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Military Recovers More Villages in Borno


The military along Banki axis on Tuesday said it had cleared more terrorist camps and  captured weapons, flags and improvised explosives (IEDs)-making devices at Jangolori and Bulaburma villages.


A statement signed by the acting Director Army Public Relations,  Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the recovered items had confirmed earlier intelligence that the terrorists often used corrugated metal roofing sheets and bathroom slippers in making improvised explosive devices which affects troops advance.
Usman said the victory was clear that the campaign against the terrorists was yielding the desired result because they are fast running out of arms, ammunitions and other logistics.


It is equally important to state and commend the synergy, intelligence and information sharing  between our own forces and those of our neighbouring countries under the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Meanwhile, the  Nigerian Army has announced the restriction of vehicular movements in Borno State during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
A statement by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations, ColonelTukur Ismail Gusau, last night, said while, all movements through vehicles, bicycles and animals like horses, camels and donkeys in Maiduguri would be restricted  from today by 5p.m., all vehicular movements into and out of Maiduguri town would  be restricted within the period till further notice.

Gusau noted that the decision was in line with the new resolve of the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies in Operation Lafiya Dole to ensure that the people of the state enjoy a hitch-free sallah  celebrations.


He thanked the people of the state for their support and cooperation to military win the war against terrorism and insurgency within the shortest possible time.

“This is to inform the general public in Borno state that a restriction on vehicular movements will be observed during the Eid Kabir celebrations throughout the state.

“All movements using vehicles, bicycles and animals like horses, camels and donkeys in Maiduguri will be restricted as from Wednesday 5p.m. September 23, 2015.

“Similarly, all vehicular movements into and out of Maiduguri town will also be restricted within the period till further notice.

“The decision was in line with the new resolve of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in Operation Lafiya Dole to ensure that the people of Borno State enjoy a hitch free sallah  celebrations.

“Thanks for your continous cooperation and support. Together we shall win the war against terrorism and insurgency within the shortest possible time,” the statement read.

WHY GOVERMENTS FAIL...

I was recently asked my thoughts on why I think governments fail at countering insurgencies.

As I had recently completed that chapter of my book, I could list several reasons why I believe that governments fail in countering an insurgency. (It must, however, be borne in mind that these reasons are different from those of why a law enforcement agency or the armed forces fail at COIN).  

There is no single reason why governments fail in countering an insurgency; rather it is a colliding of a host of different factors and reasons that culminate at the right time to give impetus to an insurgency.

I believe that many governments fail to recognise that an insurgency is not “war” but rather a means to an end.

The following are inter alia some of the more common reasons (I have only briefly listed the points) why governments fail when having to counter an insurgency:

1.      Poor intelligence
2.      The lack of a realistic containment strategy and weak policies
3.      Denial or out of touch with the situation
4.      Lack of unity between government agencies and departments
5.      Ineffective policing approaches and techniques
6.      Incompetence and inefficiency within government agencies and departments
7.      Unacceptable high levels of corruption and crime
8.      Failure to understand the importance of perception of the nation
9.      Failure to understand the insurgent’s strategy
10.   Failure to isolate insurgents
11.   Believing that relative strengths decide the victor
12.   Failure to prepare
13.   Lack of credibility
14.   Lack of legitimacy
15.   Lack of information to the nation
16.   Lack of national and international support
17.   Poor governance and service delivery
18.   Divine right (A misguided belief that when having assumed power the government has a divine right to govern and to promulgate self-serving agendas)
19.   Abuse of power
20.   Failure to listen to the nation
21.   Losing the moral high ground
22.   Over-reliance on foreign aid and assistance

Governments that govern at the expense of the nation as opposed to governing for the nation place themselves in a position that will be rapidly exploited by aggrieved people and may ultimately result in a national uprising, a challenge to their authority or even into an insurgency.  

Governments will inadvertently provide the insurgents with numerous advantages if they fail to take note of the above factors. These factors provide the insurgents with a fertile breeding ground for discontent and recruitment. With national and international media coverage and support, the insurgency will intensify and government reaction may result in both heavy-handed action and over-reaction.

Unlike a conventional war, a COIN conflict’s main effort is aimed at restoring faith in the government and redressing real or perceived wrongs against the populace who are partaking or supporting the insurgency. Failure to do so will simply fuel the insurgency.

When government’s failure is handed-down to the armed forces to “rectify”, the armed forces become the target of government pressure to resolve the situation as fast as possible as well as actions and propaganda by the insurgents who, by their very actions, get free publicity in the media for their cause.

ANGOLIAN AIR FORCE PICTURES

1st and 2nd pic are mil mi-17

3rd pic is an ilyushin il-76 heavy transport plane

4th pic is a YAK 40 light transport plane.

Update On Operation Lafiya Dole: Troops Rescued More Women And Children



Please recall that yesterday advancing troops along Banki axis were making tremendous progress in which they cleared 2 Boko  Haram terrorists camps at Jangurori and Bulatori villages.  In addition to that, the troops have also arrested 43 suspected Boko Haram terrorists including one of the Boko Haram kingpins in the area, Bulama Modu who is an ‘Amir’ of Bulakuri. The troops also rescued 241 women and children during the operation.

To further confirm what was said earlier about the terrorists abandoning their commanders and burying weapons, one Mohammed Modu led troops to where he buried his AK-47 rifle at Jangurori village.   Apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows recovered from Bulama Modu, the kingpin.  He confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.

Similarly, the gallant troops arrested one suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village who revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device  (IED) factory.  He further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel.  He however added that the perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai who keeps close tap on the progress of the troops has commended them for their impressive performance thus far. 
 The troops who are on very high spirits have reiterated their determination to continue with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists till they clear them from all known camps and enclaves.

 
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
 Acting Director Army Public Relations



Below are pictures from the operation

KILLED BH MILITANTS

@bidexii STOP POSTING PICTURES YOU LIFTED FROM MY FACEBOOK PAGE AND WATERMARKING THE PICTURES.
I have seen a lot of people i know which you posted their pictures here without blurring their faces, KIA, MIA, even SF Personnel's.

NA RANDOM PICTURE'S.

VIDEO: Captured Boko Haram Suspect Interrogated By Army


A shocking video shows the interrogation of a Boko Haram leader captured by the Nigerian troops several months ago.

Recall that on Tuesday, September 22, the Nigerian army nabbed a Boko Haram kingpin in Borno state. Colonel Sani Usman, the spokesman for the army, said that 43 suspects had been arrested, including a key figure identified as Modu, who is the king of Bulakuri (the Amir).

In the piece released by Ends.ng the Boko Haram a suspect captured earlier this year names himself Yusuf, saying he has been the Amir for two months.

In the course of the interrogation session apparently a military staff member asks:

“Do you pray? Can you read Quran?” and then mocked him wondering how he can be the Amir without even being able to read Quran.

“How can you pray? What do you read to people?”

The suspect keeps gives one-word answers most of the time as he looks confused.

The man behind the camera continues:

“Your are Amir of RPGs [rocket-propelled grenade]. Where are the RPGs you shot us with? Where are the rest of you?”

It can be guessed from the stream that the arrested group of terrorists had 5 RPGs, 10 guns, and the rest of the insurgents were hiding in the mountains.

After having asked several others questions, the interrogator blasts the suspect saying:

“Can you see Allah has caught you? Do you now believe that your god is not working? You said you cannot read Quran. What kind of Amir are you?”

Watch the full video below:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex0mHy5TTBI

Observing

Nigerian Military Dismantles Boko Haram Fuel Depot, Recaptures Banki Town


The Nigerian military, acting on intelligence reports, has dismantled a fuel depot used by the Boko Haram terrorists to enhance their movement to wreak havoc in parts of the North-east.

The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said: “Following a tip-off by well meaning citizens, troops of three Division yesterday swooped on and dismantled a Boko Haram fuel dump located at Ladu Dumbawa ward, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.”

Usman recalled that suspected Boko Haram terrorists had abducted seven persons in Gajabere and taken them to the same location.

He said those kidnapped were three local ward heads called “Lawani” and their respective deputies as well as the Chief Imam of the town.

However, he stated, that through sheer gut and bravery, three of them escaped and agency reported the matter to the security which led to the rescue of the rest and discovery of the well concealed terrorists fuel depot which was also destroyed by troops.

Usman said the troops also blocked the terrorists supply route that led to Babangida in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State  where they mostly get the supplies.

He further promisd that the troops were intensifying efforts to identify and neutralise all Boko Haram logistic bases to further constrict the terrorists and hasten their total defeat.

The army spokesman however urged members of the public “to furnish the military and security agencies with information on all known terrorist’ location, routes, suppliers of fuel, food, clothing and any good or service.”

Meanwhile, troops on the same day captured Banki town in Borno State, the economic and strategic town of which is equally noted for fishing.

The town serves as the economic and trading hub between Nigeria, Cameroun and Central African countries.

A statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the soldiers also destroyed seven Boko Haram camps and  successfully detonated seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Usman added that the troops discovered and detonated 13 IEDs between Darel Jamal and Banki.

He said during the encounter to recapture the town, several Boko Haram terrorists were killed and  several others were captured alive between Banki junction and Ngorosoye.

The statement said: “The recapture of the strategic town was facilitated by concerted efforts of the Nigerian Air Force and close liaison with the Cameroun’s Army. The recapture of this town apart restoring Nigeria’s territory law, would improve the economic activities in that area.”

The Defence spokesman said a renowned terrorist trying to escape with his family, was intercepted by troops between Pulka and Gwoza and had surrendered himself to the troops.

He said efforts to consolidate on the gains made by troops towards ridding all parts of Nigerian territory of Boko Haram terrorists were ongoing.

BREAKING NEWS: NIGERIAN TROOPS CAPTURE BANKI TOWN


Heroic Nigerian troops have today captured the economic important and strategic town of Banki town in Borno State which is equally noted for fishing.
It is important to note that major economic and trading activities between Nigeria, Cameroon and Central African countries takes place in the town.
The gallant troops have completed exploiting through the town and terrorists’ famous Boko Haram Islamiyah (An Islamic School) building. In addition, the soldiers have destroyed 7 Boko Haram camps and successfully detonated 7 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The troops have succeeded in discovering and detonating 13 IEDs between Darel Jamal and Banki.
During the encounter to recapture the town, several Boko Haram terrorists were killed and several others were captured alive between Banki junction and Ngorosoye.
The recapture of the strategic town was facilitated by concerted efforts of the Nigerian Air Force and close liaison with the Cameroon’s Army.
The Chief of Army Staff’s goodwill message delivered through Major General YM Abubakar, the Commander, OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE has gone a long way to boost troops’ morale and prod them into action.
The recapture of this town apart restoring Nigeria’s territory law, would improve the economic activities in that area.
In a related development, a renown terrorist trying to escape with his family, was intercepted by troops between Pulka and Gwoza and has surrendered himself to the troops.
Efforts to consolidate on the gains made by troops towards ridding all parts of Nigerian territory of Boko Haram terrorists are ongoing.

NN SBS COMMANDOS TRAINING

CTION PICTURES

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How Nigeria missed crucial UN meeting on Boko Haram


Nigeria was notably missing at a crucial United Nations meeting where countries affected by the Boko Haram crisis sought assistance to deal with millions of displaced people.
At the meeting held on the sidelines of the general assembly, U.N. Aid Chief, Stephen O’Brien, said most of those displaced by the lingering insurgency were from Nigeria.
U.S. and European Union diplomats expressed disappointment that Nigeria did not attend the event chaired by Mr. O’Brien, Reuters news agency reported.
UN diplomats at the event also warned that the aid emergency in Lake Chad Basin risked being forgotten amid other humanitarian crises in Syria, Yemen and South Sudan.
The UN said some 2.3 million people have been forced from their homes since May 2013, and a quarter of a million of them have fled from Nigeria into Cameroon, Chad and Niger, many walking hundreds of miles.
“Droughts and floods hit the region repeatedly. Malnutrition and disease outbreaks hover at emergency levels. Some 5.5 million people do not have enough to eat,” Mr. O’Brien said. “The emergence of Boko Haram has pushed them over the edge.”
Mr. O’Brien further said U.N. appeals for 2015, to help those displaced people and refugees in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger were all less than half-funded.
While Nigeria was absent at the meeting, other Chad Basin countries made full representations.
Niger Prime Minister, Brigi Rafini, said the region was in the midst of a “genuine disaster.”
“We need massive assistance from the international community,” he said. “It is the population that has shared with these refugees and displaced people the little they have while they themselves are living in extremely vulnerable situations.”
Amid outrage Saturday, the Nigerian presidency said the meeting the Nigerian delegation missed was “not the most important meeting held in New York to address the problem of insecurity, migration and violent extremism in the Lake Chad region and the rest of the world”.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement said President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the rehabilitation and well-being of persons affected by insurgency.
Mr. Shehu said the war against terrorism, improved security across the country and measures to give succour to internally displaced persons were central to discussions Mr. Buhari had with world leaders since his arrival in New York on Thursday.
He said Mr. Buhari held discussions with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, the King of Spain, Don Felipe VI and former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.
“President Buhari is handling his duty as leader of the Nigerian delegation to this year’s General Assembly with the greatest possible diligence and will certainly not tolerate any tardiness on the part of the delegation in seizing every possible opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests,” Mr. Shehu stated.
“This notwithstanding, it must be realized that it will be near impossible for any national delegation, no matter its size, to participate in all the meetings that are simultaneously happening in and around the General Assembly in New York.
“The meeting at which Nigeria was reportedly absent was not one of the official events of the United Nations for which President Muhammadu Buhari and his modest delegation are in New York.”
He said Nigeria was represented at an important side event devoted to the North-East summoned by the UN Population Fund, UNFPA on “Building Stability and Resilience in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Countries.”
According to him, Mr. Buhari is fully conscious of his responsibility and would accept nothing short of the best for Nigerians in the meetings taking place in and around the United Nations.
“Anyone trying to create an impression of dereliction of duty, based on the Nigerian delegation’s absence at an unofficial meeting, is only being mischievous and uncharitable,” Mr. Shehu stated.

BULLET-PROOFS COULD BE LIFE SAVERS SOME TIMES.

Regional anti-Boko Haram taskforce ready for deployment



YAOUNDE, Cameroon  – A Multinational Joint Task Force made up of Lake Chad Basin countries that have joined forces to neutralize Boko Haram is finally ready for deployment following a months-long hiatus, Cameroonian Defense Minister Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o told Anadolu Agency.

“Many decisions had to be taken before the force could become operational,” Mebe Ngo’o told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview. “It was first necessary to delimit the force’s area of ​​intervention.”

“This was done following an agreement between Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger,” all of which contributed troops to the force, the minister added.

“Each country has granted the force a part of its territory,” he explained. 

“The second important decision was the establishment of the force’s General Staff,” Mebe Ngo’o said, “in which all positions of responsibility have now been filled”.

Following recent summits devoted to discussing means of countering Boko Haram, the Lake Chad Basin Commission — which includes Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin — agreed to bring the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)’s total troop strength up to some 10,500.

Supported by the African Union, the force is headquartered in Chadian capital Ndjamena. 

Last month, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Major-General Iliyasu Abbah as commander of the MNJTF. He is assisted by a Cameroonian General, Nka Valere, who serves as deputy commander, Mebe Ngo’o explained.

Another Cameroonian general, Bouba Dobekreo, is the commander of the MNJTF’s operations in Mora, a town in Cameroon’s Far North Region near the Nigerian border, which has been targeted several times in recent months by Boko Haram.

MNJTF member countries are currently awaiting a mandate for their operations from the UN Security Council, which, taskforce officials say, “will not take long”.

“The MNJTF includes 10,500 men, including 8,500 soldiers and 2,000 gendarmes, police officers and civilians,” one member of the African Union’s Peace and Security Commission, told Anadolu Agency.

The same source, who preferred anonymity, said that Cameroonian President Paul Biya had already authorized the deployment of 2,450 troops as part of Cameroon’s contribution to the MNJTF.

According to Mebe Ngo’o, Cameroon has also set up a three-year “emergency program” along its border with violence-wracked Nigeria aimed at boosting economic projects and creating jobs in the region.

The project’s short-term goal is to provide jobs to young people living in precarious conditions so they are less vulnerable to Boko Haram recruiters who promise them money in exchange for loyalty.

Boko Haram, which has reportedly pledged allegiance to the Daesh militant group and now wants to be called the “Islamic State in West Africa Province” is known to have conducted several cross-border attacks in Niger, Chad and Cameroon in recent months. 

Although the Nigerian army says it has degraded the militant group’s capacities, Boko Haram fighters have continued to stage frequent attacks in the country’s northeast that have mainly targeted civilians.

NAF ASSETS

CTION PICTURES

MULTINATIONAL JOINT TASKFORCE DEPLOYS ITS 7 BRIGADE IN THE LAKE CHAD REGION TO BLOCKADE ALL POSSIBLE ESCAPE ROUTES USED BY INSURGENTS



The Defence Headquarters has renewed the commitment of the Armed Forces to continue with coordinated offensive against Boko Haram insurgents until they were decimated in line with the directive of Mr President. The Defence Spokesman, Col. Rabe Abubakar, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

Abubakar said the offensive would be designed in such a way that the insurgents would not be given any opportunity to regroup for any attacks on innocent citizens.He said necessary steps had been taken by the relevant authorities to implement the directive and actualise the objective of dismantling all terrorists’ enclaves in the shortest possible time.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces have renewed commitment to continue the ongoing coordinated joint assaults on Boko Haram in the North East until the operations of the guerrillas are totally impaired and collapsed.

“To this end, the coordinated operation of the security forces in the contested area would intensify because the masquerading guerrillas should not be given any breathing space to regroup and re-strategise their campaign.

“The recent deployment of the 7 Brigade of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin would ensure a total blockade of possible escape routes in the area to forestall further infiltration of the terrorist elements into the country and its neighbours,’’ the statement said.

The statement warned terrorists still involved in the wanton destruction of property in remote areas to stop their mindless acts of violence and embrace peace.

Security forces have in recent operations captured some number of the terrorists’ enclaves while many of their fighters have been killed with many others surrendering to troops.

OPERATIONAL POCTURES

Hundreds Of Boko Haram Terrorists Raid Villages Between Borno And Adamawa


A leader of a vigilante group in Mussa District, Stephen Apagu, confirmed to SaharaReporters that ‎hundreds of militants arrived on bicycles to attack the communities on Sunday evening.

At least five people were killed and dozens injured during a series of coordinated raids on Borno communities Sunday evening, a local vigilante leader told SaharaReporters.

Hundreds of militants rode on bicycles and raided the villages of Daigu and Pumpumd, both of which are border towns between Adamawa State and Borno State.

A leader of a vigilante group in Mussa District, Stephen Apagu, confirmed to SaharaReporters that ‎hundreds of militants arrived on bicycles to attack the communities on Sunday evening. 

He said that ’’five civilians were shot dead and others suffered gunshot wounds in Daigu village near lassa ‎on Sunday evening at about 9:30pm.’’

He added that "they also attacked Pumpumd village yesterday, but people fled into bushes some with wounds.''

Nigerian troops kill insurgent, arrest Boko Haram kingpin


The Nigerian Army has neutralized a notorious Boko Haram insurgent that had been terrorising Kwatarha and Torikwaptir communities of Gwoza LGA in Borno.
The insurgent was gunned down by Nigerian troops on Monday, September 28, during an operation in Gwoza.
The army has also arrested a Boko Haram kingpin, Alhaji Tijjani Usman Damagum.
He was reportedly tracked down and arrested at Damagum town, Yobe.
According to the Army spokesperson, Damagum is a high profile Boko Haram member, who has led insurgents on various attacks especially in Yobe.

Picture below;

I remember the day... I confronted Boko Haram


A former captain in the Nigerian army remembers the day he faced Boko Haram - and found that his weapons were defective.

Jefferson (not his real name) jumped off the truck and flung his bulky frame onto the sand and shrubs beneath him. He raised his head and scoured the terrain. The 30 soldiers who had just arrived alongside him were taking fighting positions - some diving, others crouching.

They were in Mongonu, a town in northeast Nigeria's Borno State, to provide reinforcements for a military convoy that had, earlier that morning, been ambushed by Boko Haram.

Many of the town's 20,000 inhabitants had fled; others had been incorporated into the Boko Haram frontline - terrified human shields protecting the 200 or so members of the group who were now attacking, determination etched onto their faces, sophisticated weaponry in their hands.

But as Jefferson caught his first glimpse of the fighters, it was surprise, not fear that he felt.

"They were not what I expected," he recalls now, describing how many of the men had the kind of light skin, curly hair and fine facial features normally associated with indigenes of Chad or Niger or other countries along Nigeria's northern border.

And the ease with which they fired their Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) made it immediately clear that, far from being the mob of ragamuffins he had envisioned, these fighters were well-trained and highly efficient.

Just a few weeks earlier, in June 2013, Jefferson, a captain in the Nigerian army, had assumed duty as the commander of a 'garrison quick response force' in Borno. It was his first posting to the troubled northeastern region, which, at that point, had already endured more than four years of Boko Haram attacks.

And this was to be his first encounter with the infamous fighters.

The captain quickly overcame his surprise and prepared to attack.

But things did not go according to plan.

"The first shock I got was finding out that the firing pin of my rocket propelled grenade was damaged," he says.

Then, when he and his soldiers discharged their mortars, all they got for their efforts was a hollow kpoi sound. Their weapons had expired and were, effectively, useless.

They quickly discovered that some of their raw ammunition had no links and the charges for their equipment were broken. Wrapping them in the masking tape he always carried around in his kit proved ineffective.

A training session had been taking place in their barracks when the news of the Boko Haram ambush had reached them. They had grabbed as much ammunition from their stores as they could before heading out to battle - never imagining that it would be defective.

But now, here they were, being attacked with weapons intended for use against aircraft with nothing but small arms with which to defend themselves.

Jefferson recalls how one veteran soldier, a grey-haired, wrinkled man under his command, threw away his gun and broke down in tears,
: "Oh God! Oga, what is this?"

The worst thing that can happen to a soldier'

Jefferson was 19 years old when he joined the Nigerian army in 1986.

He had the necessary academic credits and the desire to go to university, but his father, a farmer, had three wives and 12 living children, and Jefferson knew that his family could not afford to pay for his education.

The army appeared to be his best option.

Over the next few decades of military service, he participated in peacekeeping missions in Yugoslavia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan; sustaining severe injuries during combat and while training; and once returning home from an assignment abroad to find that his wife had run off with her lover, taking their only child with her.

But, for Jefferson, all of these misfortunes paled in comparison to the events of that day in Mongonu.

"Discovering on the battlefield that your ammunition is expired or faulty," he says, tailing off.

"That is the worst thing that can ever happen to a soldier."

In such circumstances, a soldier with no plans to die anytime soon is typically faced with little option but to flee the battlefield. And there have been plenty of news stories about Nigerian soldiers doing just that over the past year.

Such reports have embarrassed the government and perplexed the country's citizens, sometimes pointing to the Nigerian army's inability to match the firepower of Boko Haram; at other times blaming low morale among the soldiers, a by-product of pot-bellied senior officers in comfortable Abuja offices swallowing the allowances of junior officers on the Borno battlefields.


"But we didn't run away," says Jefferson proudly.

After six to seven hours of battle - during which three Nigerian army soldiers were killed and dozens wounded - Jefferson's unit succeeded, with assistance from subsequent reinforcements, in repelling the Boko Haram fighters.

He credits "the grace of God" for the series of fortunate events that led to the victory.

Particularly providential was the training session that had been taking place in the barracks. Among the trainers were seasoned soldiers like Jefferson and other "special force instructors".

"There are not many well-trained soldiers in the Nigerian army today," Jefferson explains. And under other circumstances, such soldiers would not have been around to assist his unit.

He describes the stringent recruitment process he endured before being admitted into the army in 1986; the tough physical and mental training; the trainees who, unable to cope, fell by the wayside; the extra effort required to prove that he was better than others from the same part of the country because the army could only retain a certain number from each state in the federation.

Once he made it, he was sent to the Airborne Training School in Jaji for further training. A few weeks later, he emerged a bona fide private with a sense of "utmost patriotism" and a resolve to die for his country.

"I was taught that anything that would bring about the failure of the system was an enemy," he says.

The hajia list

But, for Jefferson, things began to change during the military regimes of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha in the 1990s. He noticed how a number of failed military coups had infused the top ranks of the Nigerian army with fear and distrust for one another.

Senior government officers started sending trucks to their home villages to gather unemployed young men, who they then signed on as soldiers.

Jefferson watched as many of these new recruits were unleashed on the army, with barely a few weeks of basic training under their belts. Those who had connections in high places were often exempted from tough physical training on the parade ground. And this soon led to what was known among Jefferson's cadre of soldiers as the 'hajia list' of recruits.

"They didn't know basic regimentation," Jefferson explains. "They didn't know the parts of a rifle or even how to cork a gun."

However, they were experts at polishing the shoes and ironing the clothes of their employers and superiors, to whom they considered themselves devoted. Hence, the term 'hajia', a common way of addressing Muslim women in Nigeria.

It soon struck Jefferson that these soldiers were being groomed to be completely loyal to their bosses. Those at the top were steadily building an army of soldiers who would serve them, not necessarily the country.

The nepotism became so ingrained that Jefferson noticed some of his colleagues from different ethnic groups changing their names to give the impression that they were from the ethnic or religious group they felt would win them the most favour at any point in time.

Allegations of government officials and 'emirs', local Muslim leaders, sending lists of soldiers they wanted commissioned became rife.

Today, Jefferson attributes his slow rise from private to captain to the fact that he had no connections; no one to influence the trajectory of his career and follow up on his postings.

Still, seven years after joining the army, he finally fulfilled his dream of going to university. The army sent him to study a social science course at one of Nigeria's most prestigious universities. A few years later, he returned to the same institution to study for a masters' degree. And then, for a PhD, which was truncated by the call of duty two years into the programme.

In addition to his qualifications, Jefferson was sent to different military training programmes around the world, and received a number of awards for excellence.

But these distinctions only frustrated him further.

"No matter how well I performed," he says, "those with lower scores and less qualifications were constantly promoted over me."

They may have discriminated against him when it came to promotions, but Jefferson's bosses were well aware of his merits and often singled him out for responsibilities that would normally have been given to someone of a higher rank. He says he always obliged, embracing the extra responsibilities without complaint.

For example, just a few months after that day in Mongonu, he was selected to be part of the patrol team that escorted some of the military's newly acquired equipment from Abuja and Bauchi.

At the airport, Jefferson posed beside some of the shining new guns and missiles, his 165cm frame neatly tucked into a brown and green camouflage uniform the same colour and design as the aeroplanes in the background. Throughout the journey to Maiduguri, he relished the thought that a new phase was beginning in the war against Boko Haram. He dreamed of finishing the battle soon and returning to his new wife, who had grown anxious since his transfer to Borno.

But the battle against Boko Haram was far from over. Jefferson observed that, even after weeks of training by the defence attaches of the countries that had supplied the new weapons, many Nigerian soldiers were unable to operate the hi-tech ammunition.

With amusement in his voice, he describes how their attempts to handle the hi-tech guns resembled somebody trying to master a Rubik's Cube.

But his amusement is tinged with anger.

"Further training then fell on commanders like me," he says, "training men who were impervious to learning."

It grew difficult for Jefferson to contain his ire each time he saw a soldier at a checkpoint chomping on mangoes or chatting on his mobile phone as his gun lay on the floor beside him.

And such indiscipline wasn't just evident among the junior ranks. Once, a brigadier-general mocked Jefferson for always being in full kit, teasing him about dressing "like an American soldier".

"I soon got tired of being the odd man out," he explains. "The commander who insists that soldiers must wear their fragment jackets, their caps - being accused of being too fussy."

So Jefferson resigned from the army in mid-2014. He now works for the security department of an international organisation in Abuja. A number of his colleagues who also left the army have similarly well-paid jobs as, with the rising threat posed by Boko Haram, international organisations in Nigeria now consider it imperative to have security departments staffed with counterinsurgency experts.

"The insurgency has created jobs for us," Jefferson says.

But despite the relative comfort of his new life, Jefferson still looks back at his almost 28 years in the army with nostalgia. The near tragedy of the day when he came face to face with Boko Haram is something he now considers just another day in the life of a soldier devoted to serving his country.

Source: Al Jazeera

CTCION PICTURES

NA SOLDIERS WITH M-29 81mm MORTARS

Defence Headquarters
TROOPS AMBUSH FLEEING TERRORISTS

Nigerian troops have ambushed and killed 2 fleeing terrorists as well as captured several weapons and supplies.

The ambush was laid at the Boko Haram crossing point into Sambisa Forest at Iza, the terrorists were engaged and eventually they succumbed to the superior firepower of troops.

Two terrorists were killed, some abandoned their supplies and fled, one general purpose machine gun and one AK47 rifle were captured.

Another Boko Haram fuel dump uncovered – Nigerian Army



The Nigerian Army on Thursday said its troops have uncovered another fuel dump owned by the extremist Boko Haram sect at Abbaganaram, in central Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to a statement by Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, the illegal fuel depot was uncovered Wednesday afternoon after a surprise raid following a tip off  by “well meaning”  residents.
Mr. Usman, a colonel said, “During the operation, one person, Musa Abba, was arrested and the following items were discovered and confiscated; 11 drums of AGO, 1  empty drum, 192  of 25-litre jerrycans, (out of which 70 were loaded with AGO, PMS and DPK), a Toyota bus and 1 Peugeot car. Others  include a motorcycle and an air conditioner.
“The fuel depot was used to stockpile petroleum, oil and lubricants by Boko Haram terrorists and their equally heartless collaborators for onward movement to the terrorists camps in Sambisa forest.
“Over time, we have been exhorting the public, especially the residence of the north eastern part of the country which has been mostly affected by the acts of the Boko Haram terrorists to cooperate fully with the military and the security agencies.
“It is gratifying to note that such call is being heeded by overwhelming majority of people as exemplified by the courageous and patriotic efforts of the good citizens that exposed this fuel dump in their midst. It is important that people should see the fight against the security menace of Boko Haram terrorism as collective responsibility.  
“Therefore the public are kindly requested to be more vigilant and assist with useful information that would assist in preventing Boko Haram terrorists from carrying out their nefarious acts against the society.”

@bidexii did lt-colonel wear red on their neck?

idu1:
@bidexii did lt-colonel wear red on their neck?

@ idu1 sorry I did not get your question?

idu1:
@bidexii did lt-colonel wear red on their neck?

...No,lieutenant -colonels do not bear red necks on their uniforms....only
colonels and above do