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BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter - Politics (6) - Nairaland

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Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by LRNZH(m): 9:58am On Feb 21, 2015
Realist2:
very heart touching and pathetic,i wish GEJ will read this.

This is exactly why we post these articles to increase awareness. Hopefully a solution to te corruption in the Military will be on the way after elections.

I've lost hopein GEJ's ability to do any meaningful clean up like most Nigerians.

1 Like 1 Share

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by thomasjoe1: 10:00am On Feb 21, 2015
1LRNZH:
While the battle to route Boko Haram insurgents within six weeks as promised by the Federal government rages, an army officer, nursing the wounds and deep feelings over the whole incident, spoke exhaustively to Saturday Vanguard about his battle field experiences at Gombe and Yobe axis and why he deserted the profession he loves so much.

His narration which runs like a ‘war memoir’ is as interesting although the military has recorded reasonable success with more equipment with which they have attacked terror camps and killed a great number of them.
However we present to you an interesting account of an officer who deserted the army from the battle front.
Excerpts:

BACKGROUND
‘’I have served Nigerian Army for about twenty years. I enrolled through the regular course.
I have served in almost all formations in the country. I am from the middle Belt part of the country, married with two children, a boy and girl. I have also served in foreign missions in Sierra-leone, Liberia and Dafur and we always came out in flying colours. Sierra-leone and Liberia were for peace enforcement while Dafur was for peace support missions. We fought real battles at Sierra-leone and Liberia for about one year. We were there as a member of ECOWAS and we proved our mettle. It was popularly called ECOMOG. The battles were tense but rewarding in the sense that we were heavily equipped and all we needed for the war were adequately provided for us. During the battles we recorded very minimal casualty though. You know that it is difficult not to record casualties in war situations.


A picture taken on February 17, 2015 shows Cameroonian soldiers patrolling in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol, on the border with Nigeria, after clashes occurred on February 4 between Cameroonian troops and Nigeria-based Boko Haram insurgents. Nigerian Boko Haram fighters went on the rampage in the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol on February 4, massacring dozens of civilians and torching a mosque before being repelled by regional forces AFP PHOTO

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LARGESSE
‘’In spite of the fact that the war was being fought outside Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria under General Abacha provided us with all we needed and when ever we complained of any inadequacy, the Federal government provided them without delay. That was the spirit and we relished and cherished it. It was such that we were all looking forward to being drafted back to continue with the war. But it is a totally different thing with the against Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

FEARS OVER ILL-PREPARATION
This is a war in which almost 95% of our soldiers fear to join. Our fears are not that we were not trained enough to face the challenges but simply because we seem not to be prepared, at all, for the war.
A lot of sabotage, politics and other extraneous factors are seriously inhibiting the success of the war. Unfortunately, we are loosing a lot in men and material. It is so much that whenever the toll will be taken, the world will weep for this country. Already, thousands of families are in deep grief, having lost their dear ones in the war.
As we speak, I have deserted from the battle field at Bajoga, Yobe State.
Let me give you a vivid account of the circumstances that led to my deserting the profession I love so much.

MY STORY
Until the unfortunate and very painful AWOL, I was serving in Bauchi as a Sergeant. While carrying out our normal duties, I was abreast of the ongoing war my colleagues were waging with Boko Haram and I was inwardly praying for an action whenever I would be drafted to the front. Alas, my battalion was informed of a certain foreign mission. I was ecstatic, knowing that we always triumphed during such missions. Unfortunately, when the real action came, I regretted joining the Nigerian army.

FOREIGN MISSION SIGNAL

After the signal came for the mission, we started training from Ohafia in Abia State. Later on, we heard that the operation had been changed from peace keeping in Liberia to Zaman-Lafia in the North East. We thought it was a joke and when we finished the training at Ohafia, we were sent to Jaji in kaduna State. It was at Jaji we realised that the rumour of going to the North East was true and we all knew that it meant going to fight the insurgents called Boko Haram. We were very sad because most of us were due for compensation and that was why they selected us to go for foreign mission. About 90% of us were victims of previous attacks at Bama and other areas and we lost both our loved ones and properties. So, military authorities selected us for foreign mission as a way of compensating us but unfortunately, we were diverted to go and fight Boko Haram insurgents.

MOVEMENT TO GOMBE
We, however, took it in good faith and after we completed our one month training, they moved us to Gombe.
That should be around early January this year. On arrival around 2pm the next day, the Brigade Commander came to address us. To our chagrin, he told us that even members of Boko Haram were aware that we were coming, that they had sent a text message to him that we were coming to attack them with the local hunters and heavy equipment and that they were ready for us.

DISAGREEMENT WITH COMMANDER
The following day, he wanted to move us (about 600) to Mallam-Sidi area of the state but we objected because our Commanding Officer had not come and those heavy tanks, like the APC’s and other supporting weapons were not equipped for the battle ahead.



Soldiers tasked with fighting Boko Haram militants arrive to face trials for mutiny in Abuja on October 2, 2014. Nearly 100 soldiers tasked with fighting Boko Haram militants in Nigeria’s far northeast appeared at a military court martial on Thursday, facing a range of charges including mutiny. The hearing comes just weeks after a tribunal sentenced 12 soldiers to death following their conviction for shooting at their commanding officer in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, in May. AFP PHOTO

The following day when the Commanding Officer came, he compelled us to move to the place, saying that it would be more conducive and safe for us to stay there than being left at the open and ill-equipped barrack in Gombe. We then moved to Mallam-Sidi where we spent almost two weeks before advancing to the war front. While we were there, they told us they were making provision for all those weapons that were not available. And, actually, while there, they brought three armoured tanks, replaced some of the APC’s that were in bad condition and brought new ones.

MOVEMENT TO THE BATTLE FIELD
On a Sunday, precisely on the 8th of February, around 2am, we advanced towards Bajoga, a town between Yobe and Gombe States. We were there before 6am. Before advancing to the battle field,we were fed with tasteless jollof rice that was as dinner. About 9.30 to 10 am we started advancing to the location where the insurgents were. While we were advancing, the three helicopter gun -ships that we were earlier promised would assist in the operation hovered round and landed. Even the Alpha jet came and all of us were jubilant and battle -ready to win at all costs.

HOPE DASHED
However, five minutes before we met with our target, the helicopter and alpha jet disappeared. Even at the peak of the battle, our commander called them for backup but they did not surface.
The battle raged for over four hours, they were surging like locusts towards us with sophisticated weapons including ant-aircraft guns. In conventional wars, such weapons are not used on human beings. They are used to fell air crafts. But, the insurgents use them brazenly to kill our soldiers. It tears human body into shreds on contact.

OUR EQUIPMENT
It is pertinent to let you know how we were equipped for the war. Before the battle, they gave us three armoured tanks, three artillery guns, five APC’s, grenade launchers and AK47 rifles with three magazines per soldier. But on the day we started advancing, only one armoured tank , five APC’s, and artillery guns advanced with us. If we had gone into battle with, at least, the three armoured tanks, nothing would have made us lose the war. As the battle raged, it did not take time for their fire power to surpass ours.

SUICIDE BOMBING

Initially, we had upper hand, but they struck with two golf cars loaded with bombs and dislodged us. It was a suicide mission. The explosion covered the whole area with thick smoke and the insurgents used the opportunity to advance towards us. In the process, we were asked to withdraw because they were coming ferociously. We were killing them but they kept on advancing like bees. Then, it was almost 5pm.

RACE FOR SURVIVIAL
That was how the race for survival by our men started. You know the terrain is a very open and large expanse of land with scanty vegetation. It was just like running in a football field with no place to hide. We ran into a small settlement and they pursued us. They were quite familiar with the terrain but we were not.




We succeeded in crossing the first stagnant river, before we noticed the presence of our alpha jet which started backing us up. That did not deter the insurgents from pursuing and killing our soldiers one by one.

IT IS NOT THE WAR YOU KNOW
While we were running for dear lives, some soldiers were falling by the wayside after losing strength to continue with the long race for survival. In fact, because of the fact that we were not equipped with water bottles, our throats were drying up as we continued running.
It got to a stage when dehydration set in and if you try to swallow saliva, it will be almost impossible and choking. Our spit was so white, slimy and it splattered on the faces of most of us due to exhaustion.

One of the most pathetic cases was that of a colleague who got exhausted and simply collapsed on the ground. He was even pleading with us to continue without him because he could no longer make it. One of our officers, a Lieutenant pleaded that we should lend a helping hand by jointly helping him to continue with us. His plea touched us and we tried our best to help but we were also too exhausted to help offer help.

BUT THE WAR THEY FOUGHT
Nevertheless, some of us tried to help him but we could not continue when we saw the way the insurgents were running towards us. We dropped him and only God knows what happened later.
As we were running, bodies of many of our soldiers, both wounded and killed littered the open field. It was heart-rending seeing a close friend lying helplessly and you could not help because your own life was in grave danger and you were not sure of survival.

When we were about crossing the second shallow river, the villagers we met told us that we were in between Borno and Adamawa States, that from there to Bajoga was 75klm. Surprisingly, the villagers were very friendly and even gave us water.
They were about giving us food but advised that we should quickly continue with our journey in order to avoid the insurgents meeting us.

They arranged three vehicles that lifted us for about a kilometre and the driver refused to proceed further claiming that the road was not good. We quickly disembarked and trekked all night till around 5am when we entered a village and met members of the local vigilante who helped us to arrange for two Diana Trucks that carried us to Bajoga junction. From there, we entered another vehicle to Mallam-Sidi and that was where we met some of our soldiers with serious bullet wounds.

The wounded among us pleaded with the second in command to take them to the hospital in Gombe but he objected saying that order has been given to move everybody to Ashaka where we use as harbour. After some deliberations and objections, we had no option than to obey him. When we got to Ashaka, to our chagrin, instead of taking urgent care of the wounded, feeding us and even given us a day rest after our narrow escape, the Commander ordered that we should turn back and advance, back to the battle field. That was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. At that stage, many of us decided inwardly to dessert the army and that was exactly what we did.

I handed my gun to one of my colleagues to return to armoury after I left through the nearest way in the midnight. I trekked for two hours to the main road before I boarded a bike that unfortunately missed the road and we saw ourselves back at Ashaka.

I then disappeared amongst the crowd at one of the checkpoints and went to the motor park where I boarded a vehicle towards Abuja. It took time for me to take that decision because this is a profession I love so much and I have put in about 20 years.
Agreed that from day one, we signed to fight and die for our dear country, but of what use will it be when it was obvious to me that things could be done differently and we would have results. For instance, we were supposed to be paid N5000 daily but what our Commanders paid was N1000.

If you sustain injury in the battle field, you spend your money treating yourself. The worst is that we were not adequately equipped for the war. We only got to battle field with our rifles, no kits, no vision goggles etc and this is an oil rich country where politicians are embezzle trillions yet, this battle that calls for the best in both incentives, morale and equipment is being fought this way at the grave expense of our dear lives.
Our military is strong and can do better if well funded and equipped. As I speak, many soldiers have deserted the army.

Their families are starving in the barracks. The most painful aspect of the whole thing is that after the battle, no efforts were made to ascertain or give account of our dead and wounded soldiers. The dead ones are left in the battle fields while most of the wounded die face agonising death. What the authorities do is to close account of soldiers not seen after some days.


In the past few days, however, it has been reported that the military has received more equipment and their forces have made reasonable inroads into terrorists camps and they have recorded reasonable success although the battle is far from being won.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/b-o-k-o-h-a-r-a-m-battle-field-account-of-a-military-deserter/

"Nigerian Army" writing memoir like a well trained international Journalist/Author - APC make una continue ......................!

2 Likes

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by SergeAlain: 10:00am On Feb 21, 2015
Have thoroughly read and digested the accounts of this soldier. I have never been in the army and so my comments cannot be out of experience. However, i have followed military history and technology for over 20 years and so i have a number of opinions based on what i have seen/read from other military campaigns etc.

In general let me start by saying that the Nigerian Army has not been professionally run since the days of IBB when it became a legitimate govt tactic to under equip and under train the military for fear of coups. Gen Ihejirika admitted when he took over that there had been no training exercises for years before he came in, troops were forbidden to even warm the tanks and fighting vehicles lest it became an excuse for mobilising for a coup. thus many of those equipment were patently serviceable by the time the BH insurgency escalated late 2013. Bearing that in mind the soldier in question had not been involved in real military maneuvers since he returned from Sierra Leone.

1. It is obvious that the soldiers were already scared once they heard they were going to the North East (in the training camp), and so they were actually already defeated. All that was needed was for BH to show up and they were ready to run. Hence the insistence on Aircraft, helicopters and tanks to do the main fighting so that they would be left with only mopping up. Mean while the Boko haram you are fighting is armed mainly with what you guys throw away/abandon as you are fleeing.

2. He made mention of the enemy using anti aircraft guns against men. For the un initiated this is true. BH uses high calibre guns from 12.7mm to 23mm mounted on trucks against the Nigerian Army, and the effect is deadly. However, we have now gotten to where the Soldiers are so scared that the mere sound of those guns appears to make them flee. What then would the Army do if it was involved in a conventional war (the soldier mentioned conventional war as if he were wishing for it Lolz) where the other army is well armed like yourself. E.g. If we actually got into a war with Chad or cameroun, these same soldiers would face sustained pounding by artillery (105mm to 155mm) and motars (81mm to 120mm) sometimes for days before you see the enemy infantry. Whereas Boko haram's anti aircraft guns have a range of 1.5 to 2km, some of the conventional artillery have ranges of over 15km. In fact what would the Army do if they were bombed by chad's Mig 29 fighter jets? In summary, if you cant cope with insurgents, dont even talk of conventional war, you would be a non starter.

3. He talked about adversity on the war front. I will respond with two stories-
a. During the Falklands war in 1982, the British army attacked the islands to recover them from Argentina (you can google it if you are interested). The plan was for soldiers to be airlifted from one battle to another by helicopters. Most of the choppers were based on a container ship called HMS Atlantic conveyor. Unfortunately fairly early in the war, Argentine aircraft attacked and sunk the ship with all the helicopters on board. As a result the British Royal Marines and Parachute regiments had to walk over 80miles from the landing point at Port San Carlos to the main Argentine strong hold in the capital Port Stanley. They achieved this carrying over 120 pounds of equipment each! In sometimes freezing climatic conditions and while enduring stiff rear guard actions from Argentine commandos. They still did their job. They did not use this as an excuse to run away.

b. The Biafrans faced continuously superior odds sometimes with no food for days, but they stood and fought for 30 months before surrendering. The soldier talks about receiving N1,000 per day vs N5,000 per day. Is this why he ran away? by the way where was he spending this money in a war zone? The issue bils down to resolve, and sadly it speaks about how seriously we take our Country to start with.


4. He mentioned being issued 3 magazines (i guess of at least 20-30 bullets each). The adequacy of this is relative. In the British Army a combat load of about 6-7 magazines were customary. However, it would be nice to check how many bullets the Boko Haram fighters carry each, and you might be surprised. As an example we may revisit the case of the Biafran Army. Those brave boys were sometimes sent into battle with as few as 10 bullets each. However, their saving grace was that they mostly carried Mauser and Le Enfield bolt action rifles (what you might call 'cock and shoot') this tends to make the soldier try to make every round count unlike when you have an auto rifle. The other matter is of course the range of your weapon--- In the North East engagement ranges of over 500m are normal, whereas the Nigerian Army standard issue weapon the AK 47 is only accurate to about 250m (this is no short range, bear in mind that at 200m a man is about the height of a small pencil and very few soldiers can shoot accurately at that range irrespective of the weapon they are carrying). Thus the bottom line is fire discipline. Hold your fire until the enemy closes to within your accurate shooting range e.g. 150m and then give them hell!!! To achieve this you need disciplined soldiers, who are accustomed to being shot at. Disciplined soldiers who before hand have dug real deep dug outs with proper sandbagged positions, so that once your head is down, you are safe even from shelling by 155mm artillery (except of course there was a direct hit). Just consider, a force of 300 soldiers each with 30 bullets. If they achieve even a 20% hit ratio, each man would hit 6 enemy. I.e. Boko Haram would have taken 1,800 casualties. This is a bit theoretical, but you can see that 3(90 bullets) magazines (per man)well utilized would have stopped the BH in their tracks.

In summary, the work of a Soldier is not easy and it is clear many people in the Army today dont know what they are there for. When you live in free accommodation, enjoy free transport (as staff), free clothing for 5 days of the week, and draw a salary. You should DO your job when the time comes. Complain about the N4,000 short fall after you have won, and see if Nigerians will not fight for you to get your money.

Men are defined not by how they respond when times are easy, but how they react to adversity!!

IT IS INSTRUCTIVE THAT NOT ALL THE SOLDIERS IN QUESTION CHOSE TO RUN AWAY! Some who suffered the same issues as him are still diligently doing their job and are involved today in the crushing of this same Boko haram whom this soldier is making to appear invincible and immortal!!!

I rest my case sirs!

6 Likes

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by cupidhero(m): 10:01am On Feb 21, 2015
wazoboy:
My eyes soaked in tears as I read but Im so confused of what to beleive in this country! What d soldier allegedly said occurs everywhere in Nigeria, even where I work, your boss will ask you to work till your bone breaks without giving you enough nor adequate equipements, dont even talk about welfare!
But my confusion is that we are in election season, how am I sure this is not just politics!
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Humblesam(m): 10:02am On Feb 21, 2015
InHim4Him:
Joining the army to eat good food and make money and even get foreign missions as 'compensation'. SMH.

No.....joining the army to go and die, you know they are not human like you now.smh.

1 Like

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Firefire(m): 10:05am On Feb 21, 2015
Penboy:

Lolz.. So after all your big grammars them, you no fit spell simply "curb" abi. grin

Anyway, nice points jare.

Thank you, correction noted.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by sholamatins: 10:11am On Feb 21, 2015
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Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Solomon30: 10:12am On Feb 21, 2015
Foolish Nigerians sit in the comfort of their parlour and blame GEJ. Most of the Commandants are in collaboration with the insurgents and hundreds of lives of our soldiers were sacrificed. While the so called Commanders should be prosecuted, they blame their faults on the soldiers whose lives they deliberated exposed to death. Why in God's name are the northerners perpetrating this evil on Nigerians?
Are the lives of the so called Chibok girls more important to the lives of our soldiers? Again, when they are given 5000naira allowance, only 1000naira was given to them by their Commandants. We are yet to hear of the prosecution of these bastards called Commanders.
THERE ARE NO CHIBOK GIRLS!
Chibok is the propaganda of the opposition because, it has always been the No1 point the opposition has against the presidency. Chibok girls is a MYTH not real. Naïve Nigerians!
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by LRNZH(m): 10:13am On Feb 21, 2015
SergeAlain:
Have thoroughly read and digested the accounts of this soldier. I have never been in the army and so my comments cannot be out of experience. However, i have followed military history and technology for over 20 years and so i have a number of opinions based on what i have seen/read from other military campaigns etc.

In general let me start by saying that the Nigerian Army has not been professionally run since the days of IBB when it became a legitimate govt tactic to under equip and under train the military for fear of coups. Gen Ihejirika admitted when he took over that there had been no training exercises for years before he came in, troops were forbidden to even warm the tanks and fighting vehicles lest it became an excuse for mobilising for a coup. thus many of those equipment were patently serviceable by the time the BH insurgency escalated late 2013. Bearing that in mind the soldier in question had not been involved in real military maneuvers since he returned from Sierra Leone.

1. It is obvious that the soldiers were already scared once they heard they were going to the North East (in the training camp), and so they were actually already defeated. All that was needed was for BH to show up and they were ready to run. Hence the insistence on Aircraft, helicopters and tanks to do the main fighting so that they would be left with only mopping up. Mean while the Boko haram you are fighting is armed mainly with what you guys throw away/abandon as you are fleeing.

2. He made mention of the enemy using anti aircraft guns against men. For the un initiated this is true. BH uses high calibre guns from 12.7mm to 23mm mounted on trucks against the Nigerian Army, and the effect is deadly. However, we have now gotten to where the Soldiers are so scared that the mere sound of those guns appears to make them flee. What then would the Army do if it was involved in a conventional war (the soldier mentioned conventional war as if he were wishing for it Lolz) where the other army is well armed like yourself. E.g. If we actually got into a war with Chad or cameroun, these same soldiers would face sustained pounding by artillery (105mm to 155mm) and motars (81mm to 120mm) sometimes for days before you see the enemy infantry. Whereas Boko haram's anti aircraft guns have a range of 1.5 to 2km, some of the conventional artillery have ranges of over 15km. In fact what would the Army do if they were bombed by chad's Mig 29 fighter jets? In summary, if you cant cope with insurgents, dont even talk of conventional war, you would be a non starter.

3. He talked about adversity on the war front. I will respond with two stories-
a. During the Falklands war in 1982, the British army attacked the islands to recover them from Argentina (you can google it if you are interested). The plan was for soldiers to be airlifted from one battle to another by helicopters. Most of the choppers were based on a container ship called HMS Atlantic conveyor. Unfortunately fairly early in the war, Argentine aircraft attacked and sunk the ship with all the helicopters on board. As a result the British Royal Marines and Parachute regiments had to walk over 80miles from the landing point at Port San Carlos to the main Argentine strong hold in the capital Port Stanley. They achieved this carrying over 120 pounds of equipment each! In sometimes freezing climatic conditions and while enduring stiff rear guard actions from Argentine commandos. They still did their job. They did not use this as an excuse to run away.

b. The Biafrans faced continuously superior odds sometimes with no food for days, but they stood and fought for 30 months before surrendering. The soldier talks about receiving N1,000 per day vs N5,000 per day. Is this why he ran away? by the way where was he spending this money in a war zone? The issue bils down to resolve, and sadly it speaks about how seriously we take our Country to start with.


4. He mentioned being issued 3 magazines (i guess of at least 20-30 bullets each). The adequacy of this is relative. In the British Army a combat load of about 6-7 magazines were customary. However, it would be nice to check how many bullets the Boko Haram fighters carry each, and you might be surprised. As an example we may revisit the case of the Biafran Army. Those brave boys were sometimes sent into battle with as few as 10 bullets each. However, their saving grace was that they mostly carried Mauser and Le Enfield bolt action rifles (what you might call 'cock and shoot') this tends to make the soldier try to make every round count unlike when you have an auto rifle. The other matter is of course the range of your weapon--- In the North East engagement ranges of over 500m are normal, whereas the Nigerian Army standard issue weapon the AK 47 is only accurate to about 250m (this is no short range, bear in mind that at 200m a man is about the height of a small pencil and very few soldiers can shoot accurately at that range irrespective of the weapon they are carrying). Thus the bottom line is fire discipline. Hold your fire until the enemy closes to within your accurate shooting range e.g. 150m and then give them hell!!! To achieve this you need disciplined soldiers, who are accustomed to being shot at. Disciplined soldiers who before hand have dug real deep dug outs with proper sandbagged positions, so that once your head is down, you are safe even from shelling by 155mm artillery (except of course there was a direct hit). Just consider, a force of 300 soldiers each with 30 bullets. If they achieve even a 20% hit ratio, each man would hit 6 enemy. I.e. Boko Haram would have taken 1,800 casualties. This is a bit theoretical, but you can see that 3(90 bullets) magazines (per man)well utilized would have stopped the BH in their tracks.

In summary, the work of a Soldier is not easy and it is clear many people in the Army today dont know what they are there for. When you live in free accommodation, enjoy free transport (as staff), free clothing for 5 days of the week, and draw a salary. You should DO your job when the time comes. Complain about the N4,000 short fall after you have won, and see if Nigerians will not fight for you to get your money.

Men are defined not by how they respond when times are easy, but how they react to adversity!!

IT IS INSTRUCTIVE THAT NOT ALL THE SOLDIERS IN QUESTION CHOSE TO RUN AWAY! Some who suffered the same issues as him are still diligently doing their job and are involved today in the crushing of this same Boko haram whom this soldier is making to appear invincible and immortal!!!

I rest my case sirs!

Well rested except for a few parts.

Once a soldier knows his entitlements are being pilfered (by up to 80% shocked) the loyalty in him/her has been eroded. They cannot trust their commanders. This can never happen in the British forces you quote. That lack of trust has already killed the troops morale even before any engagement with the enemy.

I had to roger a soldier N2k the other day to help accost some goods I was transporting because of hoodlums and police disturbance. The soldier was so greatful that I had to ponder their pay conditions. Back in the day, an attempt to give soldier any form of monetary incentive to run an errand by a civilian would land one in the guard room.

My point is... while your analysis is sound for most part, you have laid the blame at the wrong post.

2 Likes

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by ikeyman00(m): 10:18am On Feb 21, 2015
@@@@

and this are the people that u believe will stop the coming of Biafra

let then wait and see!

for my people prepare and relocate some of your dealing to Biafran land so u dnt lose all in the end

dnt take this for a joke
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Nobody: 10:19am On Feb 21, 2015
OLADD:


Nobody is voting out this govt for your information. If you are one of those thinking Buhari will take over from Jonathan, your case can be likened to someone who's eargerly waiting for the blinking of crab eyes! The military operation is currenly yeilding positive result because of cooperation from neighbouring countries.
You are just as delusional as your masters.

1 Like

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by thaoriginator: 10:26am On Feb 21, 2015
stebell:


Ewu. Now that yu have given us the boko haram news of them chasing our soldiers, yu are happy rite. Child of hate and anger.
Your plans of seeing Naija overrun by BH will not work.

Naija will surely overcome. And all yu janjaweeeeds can do is deactivate ur acct and go into hiding. Fooooools

GEJ till yu get sense.
What kind of senseless comment is this? Chai! undecided

1 Like

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by hahn(m): 10:30am On Feb 21, 2015
He is only being theoritical and by the way he writes, i can bet he doesn't live in Nigeria. At this moment NO ONE is ready to be patriotic to Nigeria. How can he expect a soldier to be willing to put his life on the line when someone is making N4,000 off him while seating in an office? N40,000xthe number of soldiers in the field amounts to millions and billions for doing nothing.

He has failed to see the bigger picture. Comparing Nigeria and Britain like British soldiers have to eat jollof rice before they fight wars.

LRNZH:


Well rested except for a few parts.

Once a soldier knows his entitlements are being pilfered (by up to 80% shocked) the loyalty in him/her has been eroded. They cannot trust their commanders. This can never happen in the British forces you quote. That lack of trust has already killed the troops morale even before any engagement with the enemy.

I had to roger a soldier N2k the other day to help accost some goods I was transporting because of hoodlums and police disturbance. The soldier was so greatful that I had to ponder their pay conditions. Back in the day, an attempt to give soldier any form of monetary incentive to run an errand by a civilian would land one in the guard room.

My point is... while your analysis is sound for most part, you have laid the blame at the wrong post.

1 Like

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Kingsasian(m): 10:35am On Feb 21, 2015
WendellSimilin:

The English is too refined for a Nigerian soldier? grin How many Nigerian soldiers have you spoken to? Very hilarious statement...and if you think this story is a fiction from somebody's imagination,then I have nothing to say to you.
don't mind the idiot. If he thinks its easy to be in a war front then let him go find a pistol with which he will use to confront the common robbers on our highways. He is a fool.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by OLADD: 10:45am On Feb 21, 2015
RicKyRichards:

You are just as delusional as your masters.

And you and your entire generation are as mad and murderous as the person you support.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Nobody: 10:53am On Feb 21, 2015
OLADD:


And you and your entire generation are as mad and murderous as the person you support.
Hahaha...brainwashed fool! Your master who sat back and watched more than ten thousand innocent people die without batting an eyelid until he realized how strong the opposition were is the saint right? A saint plays politics with the lives of innocent people right? You're demented. God will surely judge you and your evil clan.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by OLADD: 11:02am On Feb 21, 2015
RicKyRichards:

Hahaha...brainwashed fool! Your master who sat back and watched more than ten thousand innocent people die without batting an eyelid until he realized how strong the opposition were is the saint right? A saint plays politics with the lives of innocent people right? You're demented. God will surely judge you and your evil clan.

Woe betide you and your entire family. Why can't you advise your household to enlist in the army to fight insurgency? You are crazy. Was it Jonathan that directed military chiefs who are mostly northerners to delay the fight against Boko haram till election period? May your evil thoughts lead you to eternal damnation. Bastard.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by SergeAlain: 11:05am On Feb 21, 2015
Wrong my bro!! unlike most of you I dont 'school' in France Lolzzz. I dey Naija gan gan!

Forget the British Army, those are examples, which is why i also used examples of Biafra!!!

All i am showing is that diligent people do their jobs irrespective of the odds (Am sure if you work you can see examples around you everyday. Whether you are a police man or an engineer). Like the other 30,000 Naija troops fighting and dying for you and I to be able to sit in our homes and post 'hot air on our PCs'. Its their jobs.

This does not in anyway excuse our leadership which mismanaged the military for the last 20 years! But this soldier has betrayed those 30,000 other brave souls doing their jobs in the NE.

Thats all am saying!

hahn:
He is only being theoritical and by the way he writes, i can bet he doesn't live in Nigeria. At this moment NO ONE is ready to be patriotic to Nigeria. How can he expect a soldier to be willing to put his life on the line when someone is making N4,000 off him while seating in an office? N40,000xthe number of soldiers in the field amounts to millions and billions for doing nothing.

He has failed to see the bigger picture. Comparing Nigeria and Britain like British soldiers have to eat jollof rice before they fight wars.

2 Likes

Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Kingsasian(m): 11:07am On Feb 21, 2015
SergeAlain:
Have thoroughly read and digested the accounts of this soldier. I have never been in the army and so my comments cannot be out of experience. However, i have followed military history and technology for over 20 years and so i have a number of opinions based on what i have seen/read from other military campaigns etc.

In general let me start by saying that the Nigerian Army has not been professionally run since the days of IBB when it became a legitimate govt tactic to under equip and under train the military for fear of coups. Gen Ihejirika admitted when he took over that there had been no training exercises for years before he came in, troops were forbidden to even warm the tanks and fighting vehicles lest it became an excuse for mobilising for a coup. thus many of those equipment were patently serviceable by the time the BH insurgency escalated late 2013. Bearing that in mind the soldier in question had not been involved in real military maneuvers since he returned from Sierra Leone.

1. It is obvious that the soldiers were already scared once they heard they were going to the North East (in the training camp), and so they were actually already defeated. All that was needed was for BH to show up and they were ready to run. Hence the insistence on Aircraft, helicopters and tanks to do the main fighting so that they would be left with only mopping up. Mean while the Boko haram you are fighting is armed mainly with what you guys throw away/abandon as you are fleeing.

2. He made mention of the enemy using anti aircraft guns against men. For the un initiated this is true. BH uses high calibre guns from 12.7mm to 23mm mounted on trucks against the Nigerian Army, and the effect is deadly. However, we have now gotten to where the Soldiers are so scared that the mere sound of those guns appears to make them flee. What then would the Army do if it was involved in a conventional war (the soldier mentioned conventional war as if he were wishing for it Lolz) where the other army is well armed like yourself. E.g. If we actually got into a war with Chad or cameroun, these same soldiers would face sustained pounding by artillery (105mm to 155mm) and motars (81mm to 120mm) sometimes for days before you see the enemy infantry. Whereas Boko haram's anti aircraft guns have a range of 1.5 to 2km, some of the conventional artillery have ranges of over 15km. In fact what would the Army do if they were bombed by chad's Mig 29 fighter jets? In summary, if you cant cope with insurgents, dont even talk of conventional war, you would be a non starter.

3. He talked about adversity on the war front. I will respond with two stories-
a. During the Falklands war in 1982, the British army attacked the islands to recover them from Argentina (you can google it if you are interested). The plan was for soldiers to be airlifted from one battle to another by helicopters. Most of the choppers were based on a container ship called HMS Atlantic conveyor. Unfortunately fairly early in the war, Argentine aircraft attacked and sunk the ship with all the helicopters on board. As a result the British Royal Marines and Parachute regiments had to walk over 80miles from the landing point at Port San Carlos to the main Argentine strong hold in the capital Port Stanley. They achieved this carrying over 120 pounds of equipment each! In sometimes freezing climatic conditions and while enduring stiff rear guard actions from Argentine commandos. They still did their job. They did not use this as an excuse to run away.

b. The Biafrans faced continuously superior odds sometimes with no food for days, but they stood and fought for 30 months before surrendering. The soldier talks about receiving N1,000 per day vs N5,000 per day. Is this why he ran away? by the way where was he spending this money in a war zone? The issue bils down to resolve, and sadly it speaks about how seriously we take our Country to start with.


4. He mentioned being issued 3 magazines (i guess of at least 20-30 bullets each). The adequacy of this is relative. In the British Army a combat load of about 6-7 magazines were customary. However, it would be nice to check how many bullets the Boko Haram fighters carry each, and you might be surprised. As an example we may revisit the case of the Biafran Army. Those brave boys were sometimes sent into battle with as few as 10 bullets each. However, their saving grace was that they mostly carried Mauser and Le Enfield bolt action rifles (what you might call 'cock and shoot') this tends to make the soldier try to make every round count unlike when you have an auto rifle. The other matter is of course the range of your weapon--- In the North East engagement ranges of over 500m are normal, whereas the Nigerian Army standard issue weapon the AK 47 is only accurate to about 250m (this is no short range, bear in mind that at 200m a man is about the height of a small pencil and very few soldiers can shoot accurately at that range irrespective of the weapon they are carrying). Thus the bottom line is fire discipline. Hold your fire until the enemy closes to within your accurate shooting range e.g. 150m and then give them hell!!! To achieve this you need disciplined soldiers, who are accustomed to being shot at. Disciplined soldiers who before hand have dug real deep dug outs with proper sandbagged positions, so that once your head is down, you are safe even from shelling by 155mm artillery (except of course there was a direct hit). Just consider, a force of 300 soldiers each with 30 bullets. If they achieve even a 20% hit ratio, each man would hit 6 enemy. I.e. Boko Haram would have taken 1,800 casualties. This is a bit theoretical, but you can see that 3(90 bullets) magazines (per man)well utilized would have stopped the BH in their tracks.

In summary, the work of a Soldier is not easy and it is clear many people in the Army today dont know what they are there for. When you live in free accommodation, enjoy free transport (as staff), free clothing for 5 days of the week, and draw a salary. You should DO your job when the time comes. Complain about the N4,000 short fall after you have won, and see if Nigerians will not fight for you to get your money.

Men are defined not by how they respond when times are easy, but how they react to adversity!!

IT IS INSTRUCTIVE THAT NOT ALL THE SOLDIERS IN QUESTION CHOSE TO RUN AWAY! Some who suffered the same issues as him are still diligently doing their job and are involved today in the crushing of this same Boko haram whom this soldier is making to appear invincible and immortal!!!

I rest my case sirs!
oga e be like say u go go command our boys for the war front o since its easy to combat those insurgents from ur post.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Nestoville(m): 11:07am On Feb 21, 2015
Sometimes i wonder why We don't remember the past, the North has always wanted Sharia now boko wants to implement it only this time there has been collateral damage . Our military has been tribalised underfundedand politicized over the years by the same people who claim for change and same people who want to continue ruling. Is our military not comparable to our police our power sector our roads our parastatals, our hate We sometimes show here? Its not Just a single problem attributable only to the military or government Its a Nigerian problem, and the sabotage in the North East is complicated ask Christians from Gwoza, until We have true federalism and allow regions our people decide in truth how they want to co-exist We can continue with the charade, until then We can function optimal
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by LRNZH(m): 11:08am On Feb 21, 2015
Kingsasian:
oga e be like say u go go command our boys for the war front o since its easy to combat those insurgents from ur post.

I dey tell you. The guy can post eloquently from the sidelines.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Kingsasian(m): 11:16am On Feb 21, 2015
LRNZH:


I dey tell you. The guy can post eloquently from the sidelines.
hahahahahahaha lwkmd...bro some guys are funny.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by hahn(m): 11:17am On Feb 21, 2015
SergeAlain:
Wrong my bro!! unlike most of you I dont 'school' in France Lolzzz. I dey Naija gan gan!

Forget the British Army, those are examples, which is why i also used examples of Biafra!!!

All i am showing is that diligent people do their jobs irrespective of the odds (Am sure if you work you can see examples around you everyday. Whether you are a police man or an engineer). Like the other 30,000 Naija troops fighting and dying for you and I to be able to sit in our homes and post 'hot air on our PCs'. Its their jobs.

This does not in anyway excuse our leadership which mismanaged the military for the last 20 years! But this soldier has betrayed those 30,000 other brave souls doing their jobs in the NE.

Thats all am saying!


He that gets paid well works well.

As long as one is underpaid and as long as that person is aware that someone sitting in an office somewhere is earning more than 80% of what one rightfully deserves then you cannot expect a full hearted dedication to any task placed before him.

Your point is understood but totally out of place. Check even the civilians who wile walking down the street throw away pure water nylons, gala wrappers etc(I'm sure you've done that even if its once) and litter the streets of their country. That is an example of lack of patriotism and more often than not its as a result of the fact that an average Nigerian isn't reqarded for any humble accomplishment whereas politicians are given respect and treated as royalty despite the fact that we know they are all thieves.

I once went out with my wife and we bought recharge cards and after loading, she asked for the dustbin only to be advised to throw it on the floor. When she refused and insisted on putting it in the thrash, people started laughing at her like SHE was the one doing something wrong. We had to wait till we got home and put it in our trash can. Now, if my wife should one day decide to litter the streets with dirt, can she be blamed?
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by richidinho(m): 11:19am On Feb 21, 2015
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by richidinho(m): 11:19am On Feb 21, 2015
He should sharaaaaap; lazy goat

IBB said the bullet wounds he sustained fighting for Nigeria's unity is still paining him

He could av join police not army
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by lukaino(m): 11:22am On Feb 21, 2015
Akon419:
so PDP has turn to prophet Mohammed whose doctrine those boko haram are following right. Perhaps PDP is the one that send people for jihad for exchange of 72 virgin.or PDP is a political wing of prophet Mohammed for him to achieve his unfinished business on earth right? I wonder why some people don't hv brain of reasoning

Even the vice president confirmed it during a campaign or two that pdp is the most islamic party in Nigeria. The rest you know or can google.
Guys lets wake up, these guys are fooling themselves not us
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Kingsasian(m): 11:28am On Feb 21, 2015
SergeAlain:
Wrong my bro!! unlike most of you I dont 'school' in France Lolzzz. I dey Naija gan gan!

Forget the British Army, those are examples, which is why i also used examples of Biafra!!!

All i am showing is that diligent people do their jobs irrespective of the odds (Am sure if you work you can see examples around you everyday. Whether you are a police man or an engineer). Like the other 30,000 Naija troops fighting and dying for you and I to be able to sit in our homes and post 'hot air on our PCs'. Its their jobs.

This does not in anyway excuse our leadership which mismanaged the military for the last 20 years! But this soldier has betrayed those 30,000 other brave souls doing their jobs in the NE.

Thats all am saying!

oga u are still saying nonsense to me. He never said he is the only one who deserted. He said he and several others. Now answer this, if u know or were told that your employer is pocketing about 90% of your income and other benefits monthly will u be happy working with him or her and will u still be willing to give your best?
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by Nobody: 11:59am On Feb 21, 2015
OLADD:


Woe betide you and your entire family. Why can't you advise your household to enlist in the army to fight insurgency? You are crazy. Was it Jonathan that directed military chiefs who are mostly northerners to delay the fight against Boko haram till election period? May your evil thoughts lead you to eternal damnation. Bastard.
Lol...you already know that's your portion; not mine.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by akereconfi: 11:59am On Feb 21, 2015
LRNZH:


The price of the blood of those dead soldiers are on people like you who prefer to white wash the real situation on ground.

Since you are so ignorant, unless these matters are brought to the forefront as is, there can't be a solution to the massive corruption going on in the military. I hope you learnt something this morning.


Ever since you posted a picture of a TRAM as a TRAIN, and failed to take corrections, I stopped taking you serious.

Shameless liar
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by OLADD: 12:21pm On Feb 21, 2015
RicKyRichards:

Lol...you already know that's your portion; not mine.

You think say you get craze for head? You no fit.
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by onimcee1(m): 12:24pm On Feb 21, 2015
Touching story
Re: BOKO HARAM: Battle-field Account Of A Military Deserter by 100Cents: 12:28pm On Feb 21, 2015
Why is it only AFP, Agence France Press that covers every boko haram story with pictures ?

Why did Cameroon catch 8 boko haram fighters of french origin ?

Why are Nigerian military commanders making money with the lives of dedicated soldiers ?

Why is Nigeria through this war making a fool of its sovereignty ?

And this is the tool with which opposition is ridiculing GOODLUCK Jonathan..

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