₦airaland Forum

By Ochimana Abutu

The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has been in the news for various reasons. Some positive while some negative. It becomes challenging to place which side of the divide the governor is with his media tirade against the Nigerian Military’s operations in Borno state.

The governor's recent posture indeed brings to fore some of the dynamics of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state and why Borno state has remained the only state in North East that still experiences pockets of Boko Haram activities.

In some of my previous writings, I recall that I had aligned with some civil society organizations that stated that the issue in Borno State is the refusal by the political authorities in the state to extend their support to the Nigerian military for extraordinary reasons. And the governor has indeed confirmed this position with the inconsistency in which it has praised and criticized the military’s operations in the state.

This minute he praises the Nigerian Army to high heavens. The next minute he lashes out with such carelessness that would make even the dumbest individual smell a rat somewhere. He gets erratic and composed at the state time. His body language indeed tells that he knows the truth about the prolongation of Boko Haram's activities in the state. His conscience is probably fighting him, which is why he says contradictory stuff within minutes.

It is no longer a secret that indeed the governor of Borno State is under tremendous pressure to do the bidding of his political masters who do not want the Boko Haram crisis to end. From all indications, the governor is fighting a battle of extreme consequences from two fronts; one is from his benefactor and former governor Kashim Shettima. The other is from the warlords from his Kanuri ethnic stock.

We must agree that these two factors indeed place the governor in a very tight corner regarding the prosecution of the war against insurgency. He gets bashed whenever he speaks the truth about the happenings in the state from two ends. The most painful one is always from his benefactor and former governor who from all intent and purposes is still wanting that political relevance at the national level hence his often misguided tirade against the government's efforts in the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

I am not convinced that Kashim Shettima has any moral right or authority to want to teleguide Babagana Zulum or to comment on national issues in this country because in the eight years he held sway as governor it was established that he was comfortable with the ferociousness of the Boko Haram group so much so that the group advanced and gained control of territories in the state.

This is indeed the situation of things in Borno State and why Babagana Zulum has been speaking from both sides of the mouth in recent times. This is the problem. He knows the truth. He is a man entangled in Godfatherism's web at one end and his ethnic stocks who have refused to tackle the Boko haram problems.

In my candid opinion, Babagana Zulum's actions are merely grandstanding in a bid to paint a picture of a workaholic governor who has the interest of the people at heart. And I beg to ask what good is such grandstanding when you elect to turn the truth on its head? In whose interest is it for the governor to continue to issues disparaging remarks about the Nigerian Military operations in the state?

All of the above-stated points to the direction of the political heavyweights in Borno State feeding fat from the Boko Haram crisis. As such, it must not come to an end because that would mean taking away butter from their bread. So it should not be surprising that of all states in northeast Nigeria, only Borno state is still experiencing pockets of Boko Haram attacks.

I am also of the considered opinion that the posture of Governor Babagana Zulum is nothing but the voice of Zulum and the leprous hand of Shettima who hates to see peace return to Borno State. I am also constrained to believe that part of Zulum’s problem is that he knows the issues, and he has dared to demonstrate a commitment toward addressing them, which remains his greatest undoing.

And for daring to be different, the warriors of Kanem Bornu Empire would have none of it. They have threatened to withdrawn political support for him should he credit the Military for its exploits in the state. Little wonder that today he says the Military has done well and the next day he says otherwise.

This is indeed sad and a reminder to all that the bulk of the challenges in Borno State are orchestrated and perpetuated by those that during the day pride themselves as concerned citizens while at night they are demons that feed fat on human blood. This is the starkness of the reality on the ground in Borno state.

Nigerians must consequently be aware that the criticism of the Nigerian Military in Borno State is well orchestrated to cause a distraction of the troops in its efforts at ridding the state of remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents. This was what Kashim Shettima entrenched while he held sway as governor for eight years. He expects Babagana Zulum to toe the same line.

How this would turn out remains to be seen as the truth is gradually coming out and Nigerians are beginning to see that indeed Borno State remains under that attack of Boko Haram not because the military are not doing their job, but essentially because of the internal conspiracy perpetrated by those in high and mighty places in the state. This is indeed a shame.

Abutu is a public affairs analyst writing from Yola.

*'This is the Buhari we used to know', elders forum reacts to Kankara schoolboys' rescue* 

The Patriotic Elders Council of Nigeria (PECN) says the safe return of schoolboys abducted in Kankara, Katsina State has evoked memories of President Muhammadu Buhari they used to know. 

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Bishop Pinot Ogbaji, on Monday, the PECN said President Buhari rolled back the years with his display of poise, celerity and focus. 

Having risen steadily through the military ranks, President Buhari was Head of State between 1983 and 1985, a two-year regime famous for honesty, patriotism and incorruptibility.  

And the PECN noted that these virtues once again came to the fore as the president secured the release of the Kankara students. 

According to Bishop Ogbaji, President Buhari has confirmed his capacity to end banditry, terrorism and other criminal vices in the country. 

He added that the nation's confidence in the president, the service chiefs and troops have been renewed following the release of the students. 

Bishop Ogbaji, however, called on all Nigerians to continue to support the president as the bigger battle lies ahead.

Read the full statement below:

The release on Thursday night, of the over 300 boys abducted from the Government Senior Science Secondary School, GSSS, Kankara, Katsina State, has shown that it is only a matter of time before the current administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari will defeat insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

As elders, we followed the episode leading to the abduction of the boys, their captivity, the nature of negotiations, the efforts of the Federal Government and the military intelligence put into play leading to the release of the boys and we have no reason to withhold our joy and excitement. 

THIS IS THE BUHARI WE USED TO KNOW

We noted that while the boys were being held, that not once did the President panic or lose his composure.

Even as pressure was mounting on Mr President to take presumptive actions, President  Buhari did not lose focus but concentrated hard on what needed to be done until he was able to achieve results. 

We saw a reenactment of the Buhari we used to know since the 60s who is not not only brave and courageous but firm and focused and hardly loses his composure.

Much as some had wanted him to resort to histrionics by coming on national television to lament and shed crocodile tears, President Buhari chose the dignified option by not allowing the insurgents get the wrong impression that he is weak or for a moment think they're winning.

The President, however, continued to work round the clock by adopting the carrot and stick approach by allowing those who felt negotiating with the gunmen would bring results to continue to explore that angle, but also putting in place a military exercise that not only picked the location of where the schoolboys were being held but later encircling the gunmen to the point that the military could have overwhelmed them if they had tried anything funny.

THE STRATEGIES THAT WORKED 

In the end, the two strategies worked as they gunmen who probably wanted to explore the situation beyond a given time,  realised their time was up and had to quickly release the boys.

In that bid, President Buhari succeeded in killing two birds with a stone by ensuring the quick release of the Kankara boys and ensuring that not a single one of them is hurt. 

In the history of mass abductions for money, this is the first time that the bandits would be embedded and boxed to a corner that they had to reconsider their own safety.

We believe the Nigerian Government when it said it paid no ransom to secure the release of schoolboys because of these strategies.

We also believe the Defence Headquarters, when it said the military rescued the students from their captors.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF RECENT GAINS

This is why we the elders, after having observed the development, felt the need to point out to Nigerians the positive aspect of what the President and his Team have achieved by this and to reassure them, that despite the many reports of such crimes, that we have a President with the capacity to rescue Nigeria from banditry, terrorism and insurgency and other forms of crime.

We have always known that it is not beyond the President and the military to tackle terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

People forget that it is Nigerian troops under President Buhari that flushed out Boko Haram terrorists from their base in Sambisa Forest and captured their flag and Qur'an in less than six months after the President took the oath of office in 2015.

It is this same President who gave the command for the headquarters of operations to be moved to the theatres of war and within a short period, liberated all the 14 local governments taken over by the insurgents in three different states of the country before he became President.

This year alone, the military has neutralised over 2,000 terrorists in both the Northeast and Northwest, Nigeria and have added the release of the Kankara boys to their exploits against the terrorists. 

Our confidence in the ability of the President and his Team to do a good job has been restored because the President has succeeded in blocking the diversion and misappropriation of funds meant for the purchase of weapons for the fight against insurgency as was the practice in the previous administration.

Unlike in the past where troops complain of lack of weapons and security gadgets to prosecute the war against insurgency, much has been acquired in that regard that has boosted the morale of our troops to fight.

The encouragement was given by the President to the Service Chiefs to lead the fight from the front we also note has been one effective tonic that has changed the narrative against the insurgents.

With the effective check on the activities of bandits, terrorists or whatever name they're called, through the release of the Kankara boys, we restate that it remains a matter of time for all these crimes to be halted in. 

No doubt our troops have further been motivated by the outcome of the Kankara boys abduction episode in which they received the support of Mr. President.

OUR CALL

We call on all Nigerians to continue to support the President as the bigger battle lies ahead.

*Summit makes case for citizens' partnership with armed forces to overcome insurgency*

A clarion call has been made to all Nigerians to rally round the Armed Forces in its bid to wipe out remnants of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the country. 

Renowned academic, Prof. Peter Madoki gave the charge at a one-day summit for target rights groups, conflict managers and social media influencers last Friday in Abuja. 

Prof. Madoki, speaking as chairman of the event organised by Global Amnesty Watch Foundation (GAWF) in conjunction with the Center for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) acknowledged the tremendous feats of the military under President Muhammadu Buhari. 

He recalled how the president propelled troops to launch multiple offensives against these armed groups through different operations. 

On top of suffering hundreds of casualties, the academic noted that over 20, 000 hostages have regained freedom and reunited with their families, most recently the Kankara students in Katsina State. 

"President Buhari and the incumbent Service Chiefs must be counted among the few best leadership gifts to Nigerians and the country," he said. 

"I appreciate all of them and encourage these leaders to soar higher in the strive to secure Nigeria and humanity". 

However, Prof. Madoki reckoned that the final piece of the jigsaw is citizens' partnership with the troops. 

He said with the support of Nigerians, especially civil society groups, non-governmental organisations and social media influencers, the military would be fired up to finish the war.

According to him, the "new media is now the leading crusaders of social change or re-engineering, good governance, human rights and self-determination agitations".

He further noted that it " has an expediently amazing outreach even to the remotest of villages. It speedily galvanizes forces potent enough to even pull down the walls of Jericho in a split second". 

Prof. Madoki recounted the EndSARS movement and the role played by social media influencers. 

He believes if such energy can be channelled to support the troops on the frontlines, the nation would soon witness an end to insecurity. 

His words, "In our country Nigeria, we experienced it with the #EndSARS protests over the same police brutality and extra-judicial killings.  The violence, avoidable deaths, destructions and gores from otherwise peaceful democratic protests would impinge on national psyche for some time.  All of you would agree with me that the messages and calls for solidarity by the organizers of the protests were re-doctored, manipulated and unpatriotically altered by mischievous persons for specific purposes.   

"And in African countries, Nigeria inclusive, which are exposed to the wonders of social media have had to grapple with the basic problem of fake news syndrome or concocted propaganda.  Most social media users are susceptible to the temptation of gulping every stuff churned out and sighted on their social media handles.

"Without any attempt at verification, it is presumed as facts largely because of the unregulated nature of such platforms. There are deliberate distortions on social media by users who delight in twisting facts to inflame negative public passions. But also, some are genuinely oblivious of the facts about events in their milieu or are misled and or, prefer to mislead others in the expansive chain of social media connectivity".

The European Union Human Rights Forum (EUHRF) has commended President Mohammadu Buharinfor the release and safe return of the 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.

The European Union in a statement by Joseph Cullen, Special Rapporteur, Lake Chad, West Africa, said the release of the students is a deserving relief to see that everything ended without bloodshed.

According to Cullen, measures must be put in place to ensure that such actions do not repeat itself again.

''The abduction had sent shockwaves across the entire international community because of the similarities it shared with the kidnap of the schoolgirls in a secondary school in a town of Chibok in Borno State of Nigeria which took place on the night of Monday, the 14th day of April 2014 under the previous administration.

''EUHRF commends President Muhammadu Buhari and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for this cheery outcome even as it is now apparent that measures must be implemented to ensure such actions do not occur in the first place. This will ensure that the priority that President Buhari gives to matters pertaining to women and children continues to remain in place since these are vulnerable people that must be given extra protection in view of the complex security situations that Nigeria is having to deal with owing to an unhealthy mix of internal, external, state and non-state factors that Nigeria is contending with.

''We commend President Buhari for the swiftness and efficiency with which the lads were rescued from their abductors. Such swiftness would have made all the difference had such occurred in 2015 when school girls were similarly abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno state. It is commendable that critical time was not lost in returning the school boys back to their families.

''EUHRF’s one major concern from the entire incidence is the tenacity with which some key players wanted to chalk up the abduction as credit to Boko Haram, which had criminally claimed credit for the development that it knows nothing about. This goes to confirm the concerns that some indigenous groups had expressed in the past that there is much of political coloration to the security breaches in Nigeria'', the organisation said in a statement.

Cullen said the EUHRF is committed to lending support in any way possible for the government to deal with terrorist propaganda that encourages those with criminal intentions to commit these kind of acts.

The organisation expressed shock that at the result Nigeria was able to achieve in dealing with the situation before external support could be factored in.

EUHRF further commended other stakeholders in Nigeria who made the feat possible.

''The outcome could not have been possible without President Buhari providing the needed leadership but the collaborative inputs of the other layers of the government is remarkable. We therefore commend the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari and the Nigerian Army for their valiant and cooperative efforts towards ensuring the release of the schoolboys.

''It is imperative that Nigeria now gets similar support from governments of the world in order to deal with a problem that has manifested its spread across national boundaries. The evil menace of insurgency that the abductions were meant to feed must be urgently addressed by stakeholder-nations so that those who plot to gain from this kind of criminal enterprise would know that they have no future.''

statement issued and signed by the Executive Director, Taiwo Akerele in New York, the United States on Saturday said the safe return of the schoolboys again highlights President Buhari's political will towards addressing the security challenges in the country.

Also, it commended the relevant security agencies that participated in the rescue operation for their plan and execution that led to the eventual safe return of the schoolboys.

The Executive Director, however, urged the Federal Government to begin the process of engaging Nigerians on the need for collective action towards nation-building.

The Incentive-Based Program (IBP) of Policy House International also used the occasion to ask Governors of the region to invest in the security of educational facilities across the states in their 2021 budget" planning

You will recall that the Incentive-Based Program of Policy House International is presently working with relevant partners to encourage over 450,000 parents in the North East bring back their kids to school based on an arranged incentive framework that will encourage agriculture, small and medium scale enterprises, grant and cash support across some selected states affected by insecurity.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the country's security agencies for the release of hundreds of Kankara schoolboys in Katsina State. 

The group made this known in a communique signed by its President, Dr. Agwu Onyeke alongside 13 country heads, issued at the end of an online consultative meeting on Friday. 

According to the ANPE, the safe return of the schoolboys again highlights President Buhari's political will towards addressing the security challenges in the country. 

Also commending the military for its plan and execution that lead to the eventual safe return of the schoolboys, the Nigerian professionals hailed the Operation Sahel Sanity as a success. 

The group, however, urged the Federal Government to begin the process of engaging Nigerians on the need for collective action towards nation building 

The Nigerian professionals also called on the FG to develop strategies that would counter the falsehood propagated by mischief makers and disgruntled politicians in the polity that is bent on truncating the nascent democracy in Nigeria. 

Read full communique below:

Introduction: 

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe the umbrella body of Nigerian professionals that have distinguished themselves in their chosen endeavours in Europe.  A part of the strategic objective of the association is to tap from the rich resource base of Nigerians in Europe towards the socio-economic development of Nigeria. 

The association has in its fold thousands of Nigerians in various fields of endeavours in Europe providing advisory services in the critical sectors of health, education, economy and security, amongst a host of other interventions.  This has been evident in symposiums, policy papers, and strategic reports on issues that aid sustainable development in Nigeria. 

The online consultative meeting was convoked in the assessment of the state of the nation Nigeria, and the recent abduction and subsequent rescue of 344 students of Government Science School, Kankara, Katsina State. 

The online consultative meeting had in attendance members from different parts of the Europe and issues were deliberated and presented to the general house during plenary for ratification and subsequent adoption. 

The Issues: 

Nigeria is experiencing challenges in various sectors of the country, and it has been alleged that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has displayed a lackadaisical attitude towards addressing the issues. 

This much necessitated the need for an independent assessment from a body of experienced Nigerian professionals that have kept a tab on happenings in the country to put issues in proper perspectives for the generality of the Nigerian populace as well as its development partners that are watching with keen interest the happenings in the country. This is also on the heels that we are in the era of fake news that has brought about an unimaginable level of misinformation that are detrimental to sustainable development. 

The Impact of Coronavirus on the Economy of Nigeria: 

The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic indeed disrupted growth and development in Nigeria. The case of Nigeria is not as peculiar as the impact of the pandemic hit almost countries in the world. Consequently, members deliberated on the steps taken by the Nigerian government towards mitigating the effects of the pandemic on the lives of the ordinary Nigerians. 

The State of Insecurity in Nigeria: 

Members also deliberated extensively on the spate of insecurity in the country. The prosecution of the war against insurgency in North-East Nigeria, the spate of kidnappings, including the abduction of 344 students from their dormitories in Government Science School Kankara, Katsina State and other forms of criminalities by militant groups across the country. 

There were extensive deliberations by members with experts in criminology moderating the discourse to make informed observations in line with global standards. 

The Resolutions: 

After extensive deliberations, members who were divided into subgroups made presentations for adoption by the general house on the above-highlighted issues. 

On the state of the Economy, the following was unanimously adopted: That the impact of the coronavirus pandemic was felt globally and Nigeria was not an exceptional case in the sense that almost all countries of the world introduced measures aimed at containing the further spread of the virus. And this included the enforcement of a lockdown of countries. 

That the Nigerian authorities indeed enforced a nationwide lockdown which economically would hurt the country’s economy. However, it commended the efforts of the Nigerian government towards mitigating the effects of the lockdown through the National Social Investment Programmes that includes but not limited to the National Cash Transfer Programme, National Homegrown School Feeding Programme and the National Social Safety Net Programme, amongst a host of others. 

On the spate of insecurity, the following was unanimously adopted: 

Members were also unanimous in commending the Nigerian Military in the war against insurgency and other forms of criminalities. 

The role of the Nigerian Military in Internal Security Operations was also commended with particular reference to Operation Sahel Sanity in North West Nigeria that was viewed as a huge success. 

The successful rescue of the abducted schoolboys by the Nigerian Military was also highlighted, and members expressed commendation in its planning and execution that that saw to the safe return of the schoolboys. 

The provision of the needed political will by the Federal government towards addressing the security challenges in the country was also commended in glowing terms. 

Recommendations: 

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe at the end of the online consultative meeting made the following recommendations: 

That the Nigerian government must begin the process of engaging Nigerians on the need for collective action towards nation building 

That the Nigerian government must develop strategies that would counter the mischief propagated by mischief makers and disgruntled politicians in the polity that is bent on truncating the nascent democracy in Nigeria. 

That the media must rise to the occasion through the enforcement of objectivity in the reportage of events in the country 

That the media must desist from giving prominence to the activities of terrorist, insurgents and other criminal gangs in the country. 

Conclusion: 

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe at the end of the online consultative meeting concluded that the Nigerian government has fared brilliantly well in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. It also averred that the bulk of the issues in the country with specific reference to the spate of insecurity in the country as politically motivated.

*Revealed: Nigerian activists lose $10m deal with Amnesty International over Buhari’s rescue of Kankara boys* 

A circuit of prominent Nigerian activists appears to have missed out on as much as $10 million bumper deal meant to come their way from global rights monitoring group, Amnesty International following the prompt rescue of the 314 schoolboys, who were abducted by gunmen from their school in Kankara, Katsina State.

The abduction of the schoolboys gunmen initially thought to be bandits, and at some later point, Boko Haram terrorists had drawn international concerns sparking fears that a repeat of a similar but more unfortunate incident in Chibok, Borno state, in which 112 of schoolgirls abducted from their school by Boko Haram terrorists are yet to be reunited with their families was in the making. 

The Nigerian government, however, turned things around for good by orchestrating the freedom and release of the children unharmed. The Nigerian Army’s Operation Sahel Sanity cordoned off the gunmen holding the schoolboys and effectively ended what could have potentially turned out to be a harrowing experience for the teenage boys as they were all freed unhurt in that operation.  

Our correspondent reliable gathered that Amnesty International had positioned to exploit the recent Kankara incident same way it did with Chibok Girls, using prominent anti-government activists to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari by highlighting how the abductions happened on his watch. The fallout from the abduction of the Chibok Girls was widely believed to have contributed to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss at the 2015 polls.

A source familiar with the plot disclosed that Amnesty, which has been accused of pursuing an agenda to destabilise Nigeria, had warehoused $10 million to mobilize local activists to design and implement “series of engagement on the Kankara Boys incident” which is reportedly a code phrase for widespread protests and campaign of propaganda directed against the government. 

Activists reportedly on the list to benefit from the $10 million “sweetener” are Femi Falana, Aisha Yesufu, Ahmad Salkida, Deji Adeyanju, Oby Ezekwesili, Shehu Sani amongst others while they were in turn expected to draw in newly identified names from the #EndSARS protests to give the ensuing protests “an organic feel”. 

According to the source, who crave anonymity over fear of a backlash, “Amnesty International was to pay the money to a company outside Nigeria on Friday. Unfortunately, the Federal Government successfully achieved the release of the boys after the military stepped in and made it impossible for the bandits to move out of the area where they were keeping the boys.

“They (activists) may not be directly connected to it but the video in which the boys were told to say they were abducted by Boko Haram was meant to give the activists more leverage to harass the government by claiming that the military has further lost grip of the country to Boko Haram, which would, in turn, enable Amnesty International to attribute series of events in the north-west of Nigeria to the military. Things could have gotten really ugly,” the source who claimed to have brokered the similar deal for a female among the activists stated.

Hints of the $10 million budget for advancing the anti-Nigeria agenda had triggered a flurry of activities among the activists as they jostled to set the narrative for what was nationally feared would end up a tragedy. They had created hashtags that were meant to make trend the abductions on social media similar to what they did with #BringBackOurGirls. #KankaraBoys #KankaraStudents and #BringBackOurBoys were thrown up and were already trending before the boys were rescued by the military.

Senator Shehu Sani, @ShehuSani, wrote, “The Friday night attacks in Kankara town Katsina state and the reported kidnappings of students of the Government Secondary School by bandits is another tragedy in the season of woes. Until the (sic) these bandits are tackled and crushed, the problem will not fizzle out.”

Oby Ezekwesili, @obydzeks, said “What exactly is the grossly incompetent and coldly indifferent @NGRPresident @MBuhari really doing in Katsina State while disconsolate parents of 333 #KankaraBoys cry their eyes out? Does the President know more than we are being told about the whereabouts of those students?”

Even after the students were freed from captivity, there was last-minute push on the part of some of the activists who reportedly told Amnesty International that they can still use the incident to do some damage. It was however unclear if the organization bought this argument or if it went ahead to disburse part of the funds since the basis on which it was to be spent has been overtaken by events.

The activists nonetheless continued their attacks on government while twisting preventive steps being taken to keep other students safe out of context. Aisha Yesufu @AishaYesufu for instance jubilantly said “The reasons Boko Haram gave us for abducting #KankaraStudents was so western education should be stopped. Schools are being closed. They won! When will Nigeria government go after Boko Haram terrorists?”

Her assertion is consistent with what Amnesty International had declared a clear four days before. The international NGO had rushed to credit Boko Haram for the abduction of the schoolboys, which further cement claims by some organizations that the rights group was running propaganda to present the terrorist group as stronger than it actually is. Its statement, titled “Nigeria: Education under attack in the north” went as far as validating an erroneous claim that more than 500 students were abducted when in reality the 314 that were rescued were the only ones abducted in the ugly incident.

Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, had said “These children are abducted in serious risk of being harmed and being forced to become child soldiers. Nigerian authorities must take all measures to return them to safety, along with all children currently under the custody of Boko Haram.”  

The activists have now reportedly raised a team to pressure Ojigho into persuading Amnesty International’s London headquarters that the funds can be channelled into executing projects that will deliver results and would be similar in impact too if the abducted schoolboys had not regained their freedom.

*'Mentor young Nigerians to emulate Abba Kyari', Customs CG, Zulum, others charge family, friends*

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), has tasked friends and family of Abba Kyari to mentor the next generation of Nigerians to uphold the values of the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu. 

Col. Ali gave the charge at a book presentation in Kyari's honour on Thursday at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja. 

The book titked 'The Man Abba Kyari' was written by David Onmeje, a UK-based author and lecturer. 

In his remark, Col. Ali said the late journalist, lawyer and businessman was often misunderstood by many because of his integrity and deviation from the norm.

He said, “Anyone that undertakes the challenge of passing through the road of credibility, honesty, and integrity will end up being the most controversial and misunderstood person, and that is what Mallam Abba Kyari was.

“He passed through that path. And in the course of doing so, you would agree that, one would roughen some edges. That was happening in the course of his life as a private citizen.

“And when he found himself in government, it was rough, in the sense that when he choose to say ‘yes’ to the left and ‘no’ to the right, the chances were that he had a lot of controversies and enemies".

The Customs boss, who said he knew Kyari for 22 years also said that the late Chief of Staff to President Buhari stood for what he believed and was uncompromisng. 

“Mallam Abba, whom I knew closely for 22 years, was someone who does not hold back his views. He was ready to take up a fight when you decide to deviate from the norms. He doesn’t take ‘No’ for an answer," he added. 

“The issue with regards to controversy is normal, some of us are into it and will continue to be in it. Some of us are being hated, but we would continue to do what we believe in. That was exactly what Abba did until his death.”

Col. Ali, however, urged the family and friends to pass his legacy to young Nigerians. 

Similarly, Governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum said the late Kyari was not a controversial man, instead, he discharged his duties to President Buhari with dedication and loyalty.

represented by his Chief-of-Staff,  Professor Isah Hussein the said, “Abba Kyari was a typical technocrat. He excelled in all the disciplines or organizations he found himself. He was a people’s person.

“Abba Kyari, some have said, was a controversial person. He was not. He was just doing his job. To be a chief-of-staff you must have certain qualities. Abba had all of those. One of them is dedicated to his job. But most importantly, is loyalty to your boss, and it must be total.

“People tried to get to Mr. President or had their own agenda found that Abba Kyari was always there. They could not bend him. That’s why a lot of people say  he was controversial. He was just doing his job.”

Reviewing the book, Prof. Udenta Udenta, said the book portrayed Kyari’s character and its contradictory assessment by the people.

“The book would open a floodgate of commentaries, and accounting about the life and times of this very complex individual (Abba Kyari),” he said.

On his part, Onmeje described the late Chief of Staff as a patriot and committed public servant who was widely respected for his loyalty and commitment to the goals and aspirations of President Buhari.

*Kankara students' release show God's faithfulness to Nigeria, Buhari - Interfaith group*

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) has welcomed the release of abducted students of Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State. 

The NIFROP, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Bishop Sunday Garuba, on Friday, said the release is a demonstration of God's faithfulness towards Nigeria and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.  

Recall that the respected group, alongside other Nigerians had on Tueaday embarked on a one-day national prayer for the safe return of the schoolboys. 

Bishop Garuba had charged Nigerians to return to God in prayers to compliment the efforts of the gallant troops. 

And barely 48 hours after, the release was confirmed by the Katsina State Government without payment of any ransome. 

In reaction, Bishop Garuba described President Buhari as God's anointed servant who can not be disgraced by those against the interest of the country in its quest towards sustainable growth and development. 

He further thanked all well-meaning Nigerians for their prayers and supplications for the safe return of the abducted boys to their families and love ones. 

On behalf of the group, Bishop Garuba also hailed the security agencies that worked tirelessly to secure the safe return of the boys.

He, however, charged all citizens to continue to pray for the administration of President Buhari against those that have constituted themselves as clogs in the wheels of the progress of the country. 

Read full statement below:

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace welcomed the rescue of the abducted schoolboys from their dormitories in Kankara, Katsina State as a demonstration of Gods awesomeness towards Nigeria. 

We are stating in unequivocal terms that the rescue of the abducted boy is indeed an indication that God loves Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari. 

This is indeed a testament to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari is Gods servant and can’t be disgraced by those that have elected to be against the interest of Nigeria in our quest towards sustainable growth and development. 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace is using this medium to extend its appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his display of sound leadership in ensuring that the various security agencies put in their best towards the rescue of the abducted boys. 

President Muhammadu Buhari has once again proved that his stewardship of Nigeria is in the overall interest of Nigerians and not a select few as has been the case with previous administrations in Nigeria. 

Nigerians must indeed come to terms with the realization that President Muhammadu Buhari is Gods anointed for Nigeria and therefore all those that have been plotting on ways to discredit his administration should have a rethink and change their ways for the bible states in the book of Psalms 105:15 “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace thank all well-meaning Nigerians for their prayers and supplications for the safe return of the abducted boys to their families and love ones. 

We consequently extend our gratitude and commendation to the security agencies that worked tirelessly to secure the safe return of the boys. They have indeed displayed tremendous acts of patriotism and commitment to the Nigerian cause. 

Our security agencies are deserving of our commendation for rising to the occasion in this critical task that saw to the safe return of the abducted boys. 

It consequently behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to pray for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari against those that have constituted themselves as clogs in the wheels of the progress of the country. 

The National Interfaith and Religious Organizations for Peace shall continue to offer intercessory prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari as he leads Nigeria towards the path of sustainable growth and development. 

We are also using this medium to call on Nigerians from all walks of life to stand on the side of truth by extending their support to the lofty plans and policies of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration. 

The safe return of the abducted boys is another testimony of Gods abounding love and faithfulness to Nigeria.

The Chairman House Committee on Disability and Special Needs, Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha has urged persons with disability to remain calm as urgent attention will be channeled to their demands.

Persons with disability who came in their large numbers from Niger Delta today at National Assembly protested against marginalization and expressed that they are educated and deserve employment placements.

Hon. Miriam Onuoha in a statement issued today said the National Assembly was already acting on their demands which necessitated the Honourable Speaker to create this committee two weeks ago because of his special interest in the rights and welfare of people living with disabilities.

"I urge the protesters to remain calm as the good times are here now with the speaker and leadership of the House of Representatives appointing a Chairman For persons with disability and special needs.

“We will work harmoniously to resolve the current impasse and grievances expressed today"

" I want to assure you of my desire and that of the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency meet with your enlarged groups soonest". Onuoha said

Tinubu Support Group-TSG has felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari as he marked his 78th birthday on Thursday.

In a statement released by its Head Media and Publicity Oluwatosin Johnson, in Abuja on Thursday. The group said it was proud to associate with the President, describing him as a role model worthy of emulation.

Oluwatosin thanked the President for his selfless service to Nigeria.

“Tinubu Support Group wishes His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari a happy birthday.

“We also say a big thank you for your selfless service to our dear country.

“We are very proud of you and your brave and fearless leadership. You have been a role model. We proudly hold you as someone worthy of emulation,” the group Director of media and publicity said.

He equally call on Nigerians to continue to support the government and its programs. We appeal to Nigerians to partner with this administration to bring about an end to security challenges in our land.

Governor Ugwuanyi congratulates Sukubo as NYCN President, tasks Nigerian Youth on productivity.


The Governor of Enugu State, Honorable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has called on youths in Nigeria to take advantage of the present digital revolution to channel their energy towards productive engagements, through the acquisition of new skills and knowledge sharing so as to nourish human capacity for the socio-economic development of the country.

Governor Ugwuanyi made the call over the weekend in Enugu, while playing host to the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN and a Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities Youth leaders, led by the NYCN President, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-igbe Sukubo at the Enugu state government House.

The organisations are in Enugu for a Special End of the year Thanksgiving service at the Adoration Ministry Enugu under the famous Catholic Preacher, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

Governor Ugwuanyi, who congratulated Sukubo on his emergence as the Unity President of the nation's apex youth organisation, described the youth as the pride and glory of any Nation. He said the position of the youth in nation building cannot be over emphasised, considering their power of ideas and intellect. He said the youth are more intelligent and far more enterprising than the older generations, and they must all seek how to re-channel their energy, through positive modelling and gainful employment.

He observed further that the time has come to rouse the consciousness of their leading lights to confront the charlatans among them. These charlatans he said, are the elements capable of dragging down society, because according to him, their activities are destructive to society as well as to themselves.

Also speaking during the visit, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka lauded the Governor for his untiring commitment to good governance and infrastructural development, particularly in the rural areas of the state. He further described Governor Ugwuanyi as a lover and promoter of peace, a reason that has made Enugu, one of the most peaceful cities in the country today.

Gov. Yahaya Bello a practical example of the principle of inclusiveness in governance.


The Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has shown himself to be a practical example of the principle of inclusiveness in governance.

The gesture of the governor, in ensuring that the leadership of the Local Government Councils include women and youths as vice chairmen and secretaries respectively, is one that ought to be emulated in all states and the federal government levels.

We in the Civil Society Network for Good Governance, believe that this has set Kogi on the right path to having a government that meets the aspirations of all citizens, as the voice of women and the youth have been put at the forefront of decision making.

This is a model that ought to be adopted by more states and federal government, to address the current anomaly wherein there is lack of communication between government and the governed, which culminated in the recent End SARS protests in the country.

The legitimate demands of the youth were hijacked, leading to untold carnage and destruction across the country, due to the fact that the grievances of the youth couldn’t find a channel into the decision making levels of government.

To forestall such a situation, going forward, the Kogi model of affirmative action for women and youth should be adopted by more states to ensure that power returns to the grassroots and government policies, programmes and projects are organically conceived and executed based on consensus positions.


Over the years it has become an accepted standard of international best practices in governance to have inclusiveness by giving positions to deserving members of disadvantaged groups and subgroups in society.

Nogeria needs leadership that is oriented towards inclusiveness and has a track record of putting this time tested principle in practice.

Governor Bello as shown himself to be a visionary through his radical departure from the past where leadership is the exclusive preserve of the influential and their cronies, and is building a system that ensures that youth are more relevant than being mere appendages of the powers that be.

Adefila Kamal
President, Civil Society Network for Good Governance

National Youth Council laud Governor Yahaya Bello over appointment of NYCN officials as Secretaries to Local government.


The National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN has described as unprecedented, the gesture extended to the local government coordinators of the NYCN in all the local government areas of Kogi State, by Governor Yahaya Bello. Governor Yahaya Bello had earlier today during the inauguration of the newly elected Local government announced the appointment of the NYCN chairmen of the various local government in the state, as the Secretaries to the Local governments across the state.

In a statement issued and signed by its President, Amb Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, the nation’s apex youth body applauded Governor Yahaya Bello’s decision, describing it as a practical demonstration of the love and belief of the Governor, in the capacity of Nigerian youth to assume the mantle of leadership in the country.

The council further pointed out that these appointments, is a major victory in bridging the age long gap, that has existed between Nigerian youth and government at various levels in the country.

Sukubo urges the new Secretaries, who have also been sworn in, to consider their appointments as a call to service, which must be carried out by hardwork, focus and teamwork, in order to justify the confidence reposed in them by Governor Bello.

The incentive Based Program (IPB) of Policy House International has expressed its disgust over the recent abduction of students by suspected bandits from the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara district in Katsina state.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Executive Director, Incentive-Based Program,
Taiwo F. Akerele in Abuja.
According to him, his organization is appalled by the recent development in Katsina State where several hundreds of schoolboys were reportedly kidnapped.


He said the act is highly reprehensible, insensitive, and inhuman.

“We are pained and distraught that while we are working hard to encourage parents to bring their kids back to school in the Nigeria North East especially on the backdrop of UNICEF’s estimated 10.5million out of school children in Nigeria, (a figure we dispute), this happened again right in our very eyes. This is indeed a minus in our quest to encourage and build confidence in the educational environment in the region through the incentive framework we have adopted.


“We call on the Nigerian government to do everything within its powers to get these kids released safely and unhurt back to school and get re-united with their parents. We must not the Chibok experience and embarrassment repeat itself again. Negative history should not be allowed to repeat itself in Nigeria. The Nigerian government must provide adequate security in all the schools in the Northern region to foster confidence and peaceful/conducive learning environment henceforth.

“The Incentive Based Program is presently working with relevant partners to encourage over 450,000 parents in the North East bring back their kids to school based on an arranged incentive framework that will encourage agriculture, small and medium scale enterprises, grant and cash support across some selected states affected by the Boko Haram scourge,” he concluded.

NYCN President, Sukubo condemns abduction of Katsina School Students, demands immediate rescue.


The National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN has condemned the attack on Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State and the subsequent abduction of several students from the school, by bandits.



A statement by the President of the council, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-igbe Sukubo, said that the abduction violates the rights to life and education of the kidnapped students, and the federal government must step up efforts, towards rescuing the students, and reunite them with their families.

Sukubo also said the NYCN is worried, that such a huge number of students can be abducted without any resistance by the security agents and that the act is a crime against humanity, prohibited under the international humanitarian law.

The NYCN said the abduction totally affects Nigeria’s effort towards enhancement education and development, while describing the latest incident, as a call for an immediate overhaul of the country's security architecture.
Amb Sukubo, while commiserating with parents of the school boys and victims of the incessant kidnap and killings in the country, called on the terrorists to lay down their arms and release those in their custody.



The youth Council also appealed for adequate security in all schools to ensure a safe learning environment, as he further asked every security agencies in the country, to work together, towards ensuring a timely return of the abducted Kankara Students.

GENERAL BURATAI – Between An Exceptional Leader And His Detractors

By Kolawole Abe



It is remarkable that our patriotic military chiefs continue to give their best even in the face of these disincentives. Well before the progress made by the international coalition against ISIS, the Nigerian military and security agencies led by The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, had made a great progress against Boko Haram and its affiliates.
Many successes has been recorded under his leadership as he has been steadfast in the discharge of his duty, and providing aid to civil authority. The military has also flushed Boko Haram out of its operational base in Camp Zero, Sambisa Forest, and have also kept the terrorists out of the many towns and villages they have tried to recapture.
Report has it that, internal security in Nigeria has improved drastically from where we were in 2015 when Buratai took over command of the Nigerian Army. However, we
recognize that there are potent threats that require the military to continually review their operations. The Nigeria Army has witnessed a lot of reorganization and redeployment in a bid to improve their overall operational responsiveness and professionalism. In recent time, he approved the redeployment of some field and operational commanders in order to inject new ideas in the command and control structure in various Nigeria Army operations across the country.
These are achievements that speak to the commitment of the military getting the job done for which one should ordinarily commend their sacrifices but for the fact that it is a job they willingly signed up for. They kept pressing on, holding the memories of their fallen heroes. Amidst brutal resistance in fighting the Nation just cause against insurgency, their resilience remained high.
We are not oblivious of the relentless effort, persistence and scarifices the chief of army staff (COAS) General Buratai has kept taking, in order to combat insurgency and banditry. But it is so regrettable and unfortunate that the citizens being shielded from all these dangers has given themselves out cheaply to be coaxed by politicians who are not happy with the success of our country on the way against insurgency.
In bid to detract the COAS, supports are being given to bandits to fuel the matters of terrorism, which are being masked as "Insurgency." They fall easily for the bait given to them without reasoning beyond the monetary benefits they are being offered.
For the unwary, it is been misinterpreted as "the Boko haram groups are being hardy to an extent that it is able to dismay the Nigerian military." The reality is however that the ability of the terrorists to regroup each time they are decimated should alarm all law-abiding citizens. The group's seeming resilience should raise questions about the nature of support it is getting to put up such defiance. This support unfortunately is from home and abroad, some unscrupulous Nigerians and their foreign collaborators. They have masterminded this show of shame as a diet to feeding their selfish and wicked interest. They being among the greater beneficiaries of special and classified security treatment enjoyed from the effort of the military, still have the audacity to publicly discredit the ambiguous effort of General Buratai.
Having ran out of strategies, they resolved into using fund embezzlement and terrorist alliance as a tool in distracting him from getting focused.
There have been several reports about individuals, groups and organizations being closet supporters of Boko Haram. These distractions are often packaged as well-intentioned interventions by activists and NGOs, which creates bandwagon effect as people are inclined to trust the positions expressed by these opinion molders.
Report has it that some citizens have been paid to be social activists to pull down the military institution, all in the bid to discredit them is therefore highly uncalled for and should have no place in our country.
Little do we know about the effect of the strategies of these detractors, because the reality is however that the seeming interventions are unnecessary distraction elements that will reverse recent gains made on the war against insurgency. Each time such paid activists criticize the military, they therefore undermine the counter-insurgency efforts. In many instances, the damage done goes beyond the now, because as Nigeria's foreign partners have sometimes referenced the activities of such activists as justifications for withholding military cooperation to Nigeria or to block crucial arms deals that would contribute to the anti-terror war efforts.
Still, the COAS has remained unperturbed and not dismayed by the futile efforts being thrown at him by his detractors. He has always been keeping the wheel of the fight against insurgency moving, and not permitting their distractions to move him in his line of duty.
The army chief and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt.Gen. TY Buratai has not given the insurgents ample operational laxity in the Northeast where they prided in false invincible power and strength. This has remained a pain in their daunting efforts, and has reaffirmed their continuous futility as ever before. These bad eggs in human skins need to separated and broken off from the good ones, because they are a big cancer to the nation as a whole. When not weeded out, they become a menace that will bring ills, misfortune and setback to our dear country.
It is worthy of note that those who deliberately manipulate facts for the purpose of sabotaging the military should be mindful that only a thin line separates what they see to be harmless mischief and commission of crimes.
For the sake of tranquillity in the Nation, we advise detractors and their agents to leave the Chief of Army Staff alone, so that he can give maximum concentration to his works. He has been tried, and has proven himself beyond all doubts as an exceptional leader, who is ever ready to give optimal discharge of his duty any time the clarion call to action is being heard. He will never compromise for terrorists to take over the country, because he holds the interest of the country very dear to his heart. God Bless Nigeria.

Abe is former spokesman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) has blamed "political" Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and groups that have showed incurable bias and sympathy for terrorist organisations for the inclusion of Nigeria in the United States' blacklist for religious intolerance. 

The group said it came to this conclusion after a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the inclusion of Nigeria. 

In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Ifeanyi Igwe, the Igbo group said the U.S. was misled by the political wing of CAN and groups affiliated to terrorism. 

The INM noted that the U.S' report was extracted from NGOs and international news reports that are totally out of tune with the reality in Nigeria.

According to the group, the United States' blacklist could ultimately incite Christians against their Muslim neighbours in parts of the country that have till date remained peaceful and free of ethno-sectarian crisis

The INM, however, that the United States discards its report listing Nigeria as a country that promotes religious persecution as it is lacking in facts while it is a product of misleading reports by the political wings of supposed religious groups.

Read the full statement below:

The Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) taken time to review the inclusion of Nigeria on the Special Watch List for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom by the States Department of the United States in its 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom: Nigeria. 

The logical conclusion we arrived at upon our review is the United States was misled by the political wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and groups that have shown incurable bias and sympathy for terrorist organizations.

INM’s decision to make this public clarification derives from the realization that the UN report contained too many fallacies that will do long term damage to harmonious relations among the diverse ethnic nationalities in Nigeria if they are not immediately challenged, exposed as false and rejected in their entirety. 

We particularly noted that the US report was largely based on the information it extracted from NGOs and international news reports that are totally out of tune with the reality in Nigeria. The NGOs and the news outlets engaged in a lot of inferences and generalization that magnified incidents in a way that fits into preconceived stereotypes they have for Nigeria.

It must be noted and documented that CAN, which the report relied heavily on for input and subsequent endorsement and marketing of its content, has in recent years metamorphosed into the NGO wing of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It has made it a mission to frame whatever the Federal Government of Nigeria is doing from the perspective of the ethnic and sectarian prism, which has served to sow divisions where none existed prior.

INM is concerned that the manner that the US report is promoting the concept of Muslims versus Christians will dangerously incite Christians against their Muslim neighbours in parts of the country that have till date remained peaceful and free of ethno-sectarian crisis. We further fear that the report is validating a suggestion that other ethnic groups should exterminate the Fulani from Nigeria. 

We are raising this alarm because of the risks this report poses as something that will incite and inflame passion among the Igbos, first as having large Christian population and secondly as originally being from the south-east of Nigeria, in a manner that will make them take the law into their hands. This has the potential of misleading our people to commit crimes in addition to sparking off tit-for-tat reprisals that will make the whole of Nigeria a sectarian war zone. 

INM, therefore, demands that the United States discards its report listing Nigeria as a country that promotes religious persecution as it is lacking in facts while it is a product of misleading reports by the political wings of supposed religious groups. The wild categorization of Nigerians as sharply divided along ethnic and sectarian lines is something that the US also has to desist from doing forthwith because experience has shown us that these concepts of identity war that is projected into the consciousness of Nigerians amount to a kind of subtle war that is meant to make Nigerians kill themselves.

The Coalition of APC Democrats has passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, consequently demanding his resignation from office.  

The group said Gbajabiamila has displayed gross abuse of office and complete disregard for the APC as a party.  

Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Abuja through its National Coordinator, Kabiru Adamu Matazu it said the Lagos lawmaker's unwholesome activities reached at an all-time low in recent weeks. 

From pretending to be a nationalist whilst at the same time cheering hoodlums during the EndSARS protests, the APC group noted that Gbaja has ridiculed the office of the president with his constant bashing and invitations.  

Instead of synergising with the executive to deliver on the campaign promises of the APC, the coalition accused the Speaker of constantly attacking the policies of the Federal Government.  

The Coalition of APC Democrats, therefore, concludes that Gbajabiamila has lost the party's support and it would be against all forms of morality for him to continue to occupy the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

It, however, demanded that the Surulere I legislature step down for a loyal member of the APC to assume the position in the interest of the party and the country.

The group further warned its members that it would no longer tolerate such scorn from a supposed high ranking member of the party. 

Read the full statement below:

Ladies and Gentlemen, the leadership of the Coalition of APC Democrats welcome you all to this important press conference put together to shed light on the unwholesome activities of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in recent times. 

It is a statement of the fact that Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has indeed demonstrated an uncanny penchant for playing to the gallery on issues of national concern since he was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressive Congress. 

The disdain of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila for the APC led federal government has reached an alarming crescendo with his constant attacks on the policies of the government in an attempt to give a false impression to members of the unsuspecting general public with regards to democratic governance in the country. 

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as a high ranking APC member ought to know that his accession as the Speaker of the House of Representative was a function of the collective effort of the APC to ensure that all arms of government work in synergy towards delivering on the campaign promises of the APC led the government to the good people of Nigeria. 

The Coalition of APC Democrats have in times past cautioned the Speaker on his public grandstanding which portrays the APC led government in a bad light. But he has instead carried on with impunity not minding whose ox is gored. 

The serial bashing and invitations extended of the President is the greatest insult that Mr President has received. The Speaker cannot claim to be a party man, yet subjecting the President to public ridicule, which is just one of the numerous instances where his disdain and lack of respect for the President has been brought to the fore. 

The Coalition of APC Democrats views such disposition as not only despicable but an insult to the sensibilities of APC democrats across the nook and cranny of Nigeria that toiled tirelessly towards his emergence as Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

The case of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is indeed that of ingratitude and disdain for the ideals of the APC as a party of democrats. He has also notoriously been rewarding those that financed his elections while ignoring the efforts of the party in bringing him on board to be eligible to seek election into the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Coalition of APC Democrats states that indeed the unwholesome activities of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is such that defeats common sense as it can be best described as an act of ingratitude and a coup against the APC as a party. 

We also recall how he contributed to the EndSARS campaign that almost tore the country into pieces by pretending to be a nationalist whilst at the same time cheering the hoodlums to bring down the country. 

The Coalition of APC Democrats consequently states in unequivocal terms that Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has lost our support as it would be against all forms of morality for him to continue to occupy the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

We are by this medium informing the members of the general public that the Coalition of APC Democrats has passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker of the House of Representatives for gross abuse of office and complete disregard for the APC as a party. 

We, therefore, demand unequivocally that the Speaker resigns his position in the national interest and allow any loyal member of the party to assume the position of Speaker in the interest of the party and the country.

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is a lesson in dishonesty and should not be trusted by the general public as he has displayed his real tendencies which by and large is self-serving and dancing to the dictates of his paymasters. 

We also wish to state that Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is not democrat but an opportunist that thrives in blackmail and public grandstanding, which is highly misleading and detrimental to the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria. 

He is not fit for purpose as he has elected to be against the interest of the APC as a party that is committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians that were unanimous in giving their mandate to the APC to lead Nigeria right in the quest towards sustainable socio-economic development.  

The Coalition of APC Democrats wishes to advise Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila to tow the path of honour by resigning his position as the Speaker of the House of Representatives as it is apparent that he is out on a mission of self-aggrandizement, which is against the ideals of the APC as a party. 

We also wish to inform members of the APC across the nook and cranny in Nigeria that the actions of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila do not reflect or represents the commitment of the APC in ensuring that Nigeria is placed on the path of greatness and as such he should be treated as a self-serving traitor. 

The public ridicule of the APC as a party by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila is enough as we shall no longer tolerate such scorn from a supposed high ranking member of the party any longer. 

The leadership of the Coalition of APC Democrats is putting it on record that we have disassociated from Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, and as such behoves on him to take his trade of dishonesty to his paymasters. 

Thank you all, and God bless.

By Mohammed Zanna

At the face of "glaring truth," false peddlers will still arise among the people. These are people that seek not after the country's interests, but after their own selfish gains. They scream for proofs and evidence at any news that indicates Boko haram recording casualties.Their delight is in hearing the victory of boko haram insurgency and not its defeat. The increase in the number of boko Haram victims arouse their interest in order to deliberate on how incompetent the President has been in tackling matters of insecurity.

Early this year, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen TY Buratai relocated fully to the North East where he is overseeing and directing the overall operations in the theatre and other Nigerian Army operations across the country. Prior to his relocation, the COAS had been on operational tour to troops’ locations in the North East Theatre of operation since April.

Despite the success of the Nigerian Army in killing and disarming more than 3000 suspected Boko Haram fighters in military operations in north-east Nigeria, they were accused of overstating enemy casualties. They went further to release images of vehicles and weaponry captured from Boko Hara Niger, Chad and Cameroon military coalition with Nigeria to help combat the threat.
These same charlatans claimed that they will all a fun show from media houses.

Even when there are no claims of responsibility for recent massacre, these people are swift to put forward that the assault bore the hallmark of the dreaded Boko Haram armed group.

Contrary to their predictable assertions and opinions, Governor Babagana Zulum indicated clearly that President Muhammadu Buhari has still performed better in handling Borno’s security challenges. This did not sit well with them, and they have been expressing indignation at the governors' statement.

Zulum said that the years before Buhari came into power; numbers of local government were no-go-areas. Insurgents were so bold to attack and take over military facilities like the army barrack. In fact, it was not possible to move a few kilometres out of Maiduguri. But now, things are safe, and lives are more secured than it used to be.
Zulum said “from statewide statistics on affairs in the 27 local government areas since 2011, the fact is that despite the recent happenings in Borno state, the security situation in Borno state and indeed that of the entire North East Sub-Borno region is still far better under Buhari, and this is based on records. There were daily attacks and bomb blasts I many parts of Maiduguri, the most populated part of the state, but all of these have stopped under Buhar. These are the records and no one can dispute these records.”


Borno state has been the target of bombings in the past, blamed on Boko Haram since it widened its brutal insurgency. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed during the group’s campaign for a breakaway Islamic state. All these attacks have ceased in the past five years, and this is due to the approach and tactics taken by President Muhammadu Buhari since he got into power.


The statement of the Borno governor has been found to be TRUE. The attacks by terrorists groups have been random and largely restricted to villages in northern Borno. There are others that have been close to the capital, Maiduguri but the terrorist group has not been able to attack the Northeast like it did in the past. Definitely, records have supported Governor Zulum’s statement that churches and mosques have been hardly attacked and that no major attack has taken place in the capital. Boko Haram used to bomb churches, mosques and markets, but all that has been halted now.

To put a perspective to it, we can recall that in the past many attacks on churches and mosques especially at the end of the year use to be a reoccurring incident since the advent of Boko Haram insurgency. These were times, families were scared to go to their farms, service in churches won’t hold without the presence of military men, people were always careful to gather in their large numbers for festivity, and many homes were lay desolate due to incessant attacks from this deadly group.

From few records of Boko Haram attacks in the few years back;

Mountain of Fire bomb blast that happened on 25th December, 2011.

The church in kano and Maiduguri that was attacked by Boko Haram gunmen, which took the lives of at least 19 people around April, 2012.

A Sucide bomber that detonated himself at a church in Jos, were 6 worshippers were killed on the 25th February, 2012.

St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger that was bombed on the 25th of December, 2011.

On 19th of January 2013, the Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero was attacked. Two of his sons were injured, while his driver and three guards were killed.

Boko Haram attacked the heavily fortified Giwa military barracks in Maiduguri, freeing comrades from a detention facility. –March 14, 2014
Nine persons were killed when Boko Haram attacked two offices of ThisDay newspaper in Abuja and Kaduna

Boko Haram attacked a Military School near Kano, Killing four officers on the 15th of December 2011

Boko Haram attacked President Buhari’s convoy in July 23 2014, along Ali Akilu Road Kawo-Kaduna at about 2:30pm. 82 people, including his personal relations and security aides were killed.

A sucide bombimg that killed 15 shites in Yobe state on the 3rd of November 2014


Not forgetting the 56 people that were killed in an attack on a Maiduguri mosque on the 12th of Augusut, 2013.


Futhermore, we should not quickly forget the era when they make bold attacks on different regions even after they have publicized it on media, they make their threats open to notable figures in the country and dared them not to move to places where they have placed restrictions.

Who do you think would have known it better than Zulum himself? Definitely, there is no one. This is a man that has seen and witnessed many attacks caused by this group. He is a man that speaks the truth and seeks after his own people's security. He might not know all, nor fully understand the approaches to fighting the insurgency and military tactics and so on. But one thing we cannot take away from Professor Zulum is his desire to ensure the stability of peace and Unity is returned to every part of Borno. He has worked and spent a great considerable time of his life in Maiduguri for him to have known how safe and secured the state has been, overtime. He is a son of the soil, and he will keep fighting insurgency.

Governor Zulum is right to say that President Buhari has done better on tackling insecurity, and we can boldly say that the President is ever working and our Military are never relenting. Only in a matter of time would insurgency no longer be seen in the sand of time.


Zanna is a counter-terrorism analyst and wrote from Maiduguri.

NYCN, CEYLON urges end to Protests, plans National Youth Confab


The National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN and the Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders of Nigeria, have concluded plans, to host the first ever Nigerian Youth National Peace Confab. This was as the groups, also call for an end to a.renewed wave protests in the country, while urging Nigerian youth to explore the available windows of dialogue, already established aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, which rocked the country, few weeks ago.

Speaking at a Press hosted at the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission headquarters in Abuja, the youth speaking through the President of the NYCN, Ambassador Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo and spokesperson of the Ethnic Youth leaders, Olufemi Lawson, said they planned to intimate the world of their position, on recent happenings in the country and their resolute commitment as young people, towards finding a lasting solution, to some of these issues, which now threatens not only Nigeria's economic development, but also, peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.

The groups said it recently constituted a high powered delegation to liase with stakeholders, patriotic individuals and organisations, towards building a partnership, that can be instrumental towards their objective of peace building in Nigeria. This they said, gave birth to the need for a Youth Peace Confab aimed at consolidating on the healing process, while also serving a catalyst to peaceful coexistence in the country.

The youth also raised their concern, over the unending security in the country, which they say, is detrimental to Nigeria's development, particularly the growth of young people. It condemned the increasing menace of Boko Haram in the Northern part of the country, the tormenting Kidnappers activities all over the country, the ritualist trauma in Southern Nigeria, Bank Robbery and Numerous others all over the Nation.



Speaking on the ENDSARS protests, the groups said "Our country, witnessed wanton destruction of public and private assets in the violence that trailed the protests. The coordinated arson that trailed the EndSARS protests became a wake-up call for us to be vigilant and collectively move against actions that could undermine our wellbeing and security, as as Nigerians, particularly the young people, that are victims of the violence. At this point in time, we believe what is needed is a de-escalation strategy and peace building. While we encourgage government to focus on the ongoing reforms: stopping abusive police practices, ensuring justice for victims and overhauling law enforcement and other key agenda geared towards National development."

The groups thereby announced the plan, to hold the first ever National Youth Peace Confab in Abuja, in the first quarter of the year 2021. It said the confab will bring together youth from different backgrounds, together in order to discuss their roles as young people in the present circumstances of our nation, and provide workable solutions to government and every other stakeholders in the Nigeria project. Local and international friendly youth organisations will also participate at the event.


It emphasised on the need to sharply differentiate between the genuine agitations of the protesters and those given to unwanton destruction of properties and our collective heritage as a people.

In his address at the Press conference, the Executive Secretary of the Christian Pilgrims Commission, Reverend Yabuku Pam commended the youth for their patriotic efforts, towards promoting peace in the country, it lauded the leadership provided by the NYCN President, Sukubo Sara-igbe Sukubo, towards de-escalating the tensions generated during the EndSARS protests, it assured the group of his support and that of other well meaning Nigerian, towards ensuring a successful hosting of the planned National Youth Peace Confab, as it also admonish the various Youth groups, to continually engage young people across the country, towards promoting conduct that will ensure national peace, and deepen Nigeria's democracy.

Re-Oil Mogul paying Billions of Dollars for 2023 APC Presidential ticket; Jackson Ude and the manifestation of Pedestrian Journalism.


Whenever the search for false intellectuals, fake news purveyors and insincere characters, who are veterans in the business of opportunism, propaganda and cheap blackmail arises, one name is always resounding, and never found missing on the list, He is, Mr Jackson Ude, a self acclaimed bloger and United States based Abia born expired journalist.


Known for his notoriety, in raising false alarms, cheap blackmail and accusations, his latest diatribe, and continued spread of falsehood, titled "OIL MOGUL PAYING BILLIONS IN BRIBE TO SULTAN, EMIR OF DAURA, KINGIBE OTHERS FOR APC 2023 PRESIDENTIAL TICKET", is a reminder of how some unpatriotic elements, within the country, have continued to pretentiously, paraded themselves as intellectual, while in the real sense, the whole essence of their being educated is to use every available platforms, to blackmail well meaning individuals, either for the purpose of advancing their selfish pecuniary desires or the satisfaction of their sponsors and political godfathers.


In the latest campaign of calumny, being propagated by Jackson Ude and his army of social media rented rag tagged followers, he failed as usual, to provide any real evidence based on solid foundations for the accusations, against one of Nigeria's most industrious, philanthropic, humble and hardworking young entrepreneurs, Mr Tien Jack-Rich, the CEO of Belema Oil. Jackson, while embarking on his sponsored campaign of calumny against this patriotic son of the Niger Delta, falsely accused Jack-Rich of making over $70 million from the "illegal sales" of the Bonny light Crude, and has subsequently been paying big cash to President Muhammadu Buhari’s close allies in the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the Presidency, for the APC 2023 presidential ticket. Jackson, acting further on the false information received from his sponsors also claimed that Mr. Jack-Rich receives payments from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for his NNPC/Belema joint operations and heads straight to pay Northern leaders who have promised to make him President in 2023. An accusation, which only exists, in the imagination of Jackson Ude, and his sponsors, whom we clearly know and haven't for once hidden their disdain for the ever rising popularity of Tien Jack-Rich across the Niger Delta and the country at large, basically due to his untiring commitment to youth development, philanthropy and welfare of the downtrodden.
several people in the know told Pointblanknews.com.


For those who have keenly followed the personality that Jackson Ude represents, and his recent blackmail against Mr Tien Jack-Rich, there is no doubt that he and his sponsors are merely expressing their frustration based on their dissatisfaction, towards the popularity and acceptability of Mr. Jack-Rich across the lenght and breadth of the country, where Traditional Rulers, Religious and Political Leaders, Youth and Women organisations, the downtrodden etc have continued to associate with him, in a manner that his beyond the comprehension of his detractors.


No doubt also, that with his philanthropic spirit and humility, the goodwill being enjoyed by Mr Jack-Rich across the country, one should not look far, before understanding the psychology of the Jackson Udes of this world, and his co-travellers, in this campaign of calumny.

Is it not callous, for Jackson Ude and his ilks, to be spreading this falsehood, beyond reasoning, at a time that Nigerians not only from the Niger Delta region, but every other part of the country, have come to appreciate God for the gift of such a humble and kind person of Tien Jack-Rich, to humanity?

It is sad, that despite the numerous commitments of this patriot to the growth of our country, these fake news merchants are mobilising to blackmail and ridiculed him in the public, mainly with the aim of tarnishing his image as a person, and Belema Oil as a corporate entity.


This junk, being circulated by Jackson Ude and his gang of blackmailers, is just one of their numerous publications, which they intend to continue to churn out, mostly through the social media, against the Mr Tien Jack-Rich and Belema Oil, coupled with other unsubstantiated accusations.


For the avoidance of doubt, Jack-Rich has is a passionate lover of Nigerians, irrespective of their tribal, religious or gender affiliation. He remains passionate about giving back to others so they can benefit from the same opportunities he has enjoyed from God. Tein Jack-Rich has continually demonstrated his passion for helping others, supporting families and young people through education scholarships, youth employment, medical support, Skills acquisition and provision of many other tools that empower individuals and communities economically.

One thing remains unchanged, irrespective of how desperate these characters become in the times ahead, neither their campaign of calumny or spiritual warfare are enough, to stop the idea of humanity, which this great patriot, Tien Jack-Rich, has become a symbol of.

By Philip Agbese

"Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity." -Karl von Clausewitz

In Nigeria, audacity in leadership also requires a great dosage of defiant courage. It is because in this part of the world, majority of the people are more atoned to failed leadership predominantly. It sounds odd, but such persons delight in dubiously exploiting failed leaders for personal benefits at the detriment of the whole system.

Therefore, in Nigeria, it is akin to a taboo to display positive leadership. The leader must possess enough content of courage and audacity to break even against dark forces haunting him. The few spoilers, recruit and pay campaigners’ to publicly, malign, distract and outrightly intimidate into submission, leaders with positive disposition, by deploying false narratives and malicious critiques deliberately to dwarf his verifiable good impacts.

It seems to the greatest burden and cross of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai who has found himself in the midst of devouring wolves now. In the last five years, the Army Chief has deposited in bold imprints in leadership of the Nigerian Army (NA). A soldier gifted with audacious courage; he has repressed the darkest of forces to assert his legacies.

British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill extrapolated; "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others." So, Gen. Buratai has courageously proved himself as an exceptional military strategist, tactician, reformist, innovator and a military leadership guru. He has audaciously asserted his mark of positive leadership against all odds and conquered Nigeria’s anti-development predators.

These enemies of Nigeria and foes of Gen. Buratai have stopped at nothing to ply their trade and activate such passions, the antics of distractions or demean him enough to taint his rising profile. Therefore, they hate the association of Gen. Buratai with the Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Gen. Buratai “came; he saw and he conquered.”

But excitingly, history is an impartial arbiter. And like the printed word, history does not lie and it is permanent. Definitely, it would be fair to Gen. Buratai at the appropriate time. It is the general anticipation of the numerous admirers of Gen. Buratai.

But audaciously, the Army boss has conquered the stormy storms and subdued the volley of forces of sabotage and distractions to significantly transform the previously neglected institution of Nigerian Army within a short time. He has proved his mettle as the unconquerable warrior of the trenches in fighting Boko Haram insurgents/ and ISWAP terrorists and a development czar.

Terrorists sponsors and sympathizers have found Gen. Buratai, the hardest nut to crack in the bloody campaigns of the extremist religious sects terrorizing Nigeria. He is the nemesis of armed bandits in the country and insurrectionists like IPOB or their replicas in the configuration of armed militants. Ethnic warlords and armed militias are mesmerized or they have never encountered this dutifully obstinate Army General, who is extremely very difficult to conquer or compromise like Gen. Buratai.

Nevertheless, where Gen. Buratai has recorded confounding impacts in his leadership of the Nigerian Army is in innovations, reformations and repositioning of a once decrepit Army into a proud force and shinning star in the African continent and beyond. He is a beautiful bride whose usefulness to humanity has no end and the signs are visible.

He has launched the Nigerian Army on many fronts of firsts! Whoever believed Nigerian Army would ever upheld the dignity and human rights of Nigerians in its military operations? Whoever contemplated in even in dreams that Nigerian Army would one day subordinate itself to civil authority or “bloody civilians” to the extent of accepting court summons and appearing in civil courts to answer to allegations of professional misconduct by soldiers levelled against them by aggrieved civilians?

But Gen. Buratai has solved the problem easily by establishing the Human Rights Desks at the Nigerian Army Headquarters (AHQs). It is replicated in all major Army Divisions and most times, in locations outside the Barracks and very accessible to potential complainants. Noticeably, the loud noises by human rights organizations’, both indigenous and foreign on alleged human rights violations perpetrated by soldiers have vanished incredibly. It is just a tip of the many innovations, Gen. Buratai’s leadership has birthed in the institution of the Army

Most host communities of Nigerian Army formations and units are truly experiencing for the first time, the generosity of soldiers in discharging its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in healthcare, electricity, roads, bridges, major culverts, water and many others. It has immensely improved Civil/Military relations. Before Gen. Buratai’s leadership, CSR policy of the Nigerian Army were only embedded in Army Laws. But he has activated and functionalized it for the first time in the history of Nigerian Army.

However, critics incurably blind to sight reality, can also be told by their trusted confidants that for the first time, Nigerian Army is a proud owner of its own university (Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB), while Gen. Buratai is leading the Army. It has started training both security personnel and civilians in various strategic disciplines.

These baseless persecutors of Gen. Buratai would also be told that in the 157 years of the existence of Nigerian Army, the specialized first Nigerian Army War College is established under the tenure of Gen. Buratai; It is same for the Nigerian Aviation School and a similar policy, formalization of the consecration of the novel Nigerian Army Female Corps to answer to gender-based issues in operations of the Army in fighting insurgencies in the country is achieved. This unique innovation terminated the blistering reign of female bombers in Nigeria.

With two new Army Divisions, and two new Army Referral Hospitals to offer tertiary medical attention to soldiers and their families, including members of host communities, and scores of Army Forward Operations Bases (FOBs) in instant compliance with the Army’s new Order of Battle (ORBAT) as signposts of Gen. Buratai’s stewardship are beyond mindless reproach by professional haters and wailers.

Gen. Buratai’s reforms and innovations cannot be exhausted in one piece. But who has forgotten that for the first time, a Nigerian Army Chief has sourced and succeeded in using 100 percent local contents or materials and indigenous military technologists, to manufacture hi-tech, world class combat weapons, (such as MRAP Ezugwu) Army uniforms and kits, which are very useful in counter-insurgency operations? The Army Chief is the first to introduce digital Army uniforms with sensors to send signals to the nearest military base if a soldier in the frontlines is distressed.

Undeniably, Gen. Buratai is an endowed and enigmatic leader. How he has succeeding in catapulting and elevating the Nigerian Army to enviable heights, others struggled to eternity, but failed remains a mystery. Manifestly, he is an intellectual dynamite and workaholic soldier, whose appointment as COAS was not by accident. President Muhammadu Buhari knew the reasons for anointing him as both leader of the Army and counter-insurgency operations.

And he has not disappointed President Buhari by transforming the support to his leadership by Mr. President to fruits of legacies for the Army. Gen. Buratai is a soldier who came at the right time to conquer an evil against his country and humanity. He has dispensed this assignment with splendid mastery.

Gen. Buratai is known for brutal frankness. No circumstances compels him to tell a lie for any reason. When soldiers slacked at the warfront and allowed occasional Boko Haram attacks, he publicly blamed subordinate Commanders for dereliction of duty and cautioned them to sit-up.

When he relocated to the Northeast theatre of war to lead the battle from the front in April 2020, where he spent two months, Gen. Buratai who sensed a few soldiers who dread battles; and influence others with such negative thoughts to willingly chicken out of the Army because Nigerian Army of today has no room for the faint-hearted.

Gen. Buratai is described by even very senior officers of the Army as the best military strategist today. Counter-terrorism operations have yielded worthwhile progress because of the countless strategies he introduced which have nicely countered insurgents. The introduction of the Motorbike Battalions, Special Female Corps, Super Camp Strategy, cyberspace warfare and lots more have changed the negative narratives of insurgents as invincible forces in Nigeria. He is always weeks ahead of insurgents/terrorists plans. There is no doubt that leader of counter-insurgency operations has coordinated the war against insurgency perfectly so far.

Therefore, his recent statement that insurgency might last for another 20 years in Nigeria was roughly misinterpreted by a section of the society for their selfish reasons. HTe facts were generously twisted to malign Gen. Buratai and portray him as incompetent. Many alien interpretations were imputed into it and some of the perpetual critics even insinuated that the statement was Gen. Buratai’s tacit acceptance of helplessness over counter-insurgency operations and renewed the malicious calls for his sack.

But the Army Chief knows the matrix, character and intricacies of asymmetrical terrorists’ operations better than his traducers. Like the COAS asserted, terrorism has been quashed in Nigeria; what is reigning now is indeed insurgency and it will remain with Nigeria for a little longer. It’s because the massive brainwashing and indoctrination of people into the sect has a history which dates back to 50 or more years. Such phenomenon does not dissipate in a jiffy.

No matter his deliberate persecution, Gen. Buratai gathers his momentum to trudge on from Winston Churchill’s advice; "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Indubitably, the COAS is a fearless patriot who will stop at nothing but to say the truth as it is, no matter whose ox is gored.

Agbese is a human right activist based in the United Kingdom.

By: Ibrahim Lawal Esq


The death of the Chief Registrar, Oyo State Judiciary came to me as a rude shock. Alhaja Fatimah Adenike Badrudeen was a nice and respectful person.

As a former Vice Chair of Ibadan Bar, I was opportuned to interact with her at a close range and I attest to her love and commitment to the Bar. She sees herself as part and parcel of the Ibadan Bar and always ready to treat any issue relating to the Bar with dispatch. She was an omoluabi personified.

Unfortunately I will miss the 3day FIDAU Prayer as I am in far away Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

I commiserate with the deceased family; the Chief Judge of Oyo State and other judges as well as entire judiciary staff of Oyo State.

May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljanah fridaus.

By: Benedict Aguele

Our attention has been drawn to an event purportedly organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by a man who in character and orientation is a parody of all the once great associations represented in our body polity.

The supposed claim by one Mr. Sunday Dare Asefon, who claims to represent the interest of Nigerian students, to the effect that NANS is not part of the genuine demand of citizens for government to reform the police and bring it in line with the mandate to serve Nigerians clearly shows the interests he represents.

While the position he took is not surprising, coming from a middle-aged man who ought to be at an advanced stage of proper career but chose to be a hireling of those who have held our dear country by the jugular and strangled her progress over the years. How NANS has fallen from the lofty heights of years past when it was led by genuine students of youthful age, who understood the genuine needs of students, is a metaphor for how Nigeria has deteriorated in the hands of the ruling class.


Rather than side with the people, a certain clique of mercenaries has chosen to side with the oppressors of the Nigerian people.

That the representative body of Nigerian students couldn’t come up with clear demands for the reopening of Nigerian Universities but chose to parrot the position of a body that has extended its brutality to countless Nigerian students.


While we recognize the fact that the said Mr. Asefon wasn’t speaking his mind but doing the bidding of his paymasters who funded the spending orgy of an election that brought him to office, it is pertinent to address those he represents.

The government must understand that police brutality is a decades-old problem requiring unwavering commitment and investment over a long period to change the fundamental orientation of the Nigeria Police Force from its colonial state of being a tool for oppressing the masses of our country.

The government must show good faith in reforming the basic tenet of policing in Nigeria to prioritize the security of the people, being the fundamental building block of the state, not a tool in the hand of the high and mighty.

The demands made, as acknowledged by the government itself, were genuine and worthy of attention and the position of all well-meaning Nigerians should be in holding the government to a higher standard of service delivery to the citizenry, beginning with policing for security and development.

NANS must engage in a soul searching process to purge itself of the now established tendency of being available for hire by the highest bidder while a lot of the average Nigerian continues to deteriorate in the face of the rising cost of living and institutions of state that fail in their mandate to the people.

*Group fingers NASS members, PDP behind fresh plots to undermine Nigeria’s democracy*

The March4Nigeria Movement has raised an alarm over a deliberate plot by the National Assembly and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to truncate the country's democracy by forcing a regime change. 

The group called the attention of security agents, well-meaning Nigerians and the world at large to a planned coup by these "disparate elements in Nigeria and their external collaborators".
 
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, National Coordinator, Richard Augustine- Adie, said the new tactics is to demand President Muhammadu Buhari's resignation or face impeachment over conditions that they helped precipitate.

According to the group, among previous failed schemes by the opposition and their allies include promoting widespread insecurity, hijacking the EndSARS protests and sponsoring secessionist.

Mr Augustine-Adie said that Nigerians shouldn't be surprised as the PDP's presidential candidate had threatened to render the country ungovernable if he does not win the election. 

The March4Nigeria Movement further warned of a plot to cause ethno-sectarian strife in the coming days targeted at the Armed Forces having failed to use the National Assembly to fraudulently sack the government. 

The group, however, the challenged the Federal Government, the Armed Forces, and Police to be at alert to their responsibilities and not to allow anyone or group of persons to jeopardize our democracy. 

Augustine-Adie added that they should wake up to the antics of these sore losers and not view the revived #EndSARS protests as mere agitation but should treat them as part of the coup plotters. 

The group also urged Nigerians not to lend themselves out as tools for those seeking to foment trouble, noting that the #EndSARS protests have since devolved into #March4Nigeria. 

Read the full statement below:

We welcome you to this all-important press conference. We say it is an all-important press conference because the issue at hand touches on the future of Nigeria, our stability as a nation and the sustenance of our democracy. 

In recent days, we have observed a change in tactics by those that have been hell-bent on undermining the integrity of Nigeria.

This change in tactics manifested as a surreptitious call for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign or to be impeached over conditions that they helped precipitate.
Note that the reasons they are adducing for the so-called impeachment hover around insecurity and economic hardship.

Interestingly, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is at the forefront of the impeachment farce.

The PDP Caucus of the House of Representatives tabled this ill-advised demand before the Green Chamber, but we thank God that there are still voices of reason in Parliament, which have rejected the warped demand.

We recall correctly that the PDP’s candidate in the 2019 Presidential Elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, had threatened that the country will be rendered ungovernable if he does not win the election.

Some groups had raised the alarm when the PDP made this threat then without many Nigerians paying heed. At that time, it was revealed how the opposition had perfected plans to hire foreign mercenaries to unleash violence in parts of the country and this is what we are increasingly seeing with the kidnappers and bandits spilling over from Mali, Niger and other nations whose nationals appear similar to Nigerians. 

We have also seen signs of the then reported plot to use mob action or an Arab Spring styled protests to cause chaos and force the government out of office. The other option they mulled at that time was to cause a leadership change in the military and then encourage junior military officers to stage a coup citing the protests as a basis to truncate the nation’s democracy. 

Gentlemen of the press, what we are witnessing today is the rolling of all the approaches into one and executing as a single killer plan. They have caused widespread insecurity, including leveraging political variables to cause the deaths of dozens of rice farmers at the hands of Boko Haram. They have hijacked what was once known as #EndSARS protests to use against the government as opposed to the original intention of demanding police reforms.

These same people are now sounding strident as they demand that there must be changes in military leadership. 
We are concerned that they are now back to mobilizing Nigerians to go back on the streets to stage violent protests while the fallout of the hijacked #EndSARS protests is still being managed. The entire country is smarting from the damage done by the violent people that were mobilized to the streets to commit arson, prison breaks and murder. 

These criminal attempts on the stability of Nigeria are being boosted with fake news and manipulated contents that have done much to create confusion in the mind of the people. The next few days will prove pivotal as operatives acting on the instruction of the opposition have perfected plans to launch a blitz of fake news that will make Nigerians question the future of their country and the competence of their leaders. The objective of this blitz is to make people join the revived #EndSARS protest out of misdirected anger.

There is further a plot to cause ethno-sectarian strife on a scale that law enforcement would have challenges bringing under control. Their major targets in the days ahead are the Armed Forces, which they plan to bring down by overwhelming it with crises that it cannot fully bring under control. Towards this, meetings were held in Lagos by a former president and some ethnic warlords and these strategies were discussed. 

This round of #EndSARS protests, like the hijacked phases of the protests in the past, is being sponsored and promoted by losers in the last presidential elections, who want to force a regime change.

Part of the plans is to cause widespread clashes with security personnel on a scale that will cause mayhem that will result in the overthrow of the government. We have this on good authority. 
Now that the attempt to use the National Assembly to fraudulently sack the government has failed, the next salvo is the efforts to infiltrate the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the hope of overthrowing the democratically elected Federal Government and then justify this by claiming that the government was going to order a devastating clampdown on protesters. 

#March4Nigeria consequently wants to challenge the Federal Government, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police to be at alert to their responsibilities and not to allow anyone or group of persons to jeopardize our democracy. They should wake up to the antics of these sore losers and not view the revived #EndSARS protests as mere agitation but should treat them as part of the coup plot that they are.

The Department of State Services (DSS) should rise to the challenge at hand by getting to the root of the mutated #EndSARS movement by tracing the finances and communication that is driving the attempt to visit instability on Nigeria.  DSS should invite the key players of the protest for meetings to tell Nigerians all they intend to achieve that cannot wait for the 2023 General Elections.

EFCC and ICPC as anti-graft agencies should trace the illicit financial flow that was deployed as Christmas bonanza to lawmakers that have been compromised to breach the rules in the hope of forcing an impeachment that does not conform with the rules. 

We warn those making contacts with the military, whether from among protesters or from the opposition, to desist from doing this forthwith. The military should be continually treated as the sacred institution that it is and not dragged into opposition politics.  

We equally renew an earlier appeal to Nigerians not to lend themselves out as tools for those seeking to foment trouble. The #EndSARS protests had since devolved into #March4Nigeria Movement, which is a coalition of Nigerians that are committed to constructively engage government at all levels in a manner that produces a result as opposed to the kind of destructive looting that undermined the efforts to hold members of the police force to account

Tinubu Support GROUP(TSG) on Tuesday debunked a publication by some prints and online media credited to Farooq
Kperogi that replacing Buhari with Tinubu is like jumping from dementia to a drugged and drunken presidency.

TSG described the content of the publication in its entirety as untrue, malicious, devilish, ungodly, ill-conceived with deliberate destructive intentions.

This was made known In a statement by the Head of media Tinubu Support Group, Oluwatosin Johnson.

In his words,

"For anyone to be concocting such falsehood in 2020 ahead of 2023 presidential election is very unfortunate and Nigerians should not take such a person serious. Mind you, only God gives life and determine who sees tomorrow, talk more of three years ahead.

"the publications is a deliberate attempt, probably sponsored, to cause confusion, mistrust and suspicions within the APC and denigrate the Office of the President and blackmail our National Leader which is trade in stuck for Farouk Kperogi"

" it is also an attempt by the political enemy of the presidency and the Leader of our great party to instigate the good people of Nigeria against the great achievements accomplished so far by the president and good mentorship already provided by Asiwaju in governance of Lagos state over the years"

" we urge the general public to therefore disregard the publication in its entirety, considering it as a figment of the publishers and their sponsors' imagination". Oluwatosin said.

... demands recall of pro-impeachment members

The National Democratic Front (NDF) says Nigerians will hold the National Assembly liable should the president be illegally impeached, thereby truncating the nation's democracy.

The NDF said any attempt to overturn the mandate of Nigerians will be met with stern resistance.

The group made its position known in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr Bolaji Abdulkadir on Tuesday.

Recall that President Buhari had last week met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other principal officers of the House and agreed to address the lawmakers on the country’s security challenges on Thursday.

But a member of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party caucus, called for the impeachment of the president.

Despite distancing itself from the lawmaker, the NDF warned the House leadership to call the PDP to order against inciting a section of the population to revolt and cause a breakdown of law and order.

Dr Abdulkadir noted that the country is already reeling from security breaches that have PDP discontent written all over it and now coming up with the impeachment bid will only further inflame the situation.

According to the group, the "power-thirsty" PDP has continued to work with other opposition elements and commercial activists to force a change in the country's leadership.

The NDF, therefore, urged that the NASS to curtail the activities of its PDP caucus as "Nigerians will hold the legislature responsible should anything happen to threaten our democracy".

As a show of our zero tolerance for unpatriotic elements, NDF, however, called on the constituencies of the "rogue" reps members to immediately begin their recall process for pursuing sectional political interests.

Read the full statement below:

The National Democratic Front (NDF) is alarmed at the misguided calls for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari particularly as demonstrated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives and the opposition’s propaganda machine.  NDF has resolved that Nigerians will hold the National Assembly liable should anything happen to the nation’s democracy.

Such calls and attempt to illegally sack President Buhari’s government can only be contemplated by anti-democratic forces and those who do not wish Nigeria well. It is most unfortunate that they are hiding behind the façade of being democrats when in reality they abhor the very tenets of democracy, which is why they are keen on using crude tactics to overturn the mandate that Nigerians gave the government.

NDF is worried that the PDP caucus is exploiting its position as a vocal minority to incite a section of the population to revolt and cause a breakdown of law and order so that they will then use this as a basis to accuse the President of being autocratic. The country is already reeling from security breaches that have PDP discontent written all over it, coming up with the impeachment bid will only further inflame the situation.

The thugs that the PDP once used to snatch ballot boxes, manipulate elections and intimidate political opponents have graduated to becoming the bandits, kidnappers and robbers that the House of Representatives caucus is today complaining about. Rather than grandstanding and maligning President Buhari who is doing good work despite being constantly sabotaged by the opposition, the PDP caucus members should be brave to own up to how they created the terror machine that is now tormenting Nigerians. This would at least offer meaningful insight into dismantling it.

It is disheartening that these House of Representatives Members claimed to represent millions of youths from nooks and crannies of Nigeria, but in reality, they have made it their mission to cause division and disunity among citizens. They hired themselves out as mercenaries to the opposition to threaten Nigeria’s democracy and causing strife by hijacking what was meant to be peaceful protests held across the country.

NDF is stating this because it is now obvious that the #EndSARS protests, the degenerating state of security, the coup plot being packaged as impeachment attempt and the desperation to emasculate the military are all the grand plan of the PDP and certain elements that are out to destabilize Nigeria.

We remind Nigerians that in the runup to the 2019 General Elections NDF had severally raised the alarm about PDP’s plot to wreck Nigeria by precipitating crises that will result in the formation of an interim government populated by its members after it would have illegally ousted the President Buhari out of office. Sadly, every single scenario that NDF anticipated in those warnings is now playing out.

PDP working with other opposition elements and commercial activists has continued to attempt forcing a change in the leadership of the military, its killers are running riot across the country under different names – bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other, it has hijacked a citizens’ movement for unleashing destructive protests in several cities of the country and it is now attempting a full-blown coup plot under the guise of an impeachment demanded by its caucus in the National Assembly.

PDF categorically demands that the National Assembly should curtail the activities of its PDP caucus as Nigerians will hold the legislature responsible should anything happen to threaten our democracy. The National Assembly has no business tolerating the excesses of people that have clearly outed themselves as enemies of the State.

As a show of our zero tolerance for unpatriotic elements, NDF is calling on the constituencies of the rogue House of Representative Members to immediately begin the process for the recall of their errant representatives, who have continued to pursue sectional political interests as part of a PDP caucus instead of providing wholesome representation to the people they represent at the National Assembly. These members must also be booted out parliament because they monetized their roles by receiving payment in hard currency to overthrow the government, an action that jeopardizes national security.

Tinubu Support Group(TSG) has received with deep satisfaction, the declaration of the results of the December 5th Lagos East, Plateau South, Imo North Senatorial bye election, DAS and Bakori State Constituency of Bauchi and Katsina by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

TSG wish to congratulate the entire APC members and people of Nigeria on this great achievement and peaceful conduct of the exercise.

TSG notes the peaceful and transparent conduct of the election, and congratulates all our candidate of the APC who emerged winners from the results.


TSG commends our party members accross the country for their determination and courage demonstrated throughout the period of the elections. This is a clear indication of the collective commitment of the Nigerian stakeholders towards strengthening democracy and good governance in line with our Party ideology.

TSG urges all political parties, candidates, their supporters and the general public to accept the verdict of the Electoral Commission and continue to observe the atmosphere of peace.

Once again congratulations
Oluwatosin Johnson
Head, Media

*Coalition hails troops, says North-East closer to safety with killing of Lake Chad Boko Haram Governor*

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) says the North-East region is closer to safety following the killing of high-ranking Boko Haram commander,  Amir Goni Maina. 

Goni Maina was the acclaimed Governor of Lake Chad Tumbuns. 

He perceived the area as his territory from where he ochestrated several deadly attacks. 

The once-inviscible terror kingpin, however, met his waterloo on Wednesday, following an offensive by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

This comes few days after a recent charge by President Muhammadu Buhari to the military to take the battle to the insurgents.

And in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja, on Thursday, the CATE applauded the military, it’s leadership  and the troops that carried out the succesful operation in line with President Buhari's order. 

According to the coalition, Goni Maina’s death is a befitting consequence for the massacre of scores of farmers in Koshobe and Zabarmari areas of Borno State.  

It further charged the troops to maintain the momentum and fish out all the remnants of terrorists in the Lake Chad region.

The group, however, assured that with the demise of Goni Maina and sustained onslaught by the troop, the North-East region would soon experience a new lease of life. 

Read full statement below: 

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) is pleased to learn of the exploit by the Nigerian Military with the killing of a high-ranking Boko Haram commander, Amir Goni Maina, who in his lifetime posed as the Governor of Lake Chad Tumbuns. With Amir Maina’s death the northeast region of Nigeria is one step closer to being made safe for civilians to live their lives in peace.

CATE unequivocally commends the Nigerian military, it’s leadership  and the troops that carried out the operation for their success in striking at the heart of the insurgency in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive. The Army has continued to  show  that it is capable of holding its own and taking the battle to the insurgents in all their hideouts and enclaves. 

Amir Maina’s death is a befitting consequence for the massacre of scores of farmers in Koshobe, Zabarmari area of Borno state, Nigerians want more terrorists -whether Boko Haram or ISWAP- to pay for the heinous crime of going after civilians.  It is our firm belief that other unrepentant terrorists will soon be doing escort duty for Amir Maina as they are dispatched from the face of the earth.

We therefore charge the military to fish out all the remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Lake Chad region dead or alive within the shortest period possible. The military should ensure that there is no terrorists spared in this round of operation against the terrorists to ensure that they do not have time to recover or ever regroup again.

Even if the terrorists should indicate interest in a ceasefire or peace talks such overture should be spurned by the military and the government since such had in the past turned out to be mere ploys by the terrorists to buy time, regroup, recruit new fighters and train them.

In CATE’s opinion, anyone or any organization that broaches the idea of ceasefire, peace talks or any suggestion that could potentially buy Boko Haram terrorists some moments of reprieve must seen  as an enemy of the state and enemy of Nigerians. These are individuals and entities that failed to demand that the terrorists abandon their evil ways and allow the people of the northeast live their lives in peace. 

CATE is stating this because we have heard of plans by some individuals and some organizations so slow down the impending escalation of military actions against Boko Haram terrorists by rushing to offer themselves as peace brokers in order to corner the military into accepting a ceasefire. They will also request for the opening of humanitarian corridors for relief materials and safe passage for civilians, which in reality would be escape routes for terrorists that would be cornered in the impending offensive. Where these approaches fails, these persons and organizations will accuse the military of committing human right abuses by claiming that some of the terrorists to be killed in the operations are civilians. 

Several foreign news networks have been placed on standby to publicize skewed versions of whichever of these plans is being implemented in order to draw international condemnation to the military operation to crush Boko Haram. 

We urge the military, particularly the Nigerian Army, not to be deterred in the resolve to carry out Mr. President’s directive to flush all terrorists out of the Lake Chad Basin irrespective of what blackmail is directed at it.

The Northern Patriotic Assembly (NPA) has warned former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, to desist from running errands for coupists with his statements on national security and the service chiefs. 

In a statement signed by its Director of Press, Muhammadu Adamu, on Thursday, the group said Shekerau's remarks is "despicable and might be a manifestation of one of the many smear campaigns intended to discredit the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in addressing the security threats in the country". 

Like his contemporaries, the Northern Patriotic Assembly said the Senator representing Kano Central doesn't have the interest of the nation at heart; only playing to the gallery. 

The group, therefore, warned the lawmaker to forthwith quit the politics and equally cease making unguarded and illogical statements that insult the sensibilities of Nigerians. 

The NPA, however, challenged Shekarau to swear by the Holy Koran that he is not aware that the recent attacks by Boko Haram in Borno State are not the handiwork of politicians. 

Read full statement below:

The Northern Patriotic Assembly views the statement by Ibrahim Shekarau, Senator representing Kano Central in the National Assembly wherein he stated that President Muhammadu is breaking the law by keeping the Service Chiefs as an act of political grandstanding and lacking in any form of objectivity. 

It is indeed a statement of the fact that Senator Ibrahim Shekarau has elected to speak from an uninformed perspective and blinded by his hatred for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for very obvious reasons. 

The Northern Patriotic Assembly is consequently taken aback that as a former governor, minister and now Senator, Ibrahim Shekarau should have been more enlightened and conversant with the powers of the Commander-in-Chief with regards to the tenure of Service Chiefs in the country. 

We also wish to state that Senator Ibrahim Shekarau’s statement is despicable and might be a manifestation of one of the many smear campaigns intended to discredit the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in addressing the security threats in the country which has assumed a politically dangerous dimension. 

It is our firm belief that Senator Ibrahim Shekarau is not only out to discredit the present administration, but also to cause an unholy distraction towards giving leeway for his political associates to have their way in their puerile attempt to effect a change of government by all means. 

Senator Ibrahim Shekarau just like his contemporaries has been playing to the gallery on an issue as severe as the security of lives in the country which by and large is of no interest to them because it is no longer business as usual in running the affairs of the country.  

The Northern Patriotic Assembly wishes to use this medium to caution Senator Ibrahim Shekarau to desist from the puerile attempt at playing to the gallery by making unguarded and illogical statements that insult the sensibilities of Nigerians from all walks of life. He hasn’t challenged the law in court, and as a lawmaker, he is not known to have made any new law on the tenure of service chiefs in the country. 

He should stop playing politics with the security of Nigerians and face the reality which is the fact that indeed the spate of insecurity in the country is as a result of the desperation by politicians to cause disaffection in the polity through the covert sponsorship of violence across the country. 

The Northern Patriotic Assembly states in unequivocal terms that Senator Ibrahim Shekarau cannot feign ignorance to the fact that spate of killings in the country is politically motivated. 

We consequently challenge Senator Ibrahim Shekarau to swear by the Holy Koran that he is not aware that the recent attacks by Boko Haram in Borno State are not the handiwork of politicians. 

At this point, it is our considered opinion that Senator Ibrahim Shakarau should be circumspect in his public conduct and be guided by the fact that as a former governor, minister and now Senator, he is sufficiently aware of the noble efforts of the present administration in addressing the security threats in the country. 

He should also do himself well to read about the tenure of Service Chiefs, which is expressly stated in the Harmonized Conditions of Service that permits the Service Chiefs to remain in office at the discretion of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  

Senator Ibrahim Shekarau must not take his ignorance too far as these are indeed trying times in the country with the spate of politically motivated killings and other acts of criminalities. It consequently behoves on him to quit playing to the gallery in the interest of peace and tranquillity.

By Richard Murphy

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, is definitely riding the wave as the year 2020 poster boy of populism. From surviving terrorist Boko Haram’s targeted attacks to being able to show off completed model projects amidst an insurgency, he has certainly won the heart of many Nigerians and the people of his troubled state to the point where some think he should run for presidency in 2023.

But the idea of hiring mercenaries to defeat Boko Haram, as currently postulated by the governor, qualifies as pushing one’s luck beyond the logical or reasonable. As would be expected of the postulations of someone with demagogic populist following, Zulum’s suggestion is gaining traction with some of his fellow governors hopping on the bandwagon in demanding that mercenaries should be added to the mix of efforts to defeat Boko Haram terrorists, who have made the Lake Chad Basin a killing field.

Such desperate suggestion appears justified in the light of the massacre of scores of rice farmers in Zabarmari area of Borno state. At a time of outrage, as the murder of the farmers threw the nation into, there should be no limit or restrictions to the ideas that should be placed on the table in the search of how to deal with the evil entity that is causing the nation sorrow.

So, Zulum’s suggestion should not be dismissed on face value. It should be properly evaluated before being thrashed and consigned to the dustbin of counterinsurgency efforts to ensure that whenever someone comes up with the idea again much efforts would not be dissipated before rejecting it.

First, former President Goodluck Jonathan had infamously hired South African mercenaries for this same assignment. Specialized Tasks, Training, Equipment and Protection International (STTEP), a South African mercenary company, got that contract, which was later trailed by controversies. The fact that Boko Haram remained in existence after that company’s contract terminated attests to the fact that the ventured failed woefully. So, what stops a recourse to mercenaries from failing again?

Secondly, mercenaries, like STTEP, are not in a war for idealism or national interest, they are soldiers of fortune, who fight for the gains. If they successfully neutralize the problem on ground where will their next paycheck from? What stops the mercenaries from contriving situations that allow Boko Haram survive beyond its end point just to ensure that they continue to have a contract?

The issue of how and why the country would pass on the intelligence it gathers on terrorist activities it gathers to foreign mercenaries is another variable that proponents of this arrangement have not considered or at least provided answers about. Another leg of this is how Nigeria will deal with the mandatory non-disclosure clauses in the bilateral and multilateral agreements with international partners. We cannot receive intelligence from other countries and pass same to civilian contractors from third party nations. That alone would cause further degeneration to whatever conditions we are presently dealing with.

Furthermore, the mercenaries would be paid, and paid in foreign currency. The issue here is that if the same money is made available to the Nigerian troops, which would go into procuring much needed equipment and logistics, the kind the soldiers of fortune are able to afford on their contract, the logical outcome is that the troops would perform even better than the paid contractors.

Of course, there are the diplomatic knots and mishaps that could come from when these mercenaries intrude into the territories of Nigeria’s neighbours, something that is inevitable since the terrorists usually operate across international borders. While Nigeria can answer for the actions of its troops sent in pursuit of the terrorists, how much responsibility can we assume for the nationals of other nations that will form part of the mercenaries? Who takes responsibility if the soldiers of fortunes fall short of the acceptable rules of engagement?

At the street level, the clamour for the engagement of mercenaries is a sad reminder of the penchant of Nigerians not to appreciate what they locally. It is syndrome that has made Nigeria synonymous with everything foreign. In this regard, recent development has confirmed that excessive dependency on foreign components is not sustainable. Ironically and sadly, the murdered farmers were part of the success story of Nigeria’s capacity for self-reliance in rice production, something that was once considered impossible. The memory of them should not be desecrated with the engagement of foreigners when they had shown the way that Nigerians are capable.

Thus, the debate about whether to hire mercenaries or not should not be allowed to distract from the reality on ground and the actions needed to tackle them. This includes the fact that there are aspects of Boko Haram’s insurgency that are politically driven. What is needed in this aspect is for concerned parties to pressure those providing political sustenance for Boko Haram to cut off the support. There is the financial component as well and until those with the capacity begin to jail terrorists’ financiers as the United Arab Emirates jailed six persons recently, Boko Haram will continue to ample resources to wage war against humanity.

We must also not lose sight of the people who have made it their life mission to help terrorists advance their propaganda machine. They are the ones that make it possible for Boko Haram to brainwash new recruits and replace the ones being killed by the military. They are the ones that help the terrorists strike terror in the heart of people each time the terrorists carry out their heinous crimes. If these members of Boko Haram propaganda arm decide to sustain a claim that terrorism is alive and kicking irrespective of what the mercenaries have achieved, then their efforts would have been in vain.

It is time to face the reality and accept that we must ultimately look inwards in our bid to defeat terrorism. We owe ourselves the responsibility of channeling the money that would have been paid for hiring mercenaries to our military so that they can have the kind of hardware and logistics that the soldiers of fortune are able to afford. We should, at least for a moment, repose in our troops the kind of confidence we are expressing in foreign mercenaries. We must collective express support for the troops so that they will be inspired by the knowledge that their country is behind them as they risk life and limb in the course of each encounter with the terrorists.



Above all, we must be realistic enough to accept that the problem with Boko Haram’s insurgency remains politics and until the bad politics being played by a few opportunistic persons around President Muhammadu Buhari, and active collaborators in Borno state, is resolved, no foreign mercenaries will help the country. The Nigerian solution remains the only workable solution to the insurgency and that is what we should go for.

Murphy wrote this piece from Calabar.