Forces are performing exceedingly marvelous on the warfront. And the cooked opinions they canvass is not what is really obtainable on the field of battle.

I was specifically elated with the strides of our combined troops, comprising the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force under the “Operation Lafiya Dole which recorded yesterday’s blistering victory (March 4, 2020) over Boko Haram criminals and ISWAP terrorists in Damboa, Borno state. A battalion of insurgents laid ambush on our troops and the natives, with the intention of overrunning the town.

But in a surprise bulwark of defence network mounted by our brave troops, the invading insurgents were pounded so mercilessly to the extent the survivors had to scamper for safety. The terrorists least expected this fatal fate.

News reports had it that several insurgents met their waterloo during the encounter and 19 of their warfare vehicles were also destroyed. It happened both during the fierce exchange of gun battles and their defeatist retreat after a hot chase by our ground and air forces.

As a security expert myself, I know, it was an excellent performance by our troops and a replica of what only American troops can do to terrorists. The military squad which conducted this highly successful and commendable operation deserves special hogs and a dinner from Nigerians.

Even Borno state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum and the residents of Damboa were impressed. Zulum could no longer conceal his feelings, but gave a public salutation to the gallant soldiers of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force under operation Lafiya Dole for the decisive blow against the Boko Haram insurgents.

These are actions that should attract loud public commendations for our troops beginning with the National Assembly, State Governors, opposition parties, Nigerian elites, the media and the generality of Nigerians.

The focus of the people on the once in awhile crippling of our troops in the frontlines is a very unpatriotic act. There is nowhere in the world where the citizens only delight in celebrating the victories of enemy forces against their Armies in battle or country.

Even before the repelling of insurgents at Damboa, Nigerian troops performed a similar feat at Jiddari Polo General Area located at the Southern part of Maiduguri metropolis. The same day President Buhari paid a condolence visit to Borno over the Boko Haram attack in Auno village, the insurgents regrouped and stealthily launched an attack on Jaddiri Polo General Area.

The intention was to disgrace Mr. President, challenge and mock the competence and capacity of our troops. But our brave troops proved them wrong by repelling the attack and securing the community. And to my knowledge, since 2019 when insurgency was animated again, our troops have gone to extra miles to secure communities in the North East and Nigeria so many times.

With every sense of responsibility, I commend the Nigerian Army and the troops fighting Boko Haram in the North East. They have always made us proud as a nation and should never be distracted by paid critics, who themselves feel comfortable wherever they are resident to craft the beguile negative scripts because of the security some of your colleagues’ have even paid the supreme price so that we can live in peace.

Most profoundly, I salute the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen TY Buratai for his focused leadership and tenacity. He has proven to Nigerians innumerable times that Nigeria’s problem with insurgency is not beyond him and the competence of the Nigerian Army. He has proved it enough to earn my respect and that of all Nigerians.

It is our divine obligation as Nigerians to always suckle the confidence we have collectively reposed in the competence and capacity of Lt. Gen TY Buratai. He has not failed to demonstrate that we will not only win the war, but expose and put the enemies of Nigeria to shame.

And I buttress this point with all seriousness from the confidence the latest Damboa Boko Haram incident has rekindled in me. Like the 2016 demolishing of the dreaded Sambisa forest, both have symbolized for our country a foretold success in the counter-insurgency operations. Nigerians should think of this!

We imagine that the residues of terrorists had mobilized all their fleeing forces together to fight the troops and wreak havoc on the innocent people in the town of Damboa to mock our country. But unexpectedly, the insurgents were embarrassed and violently pushed back by the Nigerian troops. They met a mightier force in our troops, at a time some Nigerians dismissed them as non-performers on the warfront.

It’s a sign of what we all stand to gain if we remain unflinchingly committed and united behind our military. It is just the only part we are obligated to play and there will be no force too strong for us to defeat.

I thank and appreciate all Nigerians and very hopeful, that with passage of time soonest, our country shall be free of any trace of terrorism.

Group alleges fraud, sinister motives restricting NGOs in northeast

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has fingered fraud, sinister motives by some international non-governmental organisations in northeastern Nigeria as the only factor restricting their operation.

CATE’s assertion trails claims by certain NGOs that tighter restrictions by authorities has crippled humanitarian crisis in the northeast.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja, discredited reports by Human Rights Watch which it claimed is on a mission to destabilize Nigeria.

The activities of NGOs like Human Rights Watch, according to CATE, have worsened the plights of those affected by terrorism instead of providing succour.

CATE, consequently, warned HRW to stop playing the ostrich by admitting the truth rather than accuse the military falsely.

On its own part, the coalition, however, charged the Nigerian military to shake off HRW’s attempt at cheap blackmail and ensure the terrorists are starved of the support provided by rogue international humanitarian groups.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) is disappointed to learn of the lies told by a section of international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to the effect that tighter restrictions by authorities is “stifling” efforts to tackle humanitarian crisis in the northeast of Nigeria.

CATE as an active stakeholder in the war against terrorism and extremism in Nigeria has deemed it necessary to set the record straight in view of the misleading report ostensibly put out by the Human Rights Watch staffers. It is best that the NGO retraces it steps, clean up its acts and revert to the humanitarian work that the world expects of it and not continue to be an agent of destabilization in the region.

We particularly note the ignoble statement credited to Human Rights Watch, a group that has been repeatedly discredited having been found to be in collusion with NGOs that have stated their avowed mission to destabilize Nigeria. A Human Rights Watch that had on several occasions allowed itself to be used as a front for publishing fake reports by Amnesty International has lost the moral right to speak on the management of access to the northeast, where the military is in the process of ridding the region of Boko Haram terrorists.

We find it necessary to clarify that NGOs that are genuinely engaged in humanitarian work, like CATE, have no difficulties transporting staff and materials to areas of their work. What Human Rights Watch is referring to as restrictions are the accreditations and controls put in place after the group’s associates were caught collaborating with terrorists up to the point of sharing intelligence with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders.

The activities of NGOs like Human Rights Watch have rather worsened the plights of those affected by terrorism instead of providing succor to them because any organization that offer any sort of support to terrorists makes it possible for them to destroy entire settlements and plunge the people into suffering.

It is consequently imperative that Human Rights Watch stops playing the ostrich by admitting the truth. Fraud and sinister motives, like acting as proxies for terrorists, are the factors hindering the operations of the NGOs and not military restrictions.

We urge other international NGOs that are threading the kind of destructive path of Human Rights Watch to have a rethink, especially now that the military has ensured that it is no longer business as usual for groups that exploit their international status as cover to aid terrorists to the detriment of the Nigerian state.

CATE charges the Nigerian Military to shake off Human Rights Watch’s attempt at cheap blackmail by continue to implement measures that ensure that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists are starved of the support provided by rogue international humanitarian NGOs. This support from international NGOs has been pivotal to the persistence of terrorists in the region and it is a situation that must stop now.

Enter NASS, Africa’s Shrine of Hypocrisy

By Anthony Obekpa

Nigeria is an unfortunate country on many flanks. There is nowhere this misfortune is expressed more pungently than in the National Assembly (NASS). The two chambers of national parliament have the penchant to engage in actions which are inconsistent with popular cause or mocks the national interest they are supposed to jealously protect.

Some members of NASS have spent upward of three or more tenures in NASS. But to say, they have acquainted themselves with the basic rudiments of legislation is expecting too much from members of this important arm of government.

The belief of the heavily populated NASS is that the legislature exists primarily to antagonize the executive arm of government to extract personal gains. They don’t think strategically for national interest. Every issue before the parliament is approached from the perspective of personal benefits, even at the detriment of the country. Once their personal desires are met, the country can go to blazes.

Therefore, NASS has consistently failed in legislation or oversight functions. Most times when NASS deliberates and passes national Appropriation Acts, tales of budget padding in billions reawaken national discourses. It reminds Nigerians of how badly the country has fared. Almost always, constituency projects funds end up in the drain. But NASS members loathe any investigation into it by anti-graft agencies. Attempt it, and they unanimously chorus political witch-hunt.

These Parliamentarians’ are more excited with driving posh cars as official vehicles and daily bargain for sumptuous allowances. And these cars must be imported at huge cost of FOREX to the country and so, they rejected vehicles from Innoson Motors as too inferior for them.

The NASS members feign the portrait of patriotism. But deep down their hearts, the opportunity of being in the NASS is for personal service and personal enrichment, instead of national interest. Each time they want to earn more objectionable allowances, lawmakers arm-twist and blackmail the President and his appointees.

The only notable emblem of members of NASS is that some are “distinguished” and others are “honourable” in the exact opposite of the prefixes attached to their names. But aside it, every other thing about them drapes with either incompetence or lack capacity to serve Nigeria.

So, Nigerians have entered the new church of saints and angels, who are more satanic in thoughts and actions than lucifer himself. That’s why in his days as President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had consistent brawls with them, to the point of fisticuffs.

Once anyone who is President refuses to play ball with them, the legislators create crisis and threaten the soul of Nigeria. Yet, these are parliamentarians some of who sleeps throughout most plenary sessions. They only saunter from their trance to concord with motions which service their appetite for illicit money. They flaunt power like conquering emperors and dare anyone to challenge their impertinence to the same people they claim to serve.

National parliamentarians approach every issue upside down. It is doubtful whether some of them know their left from the right. When one listens to their debates during plenaries on national issues, the dullness disarms. Even secondary school debating competitions of those days were more energetic and stimulating.

Nigeria operates constitutional democracy, which is powered by the rule of law. And the powers to checkmate and sack an erring President is exclusively that of the NASS. But here, Parliamentarians told Nigerians President Muhammadu Buhari has failed the nation on insecurity. They claimed Mr. President is incompetent.

But what was their reaction? They rather told the President to resign. Who elected them to play advisory roles to Mr. President on decisions that are personal to him? One can only imagine! It means they were not sure of themselves and as usual, were out to blackmail Mr. President.

And thereafter, they delved into matters they are neither empowered by law nor within their operational jurisdiction. It mocks commonsense that parliamentarians will ask Mr. President to sack his Service Chiefs. It is laughable and only smacks of their confounding confusion.

One believes that NASS members don’t know that the power or decision to sack Service Chiefs is the exclusive prerogative of the President and Commander-In-Chief. So, the hilarious cacophonies like “sack the Service Chiefs or no, the President should resign” meaninglessly resonated in both chambers. Oh! They are really confused and in need of urgent salvation.

These Parliamentarians bury any bill that threatens their personal interests, especially in business and promote silly ones. Any appointee nominated by the President for NASS confirmation whose records demonstrates a flair of being a pain in the neck of NASS members is soundly rejected. No cogent reason is adduced for the rejection. They only crave the indulgence of Nigerians to believe in the supremacy of their decision whether good or bad.

This is the NASS which wanted the Acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu sacked because he was bold to investigate their Chairman over allegations of corrupt acts. Look at the speed they moved to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act simply because the NASS chairman was facing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Nigeria’s parliamentarians are very unique dramatists. Their altercation with Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), the Comptroller General of Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS) was like a stage theatre. They summoned and harangued the customs boss, insisting that he must wear uniform before he appears before them or be sacked.

And his only offence was that he impounded an imported vehicle which the NASS chairman smuggled into the country and evaded payment of lawful tax levies. The NASS was livid with anger against Hameed Ali for refusing to share cash and impounded cars to them. But they met a brick wall, as the ex-soldier cum administrator stood defiantly against them.

What is unknown to them is that Nigerians are not fooled. Nigerians can’t be fooled by their antics anymore. They have overplayed this game and it has become too familiar. Each time they bark at Mr. President, it is not for national interest, but subtle blackmail for personal favours which he is adamant to approve for them.

The legislators want cars worth billions of naira to run assignments for Nigerians in the guise of oversight functions in a country majority of the citizens are living in penury. How did they arrive at the figure of N37 billion for the renovation of National Assembly Complex?

Even an entirely new NASS complex will not cost as much as N37 billion. Could it have been another subtle blackmail of the Presidency to pass the 2020 budget? Nigerians later heard that the parliamentarians endorsed the 2020 Appropriation Act without any inquest into it. What had a semblance that the national budget passed through NASS was its padding by over N163 billion.

But they pray Nigerians not think about how much they have inserted into the budget for renovation. The money is more than the total cumulative budget for health, defence and education sectors. However, it must be given it to them or there must be war. That’s the NASS Nigeria operates.

So, President Buhari, an upright and straightforward leader has always been in trouble with NASS members. If the ICPC is investigating some NASS members over allegations of corruption and President Buhari refuses to intervene, he runs into trouble with them. They cry like little babies that anti-graft agencies are “fighting” them, but the President is quiet.

And in vengeance they go for the President neck. If they can’t get him, they trouble and intimidate his appointees. After all, an Africa adage says, “once you grab the ears, the head will come.” Gbam… Yes, that’s the key. So, the battle has to go the President in another way. NASS members, how funny are thee in the new African shrine of hypocrisy?

Obekpa, a University don wrote this article from Bauchi.

Bayelsa: APC warns PDP against fabricating lies against Sylva, Oshiomhole

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to call its Bayelsa state scribe to order and stop fabricating lies against it leaders which are capable of throwing the state into anarchy.

The APC also called on the security agencies to note the lies being peddling by one Godspower Keku, identified as the Bayelsa state PDP Secretary.

The APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary Mr. Yekini Nabena, said the caution becomes necessary because of some unguarded statements capable of inflaming tensions in the state by the PDP following the Supreme Court decisions on the Bayelsa State Governorship.

Nabena was reacting to “unprovoked attacks” on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and the APC national leadership by the PDP Bayelsa State Secretary, Godspower Keku following the Apex Court decision on Bayelsa Governorship Review.

The said PDP Bayelsa scribe had made some accusations against the Minister of Petroleum and the national chairman of APC regarding the emergence of David Lyon and Degi.

But reacting to Keku’s claims while speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, the Bayelsa-born APC chieftain described the media reports credited to PDP’s state scribe as ‘all fabrications to cause disaffection not only in the APC fold but in Bayelsa state.’

The APC spokesman called on leaders of thought to call the said Keku to order.

“I read the unprovoked and unwarranted attacks by one Godspower Keku, purported Bayelsa State Secretary of the PDP on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva and the APC national leadership in which Chief Sylva was particularly hurled several concocted and mischievous allegations.

“As law abiding people, we have accepted the decisions of the Supreme Court on the Bayelsa Governorship in good faith. However, I strongly urge the PDP in Bayelsa State not to take for granted the 352,552 electorate who voted overwhelmingly for their governorship choice by making insensitive and infuriating statements.

“Perhaps, the PDP in Bayelsa is out of tune with the current state government and needs to be called to order. In the interest of peace and the development of Bayelsa, we have appealed to our supporters and members to be peaceful and accept the ruling. The Bayelsa PDP’s attempt to stir the hornets nest and further infuriate Bayelsans is ill thought, careless and reckless.”

PMB and Sun Tzu’s Art of War

By Philip Agbese

Like Chinese revered war veteran, strategist and tactician, Sun Tzu, once asked the world albeit rhetorically; “Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is also asking Nigerians whether they have any inkling about what his Government can do with the resurgence of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism?

The President is stylistically questioning the reason for the anxiety in people who seems to have gleefully forgotten the deadly blow the Nigerian Military handed down to insurgents under his administration. And why they think it is impossible to treat renewed insurgency with same dosage.

Mr. President is searching to know exactly the mindset of some Nigerians who are canvassing and campaigning for the removal of his appointed current Service Chiefs for mundane excuses. The most dominant of such excuses anchored are either resurged terrorism or death of troops in the frontlines.

Losing troops in battle is such a bad experience. But the sad experience cannot obviate reality in war situations. Its simple wisdom that no military chief, with all his acclaimed best expertise will insulate any troop from death in the battlefield, except God.

Except those with faint memories, or else, they ought to know that aside troops combating Boko Haram terrorism in the Northeast and other parts of Nigeria, even the Police and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) have so many times lost officers and personnel in the course of maintaining national security. Assuming it were possible, this could be avoided; but it is a fate only God determines.

Several Police personnel have lost precious lives in encounters with armed robbers or protesters and so forth. And likewise, the DSS. The incident of Ombatse cult killings of security operatives in Nasarawa state and scores of others are handy examples of such unfortunate incidents, which are unavertable in security operations. But the solution does not reside in sacking the Heads of such security units.

But most times, undue pressures from some Nigerians as done now do compel the President to prematurely terminate the appointment of brilliant officers who came with a clear mind to usher in the necessary reforms. But the persistent clamor and excuses bordering on age, retirement and high-wired politics have compelled kicking out of such priced personnel and all their ideas just to bow to political correctness.

Sun Tzu said; “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

So, experience has taught the country regrettable lessons in this direction, but people crave for a repeat of same mistakes. The present campaigners for the sack of Service Chiefs have chosen to ignore or downplay the incontestable fact that President Buhari himself a hero and venerated retired Army General.

In his military career while in active service, he fought a dozen battles and also commanded Battalions and troops at the warfronts. It implies that he knows the intricacies and psyche of commanders and their mutuality with the troops under control at special times like war.

Like other war heroes of his status have resonated elsewhere, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces knows when to effect a change in the hierarchy of Military leadership. And he knows when crisis or emergencies make such contemplation abominable, unnecessary and absolutely detrimental to the pursuit of victory.

President Buhari is aware like repeatedly thundered by Sun Tzu, globally acknowledged as the oracle of war that; “If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.”

As the then a serving Army General who earned his ranks by dint of hard work, Buhari does not require the counsel of people on the right and beneficial decisions to adopt on military leadership; much less, from non-experts, who have never been privileged to fire a shot from the war trench. It explains why he silenced the campaigners gunning for the sack of Service Chiefs with a presidential declaration that he meticulously and diligently searched before appointing the Military leaders to superintend on the termination of insurgencies and insurrections in the country.

The Commander-In-Chief was unambiguous that he accepts full responsibility for whatever is the actions of the Service Chiefs. But he will not succumb to external and overtly malicious and instigative persuasions for their sack because outside the commendable performance of the Service Chiefs, such a hasty step, from his experience can ricochet dangerously in emergency situations particularly in the Nigerian context.

But the emergency advocators for the removal of Service Chiefs should also not forget that the Commander-In-Chief, as an ex- General came on board and inherited a disheveled military personnel and polarized Armed Forces. Everyone knows that it provoked displeasure and anger in President Buhari as a Nigerian statesman and former Army General.

It is unthinkable for any Nigerian to expect that he would have served as the democratic leader of Nigeria and still left the Nigerian Military in such a disfigured shape. It is unpatriotic and an inclination to impatience for those clamouring for the sack of the Service Chiefs who are anchoring these reforms and innovations in the Military mid-way.

The Service Chiefs are operating in the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria with a savvy only akin to what Sun Tzu’s wisdom echoes as “What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.”

Therefore, the hired crusaders for the sacking of the incumbent Military leadership must not forget that the decision of President Buhari to retain the Service Chiefs is beyond combating Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism alone. It has much ado about the healthiness and professionalism of the nation’s Armed Forces. But from the cocoons and narrow-mindedness of these politicians, even if given 30 years ahead, they will neither sight nor understand the need for a good institutional foundation for the Nigerian Military.

However, unarguably, that President Buhari has seen the laughable state of the Nigerian Armed Forces which he inherited; he is not ready to leave it in shambles anymore. And retaining the Service Chiefs to complete one of the assigned assignments is something that Nigerians will appreciate, behold and cherish so much in the future.

It is needless to flog the unwilling horse. The Nigerian laws are clear as to the tenure of Service Chiefs and the President has acted within his prerogative as Commander in-Chief. Sun Tzu again says, “The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.” President Buhari has such traits in abundance. And Nigerians owe him the obligation of support to bequeath to the nation, an Armed Forces that will be the pride of all citizens and the envy of the world.

Agbese is an author, publisher and human rights activist in the United Kingdom.

Terrorism: CALSER commends Army, Buratai over Super Camp Strategy

The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has saluted the Nigerian Army’s Super Camp Strategy as the perfect morale booster in the final push to victory against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

CALSER’s gave this commendation after deploying a team of researchers to transverse the length and breadth of the northeast.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, convener Princess Ajibola said this strategy has recorded massive dividends, especially with the army’s top shots, led by Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, always at the trenches.

CALSER showered praises on Lt. Gen. Buratai who has made it a mandatory exercise to consistently pay routine visits to the theatre of operations to boost the morale of the troops.

The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, however, frowned at selfish individuals against the Super Camps, whose mission is to undermine the giant strides recorded.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights welcomes you all to this press conference organized in light of the operations of the Super Camp strategy of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to applaud the efforts of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria with the introduction measures and strategies aimed at ensuring the return of peace and tranquility in North-East Nigeria.

The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights deployed a team of researchers to transverse the length and breadth of North-East Nigeria to put issues in proper perspectives for members of the unsuspecting general public.

This periodic assessment by the Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is in line with its strategic objective of appraising the operations of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

We consequently wish to state that the Super Camp Strategy of the Nigerian Army has indeed provided that needed boost in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. This is cognizant of the fact that in the periods that the Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Africa Rights deployed its team of researchers to the fields, it noticed the presence of some top brass of the Nigeria Army in the trenches with the troops.

We wish to state that on numerous occasions where researchers from the Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights were on the field conducting periodic reviews of the war against terrorism, it has encountered on numerous occasions top brass of the Nigerian Army with the troops in the trenches, and worthy of mention is the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. This is quite commendable and an indication that indeed the leadership of the Nigerian Army has matched words with actions in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

This is also on the heels that the Super Camp strategy of the Nigerian Army has proved to be that avenue with which the Nigerian Army has continued to advance in multiple gains in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in North-East Nigeria.

The Coalition for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights appreciates the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff in the war against terrorism. It wishes to state that if this tempo is sustained, we might as well be seeing the end of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in Nigeria.

In light of the above, we call on the African continent to rise against the Boko Haram/ISWAP ideology by ensuring that those channels with which the Boko Haram/ISWAP spreads its ideology are identified and curtailed in the overall interest of the African continent.

The African continent must come together in this critical point of our existence and in one voice to work for the collective existence of the African region against the threats posed by some European forces working assiduously to see to the disintegration of the African continent through the covert sponsorship of the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

We wish to state that an example should be taken from the leadership strides of the Nigerian Army where the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has made it a mandatory exercise to consistently pay routine visits to the theater of operations to boost the morale of the troops and as well as encouraging them to give in their best in the final push for the decimation of the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

This is in light of the unwholesome practice and interest of the political authorities in North-East Nigeria that have been carrying out acts that undermine the efforts of Nigerian Military in the fight against terrorism and other acts of sabotage in the country.

The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights frowns at such dispositions and calls for unalloyed patriotism by all citizens, including the critical media community, to see to the final defeat of the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

It must be noted that it is indeed a statement of the fact that all hands must be on deck in pursuit of the defeat of the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP.

The Nigerian Military must not also tolerate any act of sabotage from any quarters in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria as multiple evidences suggests that some vested interested in North-East Nigeria that have been benefitting from the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist activities are hell-bent on seeing to the continuation of hostilities so they can continue to smile to the bank at the detriment of the generality of the people of North-East Nigeria.

This tide the Nigerian Military must stem if it is desirous of seeing to the end of the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP group. The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state in unequivocal terms that should the Nigerian Military treat such unwholesome practices with kids’ gloves the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group would fester.
The Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to use this medium to appreciate and commend the leadership of the Nigerian Military for the great efforts so far in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, and most notably, the introduction of the Super Camp Strategy that indeed proved to be the magic wand in routing the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in North-East Nigeria.

The leadership of the Coalition for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights thank you all for finding time to attend this press conference and consequently states that in no distance time, Nigeria shall indeed celebrate the end of the Boko Haram/ISWAP menace in North-East Nigeria.

Thank you all, and God Bless.

Dear Femi Adesina, Tell PMB We Are Still With Him

By Ali Kyari

Positions of public trust anyone holds for the people has a tempting spirit. Any leader who is not careful can easily become a pawn on the chess board for some of the ruled. I have realized that it takes a lot of self-discipline and a focused mindset for a leader to navigate the ship of leadership ashore successfully.

A leader is susceptible to vexatious emotions, anger and provocations. It takes a divine grace for him to exculpate himself from deliberate actions of opponents which stir him to furiousness to divert his attention from purposeful leadership.

In Nigeria, we know that those who are calling for President Muhammadu Buhari’s neck are Nigerians whose dubious interests were guillotined or terminated by his administration. So, in a pretentious veil of patriotism, they most unreasonably disparage everything his Government has achieved in his dogged efforts to re-fix Nigeria.

These perpetual leeches of power think any other Nigerian should hate and despise President Buhari. They want the world to crucify him on Golgotha. In powerplay, such games are predicted and we have decoded them translucently. The antics are too infantile and too familiar to blur our senses anymore.

That’s why we are still with President Buhari. We want to pass a clear message to his detractors that we have seen the President’s commitment and honesty towards public good. And millions of us are still with him regardless of the conspiratorial attempts to cloud his impressive shadows in leadership.

I have no smidgeon of doubt about the stellar leadership qualities of President Buhari. And he has baffled me and a million other very silent voices for the difference he has brought to bear on leadership. For any government, security of lives and property are the cardinal responsibilities of leaders and the progress of nations.

President Buhari has performed a lot on securing the lives of Nigerians. Whether the antagonists or rivals acknowledge it or not, the records are very bold. And some of us have personally experienced the difference.

Like thousands of other indigenes of Borno, I sneaked out of Bama in 2013 to Maiduguri, when the heat of Boko Haram insurgency became unbearable. I thought my relocation to the state capital would give me protective relieve, but I was wrong. Insurgents’ reigned more deadlier and freer in Maiduguri.

I eventually moved to Nasarawa state where I perched with a distant relation. Other members of my immediate family also abandoned our ancestral abodes in Bama and sought refuge in distant lands.

However, with the Buhari Presidency and consistent counter-insurgency campaigns, we started hearing tales of the return of peace in Borno. But I doubted it initially. Bama was one of the LGAs captured and occupied by insurgents. I decided to risk a visit to my country home for the first time in 2017 since I left the place in 2013. While home, I discovered to my excitement the restoration of normalcy in the once troubled area.

I returned back to Lafia my temporary abode after a week and prepared to go back finally. In 2018, I came back to Bama and so also, the surviving members of my family.

By the following year, the Shehu of Bama, Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi who was deposed from his throne by insurgents also came back and occupied his stool because of the pervasive peace and security in the region. Other deposed community and traditional leaders also came back to their domains from exile.

And for the first time in five years, the people of Bama held an extravagant celebration of the Muslim feast of Eid-el-Kabir in Bama. Those who can remember the severity of terrorism in Bama and other parts of Borno state which the Nigerian Military has reduced to a scanty presence will never hesitate to appreciate Mr. President and the Service and Security Chiefs (SSCs).

Why have I taken time to recount my personal experience? I deem it necessary in view of recent developments in certain segments of our national life to assure President Buhari that Nigerians are still with him. The way I feel inside me, so also millions of other Nigerians. And countless of them can recount in diverse ways how the Buhari administration has touched their lives.

Even on the war against insurgency alone, can we recall where we were in the pre- 2015 days, and what has been achieved under the Buhari Presidency. Boko Haram terrorists were almost wiped out, before they resurfaced in 2019. Abuja residents now sleep with two eyes closed.

Worshippers in churches and mosques all over Northern Nigeria no longer live with the phobia of insurgents’ bomb blasts. Our territories are no longer annexed by terrorists, where they also held us in servitude.

Mindless abductions have ceased and our children are no longer recklessly recruited as foot soldiers of Boko Haram. So, some of us who knows where we started the journey under Buhari and his planned destination for us, we are still with him 101%. The generality of Nigerian masses are with him unshakably because we can vouch for his leadership excellence.

Nigerians are not only with Mai Geskiya, but they are prepared to defend him against ravenous wolves because he represents for us the hope and vision of the new nation that is being re-birthed. He is a leader who means well for his countrymen and women.

Those who persecute him unjustly can go on. But even President Buhari believes like the English writer, Joseph Addison says; “It is folly for an eminent man to think of escaping censure, and a weakness to be affected with it. All the illustrious persons of antiquity, and indeed of every age in the world, have passed through this fiery persecution.”

And so, those quarreling at his retention of the SSCs are the same people who have refused to see his efforts on the war against insurgency. They are everywhere. These are the same people who know that the SSCs are the nightmare to Boko Haram’s factional leader, Abubakar Shekau and his men.

Terrorists have always feared even their shadows in the theatre of operations. But pride won’t allow them say it out. No wonder a demented Shekau couldn’t hold back his emotions of pain, but had to mention some names in his recent weird broadcast.

So, those calling for the sack of SSCs because they tormenting Shekau and Musab Al Barnewi or frustrated them from achieving their aims of conquering Nigeria are the real enemies of Borno State. Even two of such persons in the Senate fueling these atrocious acts of terrorists are well respected citizens of Borno State. But Nigerians are not bothered because President Buhari is with the people and the people are with him.

I was elated with Mr. President’s recent speech at Maiduguri when he spoke to Borno leaders. It struck me to the bone marrow when he rightly dissected that the Borno elders and political leadership have not done enough to encourage the end of the war against terrorism. It is a clarion call to them to accept their responsibility.

My President! That speech clearly told Nigerians and the rest of the world that Buhari is in charge of the security situation and his intelligence network is truly on top of the situation and he knows the behind the scene actors. He is just marking time to allow their conscience speak to them. The renewed insurgency either in Borno or in any other part of Nigeria is a combination of many issues which the 2019 general elections have contributed largely.

A philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once said about leaders of President Buhari’s mould; “If there is one thing I fear less than everything else, it is, I believe, persecution for my opinions. There are many good points about which I may be diffident, but when it comes to questions of truth and intellectual independence, there is no holding me – I can envisage no finer end than to sacrifice oneself for a conviction.”

I also believe that President Buhari and Nigerians have become used to the schemes of some of these dubious elements. Nigerians are either recovering their money from the looters through the EFCC or outrightly collecting same directly from the looters during elections.

That is why people are receiving their dollars to sing all manner of weird and jaded songs they have written. But President Buhari should not be bothered. He is on track and Nigerians are still with him. The Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina should please, remember to pass this message to “Mai Geskiya.”

Kyari is a patriotic citizen and wrote this article from Maiduguri.

CORONAVIRUS: AVIATION AUTHORITY HARMONIZES PREVENTIVE MEASURES AT AIRPORTS

 The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is working with all stakeholders to harmonise preventive measures taken against the coronavirus at the country’s airports.

Capt Musa Nuhu, Director General, NCAA, revealed this in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

The statement signed by the Director Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu explained that the preventive measures were to ensure all travellers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimal disruption to them.

Nuhu noted that all contingency plans for public health events in aviation had been activated including airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs).

He said NCAA had ensured that all measures adopted at Nigerian airports were in accordance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and WHO International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

“This measures is in line with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).

“We have been working with the Federal Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure all travellers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimum disruption to the facilitation of travel.

“NCAA will continue to ensure that airlines assist with the tracking of passengers who may have come in contact with the suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.”

“Airlines and other airport users are advised to heed the guidance of Port Health Services (a division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Competent Public Health Authority at Point of Entry) on the use of screening forms.

“Others are on the assessment of suspect or ill travellers and any other measures they may adopt,” he said.
Nuhu advised airlines, airport operators, security agencies and other aviation industry stakeholders to take appropriate precaution to protect their staff.

He also advised the travelling public to remain calm but alert and take the necessary precaution in protecting themselves while travelling.

The director-general said this includes alerting crew members and airport facilitation staff of travellers that might look ill or showing signs and symptoms of the disease.

Nuhu said travellers returning from countries experiencing community transmission of the COVID-19 should present themselves to Port Health Services on arrival at the Point of Entry–International Airport.

He said travellers who develop signs and symptoms of the disease after returning from a trip abroad were to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Health facility or call the NCDC on 0800-970000-10

Terrorism: Group warns French envoy against undermining Nigeria’s efforts

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has cautioned French Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Jerome Pasquier to quit making utterances capable of undermining Nigeria’s progress against terrorism.

NDF gave this warning at a press conference on Saturday in Abuja in reaction to the French envoy’s recent comments that Nigeria isn’t doing enough in the war against insurgency.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, NDF berated France not overstretch its liberty by consciously inciting Nigerians against the Federal Government.

Dr. Bolaji described Pasquier’s claims as an assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians, especially knowing the role played by European nation in the crisis in the northeast; arming and funding terrorists.

The NDF, therefore, demanded that “the French Ambassador to Nigeria should immediately withdraw the statements and apologize to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian people for deriding their dilemma in the hands of terrorists.”

Read full statement below:

Nigeria is a country at peace with herself despite a catalogue of internal challenges. Nigeria cherishes international relations and the global community as defined by the principles of the United Nations (UN).

But Nigeria shall not condone acts from other countries, which seem to undermine her sovereignty as nation. France is unjustifiably attempting to test the patience of Nigeria with reckless and injurious public comments.

France has no reason to deliberately provoke Nigeria. Even under colonial era, Nigeria was colonized by the Britons and not France. And so, there is no reason why France will make Nigeria her enemy and keep using her former colonies to make Nigeria uncomfortable by heightening lyrics of insecurity.

The French Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Jerome Pasquier freely assaulted the sensibilities of Nigerians by public statement at a workshop in Abuja to the effect that the efforts of the Nigerian Government in addressing insecurity particularly in the Northeast are not enough.

Nigeria is aware of the behind the scenes schemes France has playing in the Northeast. Nigeria knows of France’s vested interest in the crude oil reserves in the Lake Chad Basin. It is suspected of using some dubious elements in Niger and other neighbouring countries to deprive Nigeria of this natural resource.

Nigeria’s quietness in the face of this glaring injustice does not mean the French envoy should carelessly confront and assault the sensibilities of Nigerians. Any attempt to puncture the patience of Nigerians as France is has staged out will be resisted.

That Mr. Pasquier had the courage and effrontery to tell Nigerians at a workshop in Abuja that the Nigerian Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, the authorities and stakeholders should “step up actions and devise new approaches” is the height of heartlessness. It smacks of mockery and abuse of diplomatic privilege.

France should rather ask itself how much it has contributed to ending Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, hence its former colonies directly bear the brunt of any crisis in Nigeria. France has none. It has never issued a public statement condemning the atrocities of Boko Haram in Nigeria probably because it is excited by the blood they shed.

Nigeria wishes to appeal to the UN, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and the global community to investigate the festering Boko Haram terrorism on the fringes of Nigeria’s Borno state and the Republic of Niger. France cannot be this nice by offering an advice, while it does nothing to help the country dismantle the barriers of Boko Haram from Nigeria to Niger.

Nigeria can accept any trash from foreign countries. But it should not transmute into mocking of the sanctity of Nigeria’s statehood as done by the French ambassador.

In Nigeria, France is widely accused of arming and funding terrorists through their Niger connections. The same country cannot pretend and openly pour mud into the faces of Nigerian people with such careless and extremely very reckless statements.

It punctures the ethics of diplomacy that France should seek to provoke and incite Nigerians against the Federal Government over an issue its role is still suspect. Seeking to rubbish the efforts of the Nigerian state in curbing terrorism is the least thing France should have ever contemplated. This is condemnable and unacceptable.

With every sense of responsibility and patriotism, NDF demands that the French Ambassador to Nigeria should immediately withdraw the statements and apologize to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian people for deriding their dilemma in the hands of terrorists.

NDF pleads with Nigerians to remain calm in spite of the deliberate incitement by France. Nigeria shall always remain a peaceful country and will soon overcome her security challenges no matter the magnitude of conspiracies against her from countries like France.
Thank you!

Gen Buratai and Why the Awards Still Keep Coming

By David Longpet

Henchman of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is a household name in Nigeria. Any time his identity is echoed, it reverberates with an uncommon fondness of millions of his fans.

He strikes the psyche of people in different ways. To the average Nigerian soldier, he is the best and ideal leader or boss they have ever had in recent time. He has a charming and infectious aura. He is simple, humble, amiable and hardworking. Gen. Buratai is patriotic and loyal to a fault. He is an Army General who cherishes and rewards hard work, but loathes indolence and recalcitrance.

To the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, Gen. Buratai is their adversary; a tormentor, a nightmare and a fiend. And so, many times, insurgents ambushed this terrible foe and attempted to sniff life out of him. But as usual, Gen. Buratai dealt them a hard blow. He matched them with superior force. Many sprawled into their early graves, but Gen. Buratai emerged unscathed.

The international community perceives Gen. Buratai as an enigma and an indomitable hero. The Republic of Brazil sighted his military prowess and exploits especially against Boko Haram terrorists as far back as 2017. He was feted with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit, the country’s highest military honor. The wordings which accompanied the award were explicit that Gen. Buratai has earned such foreign and dignified honor for his contribution to blighting the raging fires of terrorism in Nigeria, and an ambassador of global peace and security.

To the Nigerian media, Gen. Buratai is a beautiful bride, who is courted 24 hours a day, as they seek to illuminate the Nigerian people over counter-terrorism operations. From Gen. Buratai’s countless flock of admirers, the media celebrates him more as a courageous soldier, astute administrator, a reformer, innovator and great patriot in the Nigerian project.

The media celebrates Gen. Buratai as one Army Chief who has carved a niche for himself as a strategist, tactician and goal-getter. Different media houses in Nigeria have recognized Gen. Buratai as a leader who doesn’t get tired of innovations; a leader who is never tired of repressing and winning the war on insurgents.

Very often, the media writes the most captivating articles in eulogies of the Army boss as a leader who is never tired of giving his best. The COAS is adored as a leader who met an unprofessional and irresponsible Army, but restructured it into a professional, responsible and responsive Army, actively alive to its constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.

Therefore, in the last few months, an appreciative media and highly rated institutions have feted Gen. Buratai with awards. And to underscore the genuineness of the awards, each one of them dwells on the same thematic preoccupation. It locates that essential and shining quality in Gen. Buratai as the invincible emperor of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria. And the awards keep streaming in his honor ceaselessly.

The Society Watch Magazine celebrated Gen. Buratai as the “Most Outstanding Chief of Army Staff” for the incredible progress he has recorded against Boko Haram terrorists and armed bandits in the country. It expatiated that Gen. Buratai is so honoured because he has chased remnants of insurgents and confined them to the fringes of the Northeast; ensured peace for the return of IDPs, and reopened roads and streets in the region which were hitherto closed because of heightened insecurity.

To the Daily Asset newspaper, Gen. Buratai is its Year 2020 “Man Of The Year,” on the security plank. At a conferment ceremony in Abuja, the newspaper pointedly stated the COAS has staged out excellently “for transforming the Nigerian Army to one of the very best on the African continent.”

The Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) also registered their appreciation for Gen. Buratai. They decorated him with the award of“Protector of the Environment,” as its President,Bishop Udo Azogu, endearingly said, “…we share a common ground with the Nigerian army in its uncompromising defence of the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria.”

Furthermore, the Wildlife Society of Nigeria also honoured Gen. Buratai as “Fellow Wildlife Society of Nigeria Honour’s Award” for leading the impacts Nigeria has recorded on insurgencies and insurrections. There are a dozen of such awards which Gen. Buratai has bagged to his credit and those who have seen his impactful actions will understand why the Army boss is the most celebrated COAS.

The awards keep coming to Gen. Buratai because he is a leader who gives his best in all circumstances. The Army boss is a leader who gets targeted results and a leader who gets the job done no matter the obstacles. When he promised Nigerians in July 2015 that the Army will decimate and defeat Boko Haram terrorists, he accomplished it by December of the same year.

When Gen. Buratai vowed to reclaim all the 17 local government areas seized by Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, he delivered them to the natives and Nigeria within record time. And similarly, he told Nigerians that he will demystify and dismantle Sambisa forest, Boko Haram’s most secured protective fortress, he delivered it to Nigerians as Christmas gift in December 2016.

Gen. Buratai has promised to completely eliminate Boko Haram /ISWAP terrorists and he is working assiduously with troops to give Nigerians the final peace and security on terrorism. He is a soldier and leader, who keeps his words sacrosanct. That is why the awards still keep coming in his honour.

Longpet wrote this piece from University of Brighton, United Kingdim.