FOREVER ON OUR MINDS

US confirms airstrike against Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia


The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Thursday confirmed that African Union forces and US Advisors launched an airstrike against Al-Shabaab as part of counter-terrorism exercise on January 7.

AFRICOM said in a statement received on Thursday that the "self-defence strike" was conducted against an Al-Qaida-associated terrorist group in Gaduud, a town in north of Kismayo in southern Somalia, Xinhua news agency reported.

"During a counter-terrorism operation to disrupt Al-Shabaab, the combined partner forces observed Al-Shabaab fighters threatening their safety and security," Africom was quoted as saying.

AFRICOM said Washington conducted a self-defense strike to neutralise the threat but no enemy fighters were killed.

"The US remains committed to our partners in eliminating terrorism and advancing security in the region," it said.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2017/jan/13/us-confirms-airstrike-against-al-shabaab-fighters-in-somalia-1559198.html

#NN

#Libya: An #LAF MiG conducted an air raid targeting #MSCD on the outskirts of #Derna

#Mali: The motorcycle wreckage from today's IED blast outside the ANPE office in #Kidal which resulted in two dead.

#AFSF
#SF

bidexiii:
#AFSF
#SF

f
It appears our AFSF are the elite of the elite in Nigerian SF community

thelegend1:
f
It appears our AFSF are the elite of the elite in Nigerian SF community

The AFSF are still new and they still av a long way to beat the NN SBSC achievement.

TROOPS INTENSIFY CLEARANCE OPERATIONS

As part of the clearance operations of remnants and fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in the north east, troops have continuously been carrying out raids, patrols and cordon operations.

It is in that regards that troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, 22 Brigade, Nigerian Army on Operation LAFIYA DOLE, conducted joint operations with vigilantes and civilian JTF in suspected Boko Haram terrorists hide outs in their area of responsibility.

Within the last two days, they have carried out quite a number of patrols and clearance operations in various villages and towns in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

On Thursday 13th January 2017, with the assistance of some local vigilantes and civilian JTF, the troops carried out fighting patrols and clearance operations in Awada and Sinbaya villages.

During the operations, the troops met stiff resistance towards Sinbaya from suspected Boko Haram terrorists in which they neutralized 8 terrorists.

They also carried out similar clearance operation at Anaduwa village where they removed Boko Haram terrorists flags and recovered 4 Isuzu vehicles and 3 motorcycles.

The troops also rescued 37 persons held captives; comprising 23 women and 14 children.

Yesterday, they also carried out a joint patrol to Talwari village which served as harbour area for Boko Haram terrorists as well as Agulari, Kirinari, Gubdori and Yale villages.

Although the terrorists have abandoned the locations, the troops observed suspected Boko Haram terrorists activities such as abandoned flags in the area.

They also arrested the terrorists food store keeper and recovered 2 Isuzu vehicles, grinding machines and vehicles workshop.

In addition, they recovered 5 Pump Action Guns, 2 Pumping machines, 8 vehicle tyres and 1 battery.

The troops proceeded to Dagumba, Boboshe, Kajeri, Boskoro and Saleri and cleared the areas.

The troops discovered and destroyed suspected Boko Haram terrorists night market at Boboshe and neutralized 5 terrorists.

They also rescued 21 persons held by the Boko Haram terrorists that comprise of 12 women and 9 children.

The patrol also recovered 1 Toyota truck at Kajeri and arrested 1 Boko Haram terrorist in Boskoro village.

However, a soldier sustained an injury during the clearance operation. He is receiving medical attention and is in stable condition.

The operations to rid Nigeria territory of remaining Boko Haram terrorists elements is ongoing.

Members of the public are reminded to pass information on suspicious persons in their environs to security agencies.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations

MORE.

CONCLUSION.

Boko Haram’s resilience baffled us – Buratai


http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/boko-haram-s-resilience-baffled-us-buratai/180774.html#sbPSg5PyZVzewm8P.99

Chibok Girls: FG invites BBOG for search in Sambisa


The Federal Government has invited members of the Bring Our Girls Back (BBOG) to a short trip in a military operational flight into Sambisa forest in search of the missing Chibok girls.

The invitation extended to members of the BBOG, an advocacy group for the release of the missing school girls from Chibok, Borno, was contained in a letter dated Jan. 11.

The letter signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and addressed to Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, the convener of the group was made available to the media on Saturday.

In the letter, the government asked the BBOG to nominate three of its members to join on the guided trip on Jan. 16 in recognition of the unwavering commitment of the group to the release of the girls

“The trip being planned by the military will see the ministers of defence and information, the Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Army Staff joining the invited BBOG members and a select group of journalists.

“They will first go to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Command Centre in Yola to witness firsthand the efforts being made to search for the girls by NAF and then join the day and night sorties with the BAF to the Sambisa Forest.

“Please note that due to limited seats on the search plane, only two of the invited BBOG members will join the NAF sorties.

“After the sorties, the team will return to Yola for bidding by the NAF on their daily search for the girls as well as all those who have been abducted by Boko Haram.

“Departure is scheduled for 8.30a.m. at the Air Force wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday the  Jan. 17, 2017, ” the letter reads in part.

The government stated that the trip would avail the BBOG the opportunity to witness and better understand the efforts being made to secure the freedom of the girls and other victims of Book Haram terrorists. (NAN)

Boko Haram’s consistent attacks


ON Wednesday, the Nigerian Army announced that it had recovered the corpses of an officer and 15 soldiers earlier declared missing during the operation to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from Gashigar area of Borno State on October 16 last year. The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Lucky Irabor, speaking during a weekly review of ‘Operation Rescue Final’ at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State, said the departed had since been buried at the Maimalari Cantonment cemetery with full military honours. Sadly, two soldiers were killed by Boko Haram terrorists on Tuesday in Mate in Borno State, during an engagement with the Army, although the terror group suffered heavy casualties.

As we noted in our previous comment on the fall of Boko Haram’s stronghold, Sambisa forest, in Borno State last month, the terror group was bound to be more deadly after the dispersal of its members by the armed forces while launching the operation to capture the stronghold. While many in Nigeria and abroad justly celebrated the capture of the dreaded Sambisa forest, the Nigerian military, fully apprised of that reality, had indeed cautioned Nigerians last month to be wary of Boko Haram members who were fleeing the North-East in droves after losing territory and personnel to Nigerian soldiers. Sadly, developments since December have confirmed our, and the military’s, worst fears, as the terror group has mounted a series of devastating attacks in the North-East while carrying out surveillance activities in other parts of the country with a view to unleashing terror on them in the nearest possible time. Happily, however, the security agencies would appear to have been on top of their game, smoking out the terrorists from their hideouts and giving the nation regular updates.

On Tuesday, the Borno State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) gave the cheering news that it had discovered the ‘countdown timer’ used by Boko Haram terrorists to detonate explosives, while the Department of State Security (DSS) announced that its operatives had arrested13 Boko Haram suspects in various parts of Nigeria, including Lagos State. According to the DSS, four members of the sect suspected to have fled to Lagos to evade arrest in the ongoing military offensive in the North-East were arrested in the Oko Oba area of Lagos, while nine others were picked up in various parts of the country. Indeed, DSS Operatives had captured two fleeing Boko Haram terrorists at Mutum Biyu in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State on New Year day.

Given the foregoing, we call on the security agencies to scale up their intelligence gathering mechanisms and ensure a more active collaboration, with a view to defeating the ignoble objectives of the terror group, however carefully worked out. We also call on state governments across the country to take more than a passing interest in the activities of the security agencies as they strive hard to safeguard the security of lives and property of the citizenry. The security agencies should be provided with all the logistic and moral support that they need to succeed in the effort to defeat terror.

In the same vein, we call on the military authorities to ensure that the labour of the fallen men and officers of the armed forces is amply rewarded through the payment of their entitlements to the devastated families they left behind. In the same vein, the families of DSS operatives, policemen and men of the paramilitary agencies who paid the supreme price during the various counter-terrorism operations should be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. It would certainly be inhuman to subject the members of the grieving families to harrowing experiences while trying to claim the entitlements of their departed breadwinners. In this connection, we urge that the process be stripped of undue bureaucracy.

Finally, we call on the security agencies to ensure that the lessons learnt during the various operations in which they have lost officers and men are borne in mind in future battle plans, and that the counter-terrorism mechanisms are always subjected to periodic and timely review. We salute the sacrifices of the nation’s security agencies in the effort to defeat terror. May the souls of the departed gallant officers and men rest in sweet repose.

NA SOLDIER POSES WITH AN INPROVISED MOBILE ROCKET LUNCHER

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN HEROES TODAY

ECOWAS CHIEFS OF DEFENCE STAFF BRAINSTORMS ON GAMBIAN POLITICAL IMPASSE

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has hosted some ECOWAS CDS's at the Defence Headquarters, (DHQ) Abuja as part of efforts to mitigate the political impasse in Gambia following the refusal of President Yahya Jammeh to hand over power to the president elect, Adama Barrow after he lost the December 1 2016 election.

While welcoming the participants and ECOWAS officials to DHQ, General Olonisakin expressed the readiness of regional leaders and military commanders to continue the pursuit of dialogue with the political leaders of Gambia and ensure peaceful transition of power in accordance with the Gambian's constitution and the peoples will.

Notable dignitaries at the event included the chairperson of ECOWAS CDS, General Ziankahn of Liberia, General CH Gueye of Senegal ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Hajiya Salamatu, Vice President of the Commission, the Ghanian Chief of Defence Staff and Principal Staff Officers from Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force Headquarters.

PHOTO NEWS; 2017 ARMED FORCE'S REMEMBRANCE DAY.

MORE...

Zambian military deployed to battle armyworm invasion.......


http://africa.cgtn.com/2017/01/15/zambian-military-deployed-to-battle-armyworm-invasion/

bidexiii:
NA SOLDIER POSES WITH AN INPROVISED MOBILE ROCKET LUNCHER

oga bidex what you have there is the type 67 107mm rocket launcher from China ,never knew that Nigeria army possessed such in its arsenal

realnas:
oga bidex what you have there is the type 67 107mm rocket launcher from China ,never knew that Nigeria army possessed such in its arsenal

Am not sure if it ours. It might be from our neighbouring countries in the CION and it might be ours.

It was during the civil war NA used such rockets, from the civil war pictures av seeing.

#CION

Oga bidexiii, you guys are not opining much about this pending Gambian adventure abi na misadventure ?

I can see from our buddy beegeagle's twitter handle, that he is Gung ho aka hawkish about a military assault.

Methinks, that the only valid reason Nigeria has for getting mixed up in another west African adventure, is to re exert our political and military leadership in the sub region, and eventually, Africa as a whole.


But the buhari government has not made our military prowess a priority, even though internal and external military challenges are multiplying by the day.
And just in case folks have not been paying attention, they are as follows.

(1) The Fulani herdsmen and their mercenaries (the actual killers) versus All the six regional zones in Nigeria. This is actually the number 1 threat facing Nigeria, and it could escalate and spread like wild fire if all relevant authorities don't sober up.

(2) Nigeria versus BHTs. This is now a regional threat. Our military under general Buratai is finally on the ball. They have BHTs on the run but it ain't over. If given space to breath, they will reconstitute and hit back harder in no time.

Here, we need resources helicopters, APCs, MRAPS, turbo prop COIN planes etc.

(3) The NIGER DELTA.
(a) The rebels vs oil pipelines (i.e our economy )
(b) Ijaw versus other ND ethnic groups.
(c) rebel moves against economic interests in Akwa Ibom and Lagos states.
(d) The political party inspired cult problems in rivers state elections.

(4) In the south east, crime, kidnappers and the IPOB issue.

(5) Shite versus sunni ( The authorities )

(6) Banditry and cattle rustling in the north west.

And the list goes on.


I understand that PMB is dealing with a cash crunch caused by the plummeting of oil prices, and the last administration spent and looted us blind, instead of invest in infrastructure in a meaningful way.

BUT a state has to at least be militarily strong to survive the myriad of challenges facing us. No 2 ways about it.

I mean the entire security infrastructure, has to be well equipped and competent.

Oga PMB, ask the Chinese about an additional 10 billion USD to the 40 billion that we are already requesting of them. And apply the loan to solely Chinese weaponry.

It would be for them, the best security on all their investments. Betting on a security apparatus that depends on refurbishing and repainting 1970 era weapon systems is a fools errand.

As for gambia, all our armor seems to be in the north East. So, either we spend the money on arms to support a foreign policy that befits the giant of Africa, or we sit home, mind our business, and let other more ambitious nations lead.

4 Al-Shabaab militants killed in southwest Somalia


MOGADISHU, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- A joint military operation of the Somali National Army and African Union forces AMISOM has felled at least four militants from the Somali-based militant group Al-Shabaab in the country's southwest region, a local administrator has said.

Abshir Moalim Sharif, district deputy commissioner in Dinsoor district in Bakool region told the media on Sunday that the forces launched ambush at the militants in a village outside Dinsoor town killing four and inflicting injuries to several others.

"Somali forces and AMISOM this morning killed four Al-Shabaab fighters and injured several others in Rahoole village outside Dinsoor town. One officer sustained injuries but our forces now have full control of the area" said Sharif.

The allied forces have been hitting several Al-Shabaab hideouts in southwest and central Somalia as it reinforces its force to secure the ongoing parliamentary elections in Somalia.

Senatorial and Lower House elections for the breakaway region of Somaliland are still going on in Mogadishu.

Security has largely been beefed up in Mogadishu ahead of presidential poll expected to take place this month.


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/16/c_135984433.htm

MORE..

University Professor Killed By Suicide Bombers At The University Of Maiduguri.



*********WARNING GORE IMAGES INSIDE************




http://saharareporters.com/2017/01/16/university-professor-killed-suicide-bombers-university-maiduguri

Remembering the Polycarps and martyrs of Nigerian Air Force



“It is the cause, and not the death, that makes martyrs” – Napoleon (1769-1821)

Those acquainted with church history would have heard or read about Polycarp of Smyrna, in Asia Minor. A Greek by origin, Polycarp was accounted to be a disciple of John the Apostle and ally to others who had seen the Lord. Given his apostolic affinity, Polycarp was said to be an ardent believer of the gospel, having lived in harmony with the scriptures. He later became the Bishop of the church in Smyrna (in modern Izmir in Turkey) during the church formative stage, and at a time that its persecution was rife. As a church leader, Polycarp opposed many of the Roman traditions such as idol worshipping, and heretics of the Christian faith, hence he was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on account of his faith. Failing to renounce his faith, Polycarp was sentenced to death by burning. Because his captors were not done with him, history has it that Polycarp was also stabbed even as his body roasts to the great beyond. Today, it is told of Polycarp, on account of his death, that he became the first martyr of the post-new testament era in Smyrna. Polycarp, till date, is admired as a significant church leader and his death celebrated every February 23 especially by the Eastern Orthodox Christians.

To borrow the words of Napoleon (1769-1821), what makes one a martyr is not the death but the cause. The Cambridge, and Oxford Advanced Leaner’s, Dictionary, defines ‘martyr’ as someone who suffers much or is killed because of his/her religious or political beliefs, and is often admired because of it. While, historically, martyrs appear to be synonymous with religious faithful, today it is no longer an expression that is restricted to the religious parlance. The word, in actual sense, can be used to describe a wide range of people from all walks of life including the military. The distinctive attributes of a martyr, which include personal denial, selfless sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to a noble cause, even in the face of danger or death, are all found in the profession of arms. So, like Polycarp, there are many martyrs among the men and women of our Armed Forces, whose demise and unquantifiable contributions to our nation building are worth celebrating. Each year, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) provides such opportunity to remember these gallant men and women who, as members of our Armed Forces, died serving our fatherland. For us in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), today’s remembrance celebration reechoes the sweet memories of our fallen heroes in blue uniforms who, at the expense of their lives, have paid the huge cost of preserving our sovereignty as a nation as well as the freedom and security of the rest of us.

The NAF, in recent past, has lost a number of gallant officers and men to the counter insurgency and counter terrorist operation in the North East, as well as to other internal security operations across the country. The very first NAF casualty of the Boko Haram insurgency was Sergeant Umar Abubakar slaughtered by the insurgents on 25 July 2013 in Maiduguri. This heart wrecking incident was followed by the death of Flight Lieutenant Akweke Junior Nwakile who died in a helicopter crash on 21 July 2014 while on a training mission south of Bama, Borno State. The missing Alpha Jet (NAF/466), involving Group Captain Abdulrasheed Bamidele Braimoh and Wing Commander Chinda Hedima, is also a case to remember on this special occasion. The aircraft went down on 12 September 2014 at Kauri while undertaking an air interdiction mission against the Boko Haram Terrorists. Whereas the death of Wing Commander Hedima has been confirmed by own soldier who witnessed his killing by the terrorists, the fate of his co-pilot, Group Captain Braimoh, is yet uncertain for now as nothing definite points to his demise. While earnestly pray and hope for his return, the air of uncertainty about his whereabouts necessitated the current stance by the NAF that he is still missing in action.

The NAF again recorded the unfortunate loss of Group Captain Ubong Akpan and Master Warrant Officer Hosea Zabesan in another helicopter crash on 13 November 2014. The duo had embarked on an operational flight against the insurgents but went down near Yola, Adamawa State. The painful death of Flying Officer Duke Toryem on 21 May 2015 is another case to remember. The young officer was on patrol when his vehicle stepped on landmine planted by the Boko Haram Terrorists. Furthermore, one cannot but appreciate the role of Flight Lieutenant Ebitimi Owei in the collective effort to restore peace to the North East. Late Owei, an F-7Ni pilot, crashed due to bad weather in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State while returning to base after successfully undertaking an interdiction mission against the insurgents on 28 August 2015. The victims of the ill-fated Dornier 228 aircraft that crashed in Kaduna is another death too many to remember at a time like this. The crew, along with passengers onboard, had gone down in the line of duty on 28 August 2015 while on flight from Kaduna to Abuja. These heroes include Squadron Leader Adekunle Suara, Flying Officer Kehinde Olaniran, Warrant Officer Akpan Etim and ACW Naomi Abegunde.

While we can only pray as colleagues that God will grant repose to the souls of these departed great Nigerians, it is hoped that their deaths will not be in vain as fellow Nigerians continue to appreciate their sacrifice while the government remains committed to cater for the welfare needs of the families they left behind. In this regard, it is gratifying to note that the NAF is doing a lot to immortalize its fallen heroes. The NAF, under the leadership of Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of the Air Staff, has undertaken a number of developmental projects, some of which are named after the fallen heroes. The NAF has also continued to provide befitting houses to the families to live in, in addition to prompt and timely payment of full benefits. The NAF, of recent, has also introduced skill acquisition programmes for widows and orphans of deceased personnel in order to empower them for self-reliance. These gestures are no doubt commendable as they are pointers to the fact that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day is much more that wreath laying or mere ceremony to offer respect to the departed. While, in addition, it reminds us of our collective responsibility towards the families of those who have paid the supreme price in their service to our nation, and it is indeed another avenue for boosting the morale of those still serving.

* Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa is the Director of Public Relations & Information for the Nigerian Air Force

LIGHTNING OF CANDLE FOR FALLEN HEROES OF OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE

The Nigerian Fallen Heroes Foundation has today honoured troops of Operation Lafiya Dole who have paid supreme sacrifice for ensuring peace and security in North Eastern Nigerian. The foundation honoured the troops by lightning a candle at 6 pm at Mahmud Rebadu Square Yola after the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade and wreath laying.

According to the executive secretary of the foundation Miss Amamda Mustapha she said the aim of the foundation is to promote a culture of gratitude in Nigerian for the selfless service of men and women of Armed Forces by honoring and supporting the families they left behind through various program and initiatives. Additionally she said, the foundation is to enlighten Nigerians to respect the fallen heroes and to assist the families they left behind.

Amamda said the first and second edition of light candle took place in Abuja during the 2015 and 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration. She said the foundation decided to conduct the third edition in North East selecting Yola as the venue considering the gallantry performance by members of the Armed Forces in degrading Bokoharam terrorist and bringing peace to the people.

The commander 23 brigade Brig Gen Benson Akinroluyo said for such an NGO to recognize the effort of the Armed Forces for ensuring peace in our country will boost the moral of troops and give courage to the families of the fallen heroes.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with the military to rid out.
bokoharam in the North East especially now that Sambisa forest is under the control of the military.

The commander 153 Base Service Group Air commodore AA Kassimu said the military will not relent in it efforts in pursuing bokoharam in thier hide out.

From Maj Adamu Yahaya Ngulde
Assistant Director Army Public Relations
23 Brigade

TROOPS RECOVER BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS BODIES AND GRENADE

Troops of 119 Task Force Battalion of 7 Brigade Nigerian Army on Operation LAFIYA DOLE while on mop up and clearance patrol today, came across graves of Boko Haram terrorists that escaped with gun shot wounds and died after an encounter on 13th January 2017 and buried in shallow graves.

Similarly, the troops recovered a 36 Hand Grenade and one 12.7 X 108mm round of ammunition concealed by the terrorists.

The troops have continued their patrols by dominating the general area of Baga, Kangarwa and Dogonchikun with a view to intercepting fleeing Boko Haram terrorists.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations

doziex:
Oga bidexiii, you guys are not opining much about this pending Gambian adventure abi na misadventure ?

I can see from our buddy beegeagle's twitter handle, that he is Gung ho aka hawkish about a military assault.

Methinks, that the only valid reason Nigeria has for getting mixed up in another west African adventure, is to re exert our political and military leadership in the sub region, and eventually, Africa as a whole.


But the buhari government has not made our military prowess a priority, even though internal and external military challenges are multiplying by the day.
And just in case folks have not been paying attention, they are as follows.

(1) The Fulani herdsmen and their mercenaries (the actual killers) versus All the six regional zones in Nigeria. This is actually the number 1 threat facing Nigeria, and it could escalate and spread like wild fire if all relevant authorities don't sober up.

(2) Nigeria versus BHTs. This is now a regional threat. Our military under general Buratai is finally on the ball. They have BHTs on the run but it ain't over. If given space to breath, they will reconstitute and hit back harder in no time.

Here, we need resources helicopters, APCs, MRAPS, turbo prop COIN planes etc.

(3) The NIGER DELTA.
(a) The rebels vs oil pipelines (i.e our economy )
(b) Ijaw versus other ND ethnic groups.
(c) rebel moves against economic interests in Akwa Ibom and Lagos states.
(d) The political party inspired cult problems in rivers state elections.

(4) In the south east, crime, kidnappers and the IPOB issue.

(5) Shite versus sunni ( The authorities )

(6) Banditry and cattle rustling in the north west.

And the list goes on.


I understand that PMB is dealing with a cash crunch caused by the plummeting of oil prices, and the last administration spent and looted us blind, instead of invest in infrastructure in a meaningful way.

BUT a state has to at least be militarily strong to survive the myriad of challenges facing us. No 2 ways about it.

I mean the entire security infrastructure, has to be well equipped and competent.

Oga PMB, ask the Chinese about an additional 10 billion USD to the 40 billion that we are already requesting of them. And apply the loan to solely Chinese weaponry.

It would be for them, the best security on all their investments. Betting on a security apparatus that depends on refurbishing and repainting 1970 era weapon systems is a fools errand.

As for gambia, all our armor seems to be in the north East. So, either we spend the money on arms to support a foreign policy that befits the giant of Africa, or we sit home, mind our business, and let other more ambitious nations lead.

Well said mate;

Gambian leader, Yahya Jammeh, has accused West African regional body, ECOWAS, of declaring war against his country for refusal to step down at the end of  his mandate this month. Jammeh, who accused ECOWAS of  putting forces on alert in case he refused to step down, has vowed to stay in power despite losing a Dec. 1 election to rival Adama Barrow. He also promised to defend Gambia against any outside aggression, in a New Year speech broadcast on state TV.

Senegal is to lead military intervention to remove Jammeh if all dialogue fails, says ECOWAS and the Nigerian military authorities has set aside 800 men & women strong military personnel and I'll say that's not bad on our part. In my own opinion I don't think the ECOWAS will wage war against Jammeh, the only thing they can do his to fight him with sanctions.

Has you av highlighted some brilliant reasons why the Nigerian Armed Forces is too over stretched to fight a war out side her borders and the in-availability of hardware & equipment to engage in such wars. Considering ourselves as a member state of ECOWAS and as key-role player we have to play our part if the call is being made.

But the truth is Jammeh will still remain President Gambia .

#Libya- LNA releases map depicting situation in southern #Benghazi, closing of the militants' pocket in Bussanib .