This country is sleepwalking to a full-blown civil war but its nationals are still obsessed with petty tribalism, APC v PDP, the daily grind and Ebola hysteria. Towns in Bornu State continue to fall to Boko Haram who now seem to have a large contingent of foreign jihadists fighting in their ranks, the commander of Boko Haram in Damboa is reportedly from Sudan. The blog post below is illustrative of the challenges we face :

9TH/10TH August Nigeria SITREP (Boko Haram)

Fighting In Damboa

On 5th August 2014, elements of the 7th Infantry Division, Nigerian Army, backed by light attack jets of the Nigerian Airforce, commenced an assault to dislodge combined Boko Haram forces in control of Damboa Town and surrounding areas in Damboa Local Government Area (LGA), of Borno State, that the insurgents captured earlier in July.

At the same time, the insurgents captured their second local government seat and urban settlement in WarZone South, when they seized Gwoza Town (population 72,000) the headquarters of the LGA of the same name and some 30-40km from the Cameroonian border.

Damboa Town

The military assault on Damboa followed the Damboa-Maiduguri Highway. Sources estimated that the military force was around 850 soldiers including 160 Special Forces operators (trained by US Special Forces- 10th Special Forces Group, and American Private Military Contractors paid for by the Pentagon, State Department, CIA, and interestingly, Homeland Security.

The insurgents on the other hand, had an estimated 1,000 fighters inside Damboa Town and some 3,000 men, in the other parts of the LGA. Insurgent forces were drawn strictly from Ansorul-Muslimiin and Harakatul-Muhajiriin.

In a sign of the insurgents
adaptability and symbiosis, sources tell me that the fighters originally in charge of defending Damboa were from the Jamaa’atu Ahlis-Sunnah of Sheikh Bukar, but they were pulled out on Friday 1st August and deployed to fight in the Gwoza battlefield, while the bulk of Ansorul-Muslimiin and Harakatul-Muhajiriin forces ( probably 10,000 or 12,000 men combined total) were pulled out of the Cameroon Front, the Mandara Mountains and other areas of Northeast Nigeria, to hold, defend and consolidate insurgent controlled territory i.e WarZone South

The strategic reasoning behind the current offensive of the Boko Haram/Yusufiyya in Northern Cameroon and WarZone South is simple. The insurgents are creating ’liberated’ territory inside Nigeria, and establishing their authority on the ground. And after realizing that their policy of not antagonizing Yauonde was not paying off (since Cameroon under intense French, American and Nigerian pressure has been preparing to flush out the rear bases of Ansorul-Muslimiin and Harakatul-Muhajiriin from its territory), the insurgents have opened a second front in Cameroon and are carrying out a long prepared contingency plan to destabilize Northern Cameroon and secure their rear bases.

Calculating that Cameroon cannot withstand the pressure of fighting a sophisticated and rapidly growing insurgency, they are turning up the heat in Northern Cameroon gradually. Some sources say if Paul Biya (Cameroon’s President) does not take the not-so-subtle hint, Harakatul-Muhajiriin (undoubtedly the elite of the four Yusufiyya groups) may create a proxy Cameroonian militancy out of its several hundred Cameroonian operatives it has recruited and trained for fighting in Nigeria, and unleash it on Yaoude.

To be able to transition from insurgent forces to parallel states (like Chairman Mao and the Chinese Communists did in Yunnan during the Chinese Civil War and World War II), the rebels need to be able to move their camps and forces from Cameroon back cross the border to Nigeria (WarZone South), and they also need to be able to draw supplies and have a line of retreat/safe zone where they can always move back into inside Cameroon if their ‘liberated’ territories are ever in danger of being overrun by Nigerian forces.

To establish facts-on-the-ground or de facto sovereign territory, which from all indications is Southern Borno and South Yobe (while their fellow Yusufis-whom they are wary of- Jamaa’atu Ahlis-Sunnah of Abubakar Shekau replicate the same strategy in North Yobe and parts of Northern Borno), the trio of Ansorul-Muslimiin, Harakatul-Muhajiriin and Jamaa’atu Ahlis-Sunnah (Sheikh Bukar Al-Barnawi) need to hold on to Damboa (which cuts off Maiduguri from South Borno), and Gwoza (which provides the most hardened and secure route –from a military perspective- into Cameroon, as the Nigerian Military is non-existent in these areas save some few outposts, while the terrain is mountainous and easily held).

The Nigerian Army assault on Damboa Town began before daylight on Tuesday 5th August 2014, with Special Forces (Nigerian Army) raids on insurgent outposts at the approaches of the town. Forewarned about the military’s battle plan, the Joint Yusufiyya commander of the town’s defenders, said by my sources to be Abu Musa Al-Jaali As-Sudani (real names unknown) a Sudanese commander in Harakatul-Muhajiriin, ordered a retreat from the indefensible outposts to the more defendable , while he and his men prepared to engage the attacking soldiers.

The Special Forces raids were followed by aerial bombardment of rebel-held positions inside the town and surrounding areas by the 79th Composite Group and the 75th Strike Group of the Nigerian Airforce based in Maiduguri, which lasted thirty minutes.

The initial ground assault by the infantrymen of 7th Infantry Division backed by AFVs (Armoured Fighting Vehicles) and half a dozen T-55s/T-64s was engaged by the insurgents at Duniyari, and after several hours of fighting in which the insurgents employed RPG-7s (according to an Army source) and a few 9K11 Malyutka (NATO reporting name AT-3 Sagger) anti-tank missiles, the Army’s attack was repulsed.
However this was a feint attack.

A simultaneous prong (containing the main force) was also launched at the time the Duniyari engagement began. Under aerial, gunship and artillery fire the advancing soldiers succeeded in entering Damboa Town, but met stiff resistance from the insurgents who used booby traps, RPGs, snipers and IEDs to slow the soldiers before fighters opened fire on them from inside houses (abandoned by their residents) and courtyard, and also from heavily entrenched positions. Using 12.5mm and 57mm Anti-Aircraft Artillery guns, rebels rendered impotent the air cover the Nigerian Airforce was providing to the Army (the NAF uses mostly Dornier Alpha Jets, MEB-339s, L-39s and F-7s, a few of the MEB-339s and Alpha Jets were the air cover for the battle, two were reportedly damaged by ground Triple A fire).

Despite Nigerian Government sponsored disinformation, sources on both sides confirm that 70% of Damboa Town is under rebel control, 10% is held by the Army, while 20% is contested.

However the situation is still very fluid and can change at any time. But as now, the whole of Damboa Town and surrounding areas are controlled by the rebels except the highway to Maiduguri.

NB: On the evening of Friday 8th and the morning of Saturday 9th insurgent counter-attacks pushed the Army out of Damboa totally and resulted in a retreat by the soldiers to Government-held positions along the highway to Maiduguri the state capital. Two US Army advisors were reportedly present at during the Nigerian Army’s assault, along with an unidentified American ‘civilian’ who was introduced as ‘William Reid’.

http://fulansitrep./

PS: I do not regard the above as 100% accurate but I believe the gist of it - if the Nigerian army had recaptured Damboa, they should be able to show pictures of our troops in the town proper and not just on the highways which tallies with the blog post's claim that the troops only hold the highway.

There is a serious onslaught in the world against Christians by Islam and the government of various countries.


The funny thing is that Christians are busy denying this. Look at what is happening in India, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, America, Europe, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.

We Christians are busy playing church and denomination. Busy chasing shadows like prosperity, healing, breakthrough, etc.

What a shame.

I earnestly pray for the revival of the church of Christ world wide.

Just like I have been saying , this is no longer just a terrorist group but boko haram has transformed into a full fledged rebel army with soldiers,arms and logistics enough to withstand the might of the nigerian army. Their main aim is to take over borno ,this issue is no longer about apc or pdp but a real war against a rebel movement

onatisi: Just like I have been saying , this is no longer just a terrorist group but boko haram has transformed into a full fledged rebel army with soldiers,arms and logistics enough to withstand the might of the nigerian army. Their main aim is to take over borno ,this issue is no longer about apc or pdp but a real war against a rebel movement

It's a downright bizarre country. If you look at the front page, what grips attention is APC v PDP. These parties are proxies through which tribal wars are fought.

The situation in the North-East is deteriorating fast but Nigerians think it doesn't affect them. That will change in the coming years as the reality of war is brought closer to people's doorsteps.

onatisi: Just like I have been saying , this is no longer just a terrorist group but boko haram has transformed into a full fledged rebel army with soldiers,arms and logistics enough to withstand the might of the nigerian army. Their main aim is to take over borno ,this issue is no longer about apc or pdp but a real war against a rebel movement

What you and I should pray for is that BH take over the far North and declare Arewanistan republic

That action will free the rest of the country to focus on developmental programs that will help us catch up with other developed nations

This report has been overtaken by the event of 9/8/2014

Tyche: This report has been overtaken by the event of 9/8/2014

On the contrary. The event of 9/8/2014 indicates that Boko Haram is in complete control of Bama, Gwoza and Damboa

dude i would have believe you if not that the BBC publicise the news before even the military confirm it. according to THE BBC CORESONDENT 100 of terrorist were killed. and the town is in control of the military

If Nigeria wants to win the war against Boko Haram, they have to realise it is unfair to ask we moslim soldiers to fight against fellow muslims.
Like they did during the civil war, northern moslims should not be made to fight against their brothers.
They should be sent to military formations in the North West while other soldiers can tackle this dare-devil mujahedeen.

Why don't the Nigerian authorities organise a food and economic blockade of the entire north east!? Sure some innocent people will be caught up in it, but the important thing is to end this thing quickly so more people don't die!

Oh, and the people caught up in the planned blockade shouldn't take it personal......we still love them all, but this is for their own good!


PS- They shouldn't forget to strafe their markets, rice and millet fields too.......just so the 'fuc'kers' get the message that we mean business! No feeding of the 'enemy' will be tolerated!

Rikidony: dude i would have believe you if not that the BBC publicise the news before even the military confirm it. according to THE BBC CORESONDENT 100 of terrorist were killed. and the town is in control of the military

Stop deceiving yourself. Dont fall for the cheap lies emanating from the defence HQ. Boko Haram is firmly rooted in Bama, Gwoza and Damboa

lakhadimar: Stop deceiving yourself. Dont fall for the cheap lies emanating from the defence HQ. Boko Haram is firmly rooted in Bama, Gwoza and Damboa

Do you have proof of the above Or do you stay in any of those places Do you have any other source apart from the media houses

I wonder where is the caretaker chairman,and what is Gov. Shettima doing about all these...

lakhadimar: Stop deceiving yourself. Dont fall for the cheap lies emanating from the defence HQ. Boko Haram is firmly rooted in Bama, Gwoza and Damboa

AM NOT BELIEVING ON THE DEFENCE HQ STORY. I HEARD THIS STORY FIRST ON THE BBC WITH ITS CORRESPONDENT ON GROUND DAMBOA WAS TAKEN FROM THE TERRORIST WITH HUNDREDS ON INSURGENTS KILLED UNDER A 2DAYS BATTLE

4Play:

It's a downright bizarre country. If you look at the front page, what grips attention is APC v PDP. These parties are proxies through which tribal wars are fought.

The situation in the North-East is deteriorating fast but Nigerians think it doesn't affect them. That will change in the coming years as the reality of war is brought closer to people's doorsteps.

one thing which is scary is if the army with all its weapons and soldiers is finding it hard to retake a lg or town how will they be able to retake a whole state if boko haram takes one?

tit: If Nigeria wants to win the war against Boko Haram, they have to realise it is unfair to ask we moslim soldiers to fight against fellow muslims.
Like they did during the civil war, northern moslims should not be made to fight against their brothers.
They should be sent to military formations in the North West while other soldiers can tackle this dare-devil mujahedeen.

so u now accept that Boko Haram are muslim

EasternLeopard:

What you and I should pray for is that BH take over the far North and declare Arewanistan republic

That action will free the rest of the country to focus on developmental programs that will help us catch up with other developed nations

pray they are flUshed out because bh won't rest until they take over all

jusRadical: There is a serious onslaught in the world against Christians by Islam and the government of various countries.


The funny thing is that Christians are busy denying this. Look at what is happening in India, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, America, Europe, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.

We Christians are busy playing church and denomination. Busy chasing shadows like prosperity, healing, breakthrough, etc.

What a shame.

I earnestly pray for the revival of the church of Christ world wide.

I have a question, is there any law in the new testament banning Christians from defending themselves?

I don't really get it why we always fold our hands not just in Nigeria but world over and watch these savages butcher fellow Christians with reckless abandon.

onatisi: pray they are flUshed out because bh won't rest until they take over all

Give them far North as arewanistan republic

EasternLeopard:

Give them far North as arewanistan republic

you don't seem to understand the mentality of these groups , once they conquer a place they. Will be embolden to conquer more ,they are like oliver twist

onatisi: you don't seem to understand the mentality of these groups , once they conquer a place they. Will be embolden to conquer more ,they are like oliver twist

Resistance against BH will increase under a divided Nigeria because they won't be traitorous Northerners in the securities of the new nations

EasternLeopard:

Resistance against BH will increase under a divided Nigeria because they won't be traitorous Northerners in the securities of the new nations

Moslim soldiers should not be sent to the North East!
It is unfair to ask them to kill their brother moslims!

tit:

Moslim soldiers should not be sent to the North East!
It is unfair to ask them to kill their brother moslims!

Fact

I wonder why the military thinks it is easy to betray/kill a person you grew up with

This is more realistic than the rubbish the government regularly puts out.
Apart from the 10,000 terrorist which I believe is an exaggeration.

The logistics of feeding 10, 000 insurgents would be a daunting nightmare, I do not believe this report.

Intel available to me. Says Nigeria Troops along side special forces unit are fighting hard to secure #loc in hands of the insurgents. This has come with heavy prize due to lack of proper air cover and other necessary weaponry and extraction transport. God bless NA

EasternLeopard:

Fact

I wonder why the military thinks it is easy to betray/kill a person you grew up with

The insurgents are from mali,chad,cameroon,libya,sudan,car. Most of them aint Nigerians. The military infantry branch is made of mostly Northerners

lakhadimar: Stop deceiving yourself. Dont fall for the cheap lies emanating from the defence HQ. Boko Haram is firmly rooted in Bama, Gwoza and Damboa

we need you to convince us in the right way

i dont get you. what do you expect the ordinary nigerian to do?

It is a global agenda to Islamise the whole world. Christians and other religions everywhere, we need to come together and defend ourselves.

The Storm is coming.

EasternLeopard:

Fact

I wonder why the military thinks it is easy to betray/kill a person you grew up with

When the people you grew up with kidnap your children, kill your relatives, and destroy your towns, all bets are off.

nduchucks:

When the people you grew up with kidnap your children, kill your relatives, and destroy your towns, all bets are off.

You will get emotional and make mistakes like we are seeing.
The best thing is to remove all northern moslim soldiers from the NE theatre.
It is not easy for brother to fight brother.