₦airaland Forum

Counter- terrorism expert, Kuanum, lauds Army over neutralization of Boko Haram Imam, commanders

The Nigerian Army, NA, has received a big thumbs up from counter-terrorism expert, Mr Terrence Kuanum , over the killing of 8 top Boko Haram commanders and their spiritual consultant on Friday.



Kuanum gave the commendation while speaking with reporters in Abuja.


He said the soldiers deserve commendation because of the level of professionalism they brought to bear in carrying out the operation and due to the impact it would have on the overall effort to permanently defeat the terrorists. 


Reports have it that counter-terrorism troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Friday, killed eight top Boko Haram commanders and their Imam, who were attempting to infiltrate an Army Super Camp in Damasak, Borno State.


Those killed include the Imam,  Mansur Abu Fatima, Tumbun Dabino – Ba Issoufo, Tumbun Bororo – Amir Batam, Tumbun Jaki – Almustapha, TumbunBagaruwa – Modou Kollo, Dogon Tchoukou – Issah, Tumbun Rakke  – Mustapha Woulama, Tumbun Dila – Boukar Kowa and Tumbun Mita – Abou Aisha.
While items recovered from the Boko Haram include three AK 47 rifles, magazine with 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Honda Salon car, one motorcycle, eight bicycles, three mobile phones with multiple SIM and memory cards and five copies of the Qur’an, a letter written in Hausa to the top commander, documents and other logistics.


Kuanum  said the army did well by stopping the terrorists from re-entering the Sambisa Forest as that would have given the terrorists the cover the needed to plan further attacks on communities. 


He said the planned attack on the military camp which was foiled would send signals to the terrorists that their cover has been blown and would force them to either surrender or pull out completely from the area.



The security expert said the fact that the terrorists want to return  to their former base at Sambisa confirms that the heat is on them and that they have limited options on where to operate from.



"In a war situation, a side can only return to its base by charging through and forcefully taking it, but when it begins to try to sneak into a captured territory, you know that it has lost the capacity to launch an offensive and may be seeking a location to hide and recover from defeat," he said.



He said if the terrorists had succeeded in crossing over as they had wanted to, they would have succeeded in causing havoc which would further help their propaganda that they are having an upper hand in the war.



Kuanum said the fact that they lost eight top commanders in an operation, proves that the terrorist have been brought on their knees and dispossessed of the wherewithal to continue fighting. 


" What we are witnessing is the gradual but sure end of Boko Haram as represented by their inability to put up a fight and the loss of their strategic planners. 



The counter-terrorism expert said the kiling of the top Boko Haram commanders and their spiritualist is a major achievement  that would further degrade the terrorists groups. 



He recalled that shortly before the kiling of the eight, troops of Strong Response Area, Pulka, also killed six other terrorists attempting to cross from Cameroon border into Sambisa Forest.


He said the success of the operations must have been due to high intelligence and other information gathering mechanisms that have placed the troops ahead of the insurgents. 


He said the Nigerian troops should capitalise on these inroads and storm the other camps of the insurgents so as not to allow them regroup. 


"What they're doing is to spread their members into small units and ordering them to attack certain points. This gives the impression that they are many and prevents a wholesale operation that will take them out at once as was done in the past," he said.


Kuanum said the latest killing of the terrorists by Nigerian troops complements the earlier devastation of their camps in several theaters of operations.



"Nigerian troops have recorded series of successes in the last three months that cannot be ignored," he stated. 



Our correspondent recalls that between April and June, the Nigerian military have killed over 2,000 Boko Haram terrorists and bandits across northern Nigeria. 



The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai had within the period relocated to the Northeast and personally led the onslaught against the terrorists. 



He was also in the Northwest shortly after and attack on some communities in Katsina which motivated troops to overtake and capture many of the bandits.

By Ibrahim Kabir Dallah

Whether in his personal capacity as ‘Comrade’ Deji Adeyanju or as the convener of Concerned Nigeria, a platform that has concerned itself with doing things that will shame Nigeria irrespective of the angst being erroneously placed, this activist has accelerated his growth as a paid mourner, one who keens to create the impression that a deceased tyrant should be canonized as a saint. Adeyanju futilely tries to cut the image of one interested in a better Nigeria but has in reality outed himself as one whose citizenship should be withdrawn assuming we can find another country willing to accept such scum and waste of space as its citizen.

Being the ranter-in-chief of Rants Republic, Adeyanju’s latest preoccupation is to shift to higher gear in maligning President Muhammadu Buhari over the reported resignation of soldiers. There is nothing new in the unwarranted shading of Mr. President by this ready-for-hire activist, it is well known that he does not take on any cause without the budget and financing lines being first firmly established. What is left to verify is why he continues to flog an influence he does not possess on his unsuspecting clients who still cannot figure out that they are being scammed.

According to Adeyanju in a tweet earlier in the week, “Soldiers are massively resigning from the Army because they don’t believe in the leadership of the current Service Chiefs yet the C-in-C doesn’t give a damn.” This is consistent with the oversimplification of issues in a manner that is insulting to the intellect of the average Nigerian, who is insulted by the suggestion that they are that dumb to be easily incited by the antics of falsehood peddler who is not smart enough to know what he stands for.

This hack sees soldiers “massively resigning” from the army without realizing that 318 is about 0.1% of the 215,000 officers and men in that institution. True, soldiers should not be resigning at a time that their country needs them to wage a crucial war against terrorists but to cry wolf over the significance of the number or resignations is something that has crossed the threshold of irresponsibility and not borders on something else. His abuse of statistics in this regard should not be treated at the product of mischief but should rather be seen for what it is, a compelling lack of the mental capacity to make the right assessment and the absence of the intellectual wherewithal to contextualize issues.

Only such shortcomings will make him blame the service chiefs for the resignations simply because the exiting soldiers cited “loss of interest”. He concluded that they don’t believe in the leadership of the current service chiefs. It is no surprise that Adeyanju was quick to arrive at this conclusion given the previous instances that he has been accused of colluding with foreign elements and interests that are inimical to Nigeria’s long-term stability. He is therefore not willing to acknowledge that these same resigning soldiers are likely his associates on the battlefront, the ones that had been leaking operational intel to terrorists. The so-called activists should have been decent enough to admit that running out of the Army is their way of escaping the reckoning that is to come when they are found out, especially as the likelihood increases on a daily basis that series of successful onslaughts against the terrorists would soon lead to a high profile capture of terrorists commanders, who may spill the beans on the troops that have been aiding them. Adeyanju should rather worry about being found out instead of stoking hate.

Accusing the C-in-C of not giving a damn is an indication of the kind of dysfunctionality that Adeyanju wishes to see in Nigeria, a country where the leader acts on impulse and is reactionary to every clown with internet data and a social media account. That is hardly the hallmark of an ideal leader. Responsible leaders avail themselves of hard facts to make decisions. Where the military is concerned, President Buhari has availed himself of facts, updates, reports from the frontline and the benefit of his own experience as an ex-military man to make decisions. That Adeyanju, whose experience of military maneuver is limited to being in bed with jihadists and terrorists, could fault this principled stand is most unfortunate as it is indicative of how foreign agents of destabilization have planted money loving activists to further their own goals.

When next he is picking up his paycheck from his recruiters, Adeyanju should be honest enough, the kind of honesty that others already possess and he continues to demand it of them, to tell them the truth. The truth that the C-in-C does give a damn. He gives a damn to the extent that he has not allowed the rants of Adeyanju and his associates to distract the team from the prevailing duty of salvaging Nigeria from the death roll in which they were holding it by sponsoring militant and social media terrorists to carry out daily attacks.

It is Adeyanju who must now give a damn. He should awaken to the reality that he may yet have to make refunds for the huge fees he is daily unable to justify. His only achievement is peddling falsehood that has not done much to advance the interest of his clients. If anything, he has thought the public to know that there are people manipulating public perception to make Nigeria appear like a failed state.

While Adeyanju rues his dwindling fortune as fake activist, the rest of us should ponder whether the resignation of the soldiers is not the best thing to have happened to the country. These ones that have “lost interest” in being soldiers may just be the ones that have been losing the war and causing the death of their colleagues.

So, rather than fall into panic as Adeyanju intended, we should be thankful that the undesirables are leaving be Army. They are creating vacancies for patriots who are willing to fight the war against terrorists. Adeyanju does not know this so someone should help educate him.

Dallah is a civil rights activist and wrote this piece from Lafia, Nassarawa State.

By Adamu Balarabe

I was jolted with the news that the honourable minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is involved in an infraction in the North East Development Commission, an agency under her ministry. From the onset, I dismissed the report as arrant nonsense and a joke.

I took my time to scrutinize the allegations. I found out that there were not only spurious but a figment of the imagination of the group. As a start, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq is a very proud woman that protects her name and her heritage religiously. As a reporter that has covered some of the ministries interventions, I dare say that once you are noticed not to be professional in your assignment, there is always a reprimand from her.

I know that she took particular interest in us that are female reporters covering her ministry. On numerous occasions, she has lectured us on the need to be upright and focused on our various assignments. Her passion for the job is infectious and a source of inspiration to some of us that she has continued to mentor.

I won't mince words. The report alleging that the minister is involved in an anomaly in the NEDC is balderdash. Maybe the group that made the allegations are referring to someone else and not the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. I dare say they didn’t think through their strategy before coming out in public.

As a first, the honourable minister would not entertain any form of favouritism in the discharge of her duties. Her belief in meritocracy is such that I have never seen before. I recall during a media parley; she stated that the task of providing succour to the vulnerable people in the society is a task from God and anyone, so privilege to carry out such task must realize that anything short of that would incur the wrath of God.

She stated that she knows that some people would not be comfortable with some of her actions and inactions, but her ultimate goal is peace of mind, blessings from God and protecting the trust reposed in her by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the less privileged and the vulnerable group indeed benefits from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Back to the allegations, it is indeed preposterous to link the minister to any form of fraudulent activities in the North East Development Commission. I also wondered if it's the same North-East Development Commission that she is passionate about. I know for a fact that of all the agencies under the supervision of the ministry, the North East Development Commission is the most monitored by the ministry to ensure that it fulfils its mandate of the rapid reconstruction of the war-ravaged communities in North-East Nigeria.
This is nothing but a feeble attempt to tarnish her image and hard-earned reputation for daring to take the bulls by the horns to ensure that nothing short of accountability is implemented in the operations of the commission. It is my considered opinion that the sponsors of the story were in haste to give her a bad name and consequently missed the plot. I say this because the various allegations were contradictory. In one sentence it stated that the “Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq, in collaboration with the MD of the NEDC, illegally took about N5bn recently to purchase vehicles for the military against its scope of operation and board's approval.”

I wondered if that was ever possible under a system that has multiple layers of check and balances. I also wondered if the group and their promoters are conversant with the mandate of the NEDC as well as its operations. If indeed they did their homework well, they would have realized that indeed they would be chasing shadows to make such reckless allegations in the public space.

This is most despicable and an affront to our sensibilities as a people. It is also most uncharitable to the people of North East whose lives are gradually returning to normal due to the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development via the North East Development Commission.

I recall that on numerous occasions, reporters covering the ministry have embarked on a fact-finding mission to North-East Nigeria to run an independent assessment of the various interventions of the North East Development Commission. The minister I also recall has enlisted our support to be as objective as possible in our evaluation. She stated that the assessments would give her another perspective on the operations of the NEDC other than what her subordinates submit to her office periodically.

That alone was ingenious, and I can state for free that the minister is not the meddlesome type. She gives you a task and respects your judgment. This much we gathered from the ministry and the agencies under her supervision. I recall a director general of one of the agencies telling us that Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq is not one you would attempt to be clever by half with. You must be thorough and ensure that your books are clean before it gets to her. And if she notices any form of discrepancies, there is always a penalty because her stance has always been that of service to humanity and nothing more.

Yet this is the woman that a shadowy group wants members of the public to believe would condescend to encouraging and form of an anomaly in the sensitive North-East Development Commission. I am sure the promoters of the group are not aware that the plight of the displaced people in North-East Nigeria occupies a strategic place in her heart. As a matter of fact, from all the interactions we have had with her, it was evident that the task of rebuilding North-East Nigeria remains a top priority for her. In some quarters she is often referred to as Madam North East because of her commitment and passion for seeing that normalcy returns to the region. But again, ignorance is not an excuse as issues must be put in proper perspectives before the generality of Nigerians.

This is also part of a smear campaign against the indefatigable Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq. Make no mistakes; I am not saying of all these because I am of the same gender. But my postulations are first-hand experiences and one conversant with her strength of character and disposition to her job. This is not your everyday politician occupying government office.

The promoters of the plot to tarnish the image of the minister should rethink their strategy as this also is dead on arrival as others. Needless, I add that this is part of the price to pay in a country like ours when you stand on the side of truth and dispense invaluable services. Those that have benefited from the rot in the system would always go overboard to tarnish the image of those that have refused to play ball with them in their dishonourable acts.

Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq has been a tough shell to crack. For this, they have continued to throw all manners of shades at her to weaken her resolve to stand for the people and the peace and progress of the country. This is the stark reality before us. So long the Pull Down syndrome continues in this country, sustainable growth and development would continue to elude us.

Ordinarily, I should not have bothered penning this article. But again, we owe this country a great sense of patriotism to ensure that those that are passionate about the translation of our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities are not intimidated by a group of demonic and self-serving individuals and organizations that have contributed to the rot in the system. Nigeria belongs to us and not one.


Balarabe is an anti-corruption crusader and wrote this piece from Yola.

By Philip Agbese

Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council for Foreign Relations and former Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, prides himself as the expert on Nigeria to the extent that he now leads the posse of the discontented. He is on a mission to finish what he could not achieve during his duty tours of Nigeria, assignments on which he woefully failed whether assessed from the perspective of his overt employer - the United States, covert employer – the discredited Council for Foreign Relations, and even his Nigerian opposition paymasters. Campbell will be adjudged an even worse failure should he be assessed without making allowance for the compromises caused by the aforementioned affiliations.

Wikipedia has it that “The main functions of diplomats are: representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending State; initiation and facilitation of strategic agreements; treaties and conventions; promotion of information; trade and commerce; technology; and friendly relations.” But who dares apply this to Campbell ambassadorial tenure in Nigeria from 2004 to 2007? In those few numbers of years he did the exact opposite of the expectations one should have of diplomats.

With the benefit of hindsight, one can now appreciate that while seemingly facilitating relations between Nigeria and the United States, Campbell was apparently running a sideshow for his then covert employer, the Council for Foreign Relations, which many may not know to be a death machine one that is committed to world domination, not by the United States of America as many will think but by a cabal of sociopaths who immorally treat war as a business as opposed to recognizing the human misery that comes with any instance of strife.

The sideshow that Campbell possibly ran for the Council for Foreign Relations has blossomed, fruited, shed fruits and the windfall from this tree of strife are now germinating, growing saplings that threaten to form a forest of chaos in northern Nigeria unless citizens wake up enlightened to the point of rooting out the saplings being watered by human blood and taking an axe to the tree of strife and getting rid of it for good while ensuring that Campbell and his bloodlust is kept out of Nigeria and Nigeria’s affairs and his overlords with him.

Boko Haram’s first major attacks may be the 2011 spate of bombings in Abuja, the killer group’s initial justification for its violence may be the 2009 death in detention of its leader Yusuf Mohammed, but the actual ground work for its ascendancy was done by Campbell, who spent his stay in the country between 2004-2007 to have close contact, enough to build the network that unfurled to become the world’s most murderous group. It appears that while he was busy prepping Boko Haram to kill Nigerians on an industrial scale, he also connected with other Council for Foreign Relations assets to precipitate similar destabilization in the Middle East and North Africa.

The same period was used to scout for and identify characters who are irredeemably peeved with the country of their birth that they somehow found the shortcut of being the opposition irrespective of who or what political party is in office. This Campbell’s alliance of the disgruntled became the pool from which he is able to constantly recruit detractors that are always ready to criticize government’s efforts at resolving the mess he helped midwifed on behalf of the Council for Foreign Relations. To compound the woes of the country, these disgruntled posse has recruited a new generation, keyboard warriors that hide behind the unanimity of social media, which detaches them from the reality of war and its attendant human suffering, to heap praises on imps like Campbell while bad mouthing the efforts of patriots that lay their lives on the line to clean up the mess created by Godless people like him.

It was on this bases that Campbell pushed around the lie that Nigeria will disintegrate in 2015. He might have made the right moves on his imaginary chessboard – a virulent terror group, an angry opposition, a cohort of national saboteurs operating as activists and leadership that has been compromised to order. But he did not reckon that a President Muhammadu Buhari will emerge neither did he figure that he will appoint military chiefs that will alter the equation he thought he had diligently pored over. With this unexpected turn of events, the 2015 disintegration prediction fades into oblivion with each passing year such that a person that is truly mentally competent would own up to his employers – Council for Foreign Relations – that this is a bad call and that it is time to allow Nigeria enjoy its peace.

Sadly, Campbell has difficulty accepting that he has hit the end of the road in Nigeria and that his mission to the country has ended, in disgrace. He continues to abuse the ubiquity afforded by technology and the internet in a bid to expand the problems he created for Nigeria. The practicality of virtual gatherings promoted as part of the world’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has become for this bloodsucker the new tool to congregate his misguided followers and associate towards stoking fear and blowing the crisis he created out of proportion. For him, the things that have been developed to make human life better must be perverted to manipulate the unwary into becoming recruits for his fledging desperation to create “a new world order” in which targeted countries are turned into wastelands.

A so called town hall meeting to be held virtually, with the sickening tag ‘Insecurity: “State of the State”’ is the latest abuse of online meeting that a desperate Campbell wants to use to exhort his Nigerian assets while seeking out new recruits in the failed mission of making Nigeria a failed state. He is of course being cheered on by an equally discredited news portal, Sahara Reporters, which discerning minds have rechristened “Sahara Disaster”. Other rabble rousers, like the commercial activist, Aisha Yesufu and the country representative of the disruptive Amnesty International are expected on the panel. This further exposed it as nothing but a circuit that is intended to make peace loving Nigerians feel bad about their country.

It may appear on the surface, as depicted in the e-fliers for the sick show, that John Campbell is a mere guest invited to appear on the show. The reality however is that the organizers are his recruits, selected for their misplaced commitment to sabotage their own country for whatever indoctrination that Campbell has filled their heads with. He has had the benefit of grooming them over the years – paid terrorists that are usually compensated with travel honoraria to attend brainwashing sessions tagged as international conferences, scholarships to take part in radicalization programmes and grants that are in reality financing to undertake activities aimed at undermining Nigeria. So, having been so programmed and mobilized over the years who else will these hapless organizers chose if not Campbell, who has from day one set up things to play out according to his script.

Like the Buhari presidency popped up as a variable that that Campbell never anticipated, another variable that will do him in is time. Even when the present crop of leaders is done safeguarding the interest of the country from carrion eaters like Campbell, the successor generations will build on the legacy of today such that the former US Ambassador to Nigeria will never have his wish of seeing Nigeria destroyed. Whether it is senility that takes him or the inevitable death, the last memories John Campbell will have of Nigeria is that of the country where he failed, failed and wasted his entire lifetime.


Agbese is a human rights activist and publisher based in the UK.

By Ibrahim Gwandu

To make good the order of President Muhammadu Buhari to Security Chiefs to redouble their efforts to rid the Northwest region of armed banditry and all forms of criminalities terrorizing rural communities, the Nigerian Army has launched the “Operation Sahel Sanity” (OSS). It was launched end of June 2020 in Faskari, Katsina State and, the success of the military operations in a very short while narrates itself evidently.

While launching “Operation Sahel Sanity,” (OSS), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and punch man of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai explained the gamut of the current operations to concentrate heavily in the states of Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger, with intertwined thick forests. These forests provide shield and shelter to the armed bandits, who stage out recurrently to raid markets, communities, and in the rage, massively kill, kidnap, commit acts of arson and rustle cows.

The pandemic of armed banditry and cattle rustling in the Northwest undisguisedly is a problem which preceded the administration of President Buhari. In 2015, the President in due adherence to his oath of office to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, ordered the Nigerian Army to conduct special military operations in these areas to purge the communities of armed bandits and other criminal elements.

Gen. Buratai responded instantaneously by launching the “Operation Sharan Daji,” “Operation MESA,” among others at different times. These special military operations by the Army, cleansed the communities of bandits, allied criminals, restored sanity and security besieged people. What is happening today in the Northwest region is a resurgence of the same experience, encountered by the people prior to 2015, but were liberated in the post-2015 era.

Its worthy of mention that in the last five years, the Nigerian Army has proved its mettle as equal to the task of neutralizing armed bandits and other criminals in the region. And this task has been seamlessly possible because President Buhari has fulfilled his side of the bargain by motivating the Army and providing the necessary weapons for these security combats. Gen. Buratai also properly decoded his Commander-In-Chief’s message and appropriately delivered on the assignment timely.

But it is quite sad and very disturbing that bandits and other criminal gangs have kept resurfacing in the Northwest to disrupt the peace and security of communities and villages in the region. However, a massage the resentful development has passed to active minds is that some critical stakeholders in the afflicted places are failing to play their roles to permanently end banditry and associated criminalities.

It is discernible that some persons have clearly, shirked, bolstered, overlooked or abandoned their responsibilities as leaders or opinion moulders or influencers over the menace of armed banditry. It is dreamy and absolutely thoughtless for anyone to think military reconnaissance and raids alone will impose an enduring panacea to the scourge of armed banditry and cattle rustling or associated vices in the region.

Gen. Buratai and soldiers alone cannot ensure the permanence of peace and security in the Northwest. It is beyond the sounds of guns and the matching sounds of boots. And this has to be discerned from different dimensions for obvious reasons.

First, in spite of all pretensions, but there is no Nigerian, including people of the Northwest who is unaware that ardent and unrepentant opponents of the President Buhari and enemies of Nigeria have activated their acts again. They are propelled by envy, so schemes and works veiled shadows every day to blur the laudable achievements the Buhari administration is showcasing in varied sectors of the country.

These fifth columnists and enemies of Nigeria hate to hear President Buhari has earned credit and accolades in sectors previous leaders failed to deposit a lasting impression. It inspires anger in them.

Therefore, part of their evil machinations is the sponsorship of terrorism, ethno-religious crisis, communal clashes, pastoralists and farmers conflagrations and other violent conflicts to destabilize the nation and discredit the government. The spate of resurgent armed banditry and cattle rustling troubling the Northwest now is part of the contrivances of these evil doers. Nigerians must wake-up to this incontestable reality and truth.

Unfortunately, the painful truth is that the enemies of Nigeria; the evil doers and satanic forces have found dependable allies in the communities under the affliction of terrorism or armed banditry or wherever these acts of violence are perpetrated. The internal allies assist them in the execution of this evil against their own people. This may sound forlorn to some minds, but it is the effervescent reality. In the long run, both the guilty and the innocent suffer the same plaque of terror.

Imagine to understand that two years back, security agents apprehended a traditional ruler in one of the Northwestern states, who shamefully served as informants to bandits and cattle rustlers terrorizing the community he presides over as their king. There is nothing more astounding than this reality. And there are many of such people in communities and villages under siege of armed bandits in the Northwest or terrorists in the Northeast. It is one of the many mysteries or wonders in Nigeria. Who can beat this?

Sometime this year, Gen. Buratai drummed a point, which sounded simple, but very weighty and instructive concerning the insecurities assailing Nigeria. While speaking in Lagos at the 2020 Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Security Meets Business Dialogue, the Army Chief declared and asked rhetorically that “We are fighting the mind. So, can the Military fight the mind of the people? This is not the job of the Military.”

This is a hard truth, which can only be reversed by the people through concerted actions to fight a common evil against them. There is the nagging and subsisting problem of demonic indoctrination and psychological brainwash of youths into imbibing proclivities or acts of violence, armed banditry and terrorism to levels of masochism. Their minds are colonized and galvanized towards evil and a pull back is only possible when leaders step up the game of their counselling, which is now completely abandoned to the dictates of force of the Military.

Military actions alone are not enough to end this menace. It goes beyond it. This is where inevitably, Nigerians particularly leaders of thought, traditional rulers, political leaders, religious leaders and the local communities must also scale-up the game of collaboration with the Nigerian Army to end the reign of armed banditry in the Northwest or terror elsewhere in the country.

Each of the special operations launched by the Army in the past to contain the fury of armed banditry and other criminalities in the Northwest or elsewhere has been resoundingly successful. But how long does the respite lasts before the same insecurity threats buds again and explodes in greater dimensions? The Army cannot be in these communities permanently and once they pullout, the same criminals resurface after a while. So, who is failing to fulfil his part of the bargain? The leaders of different shades in these communities have a moral obligation to do the needful.

And because these community leaders have abdicated on their basic responsibilities to their people; it has placed numerous hurdles on the path of the Nigerian Army in securing total and sustained victory against bandits, as in the case of the Northwest. Why do some leaders horde information about the presence of bandits, shield, shelter and protect them in these localities, from the eagle eyes of security agents?

Generally, Northern leaders regardless of political or religious affinities must wake-up to the reality now. In a federation under democracy like Nigeria, numerical strength is an important and potent tool of political bargain. It is senseless for these leaders to keep allowing the sustained depopulation of their communities and villages through acts of banditry and terrorism.

The time to team up with the Army to extricate them from these insecurities is now. In the current operations, the Army requires the support of the communities for sharing of vital information on activities of bandits; exposure of those who shield, protect, shelter and support the atrocities of bandits and cattle rulers. If Nigeria must win the war against banditry, it implies that these artificial obstacles community members have infused into the military operations should be cleared.

Gen. Buratai and soldiers have done a lot. And now in Northwest again, with “Operation Sahel Sanity,” troops as usual will coercively berth the peace, with the adoption of Super Camp Concept IV. It is good news that within a week of the Army’s “Operation Sahel Sanity,” in the Northwest, the success it has recorded is attested in neutralization of over 100 armed bandits, rescue of several kidnap victims, recovery of arms and ammunitions, in addition to recovery of l700 herds of rustled cattle and similar number of sheep. Also, the Army has arrested scores of bandits’ informants and logistics suppliers.

The performance tracking of the Army on this assignment has excited the Arewa Youth Security Network (AYSN) which has publicly eulogized Gen. Buratai and the soldiers, as they branded it an outstanding success. The leader of the counter-insurgency operations does not disappoint. This is highly commendable.

And soon, the Army will deliver the Northwest, cleansed of armed bandits and sanitized to normalcy, back to its owners. They have a choice either to preserve this security sanity or abuse it. But let it be known that President Buhari has played his part by ordering the Army for special operations and the, troops have done the needful by neutralizing these armed bandits. The community leaders now have the inescapable burden of sustaining it. #


Gwandu is a peace-building facilitator based in Gusau.

By Enemali Ajibili

The wave of renewed rural armed banditry, cattle rustling and inter-connected crimes, which is the bane of security in Nigeria’s Northwest zone has spurred fresh concerns to inhabitants of this geographical zone. It is not only the people directly at the receiving end of these organized crimes by armed criminals that are worried, but every Nigerian is having sleepless nights over this unacceptable development.

At the beginning of the present political dispensation, some State Chief Executives in the Northwest region, like the Zamfara state Governor, Alhaji Bello Mohammad Matawalle and his Katsina state counterpart, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari and so forth, played their hands on the option of peace talks with the bandits and their representatives.

Interestingly, other leaders and stakeholders were involved in the dialogue to find lasting solutions to the horrendous acts of armed bandits and their collaborators. Armed banditry in the region generally started in Zamfara, like Borno state also bears the infamous badge of importing Boko Haram terrorism into Nigeria

Initially, the criminals agreed to armistice or a ceasefire; pledging to allow peace reign. Precisely, Zamfara’s Gov. Matawalle was widely hailed and celebrated beyond the shores of the Northwest, and nationwide for achieving peace and security in the troubled state within his first 100 days in office. He recorded this feat in just 57 days of his administration.

Good and relieving as it sounded, the consensus reached with armed bandits soon ran into muddy waters. And the signs came plainly pointing to the sponsors and veiled actors. And what followed needed no interpretation of a soothsayer to understand.

The incumbent Governor Matawalle had disagreements on political and governance issues in the state with his predecessor, Alhaji Abdullaziz Yari. The face-off between the duo simmered explosively and dramatically saw the revival and return of bandits, who had downed weapons. It marked the end of the peace pact with bandits.

The experience of Zamfara is similar to virtually all the states where armed banditry has become a torn in the flesh in the Northwest. And bad blood stimulated by politics of leadership, control of state resources and the battle of supremacy among stakeholders and leaders in these states have fertilized, greased and nourished armed banditry.

Of course, there could be other factors favourable to the bludgeoning of banditry in the region, but the refusal of these criminal acts to abate despite several seemingly fortified interventions voices a failure somewhere within. Therefore, the Northwest region has continued to be assailed, burdened and caged by these criminal armed gangs. And in a region with a predominantly forested terrain smooth for their operations, rural dwellers have been subjected to avoidable pains, sorrows and hardships for the heartlessness and insensitivity of others.

But those worst hit by the atrocities of bandits are innocent citizens and, so, it has elicited the concern of Nigeria, and Nigerians. The world is concerned and humanity is upset by it. It is confounding that some Nigerians have pleasured in sowing a different version of Boko Haram insurgency in Northwest. It is more painful that those responsible for arresting these acts of criminality at the embryonic stage have preferred to be onlookers, promoters and sponsors of the death sentence on their people.

It is one of the costly mistakes Nigerians made by failing to descend the sledge hammer on Boko Haram at its infantile stage, until it developed a thick skin. In the Northwest too, there is a conscious imitation of the indifference and lacunas which created conducive atmosphere for the consolidation and thriving of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast region.

Many can still remember that leaders of different shades under the auspices of Borno Elders Forum (BEF), where Boko Haram sprouted were indifferent to the brewing and potentially explosive and dangerous insurgency in their enclaves. But unconscionably, they rushed to assemble, deliberate and issue a public statement, stating their position and condemnation of the administration of President Buhari for clampdown on the extremists religious sect, the Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky’s led aberrant and illegal Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as the Shiites in Nigeria.

To date, BEF has remained aloof to the Boko Haram insurgency, which has entrenched itself and hijacked by external forces and terror sects, as exemplified by ISWAP. For years, Boko Haram has not only been a national security problem, but both Nigerians and the indigenes of the Northeast can bear testimony to its devastative and destructive effects on the once peaceful region. The people of the Northwest are replicating the same culture of silence, endorsement and emboldening of the acts of armed banditry in the Northwest, instead of working against it.

Furthermore, Boko Haram insurgency started as a militant religious sect, with the agenda of imposing an Islamic state on Nigeria, beginning with the Northeast. Ignore its initially defined ideology as religious, but many would agree that Boko Haram insurgency has multiplied into political and economic wings.

Its confirmatory that while the administration of President Buhari has substantially blighted the fires of religious Boko Haramists. The resurgent and festering character now in the country is attributable to its morphed political and economic branches.

It is evident in the concentration of Boko Haram activities in the oil-rich Lake Chad Basin, actively backed by some dubious foreign countries with vast interest in the natural crude oil and mineral resources of the region. The people of the Northwest are making a similar mistake in the case of the armed banditry and cattle rustling crimes committed by cursed criminal gangs in the zone.

So, apart from the other numerous problems contending against the effective tackling of banditry in the Northwest, by the Army, there are also the mischief makers who have successfully re-baptized the acts of armed banditry and other criminalities in the zone with tags unrelated to what is happening in the area. There is a very conspicuous, conscious and misleading politicization of armed banditry in the Northwest by labelling the crimes as ethnic or religious.

Given the explosive nature of religious and ethnicity issues in Nigeria, these are very repulsive attempts to inflame minds and ginger the further rapid spread of armed banditry and cattle rustling to other parts of North. This is completely irrational and satanic. These armed bandits are clearly criminals, further driven by economic motives and to propagate inaccurate identities of the armed banditry activities, even where it resists is erecting conditions conducive for its boundless escalation.

Like BEF, the leaders in Northwest are doing nothing or very little to contain, the hate preachments, indoctrination and massive recruitment of their youths into these terrible and armed criminal sects terrorizing and oppressing their people. The implication is that these Northwest leaders have not learnt the lessons abound from insurgency in the Northeast. Therefore, one can notice a discomforting repetition of the mistakes which landed the Northeast into the trouble and security quagmire it faces today. Northern Nigeria; no lessons learnt yet?

But it must be stated definitely that members of every criminal sect are first and foremost from an ethnic or religious group. Nonetheless, once a man decides to take to criminal enterprise, especially of the kind that savours bloodletting of his kith and kin and other Nigerians, he becomes unpardonably an enemy of all.

The earlier we realize that the bandits are enemies of humanity and not of any particular ethnic stock or religious sect, the better it is for natives of the region and Nigeria as a nation. This is a wake -up call for all men and women of goodwill to see armed banditry, the terror sects operating in Nigeria now and allied criminalities in the regions as an evil or threats to all humanity irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations.

Once a security problem is allowed to entrench deeply, it becomes difficult to uproot it. It took the decisive and focused leadership of the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen TY Buratai, the COAS and leader of counter-insurgency operations to unveil Boko Haram and their sponsors as enemies of humanity.

The Army Chief took the battle to Boko Haram’s strongest havens in Sambisa forest and vicinities, as evident in the hatred of him by Shekau and his men. Shekau has shown it lamentingly in videos and all manner of public messages, even during the last Ramadan fasting, in which they trumpeted that Buratai and the Nigerian Army are against them. But it has been a tough confrontation, with its attendant waste of precious lives and public resources at great cost to the Nigerian state.

Gen. Buratai has stepped into the furnace once again, with “Operation Sahel Sanity,” to offer arrest the situation and offer respite to the people trapped by armed bandits. It behooves on the natives to evolve ways to consummate the respite and bliss permanently, as failure to do it, is incontestably to their detriment exclusively.

There is every need for Nigerians and in particular, people of the Northwest to learn that bitter lesson from the Northeast. And every other person that seeks to divide the country through such divisive campaigns, instead of identifying the actual problem accurately and standing together to bring an end to the issue of banditry in the Northwest should first consider himself doomed before others. Peace and security are the only antidotes to development and prosperity. #


Ajibili wrote this piece from Abuja.

*Boko Haram/ISWAP/ ISIS: The world must support Nigeria to overcome new threats by international terrorists' network - NDMG*

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) United Kingdom Chapter says Nigeria needs the support of the world to overcome a new wave of terrorism in the country.

According to the group, Nigeria is faced with another dimension of terrorist activities in the Islamic State (ISIS) after flushing out remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP. 

In a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Prince Oni, on Wednesday, NDMG called on global attention to prevent ISIS or any other terror group from establishing itself as a replacement for Boko Haram. 

Should this happen, Mr Oni said the world will be confronted with another refugee crisis like the one in Europe at the moment. 

The Nigerians in Diaspora  Monitoring Group warned that all hands must be on deck to chase away the ISIS out of the region before they gain ground and repeat the kind of carnage brought upon the Syrian-Iraqi axis. 

The group, however, advised the Federal Government and the Armed Forces not to relent having silenced Boko Haram and instead tackle the new security challenge posed by ISIS.

Read the full statement below

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) United Kingdom Chapter is concerned at the recent development in which the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility as the group involved in an encounter with the Nigerian troops.

The claim of responsibility by ISIS is a jolting wake-up call to the reality that international terrorism is trying to relocate its axis of influence to the Lake Chad Basin region and by implication Nigeria. This is a group that has its birthplace in the Middle East and is now trying to establish footholds in other places because conditions in the place are no longer favourable for its desired expansion. 

ISIS’ claim of responsibility should ordinarily call for praises for the Nigerian Amy and other military services since this means that Boko Haram has in reality been decimated, but there is cause for concerns that ISIS has rushed in an attempt to replace the other brands of terrorists that the troops have wiped out.

We believe that there is a need to urgently take steps to prevent ISIS or any other terror group from establishing itself as a replacement for Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad Region. The human toll of such development is simply inconceivable. When ISIS established itself in the Middle East it caused a wave of refugees to flee the region, which provided cover for its fighters and sleeper cells to infiltrate European countries, which are still battling rogue attacks till date. 

The world will again be confronted with the European refugee crisis situation if ISIS is allowed to set up in the northeastern part of Nigeria unchallenged.  With ISIS claiming responsibility for the incidents with the Nigerian troops it is important to ensure that no effort is withheld to flush the terrorists out of the Lake Chad Basin region. The ISIS menace is one that Nigeria troops should not be allowed to confront alone. 

We, therefore, urge the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, and the African Union Commission and other supra-national bodies to take urgent note of the incursion of ISIS into the sub-region by ISIS fighters. 

NDMG warns that the various supra-national bodies do not have the luxury of displaying the kind of indifference that they displayed when they all left Nigeria alone to deal with the menace of Boko Haram. 

Abandoning Nigeria to deal with the ISIS problem on its own will backfire on the entire human race in a way that would be regretted by all those that failed to act now that it is crucial to do so.

We, therefore, urge the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the rest of the world that take the threats posed by this international terrorist’s group very seriously and not politicize it. It is important that the government of Nigeria put pressure on the world to immediately do the needful.

The world needs to urgently step in to chase out the ISIS terrorists out of the region before they gain ground and repeat the kind of carnage they brought in the Syrian-Iraqi axis Where did committed kind of atrocities that are not known to mankind. It is on record that in the past certain countries blocked the ability of Nigeria to buy weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists The same mistake must not be repeated now that the world is aware that ISIS has left the Middle East and is now operating in the northeast of Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.

Revealed: How Yushau Shaibu, is using PR Nigeria to mislead  public on war against banditry


Malam Yushau Shuaib, is using his online medium, PR Nigeria, to mislead the general public on the true situation of things concerning the war against terrorism and banditry in some parts of Northern Nigeria.

The revelation came to the fore following tabs kept on his stories by some interested readers of PR Nigeria, who said they later realised that the interest of Shuaib is not necessarily information dissemination but to help his ambition of getting back into reckoning as PR consultant on security matters.

Shuaib had in the past acted as media consultant to the former NSA, Sambo Dasuki, and has not been happy that he has not been given the brief in the current administration hence is doing all he can to pressure the authorities to notice his presence.

The readers drew our attention  to the fact most of Shuaib's stories were aimed at painting the Nigerian military in bad light so as to create a negative image of the institution in order to sell a proposal to them that it is only through him and his PR firm that the military can 'redeem' its image.

The reader- instigated investigations revealed that it is the drive for negative stories about the military that informs PR Nigeria's penchant to usually be the first to publish stories that are negative to the military even when the medium is not known to have reporters in the places it claims the incidence happened. 

One of the readers said, "What made me wary of his reports is that they are always filled with innuendos and do not say anything beyond the usually misleading headlines.

"When I did further checks, I now realised that even national dailies that have correspondents in all the states of the federation do not claim the ubiquity of Shuaib and I began to ask questions. 

"It was then that I realised that many of the stories said to be at the theatres of operation were merely planted in Abuja to mislead the public."

Another reader in Kano said, "I also observed that while they're  doing PR stories for other organisations, when it comes to the military they're different. 

"Initially I was believing them until I noticed how they distorted a particular incident I got first hand information about."

Another reader who says he should be identified with the initials AK, also said PR Nigeria has not been fair to the military.

He said, "going through their stories, you cannot help but notice strong bias against  the military."

Futher checks by our correspondents revealed that the allegations are true.

When the military recorded a major victory against bandits in the Northwest last week, it issued a statement announcing how troops of the Nigerian Army Super Camp 4 Faskari, deployed for Operation Sahel Sanity, on 6th July 2020, received a distress call on the invasion of armed bandits at Yar Gamji village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State and the gallant troops who were just inducted into the operation responded swiftly to the call. 

“The engaged the criminals, thereby neutralized 46 bandits in the encounter, while others escaped with gun shots," the military said.

But few days later, PR Nigeria was one of the first to attempt to disparage the military for reporting what it witnessed first hand at the battlefield saying the Military’s Claim of Killing 46 bandits is not true and quoted and unknown group that said  the bandits massacred 18 Katsina villagers unchallenged in that encounter. 

PR Nigeria was also quick to report through a third party that police rescued soldiers from Boko Haram after an attack in Borno few days later.

It said, "The Nigeria Police Counter-terrorism operatives have rescued two soldiers who were earlier abducted by Boko Haram fighters in Borno State.

"PRNigeria gathered that the terrorists had killed some security personnel and abducted others after an attack on soldiers on a patrol.

“Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Nigeria Police on pin down point (operation), at the area went after the terrorists. After a gun battle recovered one gun-truck, rifles and rescued two soldiers alive."

More revealing is the purported interview with the district head of Batsari in Katsina state, Alhaji Mohammed Muazu where the district head is purported to have made some disparaging remarks  about the military and their efforts to rid the Northwest of banditry which turned out to be a hoax. 

While other papers quoted the district head as saying positive things about the military, PR Nigeria only concocted a version that was in line with its agenda to say negative things about the military.

The Punch Online for instance quoted the District Head as saying when asked about security efforts in his district that, "As I said earlier, it was the Special Forces that helped us drive away the bandits who killed our farmers on Monday. We know the government is trying its best but we shall always appeal to them to do more."

Readers of PR Nigeria were unanimous in advising Shuaib to tread with caution and not allow his ambition push him to be used by unpatriotic elements.

The Senior Development and Policy economist at PolicyHouse International Taiwo F. Akerele has congratulated the former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on his appointment as the chief ECOWAS envoy to the Republic of Mali, In a statement personally signed and made available to newsmen, Akerele insists that Jonathan distinguished himself as a former Nigerian head of state and a man of peace and apostle of development. He wished him well in this onerous assignment.

In the same vein, Akerele who is presently leading the group of development advocates for an incentive-based out of school children network in Nigerian Northeast region congratulated Mrs. Yewande Adewusi on her appointment to lead the BBC global news for Africa region as Đirector.

I know Yewande very well as a thoroughbred professional, well trained, and with a good ethical background as a banker, wife, and mother. She surely will achieve her targets haven been on this for a long time.

Akerele wished both of them well in this very universal and globally tasking assignment.

Signed

TF Akerele
Maiduguri Nigeria
15th July 2020.

N-Power: Massive Registration an indication of public acceptance of Batch C - Policy Expert


The massive registration of youths for the Batch C stream of the N-Power programme has been attributed to the transparent process the honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has introduced in the implementation of programmes and policies in the ministry.

This was stated in an interview by Dr Gbolahan Agbaje, a renowned policy and development expert.
He stated that the initiation of the Batch C stream of the N-Power Scheme by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under the leadership of Hajiya Saddiya Farooq is indeed an indication that the government is sensitive to the plight of the youths in the country.

"I can't but laud the honourable minister for the way and manner she has carried on with the implementation of the various interventionist programmes under her ministry. The example of the massive registration by youths for the Batch C Stream of the N-Power is quite overwhelming."

“Even though the Federal Government plans to enrol 400,000 applicants in the Batch C scheme, over 4.48 million youths have applied for the programme. This is an indication that the honourable minister is indeed thinking outside the box in ensuring that the policy of the federal government on the youths in the country is fully implemented.”

Dr Agbaje also noted that the honourable minister has transparently handled the affairs of the ministry, and this line of action has instilled confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

"The level of transparency exhibited by the honourable minister has been outstanding and a lesson in governance in the country. I believe that if other public office holders imbibe such level of transparency in their conduct, Nigeria would indeed make substantial progress."
“The distribution of humanitarian palliatives during the COVID19 pandemic across the country is another exemplary display of transparency and accountability by the minister. We must admit that she indeed understands what it means to head such a sensitive agency."
He further asserted that the choice of Sadiya Umar Farouq as the head of such a sensitive agency is strategic and buttresses the level of commitment of President Muhammdu Buhari towards uplifting the plight of the youths as well as the vulnerable groups in the country.
“I have no reservation whatsoever with the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of the minister because she has displayed a great sense of enthusiasm and commitment to the Nigerian cause. I must add that she can be regarded as a lesson in governance.”
“Taking the examples of the conditional cash transfer initiatives, the distribution of food items and other interventions all speaks volume of her level of integrity. I would advise her to continue in this fashion to ensure that the impact of the various government interventions reaches the intended beneficiaries.”
“Her work ethic is infectious and that infectious attitude is what I believe she has transmitted to staffers in her ministry and the various agencies under her supervision hence the effective coordination in the implementation of various humanitarian policies of the government.”
It would be recalled that accolades have continued to pour in for the efforts of the honourable minister of Humanitarian Affairs in the implementation of the various government policies that affected the lives of ordinary citizens. In recent times she has received awards on excellence and good governance by multiple organizations in recognition of her excellent works.

*Retirement of 365 soldiers has nothing to do with Boko Haram, Independent Monitoring Project reveals*

A report by the Independent Monitors Project (IMP) has rubbished insinuations that 365 soldiers retired due to low morale in the fight against Boko Haram/ ISWAP terorists. 

IMP said after a week-long extensive investigation and assessment of the North-East, it discovered that contrary to speculations, the troops are in high spirits, dedicated and commited to winning the war. 

In the report signed by Special Rapporteur, Udo Toby, IMP revealed that a bulk of the soldiers voluntarily disengaged on health grounds while others reached the 35- year statutory age for retirement and had nothing to do with Boko Haram war. 

Among others, the group said it uncovered a campaign to distract the troops following renewed onslaught against the terrorists led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. 

It added that some desperate individuals and groups even offered as much as $50,000 and a further promise of a monthly payment of $1,000 for one year to soldiers to abscond from duty. 

While commending the troops for remaining patriotic, steadfast and resilient, the Independent Monitors Project, however, urged the military to always engage the media with information as regards the activities of agents of the Boko Haram group.

The Independent Monitors Project

A special report by the Independent Monitors Project on the alleged demoralization of Nigerian Troops in operation in North-East Nigeria.

Introduction: 

The Independent Monitors Project an investigative Platform of online news portals undertook a strategic assessment of the operations of the Nigerian troops in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria to put issues in proper perspectives with regards to the effectiveness or otherwise of the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria.

The Independent Monitors Project consequently deployed an array of investigative reporters from member online news portals to undertake a critical study in North-East Nigeria with a mandate to highlight the actual state of things in light of the news making the rounds that frontline troops are demoralized.

Methodology: 

The Investigative reporters relied on primary sources of information that involved on the spot visits, interaction with troops in the frontline, as well as commanders. Information was also gathered from community and religious leaders in the various communities in North-East Nigeria. Emphasis was also placed on documentary pieces of evidence on the operation of the troops at the frontline in core areas of operations around the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin Region.

The Issues: 

There have been speculations on the operations of the Nigerian troops in North-East Nigeria citing fatigue and low morale and lack of fighting spirits from the frontline troops owing to the disengagement of over 360 soldiers.

The news alleged that this action has dampened the morale of troops and consequently led to lethargy and responsible for the recent attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist group. 

Findings: 

The team of investigative reporters after an extensive two weeks investigative assessment in North-East Nigeria observed as a first-line that the situation on the ground was not a reflection of the news making the rounds in some news platforms.  

Our team observed that what was on the ground was a professional fighting force exhibiting a very high level of dedication and commitment to winning the war against the Boko Haram terrorist group. 

It also observed that there is a strong level of teamwork in the operations of the troops in the frontlines with a detailed command structure that has indeed yielded the much-desired result in confining the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.

The information gathered from some top military commanders indicated that there is an ongoing campaign to distract the troops which are borne as a result of the renewed onslaught against the Boko Haram group led by the Chief of Army Staff and other top commanders in North-East Nigeria. This stance indeed restricted the operations of some groups that are sympathetic to the Boko Haram group.

It was also identified that the introduction of strict clearance procedures for the operations of NGOs and humanitarian workers in North-East Nigeria restricted access to the theatre of operations unlike in times past where some NGOs were granted unhindered access to the theatre of operations from which some unscrupulous ones consequently render logistic support to the Boko Haram group. 

This new stance of the Military has strategically cut off medical and other logistic supplies to the Boko Haram group from the Nigerian territory as well as from the neighboring countries as a result of the renewed commitment of the Multinational Joint Task Force in operation. 

The team of reporters observed that the troops enjoy an excellent relationship with the various community and religious leaders in areas of their operations. This alliance has indeed made the operations of the Boko Haram group difficult and hence the campaign of smear against the Nigerian Military sponsored by some agents of terrorist cells the Boko Haram group has affiliations with. 

The team of reporters gathered from credible sources that there is an ongoing drive to influence officers and soldiers stationed in the frontline to abscond from their duty posts and the Nigerian Army in return for substantial monetary rewards. It was gathered that some soldiers were offered as much as $50,000 and a further promise of a monthly payment of $1,000 for one year should they elect to resign their commission from the Nigerian Army.  

It was also discovered that the news of the disengagement of 360 soldiers was anchored on the earlier plan to influence the mass exodus of officers and soldiers from the Nigerian Army in the frontline. It was gathered that the news was meant to complement and amplify the mass decommissioning of officers and soldiers. 

The team of reporters gathered that overtures were also made to soldiers in the frontline to join the ranks of the depleted Boko Haram group in return for hefty rewards. This move was countered by the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff to the Theatre of Operations after a restructuring of the Command and Operations which saw to the redeployment of officers and soldiers that might have been compromised or with tendencies to fall for the bait offered by agents of the Boko Haram group. 

Conclusion: 

The Independent Monitors Project after a careful analysis of the various issues in the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria, it concludes that there is no iota of truth in the news making the rounds on the demoralization of the troops in the frontlines.

What is indeed the case is a troop highly committed to preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria. The troops are in high spirits and working as a team in its operations. The commanders in the Theatre of Operation have been leading in an exemplary manner that has put the troops in prime position to counter the pockets of threats posed by the remnants of the Boko Haram group.

The troops are motivated to fight and win the war against the Boko Haram Insurgency. 

Recommendations: 

The Independent Monitors Project as a result of the observations in the Theatre of Operations as a result of this makes the following recommendations:

It is imperative for the Nigerian Army to continually engage the media constituencies with information as regards the activities of agents of the Boko Haram group.

The military authorities must take control of the narrative at every point in time to ensure that the troops are not distracted by the antics of the Boko Haram group.

Boko Haram / Banditry: Nigerians urged to intensify prayers for military hierarchy, troops to defeat killers across the country

The National Inter-Faith Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) has tasked Nigerians to intensify prayers for the Service Chiefs and troops to defeat remnants of terrorists, bandits and all other criminal elements and their sponsors in the country. 

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Bishop Sunday Garuba, on Tuesday, the inter-faith group said Nigerians must unite in prayer at this critical period to finally put an end to 

"agents of darkness bent on the disintegration of Nigeria".

According to Bishop Garuba, the recently launched Operation Sahel Sanity by the Nigerian Army is another testament of the current administration's commitment to securing the lives and properties of citizens. 

While acknowledging the giant strides recorded by the military in recent times, NIFROP, however, admitted that the battle is far from over yet, calling on Nigerians to rally behind the troops as they edge towards victory. 

It added that the "time is now for Nigerians to come together in one loud voice in prayers and to fast for Gods intervention in the country and to put to shame all the plans of those that have sold their souls to the devil".

Read full statement below:

The National Inter-Faith Religious Organizations for Peace calls on all Nigerians from all walks of life to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army in their efforts towards addressing the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents in North-East Nigeria, as well as the activities of armed bandits in North West Nigeria. 

The National Inter-Faith Religious Organizations for Peace notes the various efforts of the Nigerian Army in the war against Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and wishes to state that indeed giant strides have been recorded due to the unalloyed commitment by the troops despite the avalanche of conspiracies against it.

We wish to state that President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a rare gift to Nigeria from God since he assumed leadership of the country in 2015. His commitment to securing the lives and properties of Nigerians has never been in doubt. This much has been evident in the proactive ways the Nigerian Army has been executing the war against terrorism which is a departure from the past where the morale of the troop was at its lowest ebb. 

The book of Deuteronomy 20:4 states that “For the Lord, your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." This biblical verse applies to the recently launched Operation Sahel Sanity by the Nigerian Army to combat armed attacks, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other criminal activities in North West Nigeria and its environs. 

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the Nigerian troops need our prayers and supplications in this critical point of our existence. This informs the need for our prayers for God in his infinite mercies to continue to go ahead of our troops to give them resounding victory against our adversaries. 

It is our firm belief that Nigeria, as a country, has overcome the spirit of Boko Haram and will defeat even ISIS and the demons that call themselves bandits. “Alif-Lam-Mim. The Romans have been vanquished in adna al-Ard, but they, after their vanquishing, shall be the victors within a few years. To God belongs the decision, in the past and the future, and on that day, the believers shall rejoice with the victory of God. He gives victory whomever He will; and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. It is the promise of God; God does not fail His promise (Quran 30:1-6)

The holy books of the Bible and the Koran are explicit in Gods promises to deliver us from the snare of our enemies. The National Inter-Faith Religious Organizations for Peace wishes to call on all Nigerians from all faiths to see the success of our military in their various endeavours as a collective one that requires our prayers and support.   

We are calling on all Nigerians to embark on a special fasting programme for the Muhammadu Buhari administration and our troops involved in military operations across the country to defeat terrorist, militants, bandits and all other vectors and sponsors of criminality in Nigeria. 

We must understand that the agents of darkness are bent on the disintegration of Nigeria through the sponsorship of acts of criminalities across the country as evident in the spate of insecurity in the country. 

The book of Ephesians 6:12 states that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil. 

The time is now for Nigerians to come together in one loud voice in prayers and to fast for Gods intervention in the country and to put to shame all the plans of those that have sold their souls to the devil against Nigeria.

.... expresses confidence in COAS Buratai’s decisive leadership



The Arewa Youth Security Network (AYSN) has called on Nigerians to support the Nigerian Army's recently launched Operation Sahel Sanity, labelling it as a success already. 



In a statement signed by Secretary-Gerneral, Comrade JImoh Jibrin, on Tuesday, the Northern group also expressed confidence in the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for the initiative which neutralized over 100 bandits  within seven days.  



As part of efforts to end banditary and other crimes in Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger States, Lt. Gen. Buratai flagged off the latest military operation last week in Faskari, Katsina State. 



Addressing troops at Special Army Super Camp IV in Faskari, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, on Monday, commended the exercise, optimistic that "banditry would soon be a thing of the past". 


And according to AYSN, like in terrorism, the armed forces have again stepped up to this challenge with aplomb. 



While commending the military for their sacrifices and proactive, the Arewa group called on Nigerians, especially leaders of thought, political leaders and religious institutions and the local communities to join hands with the army to tackle this menace. 



On their part, the group, however, urged the troops not to relent in their efforts especially now that they are recording tremendous progress against the bandits. 



Read full statement below:



It is with great pleasure that we at the AYSN welcome the recently launched operation Sahel Sanity by the Chief of Army Staff. It is indeed a welcome development that has started yielding positive fruits.



The idea behind operation Sahel Sanity is to rid the North West zone of banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality bedevilling that region. In the short time this operation was launched part of the successes recorded is the rescue of several kidnap victims, neutralization of some armed bandits, recovery of arms and ammunitions plus recovery of over 700 cattle and  hundreds of sheep.



This success may look somewhat insignificant to those of us living in the cities like Abuja and Lagos, however to those on ground in the local communities, who have had their kidnapped relatives returned and their stolen cattle returned to them. Locals who now have confidence to return to their farms this is quite significant to them.



For a better appreciation of what the military is dealing with here, it is important that we quickly visit the genesis of this problem. The effect of climate change on the world is not only environmental but also economical. What we are witnessing now are the effects of climate change on the world that scientist predicted and warned about several years ago but unfortunately it appeared the world did not really heed the advice.



Due to climate change desert encroachment has continued to increase especially up north in the Sahel region. The contention for land between Pastoralist and farmers has become more intense as fertile land continues to decrease due to desertification. Nigeria has had its fair share of conflicts between farmers and pastoralist.



Unfortunately the conflict between farmers and herders kept getting more complicated due to several factors amongst them, greater human use of land for non-agricultural purposes, consistent shift in human and livestock population.



In the last decade since the war against Boko Haram started in the north east, there has been an international dimension to the once purely rural communal clashes amongst pastoralist and farmers. Since the military in the last 5 years started making profound progress against Boko Haram/ISWAP. Many of the fighters have fled to other parts of the country especially the north western part of the country.



What started at first as cattle rustling, quickly graduated to full time banditry, kidnappings and other forms of criminality. As the army was making progress in the north east. Many of the terrorists fled with heavy weapons and ammunitions to join their fellow in the forest of the North West, from there on. It wasn’t the same communal conflict anymore.



It is important we understand this background in order to appreciate the enormity of the task and how well our military has done.



Most of these problems are mainly socio economic problems that, had they been properly managed by previous governments and policy makers , we would not require military intervention today. Unfortunately as it is now, seems all is now left for the military to clear the mess.



As it was with the Boko Haram issue, our great men and women of the Nigerian armed forces have stepped up again to this challenge. They have now made the eradication of banditry and all sorts of criminality in the North West a task that must be done.



Whilst we commend the military for their sacrifices and proactive effort in setting up the operation Sahel sanity, it is important to call on all Nigerians, especially leaders of thought, political leaders and religious institutions to join hands with the Nigerian army to tackle this menace once and for all.



It is time the people of the north irrespective of political or religious affiliations to come together and give full support to the army to tackle this issue finally. The army needs the support of the communities to share information of activities of bandits in their localities. The military requires support of the communities in exposing those shielding and supporting the activities of these criminals.



Without the support of the local communities it will be a herculean task to win the battle against these criminal. Let us in the north now rally round the army and support them to execute the order of President Muhammadu Buhari to end banditry and all forms of criminality in the North West zone within a matter of days. All hands must now be on deck to make this task achievable within the envisaged time limit.



We not unaware that some enemies of the President who are envious of his laudable achievements  in many sectors in the country are unhappy and may want to continue to sponsor terrorist and criminals to destabilize the region , hoping to dent the image of our President. Our consolation is in the fact that we know that Nigerians are wiser and can see through their evil machinations.



We call on the army not to relent in their efforts especially now that they are recording tremendous progress against the bandits. We want to use this opportunity to commend the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai for the great initiative of setting up super camps. It is a noble concept that has yielded great results including the neutralizing of over 100 bandits in the North West within the first few weeks of set up.



From this we can see that the military is fully ready and united in the fight against banditry in the North West. It is time for all citizens of the region to come together and support the efforts of the military so that life can return to normal in this areas because without security of lives and property we cannot be talking about any We call on the army not to relent in their efforts especially now that they are recording tremendous progress against the bandits of progress or development.



God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*France complicit in Boko Haram/ ISWAP threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty - CATE reveals in a letter to Ambassador*

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has warned France that its sabotage and sponsorship of Boko Haram/ISWAP activities in Nigeria poses a threat to the country's sovereignty. 

CATE made this known in an open letter signed by its National Co-ordinator, Gabriel Onoja, on Monday and addressed to France Ambassador to Nigeria, Jérôme Pasquier. 

According to Onoja, the European nation alongside its former colonies are frustrating Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts over the crude oil and mineral deposits found in the Lake Chad Basin. 

"We decided to pen down this open epistle to you and by implication, the French Government to express our deep concerns over some suspected developments, actions or inactions by the government of your country in the festering Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast region," Onoja wrote on behalf of CATE. 

"We dare submit that wittingly, Nigeria’s war against terrorism is greatly hampered for lack of adequate cooperation or outright sabotage of its efforts by her neighbouring countries, the former colonies of France.

" The game plan is to keep the Lake Chad Basin area permanently unsecured for Nigeria to be unable to embark on crude oil prospecting on its own side of the Lake Chad and legitimate boundaries; while the same resources are illegally or stealthily tapped by partners in this criminal cartel." 

CATE said it is disappointed with France’s "lukewarm posture" to terrorist activities, adding that the country's silence is a sign of guilt. 

The group recalled how the French failed alliance with its ex-colonies almost jeopardized Nigeria's progress and the European nation's failure to prosecute eight of its nationals fighting on the side of Boko Haram since 2017. 

"In 2017, France organized a security summit to discuss Boko Haram. And months later, it launched the G5 Sahel Force at a conference with French President Emmanuel Marcon in attendance together with leaders of Niger, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso. Shortly after the French Summit on Boko Haram, remnants of the sect which escaped from Nigeria into Niger and Chad bounced back stronger to launch attacks on Nigeria," Onoja stated. 

"There were strong indications that the Nigerian Military decimated Boko Haram to near defeat in 2017. But curiously, the sect resurged suddenly after the formation of G5 Sahel Force, and with attacks from their safe havens in France’s former colonies, but not a whisper was heard from the French Government as reprimand.

"Strangely too, Nigeria’s militia fighting Boko Haram  known as the Civilian JTF, Internally Displaced Persons and several survivors of Boko Haram attacks  admitted through eye witnesses narratives the  airdrop of supplies to the terrorists across Nigeria’s borders with her francophone neighbors of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, a violation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy stipulations endorsed  by all member-states.

"Several security experts and analysts as well as intelligence reports have fingered Chad and Niger as offering transit routes through their countries’ borders for the movement of large cache of arms and ammunitions to Boko Haram insurgents. It is the weapons supplies that embolden Boko Haram atrocities in Nigeria, but France is suspiciously silent over the development by her former colonies.  

"CATE is also concerned that the French Government refused to prosecute eight French nationals fighting on the side of Boko Haram and were 'mistakenly' arrested by Cameroonian forces in 2015.‎ The serving French Foreign Minister at that time, Mr. Lauren Fabuci ordered Cameroun to transfer the suspects to France for presumed prosecution. But thereafter, the suspects are not known to have been subjected to any trial by the French Government in contravention of international laws on counter-terrorism."

"In the face of these consistent worthy allegations in public domain, the silence of France is not golden or possibly, an acquiesce of guilt. Therefore, we write to seek explanations to these allegations on France’s alleged complicity in sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria.  The silence of France is the reason experts are holding strongly to the verdict that France is behind Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. "

CATE, however, warned France to quit the silence and genuinely support Nigeria to flush out of Boko Haram remnants for the "utmost benefits to citizens of both countries who share very close affinity that dates back to centuries  to decisively work together to defeat Boko Haram terrorism".

By Idoko Ainoko

I have a challenge, one that is borne out of the desire to see that Nigeria experiences sustainable peace and development. But the recent happening in the country is quite depressing and an indication that there are indeed those who are hell-bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria for inexplicable reasons.
I am constrained to pen this article after reading the stories making the rounds on 380 Nigerian soldiers tendering their resignation from the Nigerian Army citing lack of interest, poor weapons, unimproved allowances and the continuous loss of soldiers to Boko Haram attacks. I would have kept mute if I wasn't conversant with the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria. However, as one conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria, I dare say what has been reported in the media is a deliberate attempt to cast aspersion on the leadership of the Nigerian Army by some individuals and organizations against the interest of the country.
My disappointment stems from the fact that these desperate individuals and groups have elected to turn the truth on its head in furtherance of the grand plot to turn the tide against the Nigerian Military in operations in North-East Nigeria.
As a first, understanding the military operations in North-East Nigeria is key to unraveling the half-truths and illogical conclusions been peddled in the media on the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria. The military is engaged in asymmetric warfare and not the conventional warfare. This comes with its challenges, not just in Nigeria, but other climes too. It is also a dynamic war that evolves continuously. This fact must be understood.
I dare not say we are a country of ungrateful people. But I would rather say we are a country under siege from groups and individuals whose primary motive is to return Nigeria to the dark ages where blood freely flowed in different parts of the country.
Whether we like it or yes, we must admit that a lot has indeed changed in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorism in North-East Nigeria. That the Nigerian Army has been outstanding is not a topic for discussion. This much has seen the numerous successes recorded in the theatre of operations.
I stand to be corrected; this renewed onslaught against the Nigerian Army is targeted at the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. And his crime is the fact that he has taken the prosecution of the war against terrorism in Nigeria seriously. It is no longer business as usual, and it is expected that those that have been benefiting from the heist won't go down without a hard fight. This summarizes what the whole media campaign against the Nigerian Army is about.
And that fight is evident in the twisting of the narrative with regards to the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria. This time around, they are ferocious and with the buy-in of some allegedly credible news platforms in the country.
As a first, T.A Gagariga, the officer that signed the purported disengagement memo on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff is not a Brigadier General as quoted. He is the commandant of the Nigerian Army Artillery School in Kachia, Kaduna state and a Major General. For those of us conversant with the command structure in the Nigerian Army, the possibility of the commandant of the Nigerian Army Artillery School delving into pure administrative issues in the Army Headquarters is very slim. Does this raise a flag?
It is instructive to state that the campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff is rife. And what is his offence you might want to ask? A commitment to preserving the territorial integrity of the country against external aggression. In Nigeria today, this is indeed a big crime because they want to turn Nigeria into a banana republic.
That some online news portals would allow themselves to be conscripted into the scheme is the more baffling. The likes of Sahara Reporters, Punch Newspapers and Premium Times have gone below the belt if you ask me with the propagation of unverified information, thereby misleading members of the unsuspecting general public. For whatever this is worth, it is a great disservice to the country. This much they must come to terms with in the national interest. They must also realize that those politicians that are bankrolling their activities are fickle and never to be trusted.
There are standard procedures for enlisting and disengaging from the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the Nigerian Army. Whenever such happens, it is usually not a front-page item as these news medium have turned it to be. Assuming the resignation of 356 soldiers is true, the way and manner the likes of Premium Times, Sahara reporters and Punch Newspaper tilted the story would make discerning minds to raise an eyebrow which by all intent and purposes is a hatchet job.
We must understand that terrorism has assumed a new dimension in the country. And this calls for concern because the intellectual arm of the Boko Haram group seems to be swelling daily with the conscription of new members by that all-powerful cabal. So stealthy is the process of recruitment that most of these organizations do not know that their actions and inactions are geared towards fulfilling a purpose, which is chiefly to cause a distraction for the Nigerian Army such as the rumour that is being peddled about the resignation of 356 soldiers from the Nigerian Army citing loss of interest.
I am afraid for Nigeria as it stands, if the media that is supposed to act in the interest of the country has now elected to turn the truth on its head, portrays danger. That these news mediums threw caution in the wind is the more worrisome. I had expected that upon receipt of such sensitive information, before going to press, you must accommodate the position of all parties involved. In this case, I did not see that happen. The view of the Directorate of Army Public Relations was not entertained, let alone captured. What you had were conjectures and anecdotes that portray the Nigerian Army leadership in a horrible light.
I am convinced that anyone that read the story by these mediums would easily see the mischief, the deceit and the desperation to give a dog a bad name to hang it. These mediums and their paymasters would never see anything good in the efforts of the Nigerian Army in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. It is unfortunate and sad, and a reflection of where we are in this country. Personal interest has taken centre stage so long their palms are well greased. But for how long do they intend to carry on in this fashion is left to be imagined.
There is indeed a need for the Nigerian Press Council to ensure professionalism and high ethical standards at all times. I must say this, the likes of Punch and Premium Times newspapers completely went overboard in this case. I am sure numerous readers of these news mediums would be utterly disappointed.
I am not convinced that any amount of money is worth ones integrity. Like I mentioned earlier, the sponsors of violence and fake news in Nigeria are very fickle. Today, it is convenient for these news mediums to dine with them, tomorrow, it might not be convenient. And that is when the chicken would come home to roost.
For whatever it is worth, spreading and reinforcing fake news is not the way to a better and prosperous Nigeria. Instead, it is the way to Golgotha. This much we must all be aware of and be mindful of our actions and inactions, as well as the activities of the promoters of violence against Nigeria.


Ainoko is a public affairs analysts and wrote this piece from Kaduna.

By Philip Agbese

Before now, I found the ancient English aphorism, “what a man can do, a woman can do better,” a bit distractive because I considered it a demeaning psychological assault on the masculinity of men. But I am forced to embrace the wisdom in this wit, after I keenly watched the operations of the Honourable Minister, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq over time function in that capacity.

Obviously, she is the youngest Minister in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet in the second term of the administration. But I am pleasantly shocked that Minister Sadiya is proving every day that age is merely a number. Her performance in the very complex and engaging ministry has outclassed many other appointees under the Buhari Presidency.

Anyone can choose to remain stoic by not recognizing this great woman of substance and a future leader gunning for even bigger appointments by her credible performance. I know perfectly that once some people have a fixated mindset to paint you in black, there you can do to excite them. Rather, they strive to adorn and defame you unjustifiably with satanic colours.

But Minister Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq has disarmed me by her performance. And it is not only me who is so impressed. At least, I know genuine critics can also attest for her excellent performance. I am not referring to hired ones, whose only niggle is the contracted hatchet job and the money which greases the palms.

Certainly, I know in Nigeria, my country where more people tilt towards darkness, than light, getting a new government ministry start-off ground is a superhuman task. But Minister Sadiya responded to the challenge sharply, in spite of a meagre operational budget. She recognized that the mandate of the ministry deserves very attention of whoever heads it.

Today, Nigeria has a functional Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to wipe our tears at the hopeless situations, we often find ourselves. She a woman virtuous woman of a puritan mould and I feel she deserves our collective eulogies.

She has demonstrated enough wisdom, tact and sufficient dexterity in handling the complex humanitarian issues which defines the core mandate of the ministry. Sadiya is agile, vibrant, fearless and principled. I don’t know her personally, but I can glean this from her numerous outings.

The Minister is a huge asset not only to the Buhari Presidency, but to distressed Nigerians. A periscopic glance at her performance in the last one month alone reveals the leadership substance embedded in her quiet personality.

The Northeast, where Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists rage at innocent Nigerians has become her permanent home, where she constantly visits and renders humanitarian succour to a tormented citizenry. She has deemed the Northeast enclave a personal project in all ramifications.

Only in the last week of June 2020 for instance, Minister Sadiya, representing Mr. President, led other top government dignitaries to Maiduguri where she cut the tape to commission 120 operational vehicles, and medical supplies donated to the military/other security agencies and tertiary institutions by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to boost counter-insurgency operations in the region. The message she delivered at the occasion on the need for peace was not only captivating, but solemn in every sense.

She echoed that the Northeast region deserve peace and stability, and it is only realizable through collaborative efforts and synergy among all stakeholders. This is what we have been preaching all the times. I wish people of the region should listen to her. It implies that Minister Sadiya is not only a humanist, but a peace evangelist.

An elated Borno state Gov. Babagana Zulum could not conceal his feelings, but exclaimed to Sadiya; “We are indeed grateful your ministry for what it is doing for the Boko Haram ravaged people of Borno State.”

A few days earlier in the same month, Minister Sadiya inaugurated the Federal Government National Steering Committee for the restructured Multi-sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) designated for Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

MCRP is the foundation for the effective implementation of the Lake Chad Region Recovery and Development Project (PROLAC), sponsored by the World Bank at a whopping sum of $200 million dollars to support the recovery of the Northeast region devastated by Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

She revealed “The Initial 200 Million-dollar project, which began on February 16, 2018, MCRP has achieved significant progress as evidenced by the midterm report of the World Bank in November 2019. And it is on the trajectory to achieve its Project Development Objectives (PDO) and results despite, a 10-month delay from Board Approval to Effectiveness.’’ She is also chairing the committee, an indication that it has not only taken off now under assured leadership, but has promisingly moved to the #NextLevel.

A workaholic to the core, Minister Sadiya was again on the delegation of the Federal Government of Nigeria led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno(rtd) to commiserate with Gov. Zulum and the people of Borno over the unfortunate incident of Boko Haram attacks on some communities which resulted into scores of deaths. Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq also performed her passionate responsibility by providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced survivors as first point of consolation.

And in the same month, Sadiya featured prominently at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 10, 000 units of housing project for IDPs in Ngom, Mafa LGA of Borno state. It is one of Mr. President’s special intervention projects under the North East Development Commission (NEDC) led by the commission’s Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali.

And in her unchangeable passion for equity, fairness and innate motherly affection, Minister Sadiya canvassed that that 1000 housing units would be built in Ngom, while the rest 9000 would be distributed across other nine other LGAs in the state.

Back to Abuja, the Honourable Minister has refocused attention on N-Power jobs Batch “C”. The programme has successfully entered stage “C”. The online process of registration of fresh beneficiaries also commenced within the last one month.

For her initiative to propel the N-Power jobs to the #NextLevel after terminating the overdue Batches “A” and “B” confirms her flair for fairness and equity. She has not abandoned them either. Minister Sadiya is also talking to entrepreneurs in the private sector to engage the productive ones under a special pact. But since the Minister assumed office, beneficiaries of the programme have attested to prompt payments of entitlements, since the scheme was moved to the Ministry.

Minister Sadiya is everything workaholic and compassion. She is leaving no stone unturned to put smiles on the faces of less privileged Nigerians. And these days, I hear pleasant echoes from Nigerian masses who have nicknamed her as the minister of Nigerian masses.

Agbese is a publisher and researcher in human rights law.

A group dedicated to fact-checking security issues in Nigeria, Central Force Against Fakenews (CFAF) has dismissed reports alleging that 350 personnel are leaving the Nigerian Armed Forces. 

According to CFAF's President, Aminu Bisku, the group, with the aid of modern tools on information fact checks, has been able to establish that the report was sponsored by terrorist organisations operating in the Northeast to weaken Nigerian troops who in the last three months put them under intense heat.

CFAF added that the logic behind the information cannot even stand the slightest scrutiny as it does not appeal to common sense. 

The report which was carried on an online medium claimed that 350 military personnel wanted to pull out from the force citing 'loss of interest' in the job as the major reason.

However, in reaction, Bisku rubbished the claim as a deliberate fabrication by terrorist organisations operating in the Northeast of Nigeria, to dampen the morale of fighting troops.

CFAF President said all the claims in the story can be punctured due to a number of reasons, chiefly among, he added is that 350 persons cannot all cite the same reason for leaving an organization.

"People leave organisations for different reasons people view developments differently, but it is almost impossible for hundreds of people to want to leave an organisation for the same reason," he said.

Bisku said for such to happen then all the 350 personnel must have been put in a classroom and tutored how to write their retirement letters.

"This is is the only way 350 independent-minded persons can arrive at the same conclusion on an issue at the same time," he stressed. 

Secondly, the group added that the roundness in the figure does not conform to reality. 

Bisku explained that propaganda pieces as they relate to claims in figures are easily punctured by the recourse to have an eye-catching sun, whereas real-life spontaneous reactions such as resignations hardly conform to any pattern that would comfortably fall in a round pattern.

His words, "Remember the 350 were not said to have been shortlisted for retirement but were said to have acted on their own, so it would have been difficult to arrive at a round figure as the one in the report.

"It would have been believable if they had said 218 or 341 or any such accidental figures but for a voluntary independent action to stop at a round figure of 350! you know that some people are trying to be mischievous. And because the sponsors of the story have a mindset, that was how they came up with a round figure of 350."

CFAF also said it is not a coincidence that such propaganda would be released at exactly the same time when the insurgents are being killed in large numbers.

"The timing of the report should make you wonder. Why is it coming at a time when the insurgents are under heat?

"If our troops did not resign when they were going into tactical withdrawal and running to other countries, it would be stupid for anyone to believe that they would resign now that the heat is against the terrorists," the group stated.

The CFAF further revealed that it is aware that in the last three months, the military killed nearly 2,000 insurgents in both the Northeast and Northwest regions and the Sevice Chiefs have been at the theatres of operation which represents the highest form of confidence-building to the troops.

"So for anybody to tell you that it is within such a time that our gallant personnel would be leaving is the highest form of deceit," he added.

CFAF also said the much that has been worked out to improve the welfare of military personnel in the last four years has been the best so far, contemplating leaving service at such a time would be considered ill-advised 

According to the CFAF president, within the last four years, the military acquired modern sophisticated weapons that made troops battle-ready and excited to go to the battlefield 

The group says it is because of such motivation that last year, over a hundred thousand persons applied to join the army out of which 5,000 soldiers were recruited  to strengthen the fight against insecurity in the country.  

Bisku said this year also, another round of recruitment exercise is going on where more youths would be recruited to beef up the number of fighting men.

"What is happening is that the insurgents have seen that they are losing the fight at the battlefield but want to use the media to send out damaging reports about the military so as to weaken the troops psychologically. 

"But the military hierarchy which always steps ahead of these criminals is well aware of this scheme and is not in any way bothered about it.

"If anything, troops are now more confident to go on operations and route out these enemies of the Nigerian State and have even laughed at the idea that any  of them would be leaving at this time."

The group, however, advised media platforms to always cross-check their facts before going to press with issues that have to do with the security of the nation so as not to play into the wrong hands.

Nigeria's Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis is in three instalments. On one side, there is the obvious menace of the terrorist group. Those who aid and abate their criminal activities are another. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) complete the deadly triangle. 

For nearly a dozen years, Boko Haram perpetrated violence across the North-East, aiming to rid the country of any form of “Western influence.” In the first six years, the terror strews across the country. The Federal Capital Territory received overdose with a deadly car bomb attack on the United Nations building in 2011 signalling intent. The horror worsened afterwards. 

In December 2013, hundreds of the jihadists overran a Nigerian air force base in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. Then four months later, the group gained particular notoriety for the abduction of an entire girls’ school in the town of Chibok. Over 20,000 persons were reportedly killed, hundreds of thousands displaced. 

After reaching its peak in 2015, the number of casualties attributed to the group fell dramatically. 

President Muhammadu Buhari's victory ushered in this new phase, breaking the convention with a different approach and personnel. Led by Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y Buratai, the new Service Chiefs degraded the group’s territorial control, pushing them to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin.  

More recently, the COAS masterminded operations in the region that killed more than 1,000 insurgents. Audio messages released by Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram’s main faction in April suggest the group is indeed hard-pressed. In one of them he wept and prayed for protection from the “devilish” army as he urged his men to stand firm.

While Boko Haram appears weakened, batted and on the brink of surrendering, supposed humanitarian aid groups potentially pose another threat to the troops. And unlike its brutal approach on the radical jihadists, troops are handicapped. 

For years, military authorities have allowed aid organizations operate outside of government-controlled areas, neglecting Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act, 2013, which criminalizes engagement with groups the government lists as terrorist. Stakeholders believe the military's initial soft stance allowed the NGOs to perpetuate evil.   

The role of international NGOs in conflicts can not be overlooked, though. They save millions of lives, provide food, drinking water, and healthcare to those that need lifesaving assistance. Some, however, seem to bolster and encourage the carnage being perpetuated by insurgents and rebels. 

In Nigeria, for instance, several reports have found many guilty of operating against all known international protocol, rendering humanitarian assistance to Boko Haram. They have been found to turn the crisis to a viable business venture, perpetuating acts that undermine the efforts of the military towards decimating the terrorist group. Some even act as spies, carrying out espionage activities.

Gudaji Kazaure, a federal lawmaker from Jigawa State first raised this alarm in 2018. He said, “The most important is for Mr President to be aware of those NGOs that are giving medication, support, food and others to the terrorists. If we don’t stop those NGOs that are going into Sambisa and meeting Boko Haram, we will not succeed in this war.”

It took almost a year for Kazaure's entreaty to be taken seriously. The military began a major crackdown on foreign NGOs for "aiding and abetting terrorists", supplying food and drugs. Two aid agencies, Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps were suspended but pardoned merely ome month later. 

Ali Ndume, Chairmain Senator Comittte on Army kicked, insisting that he has credible evidence that NGOs work with Boko Haram after returning from a trip to Maiduguri. 

“Another area that the Senate will look into is the allegation that the various NGOs in that area are conniving with the insurgents – providing them information, logistics and so many things,” he said. 

“I have been critical about this and people have told me to be careful but it has come out now that one or two of the so-called NGOs operating there are actually aiding and abetting and supporting the insurgents. But we will do an investigation and we will hear if we have the evidence."

Since 2019, after a resurgence in fighting, government and military officials have also required aid organizations to undergo lengthy processes to obtain compulsory authorization for moving personnel, cash, and cargo carrying relief materials in the northeast region. The military mandated using armed escorts on some routes, banned certain types of goods, and limited the amount of fuel the agencies can use in the field. Somehow, the can of worms remained. 

Funding for Boko Haram

A damning report by the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) have found some INGOs to be responsible for funding Boko Haram. It revealed that while there are multiple evidence that suggests that funds from the coffers of these INGOs end up in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorist group, majority do come in the country from the francophone countries in cash. 

The military authorities have not been successful in tracking the inflow and disbursement of millions of dollars that have passed through the coffers of the INGOs. The discreet nature of their transactions has made matters worse. 

Funds aside, INGOs have been accused of providing humanitarian support to Boko Haram terrorists in violation of international protocol and laws. They divert food and other relief items meant for the IDPs to the camp of the group. In most instances, some medical NGO have been reported to be providing medical services to injured terrorists, which goes against the provisions in the International Humanitarian Law in armed conflict situations. 

Some locals in communities confessed that there are numerous instances where some INGOs move truck load of food items and medical supplies and abandon them in the middle of nowhere and before dawn these trucks and the items would disappear. 

It was also stated that some INGOs move about with unmarked trucks which makes it difficult to track their identities. The reason for this it was gathered was to leave no trace behind for the military to trace. 

Worst still, INGOs are believed to engage in the blackmail of the military. CALSER's report and many others uncovered some foreign aid agencies engaged in propaganda on behalf of Boko Haram, especially when they come under heavy bombardment from the Nigerian troops. 

The report also revealed that some foreign interest contracted some well-known INGOs in Nigeria to act as the intellectual arm of the Boko Haram group through the issuance of press statement and reports accusing the Nigerian Military of human rights abuses. These tactics are meant to cause a distraction when there seems to be intense pressure on the Boko Haram group.  

It was also gathered that the bulk of the rape allegations made against the military in IDP camps were fabricated too by some INGOs who offer young girls and women monies to appear before the camera to make such allegations. 

Several others are alleged to be actively involved in human trafficking and exploitation. There is a particular case of a French NGO that carries out documentaries in IDP camps depicting a picture of gloom as against the wishes of women and children and they consequently send these documentaries to donor organizations soliciting for funds.  

That's not all. INGOs are also notorious for other inimical acts that are dehumanizing to IDPs in their various camps. Some have been identified to be notorious for making locals go against their wishes to coercing them into making submissions and divulging information about their communities which ultimately ends up in the hands of the Boko Haram group to aid their operations. 

To stand a fair chance of defeating this brutal group, the hard-power approach of the military must be suppported by the Federal Government and effective legislation to eliminate the last arm of terror; the international NGOs. Else, the troops may remain in the same triangle.

THE DEVIOUS PLOT BY THE ENEMIES OF THE BENIN NATION AGAINST OUR WORTHY BENIN AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINAIRE, CAPTAIN DR. HOSA OKUNBO JP.

The attention of the OSE GHEDO
FORUM WORLDWIDE  has been drawn to the mischievously packaged orchesra , aimed at tarnishing the towering personage and image of our nonpareil philanthropist cum industrialist, a great worthy son of the Benin Nation, *Captaiin Dr. Hosa Okunbo JP.* under the pretext of an unfounded and satanic political assumption of *not playing ball* and so their planned protest to the palace of the Oba of Benin to hoodwink him is untenable and  against his fundamental human rights and not in accordance with the laws of natural justice, equity and fair play.
We wish to unequivocally put the records straight that as a foremost unbiased Pan Benin Socio-cultural organisation, OSEGHE-EDO, will not seat back and allow mischief makers harass, intimidate and spread falsehood against our quintessential patriot,* CAPPY*, under any guise. We wish to inform these mischief makers that it is evil to thread this path of attempting to pull down a man so loved by the Benin race, friends and associates to satisfy the self seeking ambitions and motives of embattled politicians.
The revered Captain Dr. Hosa Okunbo, a renowned and very successful professional pilot who retired from service without blemish and opted into legitimate businesses. Today by God's grace ,he is an accomplished industrialist and a consumate businessman of international standard and repute. Infact he is one of the few key individuals driving the Economy of this great Nation to its desired place of pride and abundance. In Edo state here, we are all aware of his chains of investments that have successfully created thousands of jobs for our indigenous teeming youths and profesdionals. 
The last time we checked,  CAPPY, was a member of the PDP before he called it quit with politics We are also aware that he has not spoken of his interest in the Edo state politics, so why go for his Jugular unnecessarily? We the concerned five million Binis both those at home and in diaspora see this campaign of calumny as an affront on the sensibilities of the Benin Nation and a calculated attempt to rubbish the sanctity of the goodwill of the Binis and at the same time take our humane and modest dispostions as a mark of weakness. You cannot take this one, okay, one of our finest to your slaughtet house of calumny and riddicle.  
We enjoin all and sundry, the sponsors of this falsehood and the plotted protest desist forthwith from acts that lead to cataclysm. To be fore warned is to be fore armed . We will not watch this heresy repeat itself a second time again, enough is enough.
We wish to re-iterate that we will not seat and watch this crass contempt on our exceptionally distinguished Sons and daughters in the name of politics. Captain Dr. Hosa has become an institution due largely to his incisive business acumen, uncommon philanthropy as well as exceptional generosity to Nigeria across socio-economic, cultural and political divide
Let it be known that prolific industrialists are not subject of political propaganda in any ideal society and as a country with established security and cultural ethos, the full arm of the law must stretch forth against all those seeking to tarnish the Benin Sons and  Daughters hard earned names, else our people will have no option than to resort to self help. 

A forensic understanding of the political spectrum suggests clearly that some people are deviously twisting all manner of facts to suit their premeditated propaganda against their perceived or imaginary enemies. In the light of the foregoing, it has become exigent and expedient to appeal to the law enforcement agencies to beam their search lights on politicians as well as their supporters, hirelings,sycophants and their naysayers who are plotting to embark on an unholy civil disobedience by mobilizing our youths against our exemplary Benin patriot whom has severally insisted that he is not interested in Edo state politics and that his friendship transcend partisan political boundaries or divide.

 The mass of the Benin youths are advised not to allow themselves to be used by these self seeking politicians who desperately want to use them to achieve their inordinate ambitions and dump them again as usual. A word is enough for the wise.



1) Kenneth Erhunmwunsee
    ---------------------------------------
      National President

2)Esosa Igbinoba
------------------------------
Vice President

3) Osahon Uwagboe
-------------------------------
PRO

*Lawan, Gbajabiamila should institute special honours for Service Chiefs to boost morale, pro- democracy group to National Assembly*

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has called on the National Assembly leadership to initiate the process of recognizing the Service Chiefs and other well-deserving members of the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency.

NDF said it arrived at this conclusion after extensive consultation with stakeholders in the critical security sector.

According to the group, this singular act would serve as a morale booster to the Service Chiefs who have displayed “patriotism, commitment and dedication to the cause of our fatherland”.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General, Dr. AbdulKadir Bolaji, on Thursday, the group hailed the military heads for the formulation of sound policies and the strategic implementation of quality innovations in the operations of the Armed Forces.

It called on Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila to lead by example by instituting the process of honouring the Service Chiefs in the country in recognition of their sustainable efforts in preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

The group, however, warned those passing scathing remarks on the military heads to end their political campaigns which is against the interest of the nation.

Read full statement below:

The National Democratic Front, a civil sareiety organization, wishes to lend its voice to the invaluable efforts of the service chiefs in the country in the fight against terrorism and other acts of criminalities in the country.

We have followed events closely and states that indeed the Service Chiefs have displayed an unalloyed commitment in service to our fatherland through the formulation of sound policies and the strategic implementation of quality innovations in the operations of the Armed Forces of the federal republic of Nigeria.

It is instructive to state that the various critics of the Service Chiefs in Nigeria has been borne mostly out of ignorance given the reality of where we are coming from in the war against terrorism in Nigeria and where we are today.

That our military have continued to toy day and night towards protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria is indeed commendable and worthy of appreciation from critical stakeholders that includes the hallowed legislative arm of government, the National Assembly.

We are consequently taken aback that our national parliamentarians have not considered it appropriate to initiate the process of recognizing the Service Chiefs and other well-deserving members of the Armed Forces of the federal republic of Nigeria for their display of patriotism, commitment and dedication to the cause of our fatherland.

The Service Chiefs in Nigeria have been outstanding in their leadership roles in ensuring that the various threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group are curtailed to the barest minimum.

The National Democratic Front after extensive consultation with stakeholders in the critical security sector wishes to state that the contributions of the Service Chiefs in the past five years have seen to the numerous gains recorded in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria.

We also wish to state that those that have been passing scathing remarks about the efforts of the Service Chiefs in the security architecture in Nigeria do not undertake such ventures with the purest of intents but instead motivated by political considerations, which is in most instances against our national interest.

It is expedient that the efforts of the Service Chiefs in the country are recognized and honoured by the National Assembly as a way of encouraging them to continue to give their best in service to our fatherland.

This is especially so because we are all witnesses to how upon assumption of office, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed credible and highly experienced officers from the various services as Service Chiefs and with a matching order to address the various security challenges in the country.

Consequently, they indeed hit the ground running and till date, they have continued in such fashion hence the need for recognition of their noble efforts. The National Democratic Front wishes to advise members of the unsuspecting general public not to be carried away by pockets of lone wolf attack by the terrorists and their paymasters to draw public attention to vilify those we are ordinarily supposed to support in service to the country.

The National Democratic Front firmly hold that the Ahmed Lawan led National Assembly can lead by example by instituting the process of honouring the Service Chiefs in the country in recognition of their sustainable efforts in preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

It is our considered opinion that in other climes of the world, the Chief of Army Staff would have been awarded the highest honours in the country for his acts of heroism and avowed commitment to defending Nigeria through the effective coordination of the command structure in the Theatre of Operations in North-East Nigeria against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

The National Democratic Front wishes to call on the National Assembly in Nigeria to take up the challenge in honouring the Service Chiefs in the country for their invaluable contributions to peace and development in Nigeria.

It is our firm belief that such a recognition would not only spur the Service Chiefs to continue to give in their best, it would also serve as a means of encouraging others in leadership positions in Nigeria to put the interest of the country first and above personal interest.

The efforts of the Service Chiefs in the country have indeed been exemplary in all ramifications and should serve as a model for commitment, dedication and sincerity of heart and purpose in service to the country.

The Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA) has called on the National Assembly to amend the nation's anti-terror legislation to dish out stiffer penalties, such as death by hanging to fake activists and others who aid and abet terrorism.

CAFA said it came to this conclusion after thoroughly evaluating the ongoing war against terrorism in the north-east and other security breaches across the country.

In a statement signed by its Director, Media and Strategy, Joseph Audu, on Thursday, CAFA said these individuals and groups are currently sabotaging the efforts of the troops, providing intelligence, logistic and strategic support to terrorists that are fleeing the ongoing military onslaught.

According to these citizens, if this is done, the Nigerian Army can now proceed to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

On its part, however, CAFA vowed to expose these activists working for the interest of foreign governments while also championing the sponsorship of a bill to amend the terrorism act.

Read full statement below:

Following months of evaluating the ongoing war against terrorism in the north-east and other security breaches across the country, Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA), has come to the conclusion that it is time to amend the nation’s anti-terror legislation to deliver stiffer penalties on those that aid and abet terrorism.

We see this as the next logical step since the combatant terrorist elements have been largely contained and dealt with since the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. gen T.Y. Buratai became entrenched in the war front. The terrorists now manifest mostly in other forms that place them beyond the purview of the army, like posing as activists to spew terrorist propaganda in the media and online or sabotaging the anti-terror war by providing intelligence, logistic and strategic support to terrorists that are fleeing the ongoing military onslaught.

The National Assembly must therefore wake up to its responsibility and be proactive to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 to prescribe death by hanging for anyone that supports Boko Haram in any way, including those that hide behind the nomenclature of activists to offer assistance to terrorists and those who collude with foreign entities to undermine the national interest of Nigeria.

Once the legislation is so amended, CAFA is ready to expose activists working for the interest of foreign governments and those that act as conduit for such interests to funnel support to Boko Haram members or other terrorists.

It is our view that if they can be callous to the point of sabotaging Nigeria for foreign interests and help them to empower Boko Haram then they should also be ready to get what is coming to them as repercussion for their treachery. They should be ready to receive the kind of death sentence handed down to that Iranian who participated in the espionage that killed that country’s top general recently.

We urge the Federal Government to clearly make a point that it will no longer tolerate citizens who receive foreign funding to blackmail the country. These blackmailers had in the past caused the government difficulties in buying weapons to prosecute the anti-terror war, dampen troops morale and promoted Boko Haram above the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.

These kinds of behaviours attract the death sentence in many jurisdictions, and it is time that Nigeria aligned with countries that have the maximum disincentive for terrorist sympathizers. People who engage in acts that directly or indirectly rob others of their lives do not deserve to live too and it is time this message is made loud and clear.

When people who unleash terror on others are made to dance to their own music then we would as a country overcome the toxicity of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) gangs of extremists and the human losses they visit on the nation. CAFA is therefore urging that the necessary amendments be made to ensure that those who persist in holding any form of affiliation with these groups will be made to keep dates with the hangman.

As a demonstration of its commitment to fast-track the process of amending the legislation to prescribe death sentence for terrorist-supporting pseudo activists, CAFA pledges to lead the way through the sponsorship of a bill to amend the terrorism act where citizens that promote terrorism will receive more severe charges than the terrorists themselves.

Boko Haram: Nigerians in Diaspora pass vote of confidence on Buhari, Service Chiefs

.... say some Nigerians are making conclusions without proper analysis of security issues facing the country

Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) United States Chapter have passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari and his Service Chiefs for their handling of the insecurity situaton in the county. 

According to the group, the Nigerian military has effectively managed the security breaches confronting the nation, thwarting the intent of detractors.
 
In a statement signed by its President, Cosmos Collins, on Wednesday, NDMG said it drew this conclusion after extensively reviewing the prevailing security situation in the country. 

According to the group, the recent charge by President Buhari has spurred the military heads to perform even better than they had done since the inception of his administration. .

Hence, NDMG faulted those jumping into conclusion without proper analysis of the security situation in the country, adding that the call for theService Chiefs' dismissal is merely a propaganda. 

While warning against seeking strange foreign solutions, the group, however, recommended that Nigerians channel energy into leadership, stability and proper financing for the military. 

Read full statement below:

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, United States Chapter, has extensively reviewed the prevailing security situation in Nigeria and has come to the conclusion to pass a vote of confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari and Military Service Chiefs for the manner in which they are handling the insecurity challenge in the country.  

We particularly commend President Buhari for the recent push that he gave the security chiefs because we see this as his way of jolting them to perform even better than they had done since the inception of his administration.  A leader can only pressure his lieutenants with such intensity when he is confident in their ability to deliver.

In our view, these military leaders remain the best in the sub-region as they have been able to largely contain an internationally-backed terrorists’ insurgency. Inspite of the near absence of advanced technological equipment like drones to fight t, the military has been able to do so much under President Buhari and the Service Chiefs. 

What we discovered in the course of reviewing the situation is that Mr President and the Service Chiefs are constantly evaluated by organizations and individuals who do not factor in all the fundamentals driving insecurity in Nigeria.

For instance, there is a penchant to disregard the ignoble roles being played by countries whose activities directly or indirectly support Boko Haram to wage its war against Nigeria.

There is also the failure to acknowledge the international failure in leadership that should have been provided by the United Nations, which as a global body should have taken steps to cut off international support for Boko Haram by censuring countries and organizations that are sponsoring the terrorists. The expectation is that the United Nations would have by now midwife an international coalition to mop up the remnants of Boko Haram that have scattered into the territories of Nigeria’s neighbours as they flee the effective military operation launched against them. 

We are equally mindful that the rank of terrorists was swelled up recently by the influx of fighters from other parts of the world into the Lake Chad Basin.

This large-scale migration of terrorists to the region has been responsible for the criminal elements that attempt some daring attacks after it became obvious that the long stay of Gen TY Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operation resulted in the killing of over 1, 700 terrorists in less than two months.

A natural consequence of this development is the resort to pro-Boko Haram propaganda that manifest as frantic demands for President Buhari to fire the very security chiefs that have consistently helped Nigeria to ward off the terrorist activities of the group. Our expert advised that the intent of this campaign is in three folds. The first is to boost Boko Haram morale, the second is to demoralize government troops and to incite the populace against the military leadership and government.  

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, United States Chapter, therefore, urge Nigerians must remain confident in their military leaders, men and women who have shown uncommon zeal and dexterity in handling the insecurity situation in the country. With the benefit of information at our disposal, we came to the logical conclusion to pass a vote of confidence on President Buhari and the military leaders because they have effectively managed the security breaches in the country and thwarting the intent of Nigeria’s detractors.  

We warn those seeking strange foreign solutions to be reminded that many countries having the same problems have not achieved a tenth of what President Buhari and these Service Chiefs have achieved. We rather recommend that Nigerians think about leadership
and stability and proper financing for the military to enable the armed forces to consolidate on the gains made so far.

Captain Hosa Okunbor is an illustrious Bini son who has a very humble beginning. Over the years he has been able to carve a good reputation without blemish for himself through genuine businesses and philanthropic gestures.

It is saddening to note that some persons of questionable character have continued to drag the name of this noble personality into Edo politics. Often times he has come out to condemn such allegations through his media spokesman. It is imperative to inform the public that Captain Hosa Okunbor cannot play sentimental politics and he sees every contestant in the forthcoming gubernatorial election as his friend and brother and that even in a family there are also the good, the bad and ugly.

So, Captain Hosa Okunbor should not be cowed by wicked and unscrupulous elements into a situation where he can’t be left free to exercise his fundamental human right of exercising his right of choice for who to vote for or support in the forthcoming elections in Edo State.

We, the above-named association, want to condemn such absurdity and malicious allegations against our beloved Edo son and therefore insist that these people of questionable character should henceforth desist from dragging him into Edo politics and persistent negative attacks.

The general public should please take note and disregard all negative attacks bent on discrediting his personality which he labored tirelessly over the years to build.

We urge and encourage Captain Hosa Okunbor not to relent or be distracted in his vision of actualizing a Greater Edo.

Oba a tor kpe e!.. Ise!!

Dan Igbinovia wrote this piece from Benin City

.... vow to defend President’s achievements, gains in making NIGERIA safe for citizens

At least 20 All Progressives Congress' groups, under the aegis of APC Youth Movement and Development Forum (APC-YMDF) has pledged their support to President Muhammadu Buhari and the military in the fight against insecurity.

The APC youths made this vow at a world press conference on Thursday in Abuja after a meeting of the 20 groups also held in the nation's capital.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Comrade Ahmed Suleiman, representing the Buhari's Youth Emancipation Strategy (B-YES), called on all other APC groups and supporters of the President to rise up for the administration and not allow criminal elements break its ranks.

According to Comrade Suleiman, this has become crucial as “ agents of darkness of late have relentlessly seized the security situations which they have created to come hard on our very patriotic Service Chiefs”.

Among others, Suleiman disclosed that there is an ongoing mass mobilization of groups for street protests and rallies against Buhari's policies and programmes, especially insecurity.

More worrying, he noted that these same groups is fuelling nefarious individuals and organizations strictly for political reasons to fulfil their evil desires against the president and the Security Chiefs.

Despite all these, Suleiman added that the military has held its own, maintaining an enviable level of security of lives and properties in the country.

As a party, the APC groups expressed total support and appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen, Tukur Buratai and other Security Chiefs.

It also vowed to defend and stand by all actions, policies and programmes of President Buhari.

Read full statement below

Ladies and gentlemen, today is indeed a milestone for the APC Youth Movement and Development Forum, an assemblage of over 12 groups under the banner of the APC Youth Movement and Development Forum, dedicated to promoting the ideals and developmental policies of the APC administration in Nigeria.

This press conference became necessary in the light of the numerous attempts by some unpatriotic Nigerians to constitute a clog in the wheels of progress in Nigeria through their actions and inactions, which are often propelled by the evil desire to discredit the APC led Federal Government at all cost.

This plot has indeed taken a dangerous dimension in recent times with the thickening of the plan to break the ranks of the support base of President Muhammadu Buhari across the country through acts that are inimical to the overall growth and development of Nigeria.

The APC Youth Movement and Development Forum has noted with dismay attempts by some self-serving Nigerians to undermine the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by engaging members of the APC to carry out rebellion against President Muhammadu Buhari in a bid to discourage him and his lofty ideas in the areas of addressing the security challenges affecting the country, revamping the economy through the building of solid infrastructure and his numerous youths empowerment initiatives.

These agents of darkness of late have relentlessly seized the security situations which they have created to come hard on our very patriotic Service Chiefs who have continued to do their utmost best to protect lives and property irrespective of the level of conspiracy and external support the Boko Haram terrorist and other militant groups in Nigeria have been receiving.

To say that it is the desire by these despicable individuals and associations to destabilize Nigeria would be an understatement in the sense that they have conscripted the services of APC youth groups, APC Progressive groups and other umbrella organizations under the APC banner to discredit the APC led government in the attempt to paint a picture of a disintegrating party to Nigerians.

Their plans include but not limited to the mass mobilization of groups for street protests and rallies against the policies, programmes and administrative style of President Muhammadu Buhari across the country, with particular emphasis on the hardworking Service Chiefs in the country.

The APC Youth Movement and Development Forum is appalled at such brazen display of hatred for the country given the numerous efforts of the APC led Federal Government in addressing the myriad of challenges facing the country.

It is indeed a statement of the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has demonstrated an unalloyed commitment to leaving Nigeria better than he met it through his numerous developmental strides in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

It, therefore, defeats the common sense of why these proponents of violence and evil would elect to plot against the sustainable peace and development of Nigeria for personal and self-serving reasons. The reason though not farfetched is not justifiable under any circumstances.

Using the security situation in the country as an example, the APC Youth Movement and Development Forum is aware that the state of insecurity experienced in some parts of the country is fuelled by these nefarious individuals and organizations strictly for political reasons to fulfil their evil desires against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the country at large.

We wish to state that despite this glaring conspiracy against the efforts of the Security and Service Chiefs in the country, our various security agencies have been able to maintain an enviable level of security of lives and properties in the country.

It is indeed a statement of the fact that the various security and Service Chiefs in the country have justified the confidence reposed on them by President Muhammadu Buhari in their various appointments. They have not only done well; they have exhibited a high sense of commitment to the unity of Nigeria despite all the politically motivated odds against them.

The APC Youth Movement and Development Forum is using this medium to express its support and appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonishakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen, Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu and the Director-General of the DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi respectively.

These noble individuals have been working round the clock with sincerity of heart and purpose in thwarting the efforts of those whose overall desire is to set the country up in flames.

Consequently, The APC Youth Movement and Development Forum wishes to pass a vote of confidence on the above-mentioned Service and Security Chiefs and to declare that the APC as a party without attempting to politicize the issues at this moment resolved to stand with the Service and Security Chiefs as this is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

We have also resolved to defend and stand by all actions, policies and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari and will not allow any individual, group or association to malign the image of Mr President or assassinate the name and character of stakeholders that have been appointed by Mr President.

We also call on all APC Youth groups, support groups and micro-forums not to allow the enemies infiltrate them into blackmailing the administration directly or indirectly by carrying out protests, street rallies or attacks on the Security and Service Chiefs in the country.

The APC Youth Movement and Development Forum is saying enough is enough and consequently advising those with illicit money stolen from the treasury to take same to a charity organization and should not think that the youths of this country will be available for anyone to use in destroying the legacies which Mr President has built-in restoring the glory and honour of our armed forces.

We reiterate that any form of attack on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not be tolerated by the generality of Nigerians any longer. Nigeria is indeed bigger than any individual, group or association, and this fact remains sacrosanct.

The APC Youth Movement and Development Forum hereby resolved on this date 1st July 2020 to stand united against every enemy of the APC controlled Federal Government in particular and the Nigeria state under the able stewardship of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Thank you all for your kind attention, and together we can make Nigeria work.

God bless you all.

Hushpuppi: Group wants FBI, Interpol to question Atiku, Deji Adeyanju over links to alleged fraudster

The National Coalition of Democrats (NCD) has called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and International Police to investigate ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over possible links to arrested suspected fraudster, Raymond Igbalode, popularly known as Hushpuppi. 

Renowned for his flamboyant lifestyle, Hushpuppi and 12 others were nabbed in Dubai by Interpol on June 10 over multiple cyber crimes and money laundering to the tune of 

150 million dirhams (N168 billion).  

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently declared the Instagram celebrity wanted over links to several cyber frauds. 

In a statement signed by its Spokesman, Garuba Nuhu, on Wednesday, the National Coalition of Democrats reasoned that there could be more to this act, especially with Hushpuppi's known relationship with some PDP members, as seen in pictures and videos on social media. 

According to the group, Hushpuppi might have actually worked discreetly with the opposition party in laundering of funds for the prosecution of the 2019 general elections. 

NCD said its logic is born out of the fact that PDP's top shots, led by its presidental candidate held several meetings in Dubai ahead of the polls and the likes of Atiku, Dino Melaye, Timi Frank and Deji Adeyanju are possibly his close associates. 

The group, therefore, called on the FBI and Interpol to investigate Atiku and other PDP members who may have been first-line beneficiaries of the fraud committed by Hushpuppi. 

It added that Hushpuppi could have likely "assisted these individuals to launder funds through his network because the level of fraternity between Hushpuppi and these individuals points to that direction"

Read full statement below:

The National Coalition of Democrats wishes to lend its voice to the recent arrest of Raymond Igbalode, popularly known as Hushpuppi for allegedly hacking into the United States (US) unemployed database and impersonating citizens qualified for unemployment funds of over $100 million meant for Native Americans in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.  

This is indeed a sad tale for Nigeria in the sense that the arrest effected by the Dubai Police has indeed painted Nigerians as fraudsters before the international community. 

The National Coalition of Democrats has in times past alerted Nigerians to the activities of some Nigerians with no identifiable means of livelihood, yet displaying a life of affluence in the social media space. 

The case of Hushpuppi further lends credence to this concern raised earlier as most of our youths have elected to tow the dishonourable path all in the quest to make money at all cost. More worrisome in this latest development is the fact that the said Hushpuppi has been severally identified with some members of the opposition party in Nigeria. 

This is also on the heels that a top member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is known for travelling to the United Arab Emirates where he held several meetings in the buildup to the 2019 general elections. 

It is also common knowledge that the PDP leadership turned Dubai into their strategic meeting place from where they plotted for the execution of the general elections.

The National Coalition of Democrats wishes to state in unequivocal terms that Hushpuppi indeed shared some affinity with some top members of the PDP as evident in the posting of pictures and videos of their several meetings in the social media space. 

It, therefore, reckons that there is every possibility that the said Hushpuppi might have been working discreetly with the PDP stalwarts in the laundering of funds for the prosecution of the 2019 general elections.

The National Coalition of Democrats wonders why the opposition PDP would elect to see Dubai as a haven for holding strategic meetings while wining and dining with the said Hush Puppy.

The likes of Atiku Abubakar, Dino Melaye, Timi Frank and Deji Adeyanju have in numerous times posed for photographs with the said Hushpuppi . It is common sense to articulate that there must have been in a strategic business partnership with him in the area of repatriation of illicit funds for the prosecution of the general elections using his syndicate network. 

The National Coalition of Democrats wonders why questions were not asked as regards his source of wealth if indeed they were genuine in their aspirations. This is not minding the fact that Hushpuppi indeed has led millions of youths into believing that hard work is not a guarantee for success. 

The National Coalition of Democrats believes that these top goons of the PDP are first-line beneficiaries of the fraud committed by the said Hushpuppi. There is every need for further investigations by the International Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This is imperative in the bid to trace the root of the heist committed by Hushpuppi as well as identifying his partners in crime in Nigeria.      

The National Coalition of Democrats wishes to inform members of the general public that from all indices, there seems to be a strategic linkage between Hushpuppi and some stalwarts of the opposition PDP. It will be in the interest of the generality of Nigerians if this case is further investigated.

We are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that indeed Hushpuppi might have assisted these individuals to launder funds through his network because the level of fraternity between Hushpuppi and these individuals points to that direction.

The National Coalition of Democrats as a result of this call on the Interpol and the FBI to leave no stone unturned in unravelling the collaborators of Hushpuppi in Nigeria.  

We are convinced that this is indeed necessary to put issues in proper perspectives and to serve as a deterrent to our teeming youthful population.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has cautioned some political leaders against compromising the objective of an initiative aimed at creating no less than 774,000 jobs in the country.

The Senior Advocate accused some state chairmen (names withheld) of harassing him over the public works programme, noting that he will not succumb to any form of blackmail from them.

Keyamo while speaking on the job creation in Abuja vowed to drive the initiative to a victorious end.

Addressing state selection committees of the initiative during inauguration a few moments ago, the minister warned the state chairmen against sabotaging the programme which promised to give job opportunity citizens. According to him, any chairman who refused to adhere strictly to guidelines made available for the process would be immediately eliminated.

“There have been attempts at blackmailing me in this particular programme too to make us also yield to political leaders and we have said no – not while I am here,” said Keyamo.

The minister added, “I have a pedigree; I have a background; I know where I am coming from. Before I came into public office, I have a pedigree and what I stand for.

“Except Mr President, who appointed me stops me, and who gave me the opportunity and rare privilege to drive this programme, except he stops me, no other political leader or person can stop me. I am answerable only to Mr President.”

Keyamo further alleged that some persons have in the past handed such initiative to political leaders as a form of patronage. He assures that the scheme was created for all Nigerians, structured to be bipartisan so that every Nigerian can access it, irrespective of political leanings.

..... pledges support for Buratai, Army

The Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups (CAYG) has said that there is clear evidence that President Muhammadu Buhari's order to the Nigerian Armed Forces to stamp out banditry and all forms of criminal activities are bearing fruits aplenty.

CAYG made this known in a statement signed by its President,Kabir Ahmed Galadanchi, on Tuesday.

Recall that President Buhari had met with the Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last week to address the rising insecurity situation in the Northeast.

And according to the Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups, the charge is yielding positive results already after the Security Chiefs moved to the areas affected.

The group said it "observed how the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, moved across the nooks and cranny of the 7 states in the Northwest to see to the full compliance with the presidential directive.

It added that the presence of the COAS and other security chiefs is the turning point as several bandits’ camps have been destroyed and scores killed while several kidnap victims have been rescued and weapons recovered.

Among others, it noted that over 52 criminals have been killed across theatres of operation within the last one week in addition to the destruction and recovery of weapons since the commencement of Operation Accord.

The group, however, commended the Chief of Army Staff for personally going into the field and encouraging the troops to step up their operations.

While expressing total support for the COAS and his gallant troops, CAYG called on all Nigerians to do likewise.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups, CAYG, wholeheartedly welcomes the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Nigerian Armed Forces to stamp out banditry and all forms of criminal activities in the North-west geopolitical zone of the country.

Activities of terrorists and criminal elements who have resorted in making lives unbearable for citizens through acts such as kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed robbery and banditry have become worrisome in the past months.

The recent attack by bandits on several communities in Faskari Local Government of Katsina State and in neighbouring states of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and even Niger all bear the hallmarks of terrorism that cannot be condoned.

These worrisome trends we believe prompted Mr President to issue the directive after approving a joint military and police operation specifically targeted at combing Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and the Sokoto States to rid the areas of bandits.

This has shown the commitment of the President towards fulfilling his promise to secure Nigeria for its citizens.

This Coalition notes with delight that while giving the directive, the president reassured Nigerians that the nation’s armed forces are fully capable of dealing with the challenges of banditry and terrorism as he called on the military to take appropriate steps towards blocking the gaps being exploited to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.

Important to note is that following the directive by Mr President, the military immediately swung into action and took the necessary measures towards dealing with the problem.

Top security chiefs moved to the areas affected by the activities of these criminals and in no time their actions started yielding results.

We observed how the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, moved across the Nooks and Crannies of the 7 states in the Northwest to see to the full compliance with the presidential directive and note that this is not the first time the COAS is making his presence felt in the theatre of operations, which serves to boost troops' confidence.

The Coalition notes how his presence at the theatre of operation in the Northeast has yielded positive results leading to the liquidation of over 1429 terrorists within two months in that region.

The presence of the COAS and other security chiefs in the Northwest is also producing great results as several bandits’ camps have been destroyed and scores of bandits killed while several kidnap victims have been rescued and weapons recovered.

We are encouraged by the cheery news from the Armed Forces of Nigeria that over 52 criminals have been killed across theatres of operation within the last one week in addition to the destruction and recovery of weapons and surrender by some active Boko Haram members since the commencement of Operation Accord.

This is even as troops have continued to build on recent successes against armed bandits operating in the region with the intensive ground and air assaults on their identified bases.

Within the week, troops also apprehended suspected bandits, have continued to record significant successes against bandits and criminal elements with the killing of scores of insurgents in Zamfara and Katsina States, foiled armed bandits attack at Mara Zamfarawa village in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State and in the process 6 bandits were killed while several others escaped with gunshots wounds.

Aggressive patrol and intelligence gathering by troops have also led to the successful arrest of suspected bandits and their collaborators.

Given these great successes being recorded in the fight against banditry and terrorism, we as youths from the northern part of the country have no option but to throw our weight behind the military and to say thank you to Mr President and the army chief for doing a good job.

We give the commendation in appreciation of the efforts we have seen put into giving our people a new lease of life given the damage the activities of criminals has done to them.

We have for long urged for a sustained military action that will put the activities of the criminals in check and return normalcy to our communities where our people can pick the pieces of their lives which have been shattered by these criminal elements and are happy that it has finally come.

We thank the Chief of Army Staff for personally going into the field and encouraging the troops to step up their operations.

We commend the troops for their gallantry and urge them to sustain the tempo of bravery and assault on the criminals as it is bringing out results.

The Coalition also pledges the total support of the youths in the region to the President and the Nigerian army and calls on all stakeholders in the north-west to support Mr President and the Nigerian Army to put all the criminals away from the north-west.

As the President said, we also believe that the military has shown capacity to tackle the menace of insecurity in the region.

We call on all Nigerians to support the President and the troops and cooperate with our gallant forces to achieve better results to rid the nation of criminal elements.

*Boko Haram /ISWAP: CALSER writes US Ambassador to Nigeria over complicity of France, francophone countries in promotion of terrorism*

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has written an open letter to the United States Ambassador to Nigeria over the complicity of France and Francophone nations in promoting terrorism. 

CALSER, in the letter dated Monday 29th June and signed by Executive Director, Evelyn Otairu, reiterated that the threat posed by Boko Haram terrorists is real, especially after they formed a dangerous alliance with Nigeria's Francophone neighbours. 

The group, while acknowledging the achievements of the Nigerian troops questioned the commitment of other nations, with little or no operations and funding of the Multinational Joint Task Force established and authorized by the African Union.

According to the group, "whenever the terrorists come under heavy military bombardment in Nigeria, they retreat to these countries using the Lake Chad Basin region, and from where they regroup and launch attacks in Nigeria". 

More worrisome, CALSER added, is the heavy presence of over 5000 French anti-insurgent troop under the code name Operation Barkhane in Ndjamena. 

The centre further blamed the large consignments of arms and ammunitions on the porous Francophone routes. 

CALSER, therefore, called on the US to come to the aid of " Nigeria in addressing the Boko Haram terrorist activities as it is evident that Nigeria is up against a force greater than Boko Haram itself". 

It appealed to the Americans to go after the international sponsors of terrorists. 

Read full letter below:

Dear Ambassador, 

The complicity of Nigeria's Francophone Neighbors in the Promotion of Boko Haram Terrorism

The leadership of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights extends her warm wishes to the consulate. 

The exigencies of time have warranted that indeed proactive measures are needed in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria from all critical stakeholders that includes the government and the good people of the United States of America.

The Boko Haram menace in North-East Nigeria has assumed a regional dimension, and this should call for concern given the strategic importance of Nigeria on the African continent.

Dear Ambassador, you may wish to recall that on numerous occasions, the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights in fulfilment of its core mandate has had cause to intimate the consulate of the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria through letters, peaceful protests and press conferences.

We wish to use this medium to remind you that the threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group is real and has assumed a dangerous dimension with the active collaboration of the francophone countries surrounding Nigeria ( Chad, Cameroon Niger, Mali and Senegal)

It is indeed a statement of fact that since Boko Haram began its violent campaign in Nigeria in 2009, there have been spirited and consistent efforts by the Nigerian Military in addressing the threats posed by this group. Worthy of mention is the periods between 2015 till date. 

This period indeed witnessed multiple gains by the Nigerian Military in rooting the Boko Haram terrorist from their operational base in Sambisa forest in 2016 as well as their various terrorist cells in North-East Nigeria.  

There was also a revamping of the Multinational Joint Task Force to address the threats that would arise in the event of the Boko Haram terrorist group using the francophone countries that boarders Nigeria as their hideouts. 

Dear Ambassador, it is instructive to inform you that the francophone countries have been nothing but uncooperative in addressing the threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group. 

We wish to inform you that it indeed a statement of fact that when the Boko Haram terrorist group come under heavy military bombardment in Nigeria, they retreat to these countries using the Lake Chad Basin region, and from where they regroup and launch attacks in Nigeria. 

It is also instructive to state that the bulk of the arms and ammunition used by the Boko Haram group come from these countries despite the presence of a 5000 strong French anti-insurgent troop under the code name Operation Barkhane in Ndjamena the capital of Chad. 

The presence of Operation Barkhane in Ndjamena, Chad Republic has more or less feign ignorance of the operations of the Boko Haram group that have succeeded in building terrorist cells around these countries from where they carry out training and recruitments of fighters.

The Boko Haram group has also been receiving large consignments of arms and ammunitions from countries using the francophone routes. In most instances, these consignments get clearance from the security agencies in these countries.

Dear Ambassador, we wish to inform you that such military consignments cannot go unnoticed by the security agencies in these countries, including Operation Barkhane stationed in Ndjamena, Chad Republic. More worrisome is the fact that the arms and ammunition used by the Boko Haram terrorist groups are from some French and European arms manufacturers.   

This is also on the heels that France through its former colonies have refused to cooperate with Nigeria in the operations and funding of the Multinational Joint Task Force established and authorized by the African Union to conduct combat operations against Boko Haram, intercept trafficked weapons, free hostages and encourage defections. 

Dear Ambassador that the activities of Boko Haram are thriving today is because Nigeria's neighbours are complicit and this much they have displayed in their commitment to putting an end to the threats posed by Boko Haram. 

There is consequently a need for the United States of America to come to the aid of Nigeria in addressing the Boko Haram terrorist activities as it is evident that Nigeria is up against a force greater than Boko Haram itself. 

The international collaborators and sponsors of Boko Haram have continued to explore the uncooperativeness of the francophone countries with Nigeria to supply the needed logistics for the Boko Haram terrorist group to thrive in their nefarious activities. 

Dear Ambassador, it is based on those as mentioned earlier that the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is appealing to the United States of America in coming to the aid of Nigeria in curbing the threats posed by the Boko Haram group.

We wish to by this letter request that the United States of America go after the international sponsors of Boko Haram. Their actions are nothing short of crimes against humanity. It is thus our considered opinion that the continuous killing of innocent civilians can only be stopped if the sponsors and promoters of the Boko Haram group are dealt with. 

While we anticipate a favourable response, please accept the assurances of our highest regards.

Thank You.

By Isaiah Atuluku


With due respect to the Daily Trust newspapers, which is unarguably one the leading dailies in Nigeria today, the lead story of its Monday 29th June, 2020, edition is highly misleading.

While one is not holding brief for the Nigerian military, those of us resident in parts of the country constantly under the attacks of bandits and insurgents wish to be allowed to say something about military operations so as to correct the general impression created by your story, to wit, that the various operations launched by the military under various codenames are all hype and no substance.

While one may not fault the idea of the story to dig deep into details of military operations, the conclusion drawn by the story is faulty in that it did not factor in the gains of the military operations within the five years in question.

Even if the military spokesman was not available at the time of filing the report as your report stated; simple checks by your correspondents, like visiting some of the affected areas or talking to residents  would have revealed the gains made by the military in launching the various operations.

I am a resident of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, but I was forced to flee the local government when attacks by bandits became an hourly affair.

But through the launch of some of these operations, even though one cannot claim that normalcy has returned, we most definitely cannot say nothing has been done and many of my relations have returned.

We have seen troops come to our rescue and sometimes even when they suffer casualty, they have not left us to our fate but have been unrelenting is seeing that we are safe and secured.

We the members of the affected communities are so proud of what the military operations have done in our communities that it would be most uncharitable for us to remain mum when such conclusions, like the one in your paper, are drawn about the activities of the military in our communities.

If your reporters have bothered to visit the affected communities, they would have observed that nothing gives the members of those communities more joy than seeing a uniformed security man on patrol.

I can tell you without fear of contradiction that if you place  Ghana-Must-Go bags filled with money at the doorsteps of each household, there won't be much jubilation as villagers seeing a battalion of soldiers moving around the vicinity. 

This is because the people no longer have interest in anything but to stay alive and it is through these operations which your story is trying to ridicule that some of us are live today.

Aside that, I know that it cannot be true that the tactics in all the military operations have remained the same and that the military authorities only fancies giving them different names, like your report claims. 

This is not correct.  With my little training in crime and crime prevention, I have come to know that no system of crime is exactly the same as each derive from a particular aim, time and measure. 

If crime mutate according to time, location and other factors, it would be wrong to assume that an operation carried out today in a particular location with the same target can be the same with another operation targeted at the same set of criminals on another day even if it is on the same location, not to talk of when the location, time, logistics and peculiarities are different. 

I noticed that your reporters also counted the phases of an operation, as different from the main one it derived from. For example, saying operation Harbin Kunama iii is different from the previous ones under the same code name is wrong because while they are a continuation of the previous exercises, the need to have them classified under a different phase is to indicate that the, the personnel, geography and logistic are different and these are done purely for proper identification and record purpose.

Your report, in the bid to support your claim that the operational code names are numerous also separated the indigenous names with the English translation

For example, Ayem Akpatuma is the Tiv name for Operation Cat Race but it enjoyed a distinct classification in your story.

Even as a layman, I know that the military operations have recorded major successes in execution and I feel that if the only way the military can tackle the diverse modes of attacks on communities is to reinvent itself through numerous operational codes, then so be it.

But let me mention some of the successes of the military in the field operations to show, unlike what your report is projecting, that much has been achieved.

In 2015, shortly after the present crop of service chiefs were appointed, the military under the code name of operation Lafiya Dole embarked on a major operation which sacked the entire Boko Haram terrorists population from their operations headquarters at Sambisa Forest and the military captured and established a base at Camp Zairo.

This was what led to the declaration by the Federal  Government that the Boko Haram has been technically defeated.

In June 2016, the Battalion, 22 Task Force Brigade based on information received that  Boko Haram terrorists earlier dislodged  at Chukungudu and Hausari villages during a clearance operations, were migrating towards Muska village in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, conducted fighting patrol operations in the area and during the encounter, the troops killed 10 Boko Haram terrorists,  captured 2 alive and rescued a woman with her baby that were held hostage by the terrorists.

The troops also recovered several equipment, arms and ammunition that include 6 AK-47 rifle magazines, 56 rounds of 7.62m (Special) rounds of ammunitions, 1 bundle of detonating cord, a Manual on how to prepare Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)  2 rifle magazine pouches, a Techno IPad, a Nokia mobile telephone handset and 1 Gionee mobile telephone handset among other things.

Between 2016 and now, the military has recorded various number of victories under the operation but the height of it was in May this year when within two months after the Chief of army staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai led Nigerian troops in major victories, claimed the lives of 1,015 terrorists and also led to the arrest of 84 of their collaborators.

Under Operation Sharan Daji, troops in the North-West zone among other victories also killed 35 armed bandits and arrested 38 of them and handed them over to the police in the various states of their arrest. 

In addition to that, 6,009 various animals were recovered within the zone as well as several AK-47 rifles, dane guns, and a variety of weapons and ammunition.

Under Harbin Kunama, troops in June 2019, killed 24 criminal elements during its operation Harbin Kunama III in Kano, Kaduna and Niger states within one month of operation.

The operation also recovered N1.1 million cash, 56 assorted arms, 374 cows and 104 goats while 20 kidnapped victims were rescued.

Not quite a month after that, troops of “Operation Thunder Strike” and “Operation Harbin Kunama III”  killed five suspected bandits and arrested four others during two separate operations in Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

In another operation, soldiers also arrested 17 bandits in Katsina and killed one of them during a clearance operation.

After that operation, residents of Dagu village hailed the Army for destroying hideouts of the bandits, who have been terrorising villages in the area.

In June 2019, no fewer than eight bandits were killed and 17 other collaborators arrested by troops of Operation HARBIN KUNAMA III under the 8 Division Nigerian Army, Sokoto, while five bandits’ camps and 25 motorcycles were destroyed in the operation.

This was followed by the arrest of a notorious kidnapping kingpin, Mallam Bawa Gomna and 20 others during operations around Batsari, Jibia and Safana local government areas of Katsina State.

Under Operation Python Dance, troops were able to put to a stop the secessionist bids of some elements on 2017.

In February 2018, effort of the Nigerian Army to fish out criminals and protect farmlands in Benue State and it environ led to Exerciae Ayem Akpatuma which among other things led to the arrest of perpetrators of herdsmen/ farmers clash and put a stop to violence in Benue state. 

Another problem with your report is that while you quoted the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, as saying that the president had in a close door meeting with service chiefs stated that their best was not good enough, your report did not reflect even one in the many instances where President Muhammadu Buhari had commended the military for a good job like when the chief of army staff handed the flag and Quran of the Boko Haram leader to the President. 

I believe the report would have been better of these issues have been reflected or factored in.


Atuluku is a member, militray writers association of Nigeria .

Policy experts in Nigeria have hailed the introduction and ongoing registration of the N- Power Batch 'C' Scheme, saying it is a welcome development for the realisation of President Muhammadu Buhari's agenda for the positive transformation of the Nigerian economy through youth empowerment.

The experts who spoke at a virtual workshop organised by the Youth Economic Forum, on 'the engagement of youths for positive economic activities,' said the idea of commencing a batch 'C' registration was well thought out, while the registration has been commendable.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk had last week announced the introduction of the batch 'C' component of the scheme following the disengagement of graduates enrolled under the Batch 'A' and 'B' N-Power scheme.

The Batch 'C'  according to the minister, is expected to afford the ministry the opportunity to enrol a new set of beneficiaries who will be upskilled to prepare them for employability or entrepreneurship as well as  provide skilled workers who will be critical to jump starting the Nigerian economy in the post-Covid-19 period.

One of the experts at the workshop, Dr. Gregory Mba, who spoke at length about the concept of introducing a fresh batch of beneficiaries to the programme said it is necessary to reach to the vast majority of the populace. 

Dr Mba, who is the Director-General of Policy & Strategic Planning Network, said though it is natural for those enrolled under batches 'A' and 'B' to feel bad that their programmes are winding up, it is to the larger economic benefit of the country for a fresh batch to be enrolled under the scheme.

He said the continuous retention of the old beneficiaries after a cumulative four years since the programme commenced in 2016, would be tantamount to recycling a particular set of people, which might limit the scope of the programme.

He explained that: "In a social protection and youth empowerment programme such as the 'N Power Scheme, the success of the programme depends on the total number of people reached and not necessarily the number of years certain persons benefit from it."

He said the programme is not supposed to be a permanent employment for persons but a stop gap measure to offer the necessary push into gainful employment.

"The programme is supposed to empower the beneficiaries to be able to stand on their feet within a given period as well as uplift their standard of living 

"Hence, administering the benefits repeatedly to particular recipients would defeat the aim of the programme as it would kill their initiative once they begin to view the assistance with  a sense of entitlement,"he explained.

Dr Mba said it is praise-worthy that out of the 500,000 beneficiaries enrolled in Batch A & B, about 109,823 have proceeded to establish businesses in their communities.

"What the minister is trying to do by introducing a fresh batch is to multiply this number of beneficiaries by another set of thousands so that at the end of the day, the effect on the economy would be more robust," he stated 

Another expert, Mr. Deinde Braimoh, who runs a non-governmental-organisation, NGO, on youth empowerment, also hailed the initiative by the Minister.

He said for the ministry  to commence Batch C after the termination of the lifespan of Batch A and B would enable more Nigerians take part in the scheme. 

He explained that the Nigerian economy in any given year throws up about 100,000 graduates into the labour market who are looking for jobs and means to sustain themselves. 

He said in a growing economy like Nigeria, the right thing to do is to provide the youths who could not find white collar jobs with the means towards being self employed through sustainable economic activities. 

The expert said the APC led government of President Buhari did the right thing by introducing the N-Power where people are attached to particular vocations while being paid N30,000 monthly to acquire skills and garner experience.

Braimoh said it is expected that after two years, the process of re-orientation and skill acquisition would have been inculcated on the beneficiary whereby they can stand on their own.

He said due to the high number of personnel being churned out from schools into the labour market every year, it is expedient to reach out to the lot coming out of school so as to occupy their minds with the right activities before they lose the training acquired.

'This, I believe is the essence of introducing the batch 'C' by the minister so there'll be a smooth transition from those who have stabilised to those who are coming in newly," he said.

Other experts at the workshop noted that the fact that over 1million persons applied for the N-Power batch 'C' within days of opening the portal shows the interest Nigerians have in the scheme and its objective of boosting the economy. 

They lauded the committed of the minister to the scheme which they say would support  vulnerable members of the population and reduce the social impact of unemployment in the society. 

They said, "The minister has shown uncommon passion and commitment to the programme which projects her commitment towards helping Mr President attain his objective of boosting the nation's economy. "

The President Buhari administration commenced the N-Power Scheme in 2016 in fulfilment of its promise to reduce poverty, unemployment and social insecurity among Nigerians and has since them deployed thousands of unemployed graduates to schools and other institutions to work there while the government pays them a stipend of N30,000 monthly.

By Kabiru Ibrahim Dallah

There is no doubt that Africa and indeed West Africa, in particular, has witnessed a massive rise in insecurity challenges post-Gaddafi era in Libya.

Several reports by reputable media organizations have linked the proliferation of small arms and ammunitions plus the rise in terrorist activities in the Sahel of Africa to the collapse of Libya.

Most of the arms and fighters used in the fights against Gaddafi and subsequent battles for the control of Libya have found their way into several neighbouring countries.

This has caused great destabilization in these countries. Mali comes in readily as an example of the effect of the collapse of Libya. Many countries including Nigeria have had to battle the resultant effect of that event in history.

Nigeria has had its fair share of this international dimension of the insecurity challenge. The hitherto local terrorist organization have been bolstered and supported by former Libya fighters who trooped into the country in droves, alongside and with their arms and ammunitions.

The entire essence of the above narration is to acknowledge that the pervasive security challenge being experienced is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, definitely not!

The only difference, however, is that from Maiduguri to Otuoke, from Badagry to Kaura Namoda security is a big deal to politicians for several reasons. For some, it is the genuine desire to see lives and properties secured. Others, meanwhile, it is a tool for propaganda against opponents. Whereas some are just after the big financial war chest expenditure available in the battle against insecurity.

Insecurity in this part of the world has now been considered big business. That is why I took the time to explain earlier some of the real intrigues and international dimensions to this serious challenge of insecurity. Despite how real and serious the task of securing lives is, many people here still see it as a means of making money and enriching their cronies.

The many calls by some so-called activist for the sack of the service chiefs have now become big business to them. Many of these characters are cashing out daily from this call. 

This brings to mind a Sahara Reports report on the 15th of March 2013 where one Samuel Chinedu accused Ikenga Ugochinyere of being behind the registration of a pseudo All Progressive Congress APC then. The plan was was to thwart the registration process of the APC. Ikenga was accused than to have collected a lot of money from some big shots in the PDP for that mission.

Such is the life of some of these “activists”. They predate on critical life issues to make some quick cash. Characters like these are the ones leading the daily call for the removal of service chiefs. Those of us who know Nigeria understands how things work here. Once you see people of such shady character feeling uncomfortable with some process or certain people, it is imperative to take a deeper look and you will find that their reasons for discomfort is most likely not what they complain about but their desire to milk the system to their advantage.

Today we have service chiefs who will not attend political meetings in the night. We have men who are professionals to the core, whose only ambition is to secure the nation. We have service chiefs who would not play ball backed by a president with impeccable character and integrity. This cannot be palatable for the business as usual guys.

They have to now seek their source from those I call the enemy of the state. People that consider the well being of their pocket as more important than the wellbeing of the country.

Some see this insecurity as the new oil. An all-comers affair. They can't let go quickly of the days where a government official will dole out $2.1billion USD without necessarily following any due process,  they probably miss the days when everybody was an arms contractor.

The campaign to remove the non-conformist service chiefs has seen all shades of people with questionable characters being engaged to do the battle. Men with shady characters leading calls for the removal of professionals who have proven their mettle in the discharge of their duties.

Men who have sacrificed all to make sure that we can sleep with both eyes closed. Yet at any slight incidence this “remove service chiefs “ gang will hit the airwaves with their usual rants.

The president who is a matured man understands clearly that everyone is needed at this critical time, he also understands that you don't change your winning team during the battle. These men have helped stabilize the nation at different critical times. Some of us will not forget in a hurry what the situation was before the appointment of these current set of service chiefs. We won't forget quickly how terrorist were hoisting flags indiscriminately on our soil, how whole local governments were completely overrun by terrorists.

Those with a better memory will appreciate why Mr president is a bit more cautious and not yielding to the campaigners. Mr President more than many of us and infact more than many of these so-called campaigners is very much abreast with the real facts of the matter. So he takes far more informed decisions than many of us will imagine because he has got the real facts of the matter.

It is time for these shady characters to consider finding another hustle as it appears this may not yield any results. It is important for us to support the service chiefs as they continue to make giant strides in our quest to have every inch of this nation secured.

Dallah is a pro-good governance activist and development expert based in Lafia.

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd) has been urged to work with other Service Chiefs in the country to move the nation’s war against insurgency forward.

This call was made by the Northern Patriots, decrying the lack of strategic thinking and actions by the NSA’s office to address the non-kinetic component of the war against insurgency in Nigeria thereby leaving the military and other security agencies alone in what ordinarily should be all-encompassing warfare.

In an open letter signed by the convener, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Suleiman, on Sunday, NP said it is time to be proactive about the real solutions in the fight against terrorism. 

According to the group, the NSA hasn't done much in terms of stakeholders engagement, intelligence and coordination of actions to complement the efforts of the Service Chiefs and his gallant troops. 

Among others, the Northern Patriots, however, urged Monguno to reopen the dialogue channel with the insurgents using some of Northern elders. 

They also charged him to use his office to investigate reports that Nigeria still does business with some of its neighbours alleged go be arming the terrorists. 

Read the full letter below:

Permit us to use the platform of an open letter to write to you on a sensitive matter as the security of the country.

As northern patriots, we have noticed the recent effort by your office towards ensuring the success of the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of crime against Nigeria and her citizens.

We are happy with this latest resolve because communities in northern Nigeria have not been spared from attacks even though your good self, the NSA hails from the North. This is evidenced by the latest attacks on our communities by the Boko Haram.

We, as Nigerian citizens, would be pleased to see the sustenance of these efforts so that all parts of the country would be free from violent crimes, wanton killings and abduction of innocent persons and for normalcy to return not just to the North, but to all parts of the country.

As you join hands with the other heads of security agencies in the country as well as with the service chiefs to achieve this, it is our prayer and that of many Nigerians that your efforts would be crowned with success. 

But NSA sir, as we desire the best for our families, communities and country, we have noticed certain infractions within the security network that have been undermining the efforts of the government to stamp out terrorism and banditry in Nigeria that we wish to bring to your notice and advice you accordingly. 

The first thing we noticed is that not much is coming from the office of the NSA as those behind these terrorist groups who sponsor and promote these crimes are hardly investigated, arrested or prosecuted. Even with our little knowledge of security, we know that, just like every other malaise, Nigeria cannot make much progress if we continue only to arrest or kill only the terrorist foot soldiers and ordinary members, as that would be akin to treating only the symptoms and not the disease. 

Because you are our son and we wouldn't want you to fail, we recommend that to exterminate the disease from the body, the office of the NSA has to go further than relying on combat actions by troops to investigating the sponsors and promoters of these terrorist groups. This, we believe would not be farfetched given your background as an intelligent officer.

We will like to address your mind to the fact that in the past, certain politicians including serving senators and a former governor have been at various times indicated by intelligence reports coming from the activities of these groups, but nothing has been done in that regard.

Apart from that, the security agencies have continued to bungle the cases against these politically exposed persons by the shoddy and untidy manner they prosecute these cases thereby giving the suspects the alibi to be off the hook.

Even the most glaring investigation that led to the arrest of the Nyanya bomber in an African country, sadly, not much has come out of the case as due diligence was breached in the process of prosecution. 

NSA sir, we cannot continue on this path if we want to be taken seriously by the international community who are ever willing to support us and rid the nation of these elements which threaten diplomatic and business interests.

We wake up daily to hear countries after countries asking their citizens to be wary of travelling to Nigeria with some even asking their citizens to emigrate as soon as possible.

These have led to a decline in the volume of trade between Nigeria and many countries and deprived us of the much sought after foreign investment not to talk of the psychological trauma we are made to endure.

This is heart-wrenching when considered that these security problems can be addressed if our intelligence team, which happen to fall under your purview does the right thing. 

We recall that during the time of Lawan Daura as Director-General of the Department of State Security Service, DSS, that much was achieved through intelligence gathering, contact with terrorists leaders and negotiations that led to the release of many of the Chibok girls and the return of the abducted Dapchi girls.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has in all ramifications done so much and is doing everything to bring the insurgents on their knees. We do appreciate him and what the military has done so far. But we understand that there are limitations on the part of the military including those that we may not know as non-security personnel. 

Nevertheless, the glaring ones have to do with stakeholders engagement, intelligence and coordination of actions that will aid the services. Unfortunately, like NSA,  we haven’t seen you do much in that regard and we believe it’s time you wake up. 

Since your appointment sir, we have not seen that extra push, community and stakeholders involvement and initiative that are needed to give the fight the final push.

We will like to remind you that the bulk of the remaining problem lies with you and how you handle your brief as the combat troops have done their part.

The military has done much by killing many of these criminals and arresting their informants, but this is like hitting the body of the snake without cutting the head.We want you to that fate has put in this position to cut the head of this snake by going at the sponsors and promoters of these groups.

We want you to be going home more often and consulting with other stakeholders who know so much about these groups and would be willing to guide you on the path to success. 

We want you to reopen the dialogue channel with the insurgents using some of our elders. 

Another curious thing we noticed is that while our neighbours are known to arm these terrorists, Nigeria continues to do business with them pretending not to know what is happening.

We advise that you use your good office to investigate this matter so you can rightly advise the president on what to do in that regard. 

Accept the assurances of our esteemed regard.