Away from politics and electioneering campaigns for the fast approaching 2019 general elections. The recent onslaughts by the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East of Nigeria calls for concerns. You will recall that Buhari-led administration claimed to have technically defeated the dreadful sect, sometime in December, 2015. Unfortunately, the group that was said to have been defeated, has once again transformed to a formidable force, with capacity of attacking military base successful, leaving behind a large number of casualties on the part of the Military.


Condolences to the families of all the falling heroes and quick recovery to the injured gallant men. And to all the peace loving people of North-East that have lost their love ones, homes and properties, may the Almighty God console you all and make you recover all what you have lost. Our prayer is with Leah Shuaibu, the Chibok girls and others that are still in the terrorists captivity, may God undertake for you.


Nigerians are tempted to ask, how is it possible for the sect that was claimed to have been defeated, to be able to carry out successful attacks on military formations with heavy casualties? Where have we missed it as a nation? Or what are we not doing right? It is now a known fact that the insurgents are gradually becoming what they used to be prior to 2015.


Lack of intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) has been one of the bane of complete defeat of Boko Haram sect. While it may be argued that Nigeria lack the technological capacity for the required ISR, the nation has not been able to sustain a working relationship with foreign allies that have such technical know-how, and for reasons bordering on human rights abuse and other related issues, the developed world tend not to be forthcoming with such confidential information to Nigeria. There is therefore need for the nation to show a strong commitment to human rights issues, so as to have access to classified information of ISR. Also, the government should develop domestic intelligence gathering capacity, to obtain useful information from the locals. The ISR will give a detail image information of the position and the structure of the insurgents, which will be of great help for the Military for necessary actions.


Another prominent point that can’t be wave aside is the inadequacy of arms and ammunitions to prosecute this war. Despite billions of naira voted for security, it is an open secret that Military high command have been unable to provide soldiers at the war front with weapons and adequate welfare. Recall that gallant men of 21 Brigade in Sambisa forest went on rampage last year for this same reason. As a matter of fact, there is tension within the rank and file of the Military, for possible revolts by soldiers against their superiors, over outdated and inadequate weapon to combat the monster group and good welfare package.


Absence of effective working synergy between the ground troops and the Air Force is another challenge militating against degradation of the dreadful sect, in the North-East. There is what seems like disunity between the ground troops and their Air Force counterparts. One of the obvious reasons for this is that the personnel take instructions from different Commanders. Both Forces ought to work together in a way  to complement each other and carry out coordinated operations against the insurgents.


Owing to weapon inadequacy, lack of ISR and poor synergy between the concerned Land and Air forces, the Military resulted to defensive strategy, as against offensive strategy used prior to 2015 technical defeat claim. Unfortunately, the insurgents have increased their capacity and had lunched successful attacks on military formations of recent. And with heavy number of casualties recorded on the part of the Nigerian Armed Forces, it is expedient that the troops change from defensive to offensive strategy. According to a common saying, the best form of defence is to attack. It is incumbent on the Armed Forces to take the fight to the abode of the dreadful elements.


We do understand that this war is not a conventional war, and that makes it very difficult to fight. But we can only assure the Military of the support of the generality of Nigerians. We hope to see the very end of this insurgency soon. The Federal Republic is greater than Boko Haram insurgency.


https://www.olamilite.com/2018/12/still-on-fight-against-insurgency.html