“Even the most well executed attack can be ruined if momentum is lost.”

~Sun Tzu

Lack of political will, low morale of troops and inadequate equipment were the major challenges identified as the cause of defeat to the Nigerian Army in the hands of the insurgents. It was disheartening to know that the Nigerian Army that was highly honored and awarded recognition has peace keepers were undermined by what use to be a rag-tag Boko Haram. The news of demise of some soldiers whom I used to call “professional peacekeepers” jolted me to the reality and enormity of the threat in the North East.

These gallant soldiers were part of peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Somalia, Sudan and many other African countries. But unfortunately, these armies were killed by insurgents in their own country. The height of the insurgency was the capture of towns and cities in Nigeria and hoisting of the Boko Haram flags. As a Nigerian citizen, these period was a very difficult and ignominious moment for the nation.

In February 2015, the National Security Adviser (NSA) requested for a 6 weeks postponement of the general elections inorder to carry out the final onslaught of a military operation codenamed “ZamanLafiya”; designed to remove insurgents out of Nigerian territory. However, many criticised the postponement of the election as it was viewed as a plot by the Government to decelerate the momentum of the political campaigns for political expediency.

According to the military leaders, the operation had been planned before the general elections and denied any political undertone.With the support of the locals, the Nigerian Army were able to carry an all round assault on the insurgent’s base with the state of he art weapons that were delivered before the elections to them.

Village-by-Village, Boko haram insurgents were routed. Even the dreaded “Sambisa Forest” was not spared as it was bombarded and captives were set free. The battle cry was #NEVER AGAIN. Never Again shall our land be annexed by insurgents. Never Again shall we watch and allow insurgents to kill fellow Nigerians with impunity.

The morale of the troops was at its highest. Boko Haram insurgents who had controlled about 14 Local Governments in Nigeria were displaced and scattered all over the Sahara desert. Zaman Lafiya was a military success. When the elections finally came, Nigerians in the North East were able to exercise their franchise without fear of attacks by insurgents.

At an interactive session with friends on the success of the military operation, I opined that though Operation Zaman Lafiya helped in routing the insurgents out of Nigerian soil, it was not yet uhuru. Nigeria must sustain the momentum while preparing for the next stage of the insurgency. It is instructive to note that on March 6th 2015, Boko Haram pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State.

The Islamic State had earlier sent signals to its members and organisations sympathetic to its cause who cannot come to the Middle East, to carry out attacks in their respective domains. On March 12th 2015, the Islamic State in a statement accepted the pledge of allegiance by Boko Haram raising concerns on the future of war against terrorism in Nigeria.

In a dramatic twist, Boko Haram changed its name to Islamic State in West Africa on April 23rd 2015. The reasons for change of modus operandi were not far-fetched. Having suffered an embarrassing defeat from a now better armed and motivated Nigerian Army, they wanted a leeway and the only option was to become an extension of the most notorious and well funded terrorist organization in the world.

These transition period witnessed pockets of isolated attacks by insurgents. In his inaugural speech, the new president reiterated the resolve of the new Government to tackle the insurgents head on and continue where the outgoing Government stopped. To this end, the Military Command was moved from Abuja to Maiduguri. The move seemed to have stirred the Hornets net as Insurgents went on rampage 24hrs after the announcement, attacking villages and killing helpless Nigerians.

Within a week, over 300 Nigerians were reported dead in the North East from these attacks. The attacks continued almost everyday, raising questions as if we are now back to the heydays of the insurgency. Apart from a press statements condemning the attacks, the new Government has not told the citizens in clear terms how they will contain the new wave of attacks.

10The Military command which was moved to the war front is yet to be fully operational as installation of equipment is still ongoing. The question on the lips of every Nigerian now is “Are we back to scary days of Boko Haram attacks? when will this new attacks stop? What happened to the momentum during the crescendo of Zaman Lafiya? Is this a new challenge? What is the motivating factor for these recent attacks? Who is responsible”?

Boko Haram has killed, maimed, displaced and caused untold hardship, pain to many Nigerians. The New Government promised during their campaigns and inauguration to bring the reign of terror to an end, the resurgence of terrorist activities is a serious source of concern. The Government should be very proactive to face this new challenge and save further destruction of lives and properties. We cannot go back to the heydays of Boko Haram activities. #NEVER AGAIN!

God Bless Nigeria

FootNote; Let me pay special tribute to men and women of the Nigeria Armed Forces and Volunteers of the Civillian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who lost their lives fighting during Operation Zaman Lafiya. May their Patriotic and Brave Souls Rest In Peace. Amen

Source: The FCT Post - http://www.fctpost.com/2015/07/04/the-resurgence-of-insurgents-by-harry-slim-omoakhia/

CC: Lalasticalala - Please move to front page

Never Again

How can we forget the six weeks of military onslaught against Bokoharam

Never again will power hungry ethnocentric minded politicians deceive Nigerians again.

Indeed Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria weren't wrong after all.

Nice write-up op

buhari, election is over, pls call your boys to order. dont turn our never again to finish naija army.

#Never again will agents of ethnic jingoists mortgage our future while campaigning under a mantra be it change or anything else

And even that pre-election time OP is talking about, we were only winning the battle but not the war