After two weeks of intense investigation, Sunday Vanguard presents exclusive details of the dirty war going on between the Nigerian military, members of the Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (Western education is evil), otherwise known as Boko Haram, some influential Nigerians who appear to have lent support to the terrorists on the one hand, and some officers and men of the Nigerian military who are aiding the operations of the terrorists in this war, as well as the sometimes naïve yet complicit contradictory disposition of Europe and America, which have both wittingly and unwittingly allowed the terrorists to gain ground and have become somewhat difficult to defeat.
Whereas the military is engaged in a battle on the warfront, the political and psychological component of the engagement appears to be currying sympathy for these mindless killers because of those who seem to share their ideological slant and who once (and have again) found their way to the corridors of power in a polity of clashing socio-political and religious interests.
This is the story of how experienced and war-tested officers are led to their death because of the contradictory, compromising and deadly activities of fifth columnists in the military and in government. And beyond Amnesty International’s (AI) indictment of some top military commanders in Nigeria, former Commander-in-Chief, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, may be dragged before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. The details are revealing.
Last week, we told the sad story of the death of a Colonel of the Nigerian Army as well as the gruesome killing of Major Timothy Fambiya who, while attempting to capture Abubakar Shekau, leader of Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (Western education is evil), otherwise known as Boko Haram, was shot in the head from behind. We also narrated how an insider leak led to the ambushing of troops on a mission to attack Boko Haram fighters in Michika, Borno State – Lt. Col .Adeboye Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, almost lost his life in that ambush as he was shot in the leg. In addition, we highlighted the activities of fifth columnists whose agenda is to ensure that the terrorists defeat the military; the report by Amnesty International indicting very senior military officers and its human rights implication on perception and the war against the terrorists; the expected role of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and how it has assisted the military in shaping a policy of humaneness even as it battles the terrorists was also brought to the fore.

HOW THE WEST ENCOURAGED BOKO HARAM
It was one of those hypocritical engagements. In the early part of 2012, Nigeria’s battle against terrorism was, at best, shambolic and disgusting to say the least. It was as if there was no government in place and the mere fact that the terror group was beginning to dare more, bomb more and kill more, became a matter of concern at international fora.
Some Nigerians who argued that the group be designated a Foreign Terror Organisation, FTO, rather than receive support from home, got a shocker. The Nigerian government – their government – forcefully moved against the idea. That was where mud was thrown in.
It is not yet established where the spurious document emanated from.
What was clear, however, was the end to which the document was meant to be put!
Some 25 scholars, from reputable academic institutions in the United States of America, USA, wrote a passionate letter, insisting that an FTO status for Boko Haram should never be contemplated. It is still debatable whose interests were being served and who may have funded such an exercise.
But with the very vociferous, sometimes embarrassing position of Nigeria’s government at that time, divorcing it of culpability would be very difficult.
And whereas they claimed to be concerned for Nigeria and Nigerians in the event that the FTO designation is hung on Boko Haram the time wasted while this lasted is partly responsible for the growth, spread and audacity of members of Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad.
Worse still, a certain Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, who took a more than official interest in Nigeria, appeared on the same wave length with the academics. His logic, that poverty was the reason for the rise of Boko Haram, a comment described as an insult to poor people all over the world, showed his poor understanding of the ideology that drove and is driving the terrorists. He suffers culpability.
Had the insurgents been dealt with in the manner of their activities as a terror group, perhaps the token successes recorded in recent times against it could have long added up to foil and stop the group’s advances.
THE PROPAGANDA THAT DECEIVED THE WEST
Investigations by Sunday Vanguard since it first published the letter in 2012 – and specifically in the last three weeks – suggest that some powerful northern influence pedlars may have been sponsors of the letter.
In fact, last week, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that some leaders of the North were sponsored to embark on a voyage of propaganda to Europe and America.
The brief was to canvass the position that the war against members of Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad was indeed a campaign of genocide against the people of the North.
Armed with some video footage taken by military officers who believe in the ideology of Boko Haram and who were described by a security source as ‘conscientious objectors’, the propagandists made some inroads.
Whereas in truth and indeed the Nigerian military ought to be accountable to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian people; and whereas it needed to conduct its war on terror with a human face so as not to engender unbearable degrees of collateral damage; some of the footage shown in Europe and America – apart from a few reckless extra-judicial killings – were scenes of real-life combat between the military and Boko Haram members dressed in civilian clothes.
The most interesting aspects of the footage were the ones that depicted the Nigerian military as killing innocent civilians whereas, indeed, like ISIS members dressed in civilian clothes, those who were being engaged were terrorists.
To make the propaganda engagement more believable, a retired, very senior army officer of northern extraction, was recruited for the job. How much he collected for the campaign could not be ascertained but a military source insisted that “the retired general didn’t have to be paid because he is one of those who still believe in the anachronistic idea of a “northern domination and an Islamic state”.
DOING BOKO HARAM’S DIRTY JOB
Making recklessly unrealistic assumptions about members of the Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, some self-styled experts on Nigeria sought to convince the American government on why it should not support the fight against the terrorists.
And, therefore, when on May 21, 2012, a three-page letter surfaced at the State Department in the US, the sympathizers of Boko Haram were on their way to buying time for the terrorists
The three-page letter was sent to the then Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, on May 21, 2012. Received at her State Department, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20520, the letter read:
“Dear Secretary Clinton:
“As scholars with a special interest in Nigeria and broad expertise on African politics, we are writing to urge that you not designate Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). We are acutely aware of the horrific violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, including attacks on both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, whether government officials or civilian targets. We share your concerns about the impact of extremist violence on Nigeria’s democratic progress and security in general.
“However an FTO designation would internationalize Boko Haram, legitimize abuses by Nigeria’s

DISTURBING CATCH-22 SCENARIO – THE CASE OF ELDER CITIZEN MONGUNU
There is a twist and irony in today’s war.
The nature and bestiality of Boko Haram members is in no measure comparable to the activities of the Niger Delta militants who created economic sabotage in the early part of this century before the late President Umaru Yar’Adua brokered amnesty. Prominent Nigerians from all geo-political zones of the country called for the use of the military.
Interestingly, when the military launched its first wave of operations in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, some leaders of the states, rather than encouraged the military, acted in ways that tended to pitch the troops against the civilian population and, thereby, allowed the terrorists to continue their carnage. In fact, during a presidential visit to Borno State by former President Goodluck Jonathan, the major demand of the elders of Borno was the withdrawal of the military, to which the then president inappropriately demanded an alternative – no one provided any.
Unfortunately, elder statesman Shetima Ali-Mongunu, an octogenarian and a leading light in not just Borno State but also the North, became a victim of the terrorists. After spending days in captivity and contrary to the claim made at that time by the state government, Sunday Vanguard was told, last week, that N20million was paid to Boko Haram to secure his release. Ironically, since then, the military that Mongunu had insisted must be withdrawn from Borno State has been providing him with security. He hardly ventures out – not because of old age but because of the traumatic experience in captivity.
Worse still, Sunday Vanguard was informed that the reason the group always found solace in Chad, Cameroun and Niger republic is because some very senior government officials, perhaps the ones referred to by former President Jonathan who were members of the Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad hiding in his government, found a very lucrative means of claiming to engage the terrorists while siphoning millions of dollars.
It is alleged that some heads of state were regularly visiting Aso Rock Presidential Villa to collect money.
Military sources alleged that most of the heroic stories about Chadian military were almost always primed to get compensation from the Nigerian government.
Even the ceasefire hoax during the Jonathan administration was alleged to have been orchestrated from Aso Rock by very senior Presidency officials, said to be working with Idris Derby of Chad Republic. The Chadian military that stormed Gamboru Ngala, military sources alleged, were on a looting spree until they were stopped from proceeding. And when they proposed to move southwards to Dikwa, the Nigerian military repelled them because their agenda was far from fighting the terrorists. With friends like Chad, Nigeria certainly do not need an enemy.
The latest AI report, Sunday Vanguard was told, is part of a grand agenda to ensure that the very senior military leaders who did their best to halt the advance of Boko Haram are dealt with. Meanwhile, their Commander-in-Chief, Jonathan, may be indicted in the final analysis.
And whereas those who may have committed acts that are inhuman while claiming to be fighting the terrorists must be brought to book. However, threatening officers and hanging the sword of international criminal justice regime on them would not yield any meaningful advancement in the fight against terror.

Freemanan:

Stop buying useless lands.......this is not a fertile land, can't u see... or you think lalasticala would pay for this kind one. smh

I actually didn't read this,its damn too long! The only thing I have to say is the war needs to get dirtier!

Hmmm is getting interesting

Vidal

There's no joy compared to that of GEJ being taken out of Aso. Four more years of GEJ and even Somalians would rate their country a paradise. The dude is being played and all you could see is mumu.

micronut:
Stop buying useless lands.......this is not a fertile land, can't u see... or you think lalasticala would pay for this kind one. smh

Never say never Mate.

Good one OP. The boko haram debacle is one hell of a quagmire. However, one thing is certain and that is that the disappearance of shekau since the emergence of buhari is a strong indication to the intent of the group. Shekau like we all know berates governments of Nigeria and the west. His absence means buhari will not be insulted. Ever since buhari came up no heavy attack has been recorded against boko haram.
Presently we're watching keenly as buhari sets to send some of these terrorists to a less secured prison facility in the east. Whatever happens thereafter he will be blamed.

The north gave birth to BH and should look for ways to quell it with the support of FG