₦airaland Forum

Group raises alarm over Amnesty International's support for Boko Haram, says 'we can't breathe

The Citizens Against Fake Activists say Amnesty International is choking Nigeria with its support for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and the nation can no longer breathe.

At a time where the Black Lives Matter movement has gained prominence worldwide over incidents of police brutality against African-American people, CAFA said AI surprisingly remained mute.

Instead, the activists revealed that the humanitarian organization has maintained its alliance with terrorists to destroy Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Salako Matthew, on Sunday, CAFA attributed the resurgence of terrorist activities in the country to AI, hiding "under the nomenclature of promoting and preserving human rights".

According to the group, this is born out of hatred for the growth and development of Nigeria, as well as the entrenchment of sustainable peace and tranquillity.

While hailing the progress made by the gallant troops in recent time, CAFA, however, urged Nigerian authorities to act now before Amnesty International and their international collaborators succeed in their strangulation of the country.

The group warned AI that it has suffocated Nigeria enough and it is time to leave the country.

Read full statement below:

The Citizens Against Fake Activists, a civil society organization dedicated to exposing the nefarious activities of fake activists in Nigeria both as individuals and organizations warmly welcome you all to this press conference converged in the light of the recent happenings in the country.

It is indeed a cause for sober reflections in Nigeria in the sense that there seem to be a congregation of external and internal forces against the soul of Nigeria with the resurgence of acts of terrorism and criminality across the country.

We wish to enlighten members of the general public that the recent attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP on innocent citizens have indeed shown that certain forces are behind the continuous existence of terrorist groups in Nigeria.

This is on the heels that the Nigerian Military has been outstanding in its operations in addressing the various security challenges in the country, yet, they fester because the agents of darkness and those that want to see to the disintegration of Nigeria have continued to provide covert support to Boko Haram/ISWAP and other criminal and militant groups in fulfilment of the wishes of their paymasters.

Just like the way Boko Haram and armed bandits have been tormenting the soul of our country, some organizations with sinister motives have remained behind the activities of these organizations with their collaborators and partners in crime enjoying life to the fullest.

We wish to state that one of such organizations is Amnesty International whose activities in Nigeria is borne out of deep hatred for the growth and development of Nigeria, as well as the entrenchment of sustainable peace and tranquillity.

It is sufficing to state that the operations of Amnesty International in Nigeria is despicable and a great exhibition of deceit and hatred, and yet, it hides under the nomenclature of promoting and preserving human rights.

The Citizens Against Fake Activists is alarmed that the entity called Amnesty International has not only remained silent and dumb over what has been going on with black people around the world but remained in Nigeria to choke the citizens with their tacit support for Boko Haram and clandestine activities to destabilize the country.

We consequently wish to state that Amnesty International has been an ally of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in the country through the tactic support it has been giving the group. This is also evident in the fact that it has been stated in numerous forums on how Amnesty International has been serving as the intellectual arm of the Boko Haram group.

Amnesty International has been covertly recruiting members for the Boko Haram group under the pretence of conducting researches and training. Several civil society organizations in Nigeria have highlighted this much.

The Citizens Against Fake Activists wishes to state that the nefarious activities of Amnesty International in Nigeria has indeed frustrated the efforts of the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria in the sense that it has consistently fed the members of the general public half-truths about the Nigerian Military with regards to human rights compliance.

Amnesty International is also by all indication complicit in the various propaganda against the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria with the sole purpose causing a distraction especially in a time where gains are being recorded in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

As it stands, we wish to state that Nigerian cannot breathe anymore under the chokehold of Amnesty International through their tactic support for the activities of Boko Haram and other militant groups in the country.

It is also ignoble for Amnesty International to be in the vanguard of the disintegration of Nigeria. This much has been evident in their annual reports, press statements, press conferences, which are often disjointed and laced with outright insinuations and illogical conclusions.

It is also no longer news that Amnesty International does not see any good in the efforts of the Nigerian Military in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria because their paymasters are indeed the same external sources that have been providing logistics support to the Boko Haram/ISWAP group.

The Citizens Against Fake Activists wishes to inform the generality of the public that since all efforts to make Amnesty International see reasons and retrace their steps have failed, Nigerians will, therefore, recognize Amnesty International as a terrorist group. The implication of the above is that its staff and their families would be treated as terrorists whose motive is ultimately for the disintegration of Nigeria.

The Citizens Against Fake Activists is disturbed that Nigeria can no longer breathe with the campaign of disintegration launched by Amnesty International against the country. We consequently wish to state that should the government not act now, Amnesty International and their international collaborators might succeed in their strangulation of Nigeria.

The Citizens Against Fake Activists is of the considered opinion that Nigeria and Nigerians should have nothing to do with organizations that aids and abets acts of terrorism and other forms of criminalities.

Amnesty International is indeed choking Nigeria, we can no longer breathe, and it is expedient that they leave Nigeria in peace.

I thank you all for your attention and time.

Play Politics Based on Issues and ideology, Not Politics of Hatred and Bitterness - IDAHOSA WELLS OKUNBO

In civilized countries, a man and his wife can belong to two different political associations. They don’t kill each other, It’s the ability to win over your opponents with strong evidence of your beliefs that makes a good politician. 
This era where politics are played by outright attacks has really become unacceptable where it could even impact on families and children. 
Politics will come and go. but, the damages that are done by malicious attacks hardly can be forgotten, even after the politics, where who you supported probably would have also dumped you to leave with the wound. 
let us play politics of beliefs and ideas. It should also not be used as an arena to display envy and wickedness. 

In civilized countries, a man and his wife can belong to two different political associations. They don’t kill each other, It’s the ability to win over your opponents with strong evidence of your beliefs that makes a good politician. 
This era where politics are played by outright attacks has really become unacceptable where it could even impact on families and children. 
Politics will come and go. but, the damages that are done by malicious attacks hardly can be forgotten, even after the politics, where who you supported probably would have also dumped you to leave with the wound. 
let us play politics of beliefs and ideas. It should also not be used as an arena to display envy and wickedness.

HON. PETER I. AGUELE, CONGRATULATES GOV OBASEKI ON HIS EMERGENCE AS EDO PDP CANDIDATE.



As Governor Godwin Obaseki wins the Edo State PDP Governorship Primary election conducted Thursday 25th June 2020 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, The Honourable Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Council Peter Aguele has congratulated the governor on his emergence as the People’s Democratic Party’s flag bearer in the forthcoming election in September 2020


In a statement released after the primary election in Benin City, he said the emergence of Governor Godwin Obaseki was a victory for the people, with the transparency of the primary, it was clear that the People’s Democratic Party chances are bright in the September 2020 governorship polls, having conducted free, fair, credible and transparent primaries, the PDP has just shown the people the path to victory.

The Council Boss also applauded the candidates who stepped down the for Governor especially the likes of Ken Imasuagbon and Gideon Ikhine who hails from his senatorial district saying that with Governor Godwin Obaseki's re-election Edo Central stands a better chance to project a candidate that will represent them come 2024 to realize the #EsanAgenda2024.

Also, He hailed the party’s Primary Election Committee headed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for conducting a free, fair, transparent, and credible primary.

*Inter-Society: Ignore IPOB affiliate's call for Service Chiefs sack, group tells Nigerians*

The Network for Justice and Truth (NJT) has urged Nigerians to disregard the International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (Intersociety) and its call for the sack of the Service Chiefs. 

According to NJT, Intersociety is an arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and like the proscribed group, it has a long history of violence, killings and unrest with an inexplicable animosity for President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Intersociety had accused the military's top shots of manipulating the Armed Forces service rules and Nigerian constitution to extend their tenure of office indefinitely. 

However, in a statement signed by its President, Dr Ifeanyi Anayo Dike, on Friday, NJT described the group as "ignorant", only carrying out the wishes of its paymasters. 

It added that such insinuation in all ramification is lacking in merit, objectivity and above all against national interest. 

NJT, therefore, called on the unsuspecting general public to ignore the statement from Intersociety as there is no iota of truth in the various allegations against the Service Chiefs. 

While warning Intersociety and their sponsors to desist from their nefarious activities, the Network for Justice and Truth urged other security stakeholders to extend their unalloyed support to President Buhari and the Service Chiefs. 

Read full statement below:

The Network for Justice and Truth wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the threats posed by the International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (Intersociety) to peace and development in Nigeria. 

Intersociety, as an organization over the years, have been known to turn the truth on its head through its activities, especially with regards to issues of national interest such as sustainable peace and development.

It is a known fact that their hatred for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been hinged on the tough stance on the activities of terrorist and militant groups in the country. 

The Network for Justice and Truth is consequently not surprised by its highly misleading statement accusing the Service Chiefs of manipulating the armed forces service rules and Nigerian constitution to extend their tenure of office indefinitely. 

The statement by Intersociety is at best uncharitable and an exhibition of crass ignorance on the operations of the security sector in Nigeria. This is aside from the fact that the group, by all intent and purposes, are carrying out the wishes of their paymasters that are against the interest of Nigeria.

It is appalling as well as despicable for intersociety to attempt to insult the sensibilities of Nigerians with its diatribe on the Service Chiefs that have exhibited a high level of professionalism and dedication to preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.  

The Network for Justice and Truth wishes to advise members of the unsuspecting general public to disregard the statement from Intersociety in its ramification for lacking in merit, objectivity and above all in the national interest.

We wish to state that Intersociety is playing the card of a greater plot by some disgruntled politicians that have in numerous times attempted to take over the affairs of the country through the back door having failed woefully at the general elections. 

It is therefore not surprising that Intersociety has been recruited into the plot because of its cash and carry policy and as well as its avowed sympathy for separatist and militant organizations in Nigeria. 

It is, therefore, a statement of the fact that their gross with the Service Chiefs is their refusal to allow the disintegration of the country into fragments for the benefit of their sponsors despite the massive amount of monies deployed for the purpose destabilizing the country by the  sponsors of acts of criminality across the country.  

These dissident elements have continued to demonstrate their hatred for the Muhammadu Buhari administration and other well-meaning stakeholders who have to keep sleepless night to prevent the country from collapsing into the abyss. 

It must be stated that Intersociety is indeed an affiliation of militant groups in the country. They have been known to be providing covert support to these groups and with the tough stance of the service chiefs in ensuring that their nefarious activities are curtailed to the barest minimum is giving organizations like Intersociety sleepless nights.

Consequently, their agenda is to trigger violence across the country using phantom and unnecessary allegations against the Service Chiefs in the country as in this case which the generality of Nigerians must be aware of. 

We wish to use this medium to inform the members of the unsuspecting general public to disregard the statement from Intersociety as there is no iota of truth in the various allegations against the Service Chiefs. 

The Network for Justice and Truth and the generality of other well-meaning stakeholders in the critical security sector in Nigeria extends their unalloyed support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through its numerous efforts towards curtailing the politically instigated acts of terrorism and criminalities in the country. 

The likes of Intersociety and their sponsors must desist from their nefarious ways in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the country. They must also leave the Service Chiefs to concentrate on that task at hand as this is not the time for distractions. 

It is advised that this is indeed the time for all and sundry to continue to extend their support to the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in this critical point of our existence.

*We will reject plot by opposition Govs to truncate our democracy, trigger anarchy across Nigeria- APC Youths*

The APC Youth Solidarity Network (APCYSN) has vowed to resist any attempt by some governors in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (APC) to truncate the nation's hard-earned democracy due to their selfish taste for power. 

According to the group, there is an ongoing plot to trigger a mutiny in the ranks of the military to give advantage to Boko Haram terrorists, thereby rubbishing the efforts of the Service Chiefs. 

In a statement signed by Coordinator, Comrade Danesi Momoh, on Friday, APCYSN revealed that while the Federal Government was battling and winning the fight against COVID-19, these disgruntled politicians planted seeds of tribal discord in the military. 

Mr Momoh said his group had intercepted hate messages sent to poison the minds of young officers from the South, so as to encourage them not to obey others from their superiors.

The mastermind of this plan is Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers with the backing of his Sokoto counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal, APCYSN disclosed. 

The group, however, strongly warned: "these unpatriotic elements to stay away from this cause of action because it is not in the interest of the country". 

It added that such open invitation to overthrow the current government is a serious issue which should not be toyed with. 

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his handling of insecurity, COVID-19 and APC crisis, the group passed a vote of confidence on the Service Chiefs and others involved in securing the lives of Nigerians. 

Introduction:

Recent happenings on the political turf coupled with other challenges the country is facing have left no one in doubt that we are in a trying period of our nationhood.

The nation has been upbeat about politics and the security of its citizens lately. 

But we are not alarmed because we know that these are temporary setbacks which are normal on the path to greater nationhood that can be overcome with the right counter-strategies. 

We have observed that because of these hiccups, some are already sharpening their tools to cause division and strife in the country and we on our part feel it is high time we expose them before they go far with their nefarious acts.

Much as a vast majority of Nigerians are impressed with governments' handling of the COVID 19 pandemic, the political skirmish in the APC and the threat to internal security which have been handled professionally, these naysayers want to use these avenues to instigate a major crisis in the country.

 The Crux of the matter:

These unpatriotic elements are trying hard, even as the Federal  Government is doing it's best, to make the situation worse for Nigerians by planting seeds of tribal discord within the military in order to instigate mutiny within the institution.

The plan according to what we gathered, is to poison the minds of young officers from the Southern parts of the country with hate messages, so as to encourage them not to obey others from their superiors who are not from the same region with them.

Our organisation has intercepted several messages they have sent to the young military officers from the southern part of the country calling on them to defy the orders of their superiors if they are not from the zone.

The mutiny is intended to shake the very foundation of the military and to frustrate the efforts of the service chiefs towards defeating terrorism and insurgency which they have sworn to achieve.

This attempt at anarchy, according to the details of the plan, is to further build up internal strife and chaos in the military so as to weaken the institution by giving the impression that the entire structure is unorganised and divided against itself.

If this is attained,  the next stage according to the heinous plan would be to nudge the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists to take advantage of the division to overrun a major town in the Northeast with wanton bloodletting so as to create panic and disaffection within the civil populace to paint the current set of service chiefs and the government in bad light.

This stage would then be followed by the release of copious videos and sponsored messages from certain groups and individuals to call for the removal of the service chiefs.

The icing on the cake would be to call on the military to intervene in the political affairs of the country through a coup de'tat. 

We have it on good authority that these plots were orchestrated and sponsored by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in collaboration with Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State to get at the All Progressives Congress, APC, led administration.

Already some opposition figures and civil society activists are being sponsored by those disgruntled elements since the military and the Police were unavailable to be used as election riggers to remove President Buhari from power and having lost woefully in the last elections. 

The planners are desperate about carrying out their plans to coincide with the recent crisis in the APC so as to overwhelm the system and make the country ungovernable for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the ultimate target of the scheme.

The PDP governors who are working in cahoots with some APC leaders who have not been favoured in the recent power tussle within the party, also want to heat the polity so as to create an atmosphere of chaos and political cataclysm for the overthrow of the current administration and have indicated that they are not averse to a military coup since it has become clear that they cannot make any headway in 2023.

This, we learnt, is because they have realised that with the dwindling prospects of the PDP and waning popularity of all its leaders including Wike and Tambuwal, there is no way they can achieve their plan of getting the presidency hence are prepared to truncate the hard-earned democracy not minding the cost to the nation.

They also fear that the APC governors have been more up and doing as far as political calculations for 2023 are concerned, and may finally bury the ambitions of the PDP bigwigs who have nowhere to run to when their political boats hit the rock in 2023.

But they have failed as we have uncovered their plans and have all the details in the palms of our hands.

Our Position:

We strongly advise these unpatriotic elements to stay away from this cause of action because it is not in the interest of the country.

The open invitation to an overthrow of the government is a serious issue which should not be toyed with and fanning the embers of ethnic discord is hardly what Nigeria can afford at this time.

Let us in our ambitions be guided by the greater good of the country

We commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the service chiefs on how they are fighting terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

We commend the President on how he has handled the crisis within the APC which shows that he is the best thing to have happened to our democracy. 

The group hereby passes a vote of confidence on the Security Chiefs, the IGP, the DG NIA and all others who are doing their best to make the country better.

By David Onmeje

“She’s a strong cup of black coffee in a world that is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.” – J.M Storm

Much regrettably, Nigeria has become a perpetual host to disasters and emergencies, which induce humanitarian interventions very constantly. From floods, insurgencies, epidemics, fire outbreaks, communal skirmishes to oil/gas pipeline explosions, Nigeria is always faced with emergencies and humanitarian situations to manage.

Therefore, the need to have a ministry to centrally co-ordinate government relief efforts, packages and assistance to distressed Nigerians in an orderly and accountable manner became imperative.

So, through an executive pronouncement, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR created the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (MHADM & SD) on August 21, 2019 mainly to oversee the exercise of basic human benevolence for Nigerians thrown into trauma and distress by these sudden artificial or natural disasters.

But what loudly elicited generous excitement among Nigerians was the appointment of a woman of virtue, core humanist and epitome of compassion, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq as MHADM & SD’s pioneer Minister. She is not a newcomer to the peculiar humanitarian issues of Nigerians and what it takes to make government benevolence, social welfare and poverty alleviation packages reach the doorstep of the poorest Nigerians.

Her previous experience as federal commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI)) as well as her stint as staff of the National Assembly Service Commission (NAC) adequately equipped her for the elevation and new assignment.

Author Jane Austen said in “Sense and Sensibility” that “It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do,” the Minister has demonstrated in less than one year on the saddle her competence and thorough grasp of the briefs of her office. She has unwittingly marketed herself as a caring, loving and compassionate mother, sister and Aunt to children, the aged, the poor and indeed all Nigerians in times of need.

The latest intervention of the MHADM & SD on a national emergency is the unexpected Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and its concomitant lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly disease. Hunger came knocking in all corners and the burning desire for survival of the poor or less privileged Nigerian was not only the concern of President Buhari; but a responsibility and assignment Minister Sadiya is discharging excellently.

Novelist Isadora Duncan cautioned in this wit that “Work hard at being the best version of yourself.” The Hon. Minister is constantly reminded of this wisdom and has handled this very difficult national assignment with calm, diligence and admiration, ensuring the targets and priorities she set for the ministry were achieved.

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement on March 29, 2020, wherein he ordered a total lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Lagos and Ogun state to curtail the spread of coronavirus, the Minister was also tasked to undertake the continuation of School Feeding Programme.

The President’s words; “Furthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding programme during this period without compromising our social distancing policies.”

Initial skepticism greeted the decision as most Nigerians questioned the workability of a palliative on School Feeding Programme based on the prevailing circumstances. The cynics put the ingenuity of the Hon. Minister to doubts. But as she mapped out her strategies and commenced work in response to the Presidential directive, it vacated all the misgivings.

Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Minister did not only modify the scheme, but also stoutly defended the government’s action as doable at the official launch of the modified scheme in Abuja.

She trusted in her capacity and competence to conveniently and neatly execute the President’s vision, with a strong conviction that “Hunger is a serious by-product of this pandemic, which is why from the onset the ministry has been evolving strategies to facilitate humanitarian intervention. This is a globally accepted means of supporting children to continue to have access to nutrient-rich foods despite disruptions to the traditional channels of school feeding.”

And she proved her worth when the Ministry flagged off the programme on May 14, 2020 at Kuje Primary School in Abuja. She involved a wide net of actors and stakeholders in the implementation of the modified School Feeding programme, which she kick-started its pilot phase in schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the states of Lagos and Ogun where the impact of Covid-19 was tremendous before it would be expanded to other states of the country.

She adopted the model obtainable in the United States of America and the United Kingdom and tapped richly from the alliance with the World Food Programme (WFP). The Ministry also got State Governors of the respective states, PTAs, CSOs, EFCC, ICPC, Police and community leaders, including clerics and the teachers of the pupils involved in the implementation and extra-layer monitoring of the scheme.

She led the supervision to ensure the targeted 3.1 million households nationwide actually benefit from the scheme. She explained that “The Ministry in consultation and collaboration with state governments identified the distribution of Take-Home Rations (THR) to the households of the children on the programme as a feasible method of achieving this directive after exploring several options.

And Minister Sadiya simplified the complex process by issuing vouchers to the parents of participating children from households already registered in the National Social Register under the Ministry.

“The parent takes the voucher for verification by NYSC members at the school where the pupil is fed. After confirmation of all the relevant facts, the parent is issued the packaged food ration for their child or children. The parents go home with the raw foodstuff to cook for the child, which should last for four weeks.”

Philosopher R. H. Sin once stated that “Give a woman pain and she’ll turn it into power. Give that woman chaos and she’ll create peace.” Therefore, The Hon. Minister seized the opportunity of the modified School Feeding Programme to draw other benefits.

She revealed, “The ministry is using the opportunity of this modified program to collate and verify data with the support of CSOs and NGOs such as ActionAid, BudgIT, Tracka, and CMDA”.

The effective implementation of the programme excited the national body of Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) which publicly indicated their support of it. Minister Sadiya accomplished her targets; in the same manner and ease she conducted the payment of two months conditional cash transfers to the beneficiaries and deployment or relief materials to residents of satellite and commuter towns/communities around Lagos and Abuja in the period of Covid-19 lockdown in these areas.

In other spheres of the Ministry, the Minister has not failed either and as a foresighted leader thinks ahead of time. When the world celebrated the last International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq inaugurated the Nigeria People’s Disability Parliament.

The theme; “Promoting the Participation of Persons with Disabilities and their Leadership: Taking Action on the 2030 Development Agenda,” was captivating and it pulsated the initiative of the parliament in her order to “…enhance their visibility in the scheme of affairs in the country and a voice to air their thoughts.”

Feminist poet, Audrey Hepburn envisaged Minister Sadiya in mind in the poem, “The beauty of a woman.” Some verses in it says; “The beauty of a woman/isn’t in the clothes she wears/The figure that she carries,/or the way she combs her hair./ But true beauty in a woman,/ is reflected by her soul./ It’s the caring that she cares to give,/the passion that she shows;/And the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows.”

Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq is an embodiment of the true beauty of a woman in actions and care for the needy, the poor, the vulnerable and the passion burns eternally in her. President Buhari has again proven through her appointment that another patriotic Nigerian whose obsession with selfless public service is infectious. She is a square peg in a square hole.

Critics can vent their spleen, but the Minister is neither deterred nor distracted. And like world famous author and Afro-American poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar, Maya Angelou echoed in the poem “Still I Rise,” “You may write me down in history/With your bitter, twisted lies,/You may trod me in the very dirt/
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.” Nothing can deviate Minister Sadiya’s attention from excellently performing her duties. She is indisputably a “strong cup of black coffee in a world that is drunk on the cheap wine of shallow love.”


Onmeje is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from the United Kingdom.

*Sadiya Farouq: Group’s survey on disaster management lauds Buhari’s decision on the appointment of Minister*

A recent survey by the Citizens Rights Watch (CRW) on disaster management across the country has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari's choice of Hajiya Sadiya Farouq as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development. 

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Rotimi Adebayo, on Tuesday, the group said the 45-year-old has so far justified the trust placed on her by President Buhari to handle an interventionist ministry. 

Hajiya Farouq was saddled with the monstrous task of spearheading the new ministry in August 2019 to among others develop humanitarian policies and effective coordination of National and International humanitarian interventions; ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response; and manage the formulation and implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection programs in Nigeria. 

And barely one year after, CRW says she has so far proven to be a shrewd choice by the president as confirmed by its latest research carried out following the outbreak of COVID-19. 

According to the group, a survey conducted on the distribution of palliatives and relief materials in 21 states with a minimum of 10,000 respondents taken from each of the states yielded a satisfactory reply. 

CRW, therefore, concluded that the Federal Government's intervention schemes are now getting to the desired recipients, which is the poorest of the poor Nigerians. 

It added that safe for Hajiya Farouq's competence, skills and knowledge, Nigeria would have suffered more casualties to the deadly coronavirus. 

While commending the minister for a job done well so far, the group, however, appealed to her to shift focus into the distribution of palliates to states perceived to be neglected.  

Read the full statement below

The major essence of the existence of any government is for the wellbeing of its citizens, so when the Buhari led administration in 2016 decided to launch the National Social Intervention Program ( NSIP), it was undoubtedly the right step in the right direction.


The idea of the program was to provide a form of social security for the citizens, starting with the most vulnerable in society.  The Buhari led Federal government providing some sort of safety net that ensures that citizens can meet the basic human needs, such as food and shelter.


Similar programs by previous governments that were targeted at tackling extreme poverty in the society never really made the desired positive impact. The National Poverty Eradication Program (NAPEP) launched by the Obasanjo Government in 2001 and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program( SURE P) by the Goodluck Jonathan government are examples of failed attempts by past governments to intervene in the social security program.


We would not in this brief statement analyze the reasons for the failure of these previous intervention programs. What is clear though is that no social intervention program in Nigeria’s history has made as much impact in the lives of the poor like the current NSIP program.


Previous attempts at social interventions by past governments were halfhearted, to put it mildly and deeply enmeshed in political leaning. Both the 10b Naira set aside for the Poverty alleviation program (PAP) in 2001 and the 500B Naira SURE P money of 2012 made a little impact because they were more focused at rewarding political favours rather than reaching and meeting the needs of the poor.


However, with the Buhari Governments’ NSIP, we noticed from the onset that the emphasis was on reaching the poorest of the poor, the most vulnerable, people living with disabilities, widows, unemployed youths etc.


In 2016 the NSIP was managed under the office of the Vice President, working with credible people like Mrs Mariam Uwais and a host of other brilliant young men and women, who did a good job of kick-starting and managing the program.


The NSIP is divided into 4 different sub programs:  N-Power, Conditional cash transfer (CCT), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP) and the Home Grown School Feeding Program (HGSF). All the subprograms have been the successful medium for touching the most vulnerable in society since 2016.

In 2019, as part of efforts to deepen and entrench the culture of social security safety net, the President created the federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. This idea was to ensure that the government’s social intervention programs are institutionalized, moved away from ad-hoc arrangements and reconfigured to better-defined operations, accountability and due process.

Who else will the president trust with this enormous task but Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq? With her wealth of experience as Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), she came in very handy as a round peg in a round hole who seamlessly and immediately became accustomed to handling this ministry that some refer to as super ministry, which unquestionably is very important to Mr President’s welfarist agenda to cater for the most vulnerable in the society.

Hajia Sadia assumed this very important role and was instantly faced with the world’s most disastrous pandemic in recent times. However, her competence, skills and knowledge immediately reflected as she garnered efforts to directly reach out to the poorest in the society. Safe for her tenacity and well-detailed approach, Nigeria would have probably recorded twice the number of death of COVID-19 pandemic as a result of hunger.

We at CRW have noticed how Hajia Sadiya has taken on this task almost seamlessly! Like every system, there will be a need for constant reviews and feedbacks on processes to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

In the last few months that she has been saddled with the leadership of this very critical Ministry, she has had to review some of the processes to ensure accountability and better delivery of these services to and for the people.

We note in particular her plans to digitalize the payment register for the Conditional Cash Transfer program (CCT), we consider this a welcome development that will surely help improve transparency in the process. The program we understand is to be piloted in 6 states of the federation. We encourage the Minister to speed up the process and ensure a quick deployment of the digitalized system across the 36 states of the Federation and FCT.

The Citizens Rights Watch (CRW) lauds the current efforts of the Honorable Minister  Sadiya Farouq for the positive changes she is bringing on board at the new Ministry. Most especially we want to commend her for the quality leadership she has shown during the distribution of palliatives nationwide.

We understand the enormity of this task and therefore commend her office for the far-reaching distribution of palliatives to the poor and downtrodden during this COVID-19 pandemic period. Her passion to reach the poorest amongst us with the needed palliatives aligns with the agenda of the President to tackle extreme poverty and provides a safety net for the most vulnerable in the society.

A recent survey conducted on the administration of palliatives and relief materials in the Country by CRW across 21 states of the Federation, where we took samples from a minimum of 10,000 respondents from each of the states indicates a satisfactory reply from most respondents.

CRW, while commending the Minister for a great job done so far, will also appeal to the Minister to also focus more effort into looking into the distribution of palliates in some states of the Federation where there have been complaints of shortchanging or diversion by State Officials.

From our survey, it is obvious that the intervention of Government is now getting to the desired recipients, which is the poorest of the poor amongst us. This is a positive development for human dignity and the sanctity of life in our country

*'You have saved us before, do it for our country and humanity again', Borno indigene writes Service Chiefs*

Ibrahim A.A, a native of Maiduguri in Borno State has called on the Service Chiefs to come to the rescue of his people, Nigeria and humanity at large by flushing out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists like they did in time past. 

Ibrahim gave this charge in a touching letter to the heads of the nation's security architecture on Tuesday. 

The Maiduguri native recalled the genesis of the Boko Haram insurgency, its transition into a national and then regional crisis and how President Muhammadu Buhari's election in 2015 ushered in a new phase. 

According to Ibrahim, the appointment of the Service Chiefs particularly triggered the turnaroud. 

Among others, he recollected how troops repelled the terrorists' attempts to take over Maiduguri with superior fire power.

He recalled how the military killed many of the radical Islamists and pushed them farther to the fringes of the Lake Chad. 

Ibrahim, who is a businessman, acknowledged that "many of us have returned to our work and businesses and no longer had to be looking over our shoulders before taking a single step."

However, following the recent attack at Zowo community in Gubio Local Government, Ibrahim urged the military chiefs to bring back their ruthlessness. 

He, therefore, urged them to sustain the momentum which he said " has restored our hope and not allow evil to triumph over us."

Read full letter below:

Dear Service Chiefs, 

I believe a little introduction of myself would suffice in the light of what I am going to say to you.

I have lived  in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital all of my life. Since the Boko Haram issue started in 2009 with a common confrontation with the police over the use of helmet, I have not stayed outside Borno State for more than two weeks. 

The longest time I have stayed outside the state for the  more than 10 years that the crisis erupted was for a little over a week when I went to attend my brother's sons wedding in Abuja and decided to extend my stay to catch up over a number of issues with my elder brother. 

Prior to the crisis, I have lived in  Borno State for over 30 years and attended schools there before I started working as a businessman, though I went to do my NYSC in the Southeast.

This background I believe puts me in a good position to comment on what is happening in Maiduguri and other parts of the Northeast as regards the security situation in the country. 

I was in Maiduguri when the Boko Haram insurgents attacked Giwa barracks shooting non stop until they  freed some of their members who being detained there.

I have also been around, the several times Boko Haram attempted to take down the state capital and I have come face to face and experienced the fears of residents and the height of hopelessness that at a time cuminated in us giving up completely and were only waiting for when the worst would happen. 

I'm a witness to how something that started as a non issue within our homes and vicinities, with persons who we all know and relate with, galvanizing into one of  the most heinous and devastating catastrophe of our time with a death toll that is now more than 20,000.

Boys who we could call and send on errand or reprimand when they err because they are our children, nephews, cousins etc, suddenly became uncontrollable and began to look us in the face and not only dared us but attacked us in the most vicious manner at will. 

We thought we had defeated  them when we began to report them to the security agencies and they removed themselves from our midst and converged in bushes amd later in the Sambisa forest and the Mandara hills, until they began to invade communities, and abduct young girls at will,  attack schools to kill innocent underage students and overun communities killing people and destroying legacies.

I have seen families separated; breadwinners killed and wives and children fleeing in different directions never to reunite. I have been to many IDP camps and I have seen hunger, fear and near hopelessness on the faces of the people. 

Hopes were lost when it was reported that even our soldiers started fleeing at the sight of the terrorists, but our hopes began to be restored when shortly before the 2015 elections, our military men were mobilised to face the insurgents.

When the military in that period killed many of the terrorists and pushed the insurgents farther to the fringes of the Lake Chad, we began to realise that it was not for lack of capacity that our troops were fleeing  before the insurgents; that it must have been due to a number of factors. 

Our former governor, Senator Kashim Shettima captured one of the factors when he said at one time that the Boko Haram fighters were better equipped than our military. 

This is true because at that time, the weapons the Boko Haram were using were quite sophisticated.

Our military couldn't do much partly because the resources for the purchase of equipment were being swallowed through corruption and unpatriotic acts. 

We were happy when President Muhammadu Buhari won the 2015 election because we knew him as someone with adequate military background and war experience coupled with a zero tolerance for corruption persona, who has the capacity to restore the pride and dignity of our people. 

The President on assumption of office did not disappoint as he launched a probe into the funds meant for fighting Boko Haram which were allegedly diverted through the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and the revelations that came from there.

Better still, the president ordered that the operational command for the fight against insurgency to relocate to the Northeast.

Shortly after that, he appointed the current set of sevice chiefs. 

It was at that point that we started noticing significant changes in the fight against Boko Haram and we were not surprised when they were dislodged from their base in Sambisa and they started running helter skelter into Chad and other neighbouring countries. 

I am witness to how they were repelled when they attempted to take Maiduguri several times after and forced to flee when confronted with superior fire power of our military in recent times.

The relocation of the Chief of Army Staff to Borno State since March which enabled him to visit hot spots of Boko Haram operations was good and his reported engagement of troops  one-on-one, served to boost their confidence as we could see the troops moving around with new gusto and air of confidence.

We were not surprised therefore when we began to hear about the series of victories recorded by our soldiers in Konduga, Dikwa, Bama and other places.

We were overjoyed when we heard the audio of the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau crying shamelessly and begging for mercy.

Our happiness knew no bounds when 30 of the top Boko Haram commanders were reported to have indicated an interest in surrendering to the Nigerian authorities and when 11 of them did so.

We applauded the Chief of Army Staff when he was shown on television reporting to the President how troops killed over 1400 of the Boko Haram terrorists within four months and arrested their informants.

We clapped because not only did we know that he was reporting the factual truth, but because we have seen the positive effects of the military operations in our lives.

Many of us have returned to our work and businesses and no longer had to be looking over our shoulders before taking a single step.

Some of the terrorists that ran back to our communities confessed of the devastation they suffered through air raids and ground counter attacks by our troops. 

But the last attack on Zowo community in Gubio Local Government almost eroded all the joy.

We saw ourselves in the same position we were before the coming of the current administration where communities could be attacked and humans slaughtered without a single fire in defence.

We are therefore appealing to the current set of service chiefs to sustain the good work they have been doing which has restored our hope and not allow evil to triumph over us.

We thank President Buhari who felt our pains when he summoned the security meeting in Abuja and asked the service chiefs to do more.

We join our voices to that of the President to call on the service chiefs to reenact their best which freed us from death and torture in the time past.

We appreciate what they have done in the past but wish to remind them that the battle is not over and they must not relent or relax.

Long live the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Long live President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Long live Nigeria.

Insecurity: Christian group rallies support for Chief of Defence Staff, General Olonishakin

....vows to defend attempts to rubbish Service Chiefs’ performance on religious bias

The Nigerian Christian Youth Assembly (NCYA) has thrown its weight behind Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, for fostering synergy amongst the different military components which has proven to be the catalyst in their numerous operations. 

The group made this known in a statement co-signed by Rev Philip Attah and Pastor Stephen Onwu, its President and Secretary-General respectively on Tuesday. 

According to NCYA, the appointment of Gen. Olonisakin in July 2015 is the turning point in the fight against insurgency and other criminal elements that once bedevilled the nation. 

The group revealed that this was achieved through the Defence Chief's coordination and cooperation amongst the different units of the military as well as restructuring of its operations strategically. 

While admitting pockets of security challenges, NCYA reckoned that it is nothing compared to five years ago. 

In other to sustain the momentum, the Christian youths believes Gen. Olonisakin and the military chiefs would have to continue on the job. 

The group, however, rejected the call for their dismissal, describing it as  disservice to the place of merit, hard work and professionalism. 

It added that this is the handiwork of mischiefmakers, embarking on the campaign as a way of displaying their total disdain for Christians in leadership positions across the country.

The Christian youths, therefore, vowed to defend attempts to rubbish Service Chiefs’ performance on religious bias. 

Read full statement below:

It is abundantly clear almost to everyone that the Nigeria military is facing its most engaging moment in its history. The military aside fighting the brutal war against insurgency is also carrying out various operations in almost all the states of the federation.

At no point in the military’s history has it been tasked this much, but for the men in uniform who have staked their lives for us all perhaps the evil terrorist would have run the whole nation over.

We at The Nigerian Cristian Youth Assembly cannot forget in a hurry the attacks by insurgents in the early days of the war against Boko Haram how they over run several towns, communities and many local governments. We do not forget in a hurry in some instances where they carted away many young children with them, they hoisted flags, in some instances made laws and even set up courts for judging offenders. That was how bad the situation was then.

In 2015 when President Buhari came to power, whilst some accused him of delay in appointing ministers, one of his very early appointments was that of the service chiefs, from that action it was clear to us that the President meant business.

He went for the best of the best amongst the service men and women. The service chiefs headed by the Chief of Defense Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin was obviously a smart choice by Mr. President.

Within a few weeks of their assumption of office the dynamics of the war against terror changed. Boko Haram/ISWAP were soon on the run, giving up their acclaimed conquered territories and fleeing into the deep forest of Sambisa, where the remnants of them reside till date. Nigerians are witnesses to the agony and the massive humanitarian crisis that preceded the appointment of the current service chiefs.

All these gains were made mainly through the coordination and cooperation amongst the different units of the military headed by the service chiefs under the leadership of the chief of defense staff (CDS) General Abayomi Olonisakin . When  Olonisakin was appointed in 2015 he inherited over 13 military operations across the country. He immediately moved to restructure many of the operations strategically. Part of the restructuring lead to the establishment at the Defense headquarters of the “office of campaign planning, coordinating Centre for naval component, theatre Commander and deputy in operation “Lafiya Dole”. This helped to integrate the operation of the naval forces into the operations seamlessly.  He also created the theatre media office to better coordinate the operational activities of the armed forces.

Some may want to forget in a hurry some of what the military headed by General Olonisakin has achieved over the last five years. We at the Nigerian Christian youth assembly won’t forget in a hurry the days when insurgents over ran whole towns, whole local governments, operated even in the federal capital territory, times when we could hardly celebrate any festivity or holiday without deadly attacks from insurgents.

Many would have forgotten the many challenges from groups that terrorized us like the IMN, killer herdsmen attacks, IPOB etc. Through the coordinated leadership of Gen Olonishakin the military has been able to bring all of these security challenges under control. Many of these challenges emerging pre or during a general election year, yet the military stood firm even in areas where civil mediation and enforcements had failed to bring results.

We must understand that the task before the Nigeria military transcends the borders of Nigeria. Nigeria and its military remain a very crucial factor for the stability of the west African sub region. Gen Olonisakin as head of the military has continued to earn great respect in his engagement within the security circle of the sub region. Upon assuming leadership as the head of the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defense staff moved to tackle the issue of proliferation of arm across the various countries within ECOWAS due to the porous borders, he was very clear about the need to tackle that in order to curb activities of terrorist within the region.

He has given good direction to different multinational operations that Nigeria is involved in. This multinational intervention has helped a great deal in the stabilization of our sub region and indeed our nation.

We should not forget the calm that the military has brought to the once restive Niger Delta region. Activities such as oil bunkering, oil theft, high sea piracy, illegal refining and a host of other criminal activities in that region has largely been stemmed by the military.

One of the amazing things going on now within the military is the synergy amongst the different components. The air force providing excellent air support for ground operations in operation Lafiya Dole in the north east. The Navy and the air force working together to make our territorial waters safe with fantastic cooperation in joint operations that has led to the many successes we are witnessing now.

Though we admit there are still some pockets of security challenges here and there what we should not lose sight of quickly is where we were coming from and where we are now. There is no doubt that since the emergence of the current set of service chiefs, there has been a lot of improvement in the security of the country.

This is why as a group we have come openly to declare that we reject the call for the sack of the service chiefs. We see this call as a disservice to the place of merit, hard work and professionalism displayed by General Olonisakin and his team.

We feel that the focus of the anti-service chief campaigners is no doubt targeted at Gen  Abayomi Olonisakin who is the head of the defense architecture. These mischief makers are embarking on the campaign as a way of displaying their total disdain for Christians in leadership positions across the country and we wish to strongly condemn it.

We use this opportunity to commend President Buhari for his matured and stable leadership. We laud the decision of Mr president who in his wisdom decided to extend the tenure of the service chiefs like he did other appointees such as the NSA, the CBN Governor, many ministers and several heads of government. It is clear that President Buhari appreciates the leadership of the service chiefs, who have actually given their best and are still doing their best.

It is clear that the anti service chief campaigners are against the doctrine of reward for merit and hardworking service to ones fatherland.

The trend world over is to keep the very best of your personnel for as long as they are able to serve. That is why you see in the case of judges their retirement age was moved further to 70 years, same goes for university lecturers who were also moved to 70 years of age .

We encourage Nigerians to emulate other countries where the very best of the country’s senior personnel are retained for as long as they are ready to serve, our case should not be any different .

We fear that sacking the service chiefs now will erode the gains of all the reforms being institutionalized in the country’s armed forces.

God Bless Our Military, God bless the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.

By Philip Agbese

Most analysts of Nigerian descent often conclude that Nigerians tend to easily forget yesterday’s history. We must know our yesterday to understand our today and grasp the future better. I dare say, Nigerians indeed have short retentive memory. We are tied to ephemeral issues and we tenaciously hold unto it.

I am an ardent apostle and student of history. But most profoundly, I am a researcher on human rights laws and currently working on the role of non-state actors in the global war against insurgency. With this research interest, I have traversed quite a number of countries, where terrorism and its variants seem to be permanent guests of the people and their countries.

I have spent years visiting some terrorism infested countries in the Middle East and Africa. I have tried to understand the character or sociological content of terrorism; what economic factors accentuate it; perception of leaders of countries under the spell of terrorism, the role of non-state actors in emboldening terrorism; its mercantilist colouration and why it festers near uncontrollably.

While in Nigeria from the United Kingdom on same mission, I visited the Northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. It is famed as the hub of Boko Haram terrorism, from where it has extended tentacles to other parts of Northern Nigeria and almost the whole country. I am quite familiar with the Boko Haram history.

In the aforementioned enclaves, Boko Haram insurgents who made their debut in Nigeria in 2009 have killed, destroyed, abducted, ransacked and ravaged whole communities and villages. I assessed its progression over the years and the unsteady blight of its rampaging prowess.

I discovered that prior to 2015, and before the advent of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a leader with a military background, Boko Haram had literally conquered Nigeria. It was undoubtable that no one was safe anywhere in Nigeria, including residents of the nation’s capital, Abuja. The fear of Boko Haram suppressed the courage and the boldness of men of valour.

And for about seven odd years, Nigerian Government under different leaders could not tame the monster of Boko Haram insurgency until the arrival of President Buhari. It was simply because there were many snags in the strategies, tactics adopted, in addition to a defective military structure or precisely leadership in combating Boko Haram insurgency.

Furthermore, a consuming mass poverty and wrong economic priorities, a divisive political leadership and its lack of a clear focus on tackling security challenges exacerbated the scourge of terrorism in Nigeria. It has reflected in many books, media articles/news reports, conference papers and the whole lot.

In my book titled “Integrity Vs Powerplay: Understanding The Buhari Phenomenon,” (author: Philip Agbese) and published in 2019, I attempted a chronicle of the achievements of President Buhari. As a prophet of God, I wrote the book to capture some of the lofty achievements of the Buhari administration. I authored the work for a time like this in order to avail fellow citizens of this country or those abroad the opportunity to re-write the efforts, successes and achievements of the Buhari administration, especially on security.

So, strikingly, I took a deep delve into the counter-insurgency operations under the Buhari Presidency, revealing the extent of the damage he inherited; his efforts in repositioning the country on the path of economic recovery; the reorganization of the Military leadership and the sustained focus on combating insurgency in Nigeria to berth the respite we relished.

I therefore find it necessary to refresh our minds on the achievements of Mr. President on the war against insurgency in N…

Dalung suffering from post-disengagement Coronavirus, group says over Ex-Minister’s comments  on insecurity

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) says immediate-past Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung is suffering from "disengagement asymptomatic Coronavirus" following recent comments on insecurity. 

In a statement signed by its President, Prince Raymond Enero, on Monday, the group expressed disappointment with Dalung for using " the security situation in the northern part of the country as prop for cheap propaganda".

In a trending video on his official Facebook page, the ex-Minister attempted to downplay the achievements of the Service Chiefs in the northeast and other parts of Nigeria. 

However, MBCG, which operates in the same geopolitical zone as Dalung, accused the former Minister of chasing clout, doing so by "trampling on the graves of his own people". 

The group which accused Dalung of being part of the crisis in his home state said it is surprised that he has suddenly become a security expert, cheerleading the call for the sack of Service Chiefs. 

According to MBCG, Dalung's aim is to get arrested for criticizing the government so he can later allege in the future if imprisoned for corruption as persecution for speaking out against the government.

Rather than delve into a realm he has scant knowledge about, the group urged the one time Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Area to focus on allegations of fraud levelled against him during his four years as minister. 

The group, however, advised his family to "quarantine him before infecting everyone on the Plateau with this deadly disease occasioned by ignorance, foolishness and shamelessness."

Read full statement below:

While it is not in the habit of reckoning with the activities of inconsequential persons, the Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) is compelled to express its disappointment with the immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, who has suddenly become a latter day activists in his desperation to court the attention of the government in which he once served.

But even for attention seekers, Dalung’s decision to use the security situation in the northern part of the country as prop for cheap propaganda is an unacceptable low. The decision exposed him as one without remorse and capable of trampling on the graves of his own people for the mere satisfaction of being noticed and possibly offered some sort of Federal Government rehabilitation since he is known to have fallen on hard times since leaving office as a minister. This in our view is proof that Dalung is suffering from disengagement asymptomatic Coronavirus disease. 

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard is therefore constrained to call Dalung to order even though we consider his intervention in public affairs as inconsequential as he is a lightweight to the extent that he was unceremoniously dropped from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari without consequences. His grievances at being so dropped notwithstanding, we had expected that the former Minister would have stuck to his area of competence as a commentator in drinking circuits and not join the bandwagon of those that are impracticably critical of the nation’s military chiefs.

Only such pressure to fit in with the fad would make someone of Dalung’s intellectual level attempt to become the cheerleader of the call for the sack of service chiefs, an exercise he should have engaged in only after furnishing the nation with proof that he is the actual owner of whatever academic qualifications he parades.

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard, knowing that Dalung is part of the crisis in Plateau State, is not surprised at this turn of events because he is someone who has incited youth of his ethnic Berom to become intolerant of other ethnic nationalities in Plateau State. This ethnic bigotry is now being directed at the military chiefs, not just by the youth in Dalung’s place, who killed an innocent Maj. Gen Alkali (retired), but also by the former Minister who should have been a voice of reason in times of trouble. A Dalung that is today asking for the sack of military chiefs never for once issued a statement to condemn his kinsmen killing of general.

We must admit that we are not surprised at Dalung’s video stunt, which we now understand was done with a view to provoking the authorities taking him in for questioning so that he can elevate his nuisance value to the type paraded by the likes of Shehu Sani and Dino Melaye, who hide behind activism to escape justice. We learnt that discoveries of serial misdeeds at the Ministry where Dalung once served was the main reason for his demanding for the sack of military chiefs while also insulting the government of President Buhari. 

The reality is that Dalung is expecting that he would be arrested for criticizing the government so that he can explain away his future arrest for corruption as persecution for speaking out against the government. It is our firm belief that Solomon Dalung should rather focus his efforts on answering to the allegations of corruption around him at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development rather than delving into a realm he has scant knowledge about. 

Dalung is not a good commodity to display on the shelf, his family may do well to quarantine him before infecting everyone on the Plateau with this deadly disease occasioned by ignorance, foolishness and shamelessness. 

A word is enough for the wise.

By Bukola Olasanmi

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic across the globe has indeed brought to the fore why purposeful leadership matters in governance. The case of Nigeria and most African countries has indeed tasked us to realize that what African needs at the point in time is the ability to look inwards towards addressing our various challenges.
I recall that I was one of those who feared that the worst hit would be African countries given the consequences of locking down economic and social activities. Using Nigeria as an example, it is instructive to state that though our interventions cannot be compared to those of the western world, I can say that the various interventions of government had the most of impacts on the lives of the vulnerable groupings in the country.
My position is hinged on a personal experience that almost moved me to tears. I had a chance encounter with a poor market woman whose source of livelihood is selling petty goods in one of the motor parks in the suburbs of the federal capital territory.
I would say that our paths crossed by accident when I went to cover the enforcement of the lockdown in some areas and how the people have been coping as a result of the lockdown. As a journalist, when I see a good story, I know. And she was a good story.
Madam Uchenna Obigwe (not real names) is a widow who lost her husband many years ago and was left with three kids to cater for. Nkechi, her eldest daughter has finished her secondary education and resorted to helping her mother sell her wares to take care of her two other siblings, even though John, her immediate younger brother was already engaged as an apprentice in a mechanic workshop in the famous Kugbo mechanic village in Karu axis in the FCT.
My visit coincided with the period when officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development distributed palliatives under the federal government conditional cash transfer to poor households across the country.
Madam Uchenna was amongst the beneficiaries that received the sum of N20, 000, a bag of rice and condiments. And her joy knew no bounds. So much so that she has turned to a songstress in her neighborhood. It was in this joyous mood that I encountered her, and one could feel her joy and appreciation for the token she has received. Upon inquiry, I was told how she has been singing the praises of President Muhammadu Buhari for the items she received.
My instincts came alive, and the result is this article on the lives of those that have been affected positively through the COVID-19 intervention of the federal government. To some, N20, 000 might seem too small an amount, but not to Madam Uchenna. Out of excitement, she was forced to call Nkechi her daughter to join her in songs and praises for President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to her, the items she received are worth more than gold. In her words “Why God no go bless Buhari for us? Na who I be wey government find me come my house come put food for my table? My brother, since dem say we no go fit commot to sell again, na so I begin to think. Even my piken John wey dey do mechanic work no fit commot and na so we come dey look ourself for house and nothing to eat"
“My brother na who you wan beg for garri wey all of us dey inside the same problem? This no be small thing oh. God go bless Buhari and im family well well. I no know wetin I wan talk again on top wetin Buhari don do for all of us here. Since wey I dey sell market I never carry N20, 000 come house before. Everyday na 2,000 or 2,500 we dey sell if market dey, from there we go go market go buy again to sell and the remaining change we take am chop.”
"My brother na wetin I dey do since my husband die oh. Now see me get bag of rice and N20, 000. God oh abeg bless Buhari for us."
Those were the words of Madam Uchenna, and in truth, I was moved to tears and imagined the thousands of other families who have benefited from the federal government COVID-19 intervention and how indeed their lives have taken a turn for good.
This experience brings to the fore the various intervention of the federal government under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. I can safely say that the impact of the intervention has not been adequately reported in the media and this is as a result of the fact that the beneficiaries are in the suburbs and in some instances difficult to reach areas.
I must commend the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for the way and manner it has handled the distribution so far. The Honorable Minister, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq I gathered has been involved in the distribution process to ensure that indeed the items gets to those in dire need and not cornered for any other purpose.
I can only imagine the thousands of Madam Uchennas out there that are full of praises for the government during this lockdown period. It can only be imagined, and like I stated earlier these items might seem small in the eyes of people, but trust me, it is worth the while for these families that feed from hand to mouth daily.
If we must admit that programmes such as this in times past end up been a charade because of the attitude of government officials saddled with such responsibilities, I dare say not anymore because there is a new sheriff in town that has demanded transparency and accountability in the whole process.
This is where Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq comes into the picture as the minister in charge of the sensitive ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. It is my considered opinion that she has lived up to expectations in line with the posture of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose support base is the masses that dot the nook and cranny of the country. I am not sure Hajia Sadiya would have done otherwise. She ensured that those vulnerable families are not denied or deprived of this intervention from the government.
For once I was proud of Nigeria, if not for anything, the joy in the hearts of other Madam Uchannas out there. The story of Madam Uchenna should inspire hope in all of us that things are not as bad as it seems in the conduct of government business.
I dedicate this piece to President Muhammadu Buhari as a first for providing that purposeful leadership, and to Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq for translating the vision of the president into tangible realities.
I know the tough stance of the honorable minister is bad business for the racketeers that are notorious for diverting public goods for personal consumption. I can only wish that others in the position of authority can emulate and learn lessons in governance from this experience and realize that they must put the interest of the people first and serve them diligently.
As we confront the challenges occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, we must also acknowledge the various efforts of government in cushioning the effects, especially in the lives of the vulnerable group in the country.

Olasanmi is a media strategist and wrote this piece from Guzape, Abuja.

*Former presidential candidate paying some Northern elders, others N100m monthly to blackmail Buhari, Yoruba youths allege*

.... dares Ango Abdullah’s group to swear with the Koran

The Progressive Yoruba Youths Congress (PYYC) has revealed that an ex-presidential candidate pays the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) a whopping N100m monthly to blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The Yoruba youths made this known at a press conference by its President Kola Salau on Sunday to address attempt by some groups to discredit the efforts of the Fderal Government in fighting insecurity in the country.

According to PYYC, those that sponsored widespread killings and banditry in the wake of the 2019 general elections have returned to the act. 

The southwest youth further disclosed that two other groups from the south have also been compromised, taking home N25m monthly to join NEF in the campaign of calumny against the president.

PYYF, however, challenged NEF's chairman, Prof Ango Abdullahi to swear by the Koran that indeed he is not on the payroll of the politician and acting as agents of distraction and destabilization.

While condemning the action of these groups, the Progressive youths, however, expressed total support for President Buhari-led administration.

Read full statement below:

The Progressive Yoruba Youths, an association of progressive youths in South West Nigeria wishes to lend its voice to the raging debate on the state of insecurity in the country, as well as the attempt by some group of organizations whose contributions to the socio-economic upliftment of Nigeria has been defective.

We wish to state that it is indeed an irony that a group of questionable individuals parading themselves as Northern Elders, the Middle Belt Forum, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Association of South-East Town Unions have elected to be against the interest of Nigeria by making unguarded statements with regards to the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the performance of Service Chiefs in the country. 

It must be stated that President Muhammadu Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the prerogative to hire and fire Service Chiefs and as such this undeniable fact must be respected by all and sundry in the country including those groups that have taken up newspaper spaces to paint Mr. President as insensitive.

This is indeed an anomaly because it is evident that the turning point in the war against Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria has been widely linked to the unalloyed commitment displayed by President Muhammadu Buhari as evident in the quality of Service Chiefs in 2015, and with the mandate to hit the ground running.

The Progressive Yoruba Youths is therefore alarmed that such a position has been taken by the same group of persons that sponsored widespread killings and banditry in the wake of the 2019 general elections.

We state in unequivocal terms that these same individuals not resting on their oars are behind the groups that have in recent times been attempting to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari for standing with the Service Chiefs who by and large have been giving their best in the war against terrorism and other acts of criminality in the country. 

It is indeed sad that organizations such as the Afenifere and the Ohaneze Ndigbo would condescend low to the whims and caprices of the same set of politicians that are sponsors of criminality in Nigeria. 

As sad as this sound, it is indeed what it is and one wonder the amount of monies that would have exchanged hands in their futile desire to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari at all cost.

This is also on the heels of the fact that there are also those hiding under curious nomenclatures such former presidential candidate to discredit the government, by all means, necessary and destabilizing the country at the same time. 

The Progressive Yoruba Youths wishes to state that the role of Afenifere is indeed despicable and an insult to the Oduduwa race, which stands for truth, justice and fairness at all times. This much Afenifere must come to terms with and retrace its steps and save us from further disrepute.

We also wish to state that we are aware that a top politician and businessman pays the Northern Elders Forum the sum of N50,000,000.00 monthly to run a campaign of calumny against President Muhammadu Buhari in fulfillment of their desire to cause a distraction and pitch the citizenry against the president.

This same politician and businessman pay other groups in the South-South and South-East of Nigeria the sum of N25, 000,000.000 every month to run the same campaign of calumny against the president in the attempt to give their falsehood some form of credibility and national spread. 

This is unacceptable and an indication that these groups that have been carrying out the whim and caprices of disgruntled politicians at the detriment of national interest. These groups have been blinded by filthy lucre that they have elected to turn the truth on its head. 

The Progressive Yoruba Youths herby challenge these groups to swear by the Koran and the Bible that indeed they are not acting as agents of distraction and destabilization. They should also be bold to tell Nigerians that monies have indeed not also exchanged hands in return for using their platforms to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The Progressive Yoruba Youths sees the actions of these groups as against the unity and socio-economic development of Nigeria. As such, they must desist from their shameful acts. Nigerians must also do well to view with a pinch of salt statements emanating from these groups as they are self-serving and meant to suit the interest of their paymasters. 

The Progressive Yoruba Youths wishes to use this medium to extend its support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its various efforts in tackling the different politically motivated security challenges in the country.

We consequently wish to use this medium to advise these groups to channel the resources to useful endeavors that would be of utmost benefit to the teeming youths in the country. This, in our opinion, would be more useful than spreading falsehoods in the country all in their distasteful desires to bring the government down at all cost.

The Progressive Yoruba Youths disassociates itself from these groups and wishes to remind them that they do not speak on behalf of the people but behalf of their pockets.

A word is indeed enough for the wise as Nigerians can easily see through their gimmick.

Failed politicians behind violence, banditry in the North- Security expert 


A security expert and public affairs commentator,  Mr Terrence Kuanum, has attributed the incessant cases of violence and bandit attacks in parts of northern Nigeria to the activities of failed politicians who want to paint the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in bad light.

He insisted that the Nigerian military is doing a good job of ridding the country of insurgency and terrorism explaining that the scourge has continued only because other critical stakeholders in the sector have not been alive to their responsibilities. 

Kuanum who spoke with our team of editors in his residence in Abuja, said information available to him as an expert in security matters indicates that most of the cases of violence and banditry in northern  Nigeria are politically motivated and sponsored by those who contested and lost against the ruling party in recent elections.

The security expert said the failed politicians believe that by sponsoring violence and other acts of criminality they would be de-marketing the Buhari presidency so as to put them in stead to contest in 2023. 

Kuanum said information at his disposal indicates that many of the failed politicians are not happy with the gains made by the military against insurgents and criminals in recent times and are hellbent on thwarting the efforts due to their 2023 ambitions 

"They are scared that if Buhari is allowed to continue with his streak of achievements especially in the area of  security, then he would have fulfilled one of the cardinal objectives of his administration to secure the nation and that would further bury their dreams of returning to power.

"They know they have nothing to offer to the people so they don't want to allow the President deliver on his mandate as that would put the final nail on their political coffin," he stated.

The security expert said the failed politicians were particularly angered by the accolades the Buhari administration was receiving from all over the world over its ability to neutralise terrorists operating on the fringes of the Lake Chad region so they decided to work against it.

He said, "If you have been observing developments in the Northeast, you will notice that our military have been on top of their games neutralising the insurgents and making it difficult for them the launch surprise attacks on communities and it became obvious that the total defeat of the insurgents is a matter of days.

"Encomiums started pouring in from all over including those critical of the Buhari administration, that the administration is doing well and the president was going to keep his promise about providing adequate secuirty in the country.

"So they distracted the military with banditry attacks in the Northwest and in that moment, struck in the Northeast all in the bid to paint the current administration in bad light."

Kuanum said it is high time people are made aware of this conspiracy so they would realise that the fault is not that of the military which is doing its best to secure the nation but due to the activities of some unpatriotic elements. 

The security expert said it is curious that the Nigerian military which is one of the best in the world should be put on a negative spot light for operations carried out at home.

He asked: "Does it not strike you as curious that the same military which liberated Sierra Leone; rescued UN soldiers from terrorists in Somalia; restored democracy in Liberia and led successful joint military operations in several parts of world would be said to be failing at home?"

He said this is clearly an indication that some forces are behind the campaign to sustain the carnage.

"You cannot reconcile the fact that the Nigerian military which has such a sterling record of achievements abroad could be said to be overstretched at home," he stated.

He maintained that on a scale of a hundred, the Nigerian military has performed at over 90 stressing that the occasional attacks used to assess the military is due to the inability of other stakeholders to perform their tasks and because some of the violence are politically induced.

He said if the other stakeholders are doing half of what the military are doing in the area of security in the last four years, Nigeria would have attained the much needed peace.

He warned the politicians who he described as agents of darkness to desist from their evil acts saying not only would they be exposed in the not too distant future but would be prosecuted and made to face the full wrath of the law.

Kuanum advised those saddled with other responsibilities in the secuiety architecture of the country to wake up to their responsibilites so as to bring an end to insurgency in Nigeria.

He said, " A lot depends on intelligence gathering, consultation, mediation and other subtle initiatives that cannot be handled through field combat.

"These areas are seriously lacking and it forms part of my recommendation to

the government to end insurgency.

He explained that there is no war that is fought using a single approach as he said every conflict is a result of breakdown in negotiations.

"Both methods are usually deployed to speed up the process of ending conflict but in Nigeria the other stakeholders have abandoned their posts and left the entire process in the hands of the military.

This should no longer be the case and I'm calling on all stakeholders to wake up from slumber and contribute their quota so as to complement  what the military is doing," he said and called on all to support the military to stamp out terrorism in Nigeria.

*Insecurity: CALSER scores Humanitarian Affairs Minister high on FG’s assistance to victims*

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has expressed satisfaction with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, for her handling of the Federal Government's assistance to victims of humanitarian crisis in the country. 

The centre gave this commendation in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Abubakar Gana, on Sunday. 

According to Ajibola, the creation of the ministry and the choice of Hajiya Farouq will ultimately go down as one of the legacies of President Muhammadu. 

 CALSER said it has so far monitored the humanitarian issues in Nigeria occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorists, flooding in some parts of the country and other forms of natural and human-made disasters in the country and expressed satisfaction. 

It further disclosed that the minister has done " brilliantly well in not just nurturing a new ministry, but also ensuring that it hits the ground running in the fulfilment of its vision to have social protection systems that are proactive, humane, inclusive and sustainable for the improvement and general welfare of the people". 

The centre lauded the ministry for intervening in mitigating the effect of the Boko Haram crisis in the North-East by ensuring that those displaced by the disaster are adequately covered in the FG's social safety net initiatives.  

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, CALSER noted that Hajiya Farouq ensured that palliatives are distributed in a transparent and accountable manner to the vulnerable in the country. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, however, warned those against the interest of the country to stay clear of the ministry, vowing to resist any smear campaign against the personality of the minister. 

Read full statement below:

In response to effectively addressing the various humanitarian crisis in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari established the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of National and International humanitarian interventions; ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response; and manage the formulation and implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection programs in Nigeria.

The creation of this all-inclusive ministry was widely applauded by the generality of Nigerians, which was an indication that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed concerned about the plight of those affected by the humanitarian crisis in the country and the urgent need to have laudable programmes and policy that would address these challenges, and in an effective and timely manner too.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights having followed the various humanitarian issues in Nigeria occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorist group, flooding in some parts of the country and other forms of natural and human-made disasters in the country, wishes to express its satisfaction with the way and manner these issues have been addressed by the government through the various interventions of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

This in our considered opinion dwelled on the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Hajia  Sadiya Umar Farouq to lead this interventionist ministry and so far using all measurement parameters she has done brilliantly well in not just nurturing a new ministry, but also ensuring that it hits the ground running in the fulfilment of its vision to have social protection systems that are proactive, humane, inclusive and sustainable for the improvement and general welfare of the people.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq has indeed proven herself as a square peg in a square hole through her innovative approaches to handling the various humanitarian crises in the country.  It goes further to bring to the fore that indeed there exist some Nigerians that are burning with passion for the growth and development of the country. It, therefore, suffices to state that the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is in that category of Nigerians burning with that passion and desire to make Nigeria great again.

This fact can be seen in the way and manner the ministry has been able to intervene in mitigating the effect of the Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria by ensuring that those displaced by the disaster are adequately covered in the federal government’s social safety net initiatives.  

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under the watch of Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq has indeed transformed the responsiveness of the federal government to disaster management in the country. 

The way and manner the federal government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown of some parts of the country where millions of vulnerable persons benefited from the federal government’s cash transfer intervention programme under the supervision of the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was brilliant and indeed worthy of commendation. 

The Honorable Minister indeed proved how honourable she is, with the transparent and accountable manner; the COVID-19 palliatives of the federal government were distributed amongst the vulnerable groups in the country. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights acknowledges the numerous interventionist efforts of the Honorable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in this era of economic hardship brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. 

This is also on the heels that the federal government has also responded well to other humanitarian issues of concern across the country through the various agencies under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights acknowledges the fact that the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has lived up to expectation by providing that sound leadership in this critical sector in Nigeria and this critical period.

It is, therefore, succinct to state that the Honorable Minister has indeed highlighted through her actions that great and giant strides can be achieved in the growth and development of Nigeria through purposeful leadership. 

We also wish to state that her ability and drive towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in any part of the country within record time tells a lot about her sincerity of heart and purpose and also a manifestation of the confidence reposed in her by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights thanks President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing a selfless and dedicated amazon in Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq to lead the critical sector of providing humanitarian aids to victims of conflicts, disasters and other forms of economic exclusions in the country.  

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to use this medium to advise those against the interest of the country to stay clear of the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as she carries her mandate of promoting human dignity and integration of basic humane benevolence and compassion in the treatment of all Nigerians. 

The Center for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights shall resist any form of smear campaign against the personality of Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq to cause a distraction. These set of individuals and organizations should have a rethink and toe the path of patriotism in the overall interest of the country and those Nigerians that dot the nook and crannies of the country and in dire need of government intervention in their daily lives. 

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights herby commends the response to Humanitarian crisis in Nigeria and the invaluable role of the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The Biu Community in Kaduna State has commended the Nigerian Army under the examplary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai for tireless and laudable efforts in ensuring security for Nigeria.

They expressed this on Saturday in Kaduna at a ceremony organised to console him on the death of his mother which occured recently.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Alhaji Bawa Garba (ABG), who is the patron of the association in Kaduna, said that Gen Buratai’s commitment to the peace, security and unity of Nigeria is unprecedented in the annals of Nigerian Army history.

Alhaji ABG said, “It is a big pride to Biu Community, Borno State and Nigeria as a whole to have visionary, selfless and committed leader and chief of Army Staff like Gen TY Buratai especially at the trying period of our country’s existence.,” he said.

Speaking further, he said no Chief of Army Staff in the history of Nigeria has recorded the numerous achievements that General Buratai has so far achieved. For an officer of this sterling qualities, Nigerians should appreciate his examplary efforts in securing Nigeria despite occasional hitches here and there. “The condition he met the Army and the scarce resources at his disposal as well as how he overcome obvious shortcomings without complain deserve our collective commendation not Vilification” he further stated.

“Another success we are particularly proud of is the success behind the establishment of the Nigerian Army University Biu, which without him, it wouldn’t have been possible.” We therefore thank President Muhammadu Buhari for granting the approval for the Army University Biu”.

In his response, General Buratai who was represented by the Acting Director Army Public Relations Colonel Sagir Musa thanked the community for their prayers and condolence message for the death of Gen Buratai’s mother, while assuring that the Nigerian Army is highly resolute and committed to overcome terrorism and other security challenges across the nation.

He commended the Biu Association/Babur Bura in Kaduna State for their unity and commitment to the welfare of their members.

“The community here in Kaduna has a rich history behind it. For almost 100 years, we have a building where our common heritage in the areas of living accommodation and a secretariat are based. Let me state that we have had many illustrious sons and daughters of Biu community in different walks of life, but no one cares to assist in renovating this historical edifice until when we seek for assistance from Gen Buratai which he favorably responded. It is therefore to his credit that part of this building is now renovated. This building is for Biu community and it is meant to ensure anybody from Biu coming to Kaduna without a place to put his head could be accommodated to such a period when he is able to get his own accommodation, Alh ABG stated.

General Buratai further thanks the leaders of the association for their prayers and goodwill for the Nigerian Army and conveyed the readiness of the Army under Lt Gen TY Buratai to overcome the security challenges facing Nigeria. He states that Gen Buratai is a humane, courageous, visionary and firm military leader whose major preoccupation is to see the speedy end of terrorism and other insecurities in Nigeria.

By Emmanuel Okoye

One thing you cannot take away from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Mohammed Babagana Monguno (rtd), is the fact that he is not totally unaware of the challenges hampering the security of the nation.

The retired Major General and old boy of Kings College, Lagos, who is experienced in military intelligence though an Engineer by training, most times is able to identify security challenges in the nation.

But the problem is whether he would do anything about the problem other than blame others for what is happening.

That was exactly what Monguno did when he led a delegation to commiserate with Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State over the recent bandits attack in the state.

He told the Sokoto State governor while on the visit, that fighting security is not dependent on individual attempts but is dependent on the collective effort of all stakeholders.

To press home the point, the NSA on Thursday, while also addressing the media on the security meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held with service chiefs and heads of security agencies also said that the President had among others things, harped on the need for synergy among the armed forces and security agencies.

He said, "Finally, is about the issue of lack of synergy within the security sector. This has to be addressed also and has left us in no doubt that unless we address this issue and form a single front, the convergence of efforts, the confluence of all ideas be they operational or intelligence, must be achieved so that we no longer if at all there was this notion that groups were working in silos or stockpiling, they desist from that with immediate effect. We must have a central platform to coordinate all the efforts, all operations and security."

The NSA was to further explain to the media in another interaction in Hausa that the sevice chiefs are expected to streamline their efforts through a central authority and not be seen running to the president individually.

But the only problem is that while the NSA does not pretend he does not know what the problems are, he also fails to distinguish between genuine commitment to national interest as opposed to promoting his personal interest. From indications he prefers the latter.

Anybody aware of how the security agencies in Nigeria have worked in the last five years, would not fail to see the contradiction between what the NSA is saying and what he does.

It has become public knowledge that while all the arms of the armed forces as well as security agencies in the country have at various times teamed up to address certain security concerns and challenges, the one aspect that has been consistently missing in the equation is the input from the office of the National Security Adviser.

The armed forces, made up of the army, airforce and navy have in collaboration with the police, the DSS, NSCDC and other agencies worked together or fight criminality, banditry, insurgency and other security threats in the country.

Outfits such as Operations Crocodile Smiles, Sharan Daji, Harbin Kunama, Ayen Akpatuma, Whirl Stroke, Safe Haven and others, which were established along the line, are all joint efforts of the various security agencies which have produced enormous results.

But as these efforts are made, one can hardly single out the input of the NSA.

While the NSA is conspicuously missing from the battlefield, however, his presence looms large on the arena as he engages in turf and media wars. In other words, the NSA is more concerned about increasing the powers of his office than join hands with others to fight insecurity in the country.

The few instances there's an intervention from the office of the NSA which the public became aware of, hardly had anything to do with the issues of security bedeviling the nation, but borne out of ego and fight for space.

In December, Monguno came out to confront the then Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari over a lucrative contract for the procurement of defence equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.

Monguno, tackled Kyari, for allegedly overriding a previous directive of the president in a contract to procure equipment for the police from the United Arab Emirates.

In the letter that was addressed to the police affairs minister and police inspector-general, Monguno, described Mr Kyari’s action as “reckless and irresponsible”, warning that it was capable of ridiculing Nigeria as an unserious nation before a reliable international partner.

The NSA said only himself, as the head of multiple national security panels, and the defence minister have constitutional roles to act on security matters.

Not long after that, Monguno, in a letter, accused Abba Kyari of undue and dangerous interference on matters bordering on national security and wrote a warning memo to all service chiefs to desist from taking further directives from Mr Kyari.

He, in the letter said Mr Kyari’s directives to service chiefs were sometimes issued without the knowledge or approval of the president.

He wrote, “Chief of staff to the president is not a presiding head of security, neither is he sworn to an oath of defending the country.

“As such, unprofessional practices such as presiding over meetings with service chiefs and heads of security organisations as well as ambassadors and high commissioners to the exclusion of the NSA and/or supervising ministers are a violation of the Constitution and directly undermine the authority of Mr President.

“Such acts and continuous meddlesomeness by chief of staff have not only ruptured our security and defence efforts, but have slowed down any meaningful gain that Mr President has sought to chieve.”

The letters would not be the first time, Monguno would be seen fighting to expand his areas of influence as NSA.

In 2016, Monguno was locked in a fierce rift with the former director-general of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), Lawal Daura, until the latter was removed from office.

Many are disappointed with the way Monguno is carrying out his job given that he was highly recommended for the position due to his training and experience in intelligence.

But despite having the benefits of learning from the mistakes of his predecessors Monguno seems bent on repeating them.

When former President Goodluck Jonathan sacked General Andrew Azazi as his National Security Adviser, it was partly because Azazi was said to have become more obsessed with the office of the NSA and was apparently doing more to protect himself in office than the job for which he was hired

Hence it was easy for the former President to accuse him of using the same strategies repeatedly at a time the tactics of Boko Haram militants were changing.

No doubt, many see Monguno as not moving away from this path as his reported experience in intelligence has not been brought to bear on the security situation in Nigeria.

He is an NSA that would rather be bothered about the President receiving security information first hand from the service chiefs than knock out a strategy that would hinder the operations of insurgents in the country.

He would rather be bothered about protocol and bureaucratic niceties rather than the drastic and pragmatic essence of winning the fight against insurgency.

This is in spite of the huge allocation to his office for the purpose of securing the nation as the National Assembly increased the spending plans of the office with N25 billion budget largese in addition to the earlier N2 billion to the office for the year 2020.

Another reason why the choice of Monguno seemed apt at the beginning was because he is not only from Borno State but from Monguno, one of the local governments being ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

People expected that with his knowledge of the area, he would take pragmatic steps and go beyond what former President Olusegun Obasanjo had done by travelling to Maiduguri and engaging the terrorists in dialogue. But no such thing had been forthcoming from the NSA who has exhibited only a little or no sign that he is even from the place since he became the NSA.

People expect the NSA who is clearly lagging behind in the security equation and who by default is dragging others behind to forget about fighting turf wars at least for now and bring his experience to the theatres of operation. That is one of the ways Nigeria can win the war against insurgency and terrorism and not be shifting blames as he does always.

Okoye is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Lagos and could be contacted at emmanuelokoye46464@outlook.com

By: Abdullahi Gwamna

The yesterday’s media briefing by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Mohammed Monguno (retired) shortly after the President’s meeting with security chiefs over state of affairs in the country was obviously prearranged. It has also raised a lot of concern and interest. Although, I don’t want to contradict the NSA on whether indeed he was conveying the exacts words of Mr. President and gave true account of what transpired at that important meeting, nonetheless, I find it too hard to believe that he was conveying the exact words of the President. The allegations are too weighty and should have included General Monguno too. The NSA’s quick to blame and accuse the security chiefs’ amount to absolving himself from the terrible general insecurity situation in the country. Being the NSA, he is not only a member of the government, but plays a great role in the security architecture in this country. It is common knowledge that all security challenges are best tackled with timely and accurate information and intelligence which should have been within the purview of the NSA.

The Office of the National Security Adviser which Major General Babagana Mohammed Monguno (retired) is in charge, is responsible for the coordination of our intelligence agencies and by implications the provision of timely and accurate intelligence on which our security agencies depends to perform their duties. Therefore, if Mr President is not pleased with the Service Chiefs and their good is not good enough, the blame should be heaped squarely on Monguno’s shoulder. As rightly noted by Mr. Yemi Adeyinka in an article titled “Why Buhari may choose a new NSA” in TheCable online newspaper, “Essentially, the face of national security of Nigeria whether worse, better or best depends largely on the expert advice and prescriptions of the NSA.” Therefore, it is foolhardy to resort to the usual antics of blame game by the NSA, exonerating himself from the mess. One other thing is that, contrary to the insinuation, the utterances of the NSA are a great disservice to the sacrifices of our gallant troops and armed forces and no sensible President and Commander-in-Chief would be so insensitive to the plights of the troops’ morale and sacrifices by publicly chiding their leadership.

I must raise these issues given the antecedents of the NSA because he was always busy depending his turf to the point of sponsoring media campaigns of calumny against some government officials especially in the days preceding his reappointment. The days before the renewal of his appointment by the President, witnessed heightened campaign against perceived likely persons to replace him as NSA (see the Premium Times of August 8, 2019 sponsored post titled “NSA: Who the cap fits? By Ibrahim Bello”, amongst others). Given this alone and his dismal performance, it is more than enough for the President to have dispensed without the NSA. Leaving him in that office, is a great disservice to the security architecture and the nation.

Indeed, there is no one that is happy with the state of affairs in this nation, especially the general insecurity situation in some parts of the north east and north west geo-political zones of our country. Terrorists and bandits kill and maim innocent citizens in Gubio, Monguno, Borno State and parts of Katsina and Zamfara States to the point that citizens have begun to take to the streets. However, it is wrong to blame these worsening security problems on the security agencies, least of all the Service Chiefs. The situation we found ourselves did not start today, it is cumulation of years of decay and lack of political will. We are also reaping from years of neglect especially in the current democratic dispensation. There is lack of funding, equipment and training of both the police and the armed forces prior to 2015. The police have deliberately been neglected and the military have been drafted to do police duties which is an unfamiliar terrain and we expect the same standard.

It is interesting to note that since the time of late President Shehu Shagari of blessed memory, there has not been any major procurement for the armed forces till date. The recent efforts to procure equipment from the Chinese is still in progress. The Babangida administration because of concerns for its regime security, based on the Major Gideon Orkar’s attempted coup experience, greatly undermined the armed forces through denial of funds and training. The military did not fare any better during the short lived Shokenan’s interim government and Abacha’s Eight years. Then came Obasanjo with vengeful mindset. He retired most of the well trained, professional and promising military officers most of whom came from the northern part of the country. The same section of the country whose elites hoisted him on Nigerians.

His line of thinking was to have a well compact military, devoid of ills of the past. Unfortunately, that did not materialize. He rather pitched the military against the politicians. We all remember how the late Senator Wakku and other leading legislators moved for the relocation of military out of Abuja and the incarcerations of some it’s leaders such as Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi (retired) and several others based on phantom coup. Obasanjo also pursued a half-hearted reorientation of the military through transformation and attitudinal change without corresponding increment in armament, equipment and training. The programme which started from 2000 died a natural death in 2015. Obasanjo’s government and its predecessors did care a hoot about the military till he left. Typical example was the peacekeeping allowance of troops which the United Nations pays soldiers. The United Nations pays every Nigerian soldiering peacekeeping operation $1,028 per month, Obasanjo pays only $600, keeping $400 for himself. This situation was reversed by the God-fearing late President Umaru Musa ‘Yar’adua following a representation by the then Chief of Army Staff, late Lieutenant General LN Yusuf. Unfortunately, President ‘Yar’adua died before he could do much for the military.

Then came President Goodluck Jonathan, under whose watch some portions of Nigerian territories were taken over by the military due to poor equipment and morale. This country has never witnessed monumental corruption in the Defence like during President Good Jonathan’s administration without any tangible increment to our military’s equipment holding except for the hasty purchase of some outdated Armoured tanks from Ukraine. Till date, the nation is still grappling with the humongous amount of money released for that purpose which was diverted to individuals’ pockets through bogus releases by the then National Security Adviser, Lieutenant Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired).

Fast forward to this administration, headed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The security situation was so terrible that he made it one of his campaign’s points and administration’s mantra. His grand strategic directives and efforts paid up as all territories held by the Boko Haram terrorists were recaptured and great sense of security was restored especially in the north east. Albeit this was done without any major military procurement by the government. Being the NSA, you know the implications of this. The military under the able leadership of the Army did marvelously well and recaptured all held territories, however, it is hampered by poor state of its equipment to enable it to finish off the terrorists. You know all this, yet, instead of you to advise the President for such need, you were busy chasing shadows. Rather, it is on record that despite your dismal performance, you were pleading with the National Assembly for increased funding to your office, when you were known to have returned over N16 Billion to the government in December 2016! In fact, not quite long-ago, Senator Ali Mohammed Ndume, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, cried publicly on the poor funding of the military. Being the coordinator of all intelligence in the country, what efforts have you made in tracking the source of funding of terrorists’ activities and banditry and their sponsors? Why do you like to shift blame?

The media must be blamed for not doing enough and exposing such ineptitude and the monumental corruption allegations against you and under your watch. We all know what happened to the report of the committee investigating your predecessor and the recent expose by one of few courageous media houses, despite efforts to suppress the story.

General Babagana Mohammed Monguno (retired) please tell the President that Nigerians are also very angry and disappointed with you!! He should have sacked you long ago for gross incompetence and undermining the government through clandestine activities with active connivance with some section of the press and not advising him well. The recent media outburst is deceitful and capable of demoralizing the troops who have been sacrificing their lives for the defence of this nation especially in the north east. It is therefore uncharitable to tell them that the President is angry with them when you know that they are ill-equipped, all thanks to “your advice.” NSA please tell the President that the people are also angry with you.

Abdullahi Gwamna is a public analyst that lives in Kaduna. He can be reached at agwamna@hotmail.com

*Boko Haram/Banditry: Nigerians in Diaspora seek working solutions, partnership from US, UK others in tackling insecurity*

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has challenged the United States, United Kingdom and European Union to support Nigeria with a working solution against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. 

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Agwu Oyekwe and 13 others on Friday, ANPE believes threats posed by the terrorist group has assumed both regional and international dimension, such that only collaborative effort can bring it to a halt.  

 While acknowledging the sacrifices of the Nigerian government, the group said that much more can be achieved with added support of world's superpowers.  

In the regard, ANPE expressed disgust at the UK, US and EU for seating on the fence, routinely issuing statements rather than a proactive action each time a carnage and atrocity is committed by the terrorists.

 According to the group, the solution to the crisis is by arresting the sponsors and promoters of conflict in Africa. 

Consequently, ANPE charged the US, UK and EU to identify and prosecute those culpable in the various acts of killings in Nigeria and profiling of such persons for the world to know.

It further urged the EU to expose countries selling arms and ammunitions to the Boko Haram/ISWAP group in line with international best practices

Read full statement below:

The fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria has received a tremendous boost since the assumption of office by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 that saw to the takeover of critical assets of the Boko Haram/ISWAP group in numerous operations of the Nigerian troops.  

This was at the backdrop where before the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians lived in perpetual fear of not knowing when and where the next bomb was going to detonate. 

The Nigerian professionals in Europe acknowledge the various sacrifices made by the Nigerian government in addressing the threats posed by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group over the years, which is indeed commendable.

We consequently wish to state that it is time for the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union to extend the needed support to Nigeria in seeing to an end to the threats posed by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

We wish to state that despite the efforts of the Nigerian troops, the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups have continued to launch attacks in Nigeria from their hideouts and with external support from countries in Europe who have been selling arms and ammunition to the group.  

This is indeed a worrisome trend that calls for collective action from Nigeria, its neighbours, and the world superpowers as the threats posed by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group has assumed a regional dimension. If not quickly checked, the African continent might be enmeshed in a conflict of immeasurable proportion.

We wish to state that the real solution to the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis in Nigeria lies in arresting the sponsors and promoters of conflict in Africa. Consequently, the world superpowers that are conversant with the strategic importance of Nigeria in the Africa continent ought to do more than pay lip service in addressing the various security challenges in Nigeria.

If this is not done, the efforts of the Nigerian troops would be in vain because of the external support the terrorist and militant groups receive in the form of logistics, funds and arms and ammunitions.   

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe is alarmed at the lackadaisical attitude the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European Union towards addressing issues of terrorism in Nigeria and Africa at large. 

We are constrained to demand from these countries to know how many persons, individuals or organizations that have been indicted by the international policy on the issue of terrorism.

The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe wishes to inform the world superpowers that the urgency of now demands the identification and prosecution of those culpable in the various acts of killings in Nigeria and profiling of such persons for the world to know.

The European Union must, as a matter of urgency identify those member countries that have been selling arms and ammunitions to the Boko Haram/ISWAP group and serve them appropriate sanctions in line with international best practices. 

We wish to state that the efforts of the Nigerian Military through outstanding, would always be thwarted so long the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group continues to have access to its sponsors and collaborators outside the shores of Nigeria. 

The urgency of now and the role of the US, UK and the EU in proffering solution to the Boko Haram crisis cannot be overemphasized.

Recent killings remain our failure to complement outstanding military actions with diplomacy, Northern elders reply critics of Buhari’s govt


The Northern Elders and Leaders Forum (NELF) says the failure by its elites to complement the effort of the military with diplomacy is responsible for the recent killings experienced in the region. 


The Northern elders made this known in a statement signed by Third Republic Senate President, Senator Ameh Ebute, on Friday, on President Muhammadu Buhari's effort on national security, cohesion and stability.


According to the elderstatesmen, there's been significant turnaround in the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis since President Buhari took over the helm of affairs. 


 The president, NELF said, has expressly followed the founding vision of Sir Ahmadu Bello on a secured and united Northern Nigeria. 


However, the group added that critical stakeholders including traditional institutions, religious leaders, patriots, civil society organizations and the youths have failed on their part. 



While shouldering the blame for not supporting the military enough, the group charged other stakeholders to put away sentiments and rancour occasioned by politics and personal interest. 



According to NELF, this is a " wake- up call to all interests in the region to put humanity and the collective interest of our region first".



The group, however, expressed its total support for President Buhari while distancing itself from " some dubious elements that have no sense of history or love for the North to malign President Muhammadu Buhari on the issues of insecurity."



Read full statement below:



The Northern Elders and Leaders Forum, a socio-cultural organization of distinguished elder statesmen in Northern Nigeria, wishes to lend its voice to the state of the nation in Nigeria and the various efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in addressing the various challenges confronting the country.


The Northern Elders and Leaders Forum is appalled with the level of misinformation been peddled by some groups purportedly acting on behalf of the generality of Northern Nigeria by attempting to exaggerate the state of insecurity in Northern Nigeria. 



There is no doubt that we have a critical situation on our hands as a people that require the genuine concerns of all stakeholders including traditional institutions, religious leaders, patriots, civil society organizations and the youths in addition to the various organs of government such as the Police, Military and Intelligence coordination units.  


There is no doubt that our focus as a people has been on sentiments and rancour occasioned by politics and personal interest that are not healthy for the growth and development of the country. This is unacceptable in the face of the numerous daunting challenges ahead of us as a people. 



Ours is, therefore, a wake- up call to all interests in the region to put before them humanity and the collective interest of our region and wish to state as follows; 



We wish to state that President Muhammadu Buhari has expressly followed the founding vision of Sir Ahmadu Bello on a secured and united Northern Nigeria since he assumed leadership of the country in 2015.  



We also state that under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the principle of equity and justice has been the watchword in the conduct of government business as well as in the prosecution of the Boko Haram/ISWAP war in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.



We, therefore, find it insane that some agents of darkness have ignored all these qualities but to disparage the long-cherished virtues and efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari administration on the altar of cheap politics and bitterness instigated from outside northern Nigeria.  



The Northern Elders and Leaders Forum consequently states that the recent attempts by some dubious elements that have no sense of history or love for the North to malign President Muhammadu Buhari on the issues of insecurity are unacceptable. 



We wish to place it on record that the quantum of security challenges inherited by President Muhammadu Buhari as far as insecurity is concerned has significantly been dealt with by the gains recorded in the fight against Boko Haram Insurgency in North-East Nigeria.


Under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari, the over 16 local government areas under the control of the Boko Haram group in North-East Nigeria were recaptured by the Nigerian Military. This is on the heels that the operational headquarters of Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest was also taken over by the Nigerian military, and other heroic acts in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country at large. 



It must be stated that the leadership examples set by the revered Sir Ahmadu Bello of blessed memory with regards to leadership have been abundantly emulated by President Muhammadu Buhari since he assumed leadership of the country in 2015. 


It is therefore not a surprise to the Northern Elders and Leaders Forum that a smear campaign can be launched against his personality and commitment to protecting lives and properties in Northern Nigeria, as well as other parts of the country because it hasn’t been business as usual for those hawks who have conspired over the years to steal the commonwealth of the people. 


If not for anything, these individuals and associations parading themselves as historical authorities in the affairs of Northern Nigeria should do well to go back in history to understand the factors that drive quality leadership at all levels and also, for them to be able to make informed public statements, instead of playing to the gallery to score cheap political points.  


The Northern Elders and Leaders Forum as critical stakeholders in the socio-economic affairs in Northern Nigeria indeed pledges its continued support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for leading by example and ensuring that the interest of the North and indeed all of Nigeria are protected at all times. 


We wish to state that those that are genuine in their concerns about issues in Northern Nigeria would identify with President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to make Nigeria safe and secured for all. And those whose voices are only heard on the pages of newspapers without any meaningful contributions to the growth and development of Northern Nigeria to their names are always the first to throw stones.  


Nigerians must do well to ignore these individuals and associations in the interest of peace and tranquillity. And it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerian to support President Muhammadu Buhari in this critical time of our existence.

By Philip Agbese


Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has finally confirmed that his obsession with making Nigeria fail has pushed him into some sort of delusion, one that requires clinical intervention. So severe that the diplomat is today hopeful of achieving what he woefully erred to implement when he was envoy between 2004 and 2007; the destruction of Nigeria by whittling down its corporate integrity.

In his latest rant for his long term employer, the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR), in an article titled “Beyond the Pandemic, Boko Haram Looms Large in Nigeria,” Campbell wrote that “Large-scale banditry is on the rise throughout Nigeria, particularly in the northwest,” without making efforts to contextualized his claim as he would have done if he were writing about his own country, the US. Any researcher that is able to write without ingrained imperialist subservience beclouding their assessment will today conclude that the United States is nowhere better than Nigeria in risks outlook and long term stability. Both nations have similar degrees of risks to stability. The only difference, however, is the degree of unrest orchestrated from the outside like the Council on Foreign Relations is doing to Nigeria.

This is the same Council on Foreign Relations that in 2015 urged the United States government to support Al Qaeda terrorists under the guise of defeating the Islamic State. It did so in an article entitled, “Accepting Al Qaeda: The Enemy of the United States’ Enemy,” authored by Foreign Affairs writer, Barak Mendelsohn. One should then wonder the extent to which CFR has gotten the US and other countries to support these bandits and terrorists that Campbell is writing about. It would seem that the American and his employers are displeased with the fact that the instability they are pushing in Nigeria is being taken in strides such that the country has not buckled as they expected.

To have a sense of what the hatchet job Campbell is trying to deliver, one only needs to look at the antecedence of CFR. In age 11 of Foreign Affairs, the journal of the CFR, December 1922 it wrote that “Obviously there is going to be no peace or prosperity for mankind so long as it remains divided into fifty or sixty independent states.

“Equally obviously there is going to be no steady progress in civilization or self-government among the more backward peoples until some kind of international system is created which will put an end to the diplomatic struggles incident to the attempt of every nation to make itself secure. The real problem today is that of world government.”

So, the agenda that Campbell and other bloodsuckers like him in CFR are pushing is to make justifications for why some countries should not exist in their current state and forms in order to remove the moral burden that should be associated with the human misery that would necessarily accompany the process of forcefully decommissioning a sovereign nation and coercing it into whatever absurd conglomeration that the folks at Council of Foreign Relations have in mind.

Thus, far from being the expert on Nigeria as Campbell fancies himself to be, he is, in reality, the assassin sent to finish off the country. Failed at the task, he is now spending his doting age trying to paint Nigeria into his imagined meltdown. The diplomat is being aided in this sinister assignment by indigenous bloggers who see the Council of Foreign Relations as a reputable platform instead of realizing that the council is the devil’s workshop that churns out the avoidable crisis in its bid to undermine nations for the interest of its equally evil members. They do not know, for instance, that CFR is entwined with the Bilderberg Group, an assemblage of sociopaths obsessed with human domination.

It is no surprise that the venom penned by the likes of Campbell have an uncanny way of becoming top news items, to the extent that less informed indigenous journalists end up regurgitating them without knowing that CFR controls a large swathe of the international media. It is therefore expected that Campbell and other carrion eaters will not stop their destabilization agenda against Nigeria anytime soon.

The dare to Campbell is for him, in good conscience, author a piece that owns up to how CFR’s desperation to defeat China has led to a spike in the security concerns in Nigeria. He should expostulate on the many scenarios that were conjured on how to frustrate the emergence of a Sino-Sahel Silk Road.

The objective is to ensure that Africa’s growing partnership with China is slowed down. While Nigeria may not be embracing China on the suffocating scale that some African countries are doing, Nigeria’s geo-strategic location, coupled with its high population and economic potentials makes it a hub that the continent’s future development naturally coalesce around, something that is being accelerated by Chinese intervention. CFR will have none of this hence the vehemence with which the country is being attacked by bandits and terrorists, who are blown away by the illusion of power without realizing that they are highly disposable pieces in a puzzle that is the plaything of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Campbell will further have to prove that his constant picking on Nigeria is not a subtle way of pressuring the authorities to allow drone strikes into Nigeria’s territory from the AFRICOM, Pentagon’s Africa Command Air Base 201 in Agadez, Republic of Niger. The $110 million war-mongering installation has been largely directed at operations in Niger and Mali, which attests to its failure since the existence of the base has not stopped the bandits and terrorists crossing into Nigeria from Niger. If penning taunting articles is Campbell’s approach to goading the country into submitting its sovereignty to the Council of Foreign Relations then he should be prepared to depart this world with that as his greatest disappointment. It will not happen.

What is rather clear is that CFR, possibly through Campbell’s contacts, since he once served in Nigeria, is using domestic proxies to provoke incidents that heighten the sense of insecurity in the country with a view to corralling the West African nation into some desired situations that advance the council’s objectives.

The likelihood of this, Campbell leveraging his domestic Nigerian contacts, is very high. He has in recent years aligned with the opposition. His most recent article was not only immediately picked up by pro-opposition blogs and news outlets in the country, its publication also coincided with an upsurge in the opposition but criticism of the security but situation, which they have not been able to prove that they are not responsible for.

Groups connected with Campbell’s indigenous associates, like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, who is now in the opposition. The former US Ambassador, in all his analysis, opts to disregard the threat from his associate that the security situation in Nigeria will degenerate if he was not awarded an election win in the 2019 votes irrespective of whether the electorates chose him or not.

It is most unfortunate that Campbell is exploiting the desperation of indigenous associates like Atiku to push the Council for Foreign Relations’ agenda in Nigeria while these hapless ones think he is doing them a favour that will at some point translate into hijacking power.

In February 2007, five months before Campbell’s tour in Nigeria ended, John Bellamy Foster wrote in _the Monthly Review_ that “The lessons of history are clear: attempts to gain world dominance by military means, though inevitable under capitalism, are destined to fail and can only lead to new and greater wars.”

Thirteen years after, that message remains profound and is one that John Campbell and the Council of Foreign Relations should take to heart. Attempting to dominate Nigeria by covert military operations masked as banditry or terrorist activities will eventually end in sadness for all those involved. They too shall not be spared by the war that will ensue.

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

By Philip Agbese

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq struck the apex of leadership limelight unexpectedly for many Nigerians. She previously served as Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI)). And before her foray into partisan politics in 2010, she had a stint with the National Assembly Service Commission as a senior staff. Her experience in public service is therefore rich and stainless.


The services of the newly created ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (HADM & SD)  is at the heart of every Nigerian. In the age of countless disasters afflicting Nigeria, and the ensuing challenges, many Nigerians and international partners, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the ministry. It is structured as a coordinating hub for an array of other federal agencies offering humanitarian and crisis management functions.  


The African Doctors for Africa (AfDA) was one of the bodies which commended President Buhari for the creation of the Ministry in a public statement signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Ver-or Ngutor, released in Abuja.


And  the pursuit of  the Ministry’s  agenda forms the swivel of assuaging public agonies,  and enthroning reliefs, happiness,  and comfort to distraught and traumatized people.The appointment of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq is perceived in many quarters as a blend of experience and expertise on humanitarian affairs and crises management. She is often described as Buhari’s Minister on what former Imo state Governor, Sen. Rochas Okoroacha would euphemistically termed as the “Ministry of Happiness.” 


And these past few months, the Minister has dispensed herself as the poster boy of Mr. President by demonstrating to Nigerians what Government and committed leadership embodies. The scope of HADM &SD is large and expansive. It has fused agencies like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI), and, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), subsumed under Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA),  and other extended agencies.


Her mandate is understandably enormous and sensitive to general public social welfare and harmony. The job requires a heart that epitomizes the core values of humanity and compassion. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is a perfect match and blend of the human resources needed to discharge the mandate.


Her managerial ingenuity is not in doubt.  And in the last few months, she has proved her mettle as a performer and leader who knows where the rage of tempestuous waters is hotter on humanitarian crises, social problems and where and when the ministry should pour its ceaseless torrents of interventions instantly.


Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is imbued with a unbreakable passion, love, and kindness for humanity. She has a knack for commitment and hard work. Relatively unknown in the political and leadership ladder of Nigeria in spite of the previous sensitive offices she served, President Muhammadu Buhari took Nigerians by surprise when he fished out the Minister from an array of competitive choices to head the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.


On the appointment of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the African Doctors for Africa (AfDA) convinced by her past track records, rated her on the new assignment as the right person for the job. The body stated that “Having served as a Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the minister parades all that is required to discharge the duties of her office.”


Nigerians conversant with affairs of Nigeria would concede that the country has been swimming in serious multiple disasters and humanitarian crises for over a  decade now. Whether natural, artificial or man-made, these disasters and humanitarian challenges have exalted strains on a nation eager to extricate herself from its fangs. The affected people have continued to yearn for salvation.


And President Buhari charged the Minister Umar Farouk to ensure that issues of fire and flood disaster, displaced victims, resettlements, refugees, and other humanitarian emergencies are effectively given prompt attention and resolved.


The Minister has properly understood her briefs as she disclosed while declaring open a three-day international workshop on improving civil-security cooperation (CISEC) in Humanitarian interventions in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria as she said, "The ministry has one of its mandates to develop Humanitarian policies and ensure effective coordination of national and international Humanitarian interventions in Nigeria."


The new ministry has picked up the gauntlet of perfect utilization of funds; coordination of humanitarian/relief services and safety of emergency workers across the country. The Honourable Minister has impressively synergized with relevant agencies in providing   answers to these challenges and the seemingly intractable problems.


As exemplary conduct, she personally appeared at the scene of the Onitsha fire incident, visited and condoled victims of the inferno within a day. She instantly directed relevant agencies under the Ministry to take immediate appropriate actions to provide succor to the victims.


The portrait of Nigeria on disasters and humanitarian crises pulsates the heart in numbing coldness. The Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe present the worse and protracted humanitarian crisis, aside other parts of the country. It is caused by the over 10 years insurgency in the region.


In 2018, a report of the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), pegged the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, to 2.24 million, with another 213,179 living as refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.


UNICEF Nigeria Humanitarian Situation Report from 1-31 October 2019 disclosed that insurgency has cropped-up over 7.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, while there are 1.82 Internally displaced people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. And added to the sorrow, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has placed Nigeria on fourth position among list of countries vulnerable to grave risk of humanitarian catastrophe in 2020 after Yemen, DRC and Syria.


The Minister is mindful of these realities and the projections. She has focused a sustained attention on the humanitarian crises in the Northeast where the clouds are darkest. Apart from improved supply of relief materials  and medication to these victims of armed conflicts housed in IDPs camps, the Minister is already working at other solutions and modalities to surmount the challenges. By end of 2019 alone, the Ministry coordinated humanitarian assistance to over 4 million people in distress across Nigeria, according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.


And sighting and planning for the future, she has earnestly set in motion a machinery for a Road Map and Action Plan that will entrench a sustainable cooperation framework to  enhance civil organizations and security agencies interactions  in the Northeast. The aim is to define a common front and deepen synergy to tackle disasters and humanitarian crises.


The Minister recently said, "The structures that will emerge are expected to be enduring and mutually beneficial to all stakeholders as well as to the vulnerable groups whose succour is dependent on amicable working relationship between these major players in the Northeast."


The Ministry is also focused  in 2020 on the resettlement of IDPs in the Northeast; IDPs enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), rent or renovation of houses for IDPs across the states; drilling of boreholes for water supplies;  securing of  land for relocation and reintegration of IDPs in Abuja and Nasarawa States; identified 2,200 families of IDPs targeted for cash assistance in the Northeast  and the resettlement of Bakassi Peninsula returnees in Southern Nigeria.


The Ministry is also in discussions with the United States Government which had pledged humanitarian assistance to Nigeria in 2020 worth US$40million. These are lofty packages that will cushion the effect of hardships imposed on victims of disasters and armed conflicts.


Furthermore, there are over 90 million Nigerians in a country of  198 million population who are living in gross poverty. The indices are scary and dreary! These are heavy burdens the new Ministry plans to discharge. However, the Ministry has planned to uplift about 90 million Nigerians out of poverty in the 2020 fiscal year.


Therefore, the Minister also attended the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission in Washington DC, America, where she fine-tuned partnership with USAID and the World Bank to fund an elaborate programme for persons with disabilities and women empowerment in Nigeria.


In a cheering news, the Minister said; “The Ministry and the World Bank Mission in Nigeria will convene a meeting to discuss modalities and areas to reallocate funds within the International Development Association (IDA) to focus on programmes for disability and women empowerment.”


The Minister also held fruitful meetings with USAID, World Bank and US Institute for Peace (USIP). These organizations and the Ministry are exploring areas of mutual collaboration and support to the Ministry in Year 2020 to aid in prosecuting its programmes.


In continuation of the Minister’s efforts to render improved services to the people, she has continued to source for international assistance. The Ministry facilitated the first official trip outside Europe, of EU’s European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, accompanied by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, UN agencies and other stakeholders who met with President Buhari.


The  EU officials proceeded to undertake a two-day trip to  Nigeria’s  Northeast;  assessed EU-funded relief projects, visited IDPs camps and got firsthand knowledge of the threatening  humanitarian crises in the region.


Lenarčič declared after the visit that: “I saw first-hand today the suffering that conflict has brought to people’s lives and how crucial humanitarian aid is to people’s survival. What matters most is that humanitarian organizations can reach all the people in need, without restrictions, including in areas under the influence of non-state armed groups. It is vital that all States and parties to armed conflicts respect their obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief.” He promised that European Union will allocate an another €26.5 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria.


Under the Minister’s supervision, NEMA launched the unimplemented and forgotten National Emergency Management Policy document  in conformity and compliance with  the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction declaration. The framework as designed and domesticated targets and prioritize actions to prevent fresh humanitarian disasters and diminish existing disaster risks to erect safer and resilient strength in communities susceptible to humanitarian setbacks.


Also, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  with the approval of Mr. President temporary lifted the suspension slammed on Action Against Hunger (AAH) and the  Mercy Corps, (MCps), the  two international Non-Governmental Organizations,  working in Northeast  Nigeria, but the Nigerian Military accused of supporting Boko Haram terrorists.


“The suspension of the two International Humanitarian Organizations namely Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, is temporarily lifted. The concerns and recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) will continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised and comply,” the Minister disclosed.


Consequently, the Minister took it  a notch higher by adopting and refining the 7-point agenda streamlined by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to  encourage coordination and partnership between the humanitarian community and the Government of Nigeria in the Northeast.


It worked and approved operational guidelines for the humanitarian community operating in the Northeast such as establishment of a high-level Policy forum on humanitarian assistance; vetting/due diligence of all humanitarian vendors before engagement by humanitarian actors; and clearance and registration of all NGOs by the FGN before engagement in any assignment;


Other approved procedures included; transportation and allocation of fuel and other sensitive humanitarian commodities etc in the field by  only Government approved vendors/providers; submission of monthly reports on humanitarian activities including funding received and source of funding, development and approval of a cash transfer policy for humanitarian assistance in Northeast Nigeria in accordance with the Laws of the Government of Nigeria etc.


As part of the Minister’s determination to reposition the operations of the Ministry for rewarding performance, in November 2019, she spearheaded a parley between the Federal Government and the humanitarian community in the Northeast dubbed Civil-Security Cooperation in Humanitarian Interventions in the Northeast  by anchoring a Workshop.


The assemblage brainstormed on issues affecting effective discharge of humanitarian services, ironed out differences and cemented ties. An elated UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, attested to the change in leadership by remarking that, “It was the first time that civil authorities, the military, and humanitarian actors from national and international levels were meeting under one roof…to prioritizing prevention always, development wherever possible and humanitarian action when necessary.”


The presence of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  as head of the new Ministry has given President Buhari more confidence that Nigeria will overcome her humanitarian and disasters challenges, no matter how long it takes. And the Minister is justifying the public trust by her diligent, focused and result-oriented discharge of her official duties.  


President Buhari asserted, when he played host to Mr. Janez Lenarcic, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management that  “Our priorities in the next level is to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, are rehabilitated so that livelihood should be established and the children should not lose the opportunity to go back to school, which is very important for the future of that area and Nigeria generally.”


Even at the risk of flattery, one would assert that Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is the much awaited benevolent spirit, which  IDPs across the country have  excitedly yearned to oversee their  fate and ensure that they rapidly get back on their feet. It’s a perfect combination that whereas Gen TY Buratai and troops are sending the terrorists away from their hideouts, the Minister is complementing the efforts to see that those who have been liberated have a reason to return home joyfully. Her job is indeed one that only a woman and a mother endowed with a compassionate heart can undertake and deliver excellently.

Agbese is a researcher in human rights and international humanitarian law and wrote from Abuja.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has said it is high-time the sponsors and collaborators of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists are brought to book.

In a statement signed by its convener, Princess Ajibola on Thursday, the centre urged the Federal Government to beam its searchlight towards saboteurs jeopardizing the military's remarkable gains.

CALSER, though, acknowledged the efforts of the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, which it said has “pushed back the terrorists, denied them any capacity to hold territory and hoist flags as they did in the past”.

However, the only obstacles, the centre reckoned are individuals and groups covertly sponsoring and promoting the insurgents' agenda.

According to CALSER, among others, some foreign and indigenous NGOs, local politicians, foreign governments as well as certain self-acclaimed activists and media personalities are fuelling insurgency for their personal gains.

For the military to finally put an end to the fleeing jihadists, CALSER reckoned that these conspirators and sponsors must first be tamed.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, therefore, called on the “United Nations, the international community and well spirited individuals to help in the apprehension of the sponsors of the fighters in the Lake Chad region”.

It further charged the “ International Criminal Court (ICC) to commerce immediate trail of all sponsors of these terrorist groups identified by the Nigerian government”.

Read the full statement below:

It has been over a decade now that the war against Boko Haram insurgency has been on in the country. In that period tens of thousands of lives have been lost, communities sacked, billions of dollars spent on prosecuting the war. This is definitely heavy toll on the nation and everyone

The Nigeria army which has been at the fore front of fighting this battle against insurgency has equally paid dearly. In many instances while we sleep cosy in our bedrooms they are at the theatre of the war taking on the Boko haram terrorists. Many times they have had to pay with their lives just to see that these terrorist are defeated and eradicated.

Unfortunately this has not been achieved yet. There may be divergent opinions on why Boko haram/ISWAP has not been totally eradicated despite the efforts and sacrifices by our armed forces .

We at the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic rights (CALSER) believe that the government needs to turn their searchlight towards saboteurs in this war. The government now has to go for the sponsors of these terror groups. A group of thugs and miscreants cannot sustain a war against the whole nation Nigeria for over a decade without them having collaborators and sponsors both internally and externally.

No matter the efforts of the Nigeria military, so long as these sponsors and collaborators of Boko Haram/ISWAP are allowed to fester. We do not think this war will end anytime soon.

Remember sometimes in 2019 when army spokesperson Col Sagir Musa raised alarm that some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the North eastern region of the country were breaching security protocols and sabotaging ongoing counter terrorism operations in the zone? Of course these facts were established after the arrest of a top Boko Haram commander Mohammed Modu. The army also made similar accusations in 2018.

The truth is the military have done their best in addressing the kinetic component of the war against insurgency as was entrusted to them by Mr President. They have pushed back the terrorists, denied them any capacity to hold territory and hoist flags as they have done in the past. The have decimated their strongholds.

However for the battle against insurgency to be done and over. The government has to go for the sponsors of this war. Otherwise if left unchecked they will continue to provide the required lifeline for a group already decimated and about to be finished off.

Let us not imagine that the sponsors will be uniform or perhaps just one entity. Such operations normally have multiple and diverse sponsors. They could include Foreign or Local NGOs, local politicians, some foreign governments, including even some of our Neighbours.

Remember when a top politician in Borno State , Shettima Lawan was arrested by the army . Shettima was the chairman of Mafa local government council, Borno State at the time. In the words of the then theatre commander of operation Lafia Dole Major General Leo Irabor described Shettima Lawan as a “big supporter” of Boko Haram in a presss conference where his arrest was confirmed. So while the army diligently works towards rounding up boko haram/ISWAP fighters some local politicians are aiding their operations. In such situations it will be herculean for the military to make headway in such situations.

There are also the international collaborators or sponsors. If we recall CBN news channel reporting that Turkey was a major supplier of weapons to Boko Haram insurgents, this news was later confirmed by AFP a French news agency to be from leaked audio recording between a Turkish government adviser and a top Turkish airline official. If we now link this story with the September 2017 seizure of arms and rifles loaded in a container shipped from Turkey at the Lagos ports. We may begin to get the link or clue to some of these issues.

What is certain is this, there are definitely organizations and countries collaborating and sponsoring the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist in Nigeria. The government now needs to go after them otherwise the war against terrorism may remain compromised.

Whilst we cannot give all the details in this briefing, you all with agree with us that our military has a swell of information that the government can act on to track and deal with these sponsors. We largely surrounded by neighbour who may look friendly but revelations of some activities of these countries in their dealings with the terrorist organizations sometimes leaves us in doubt as to what their real intention may be. Nigeria being surrounded mainly by Francophone countries must be cautious its dealings with this nations. There has been reports of some of these countries providing safe passage for the terrorist and in many cases after launching attacks here in Nigeria , they retreat back into this neighbouring countries. In some cases, we even hear they get their arms transported and supplied through these countries.

Then we have their collaborators in the media, these group are no less dangerous as other collaborators. In fact they could even be termed more dangerous because they are quite subtle in their approach. Whenever the army is making advances and successes in the war, the hit the news space with fake stories of abuse of right and many times report attacks that did not even occur. They try all sort of tactics to demoralize the troops who area the forefront of the war.

It is quite tough for the army whilst prosecuting the war against insurgency diligently running with the mandate given it by Mr President to also be engaging the collaborators and sponsors on the sides.

We call on the United Nations, the international community and well spirited individuals to help in the apprehension of the sponsors of the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in the lake chad region. Without apprehending the sponsors their activities may not come to an end soon.

Their savagely behaviour must be seen as what it is “crime against humanity”, and so their collaborators must be seen as perpetuators of the crime as well.

In that light we call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to commerce immediate trail of all sponsors of these terrorist groups identified by the Nigerian government. In has become imperative for this to be done to stop the continued slaughter of innocent souls by these terrorist groups and their collaborators.

Centre hails COAS' presence, incredible impact in the northeast, urges other security chiefs to lead by example

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CISS) has hailed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for turning things around in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists since relocating to the northeast.

The Centre gave this commendation in its bi-monthly report on the state of the war against terrorism and the operations of the Nigerian Military co-signed by its Chancellor, Prof. Ahmed Danfulani and Senior Research Fellow, Dr Samson Bello.

According to CISS, the Nigerian troops have made tremendous progress in the war against the terrorists since 2015 but gained massive momentum in the last two months.

Highlighting the achievements, the Centre revealed that while over 250 insurgents surrendered voluntarily due to immense offensives of the troop, no fewer than 1200 have been killed in different operations led by the COAS.

The Army Chief's doggedness, bravery and resilience, the Centre reckoned has rubbed off on his troops whose morale and operational effectiveness have been boosted.

In other to achieve similar result, CISS, however, urged the leadership of other security agencies to take a cue from the COAS to address the myriads of security challenges in the country.

It added that Lt. Gen. Buratai is indeed “ a worthy example that must be emulated by heads of security agencies in the country in ensuring that our officers and men are in high spirits in pursuant of the task of maintaining law and order”.

Read full report below:

Introduction:

The Centre for International and Strategic Studies in its documentation of the Boko Haram war in Nigeria for reference and research purposes has been undertaking bi-monthly reports on the war against terrorism and the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria.

This report is designed to be encompassing to reflect the various aspect of the war as well as the commitment from the Nigerian Military in the prosecution of the war, the commitment of the political leadership in the country, the commitment of the International Non-Governmental Organizations, as well as the commitment of humanitarian agencies and the interventionist agencies.

The War against Terrorism in North-East Nigeria:

The Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria assumed a violent dimension in 2009 when the group began its violent campaign against the Nigerian state. From 2009 to date, the number of casualties has been mind-boggling that has resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands, and as well as the displacements of millions of people in North-East Nigeria.

Successive administrations in Nigeria from 2009 indeed introduced measures to counter the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgent group. However, the group continued to gain popularity amongst the youthful population of North-East Nigeria, which indeed translated to a swell in their ranks.

The Boko Haram group gained affiliations to terrorist networks outside Nigeria, and this saw to an increment in their sophistication in terms of operational style, the sophistication of their arms and ammunition, war tanks and technical know-how in the entrenchment of violence across not just North-East Nigeria, but in Nigeria as a whole as the other parts of the country witnessed Boko Haram attacks continuously.

The Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria was not spared as critical government infrastructures came under the attack of the Boko Haram group, including schools, places of worship, motor parks, the headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, the headquarters of the United Nations in Nigeria and other areas of public concerns. There was also incessant cases of suicide bombings that resulted in the deaths of innocent people across the divide in Nigeria.

The Boko Haram group also resulted in the kidnapping of schoolboys and girls from their dormitories which attracted global condemnation. The activities of the Boko Haram group festered due to the lack of political commitment from the authorities who viewed their activities as propaganda.

How the Nigerian Military has sustained the War Against Terrorism:

The Nigerian Military has continued to sustain war against the threats posed by the Boko Haram group through a combination of factors. The coming of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 proved to be the game-changer in the war against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.

This political will exhibited by the administration was manifest in the overhauling of the security apparatus in the country starting with the appointments of new Service Chiefs, the relocation of the military command from the Federal Capital Territory to Borno State, as well the reequipping of the Military with modern-day arms and ammunitions to confront the Boko Haram terrorist group.

In 2016, the Nigerian Military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram group with the capture of its operational headquarters in Sambisa Forest, as well as the capture and killing of some of its key commanders in the various operations carried out by the Nigerian Military.

The Nigerian Military also recaptured the over 16 local government areas hitherto under the control of the Boko Haram group. This feat was achieved through the combined efforts of the various security agencies with support from the political authorities at the federal and state levels in Nigeria.

This trend continued till date with the Boko Haram group restricted to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region from where they regroup and launch attacks in Nigeria. It is succinct to state that the Nigerian Military has indeed displayed acts of bravery in reducing the threats posed by the Boko Haram group in Nigeria to the barest minimum through laudable initiatives as well as the professionalization of its operations in line with the rules of engagement in warfare.

The role of the various Service Chiefs in the coordination and persecution of the war against terrorism has been outstanding, and this has resulted in the multiple gains recorded so far. The various rescue operations carried out by the Nigerian Military has seen to the rescue of hundreds of thousands of women and children as well as elderly ones held captive by the Boko Haram group.

There has also been lots of emphasis on the welfare of the troops by the military authorities. This fact is partly responsible for the renewed vigour in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war by the Nigerian forces.

Timeline of Events/Successes by the Nigerian Military in the War Against Terrorism in Nigeria:

The Nigerian Military has indeed made considerable gains in the War against terrorism in Nigeria. From the reports gathered in the field, it can be stated the from 2016 to date; the Nigerian Military was able to redefine the War against Terrorism in Nigeria by ultimately rendering the Boko Haram group ineffective and confined to their hideouts in the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin Region.

In the last two months, the gains recorded are phenomenal with the relocation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria. The number of terrorist that surrendered in the last two months stands at a figure of 250, while those killed by the Nigerian Military stands at over 1200 in the past two months of intensified military operations led by the Chief of Army Staff in North-East Nigeria.

In the last two months, the various rescue operations of the Nigerian Army has led to the rescue of over 600 women and children from Boko Haram captivity spread across multiple locations in North-East Nigeria. This feat was as a result of the renewed commitment by the Nigerian Army in its onslaught against the Boko Haram group that was coordinated by the Chief of Army Staff.

The presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operations has indeed boosted the morale and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria. The troops have been continually engaging the Boko Haram group, and this has led to scores of overtures made by the Boko Haram fighters signifying their willingness to dialogue for a ceasefire.

Recommendations:

The routine presence of the Chief of Army Staff in the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria, which had been a significant strategy of the Nigerian Army leadership has shown a significant impact on the war against Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria. This must be sustained as a culture and spread across the whole armed forces and security apparatus in Nigeria.

The precarious situation that Nigeria has found herself demands that all state actors must take the welfare of their personnel seriously and must be in the trenches with the troops providing psychological support using the example of the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.

It must be stated that if the leadership of other security agencies take a cue from the Nigerian Army experience, the myriads of security challenges would be nipped in the bud. If the Inspector General of Police moves in with its personnel in the forest combing for bandits and other criminal elements, there would be a significant improvement in the security situation in the country.

If the Comptroller General of Immigration occasionally mans the borders with its officers would reduce incidences of smuggling and other trans border-related crimes in the country.

There is a need for greater synergy between the local political leadership and the Military. This has been seen from the constant collaboration between the Military and the current political leadership in northeast Nigeria.

This cordial relationship has helped to eliminate mistrust between the Military and the political leadership which worked to the advantage of the terrorists in the past. Therefore there is a need for a deliberate effort by the political leadership in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and the Department of State Security to take control of recovered territories in North-East Nigeria to return life to the communities and make it impossible for fleeing terrorists to regroup against the Nigerian state.

Interventionist agencies in the North-East must speed up developmental activities to help the populace in bouncing back to life by providing the needed infrastructures that would encourage the displaced people to return to their communities.

Conclusion:

The operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria can be described as effective in curtailing the various threats posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group. The various rescue operations that have led to the release of several women and children held in captivity by the Boko Haram group lends credence to the strategic importance of the role of leadership in the War against terrorism in Nigeria.

The example by the Chief of Army Staff is indeed a worthy example that must be emulated by heads of security agencies in the country in ensuring that our officers and men are in high spirits in pursuant of the task of maintaining law and order in the country.

It is, therefore, the considered opinion of the Centre for International and Strategic Studies that the gains recorded by the Nigerian Military in the War against terrorism in Nigeria is strategic and in line with global best practices that emphasizes teamwork, patriotism, dedication and zeal. These are all the hallmark of the leadership of the Nigerian Military since 2015.

We wish to state that if this momentum is sustained, Nigeria would win the war against terrorism in no distant time.

By: Mohammed Basah


No less than 30 top Boko Haram commanders have sent words to their leader, Abubakar Shekau, that they will drop their arms and surrender to the Nigerian Armed Forces soon.


The verbal message sent through one of Shekau's close contacts by the Boko Haram top fighters is said to have devastated the BH leader who has been experiencing terrible outings in recent times and has been hard put trying to convince the top commanders to stay.


The top commanders are said to have moved ahead and begun a process that would see them surrendering to the Nigerian armed forces soon by fortifying their bunkers in case Shekau sends his men after them.


Feedbacks from sources who have had dealings with the Boko Haram terrorists in recent times have it that most of the operational commanders of the sect are not happy with their leader for not honouring his promise to surrender to the Nigerian military. 


Shekau had in March, following the near annihilation of his fighting men given an indication that he will be willing to surrender to the Nigerian military if only to save his life and that of his men only for him to dilly dally on the matter which has incurred the wrath of his top commanders.


More than 40 of the Boko  Haram top commanders including including Manzar Halid, Amir Abu Fatima and Nicap, among others were killed last week in a counter attack by the operation Lafiya Dole in what is now a clear indication that the terrorists have been overwhelmed.

 

High profile commanders and fighters of the Boko Haram namely, Abu Jamratu AL-Naweer, Kaka Bana and Tareta Babakari were also fatally wounded in that operation when Boko Haram terrorists attempted to overrun Banki and other communities in Borno State.


A large number of their equipments , including gun trucks, motorcycles and bicycles were destroyed also by troops.


The top commanders are the strategists and notorious kingpins of the group who  mastermind or lead deadly operations for the group. 


Our correspondents report that the terrorists experienced their worst outings in the last three months.


In March, Nigerian troops eliminated not less than 20 of their top commanders including one Abu Usamah, and over 100 of their fighters who were hiding  in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis as well as in Gorgi, Damboa local government of  Borno State.


In April, Nigerian troops also killed 105 of their men in Buni Gari and captured many weapons including five AK-47 rifles, three GPMG and one Duska anti-aircraft gun.

While in May,  78 members of ISWAP and 56  Boko Haram members were killed and 28 of their informants  were arrested. 


The Boko Haram commanders according to sources, had wanted Shekau to follow up on the notice of surrender he had earlier given and his recent cry for mercy and surrender so that they could together plead for leniency from the Nigerian government.


Shekau in a recent audio tape, was heard ululating about how he has been losing his fighters in the renewed onslaught against insurgency by the military since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai relocated to the Northeast.

Sources say the commanders, angered by the recent mass  killing of their colleagues no longer murmur in secret about their intentions to leave but have been bold enough to challenge their leader on why he has failed to do as he promised.


"You know their leader is holed up somewhere in the Cameroon mountains and there is a line of communication between them. 


"Normally their fighters are not allowed to complain as that could attract execution but lately, the commanders are united in their grudges and have dared Shekau to execute them if that would make him win the war.


"But Shekau cannot take any negative action on them because he has lost so many of his top men recently and killing these ones would render him highly vulnerable," the source said.


Sources say the Boko Haram commanders and their men are encouraged to take that line of action seeing that the Nigerian government had kept its word not to take any negative action on any of them that surrenders as all their former colleagues that had taken that line of action were well received and rehabilitated. 


They said as far as they are concerned, that Shekau is fighting a lost war as there is no way he can continue the fight with the heavy loss in human and material resources in recent times.


Though most of the commanders are said to be suicidal, sources say many of them are no longer convinced about the doctrine of sacrificing their lives as they have noticed that their leader himself is not ready to die but is being driven by pecuniary motives and not religious or righteous purposes. 


There are also allegations that the greed to continue to benefit from the war is responsible for why he has refused to surrender. 


The commanders are angry that whilst Shekau is currently hiding in the Cameroonian mountain, far from the reach of the Nigerian military, his commanders are being killed 'like chicken everyday by the Nigerian military especially with the presence of the COAS at the battlefield.'


They made it clear that the message is the final one they would be sending to him before they leave saying they are only communicating with him to see if he would live up to his promise and join them.


Sais the source: "It is not as if they are asking for his permission, they are just informing him to see if he will be willing to join them."


Our correspondents confirmed that the Boko Haram/ISWAP camps have been in disarray lately following the heavy casualty they have suffered.

*'We don't routinely treat COVID-19 patients', Cedarcrest Hospitals clears air on fake news*

Contrary to misconceptions on social media, the management of Abuja-based international-standard hospital, Cedarcrest has denied routinely admitting COVID-19 patients, saying it has no such plans at the moment.

In a letter dated May 31 and signed by its Director, Clinical Services, Dr Umelo Ferdinand, the hospital assured that its staff are alert and vigilant about any suspected symptoms from potential clients.

A modern specialist medical care centre in the Federal Capital Territory, Cedarcrest is famously credited by First Lady, Aisha Buhari for saving her son, Yusuf after a ghastly motorbike accident in 2018.

Recently, though, the hospital was accused of secretly attending to a high-profile Nigerian who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

However, Dr Ferdinand, on behalf of the facility said “ we do not admit any suspected cases into our main hospital and our staff are very alert and vigilant about any possible symptoms”.

According to the Director Clinical Services, separate facilities and resources were created for any suspected cases.

The medical practitioner further revealed that on no occasion has the hospital asked patients or visitors to self-isolate.

He further assured the general public that Cedarcrest remains very safe for all patients.

Read full statement below:

Our attention has been drawn to some mis of information in some social media posts relating to the treatment of a Covid-19 patient in our hospital.

While we are unable to discuss the management of any particular patient in the public space, we, however, feel we owe the public a duty to clear a few things in general.

The Covid-19 pandemic remains a risk in every hospital and Cedarcrest has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that our staff and patients are adequately protected at all times.

We do not routinely receive COVID-19 cases for treatment and presently have no intention to do so. In line with the best infection prevention and control practices, we have ensured that our staff have access to and utilise a robust supply of PPEs.

In addition, there are separate facilities and resources created for any suspected cases and have duly had these certified. We do not admit any suspected cases into our main hospital and our staff are very alert and vigilant about any possible symptoms.

We feel proud to say that we have created a very safe environment for staff to work and for routine patients to be treated. We will continue to do all we can in line with recommendations from the relevant authorities and international best practices to keep our patients safe.

Contrary to the false claims alluded to above, no patients or visitors to our facility have any reason to self-isolate. Patients should avoid casual visits to hospitals, just like applies to other public places. It is however very unsafe not to come to hospital for routine or emergent care where required.

We assure the public that Cedarcrest Hospitals remains very safe for all our patients.

By David Onmeje


The period since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai relocated to the war front has been one of torment for Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād better known as Boko Haram, the sympathizers of the murderous group and especially its deranged leader – Abubakar Shekau. Far from the aura of invincibility that he has built around himself with the active support of propaganda deployed in his favour by his more highly placed sponsors, Shekau has unraveled in the last two months as someone who hates even his own men more than he hates the secularity of the Nigerian state, key basis of the decade old bloodletting that has been his trade mark.

A few points deserve mention in order to understand how Shekau’s refusal to give up his failed war will be his ultimate doom. Had he given up and surrendered or even declared an end to his pointless attrition against Nigeria, perhaps a case of mental incapacity could have been marshalled to persuade all concerned for a lesser reckoning for his evil. But as things stand, Shekau is due for the maximum punishment and humiliation possible for his failed war and it is not death, but being captured and the humiliating failure of finally realizing that his entire life and life’s undertaken have been failures.

First, the start of the insurgency was tied to exacting reprisal against security forces for the death of the group’s founder, Yusuf Mohammed, in custody. That coupled with a demand for the strict implementation of Sharia law created the impression that the acts of terrorism being promoted by Boko Haram may one day end on the dialogue table where the extremists could get some sort of concession – some had even argued that the terrorists should key into the Sharia rule already being controversially implemented by some states in the northern parts of the country. But when Shekau, in his psychopathic bent, began going beyond military and secular targets to attack churches and later mosques, it became apparent that the campaign of terror was more about satiating his bloodlust than it was about bringing about Sharia rule or avenging Mohammed Yusuf’s death.

Secondly, those who propped up Shekau’s Boko Haram as a political tool are since done with him and his group for several reasons. Ouroboros – the snake is eating his own tail and will eventually consume itself, Shekau had on several occasions turned on his own sponsors effectively cutting off the vital support he got from them. He is also known to kill his own followers on whimsy excuses like accusation of displaying cowardice in battle or betraying the movement, like those who hinted at taking up the offer of surrender were executed whenever they are found out before properly defecting. Nigeria’s francophone neighbours: Cameroon, Chad and Niger – which hitherto were playing the double game that allowed Boko Haram fighters flee into their jurisdiction after attacks in Nigeria have turned on Shekau and his hordes and it seems not even the pressure from France will allow these nations again embrace a snake to their bosom.

Those who ran propaganda for Shekau have tired of their craft. They had thrived at a time when their client was enjoying international support for his killing spree. Theirs was to help escalate the collective feeling of terror from Boko Haram attacks and to paint its demented leader as invincible. They have fallen silent when they saw the efficiency with which the Nigerian Army is decimating Boko Haram and are suddenly no longer able to sing the praises of Shekau or present Boko Haram as a parallel state in which they are prouder than they are in Nigeria. The same goes for the online cheerleading team that had persistently glamourized the acts of terror that Shekau’s Boko Haram committed.

Furthermore, the boost that the terrorists enjoyed in the Lake Chad Basin Region, whether as Boko Haram or the now irrelevant Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), fizzled out with the substantial dismantling of ISIS, Islamic State in the Syria-Iraqi axis with further disarrayed visited on its infrastructure with the killing of its most effective leader yet, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. ISIS extended support to Boko Haram as a way of making it a franchise that will facilitate its quest to dominate the world, an undertaking that was escalated in the year 2015 but one that has not evaporated with the destruction of the international terror group. A sane person would have reckoned with this development and be more realistic about an offer of surrender but not Shekau, who is too far gone in his insanity to realize that Boko Haram/ISWAP has degraded from being part of an international terror brand to being a local nuisance.

Also, the persistence of the Nigerian military seems to have outlived the dubious scheming of third-party nations like France, which have persistently funneled weapons, cash and training to Boko Haram terrorists in pursuit of their geo-strategic interests. The timeframes that such nations set for their objectives have been distorted by the unexpected resilience shown by the Nigerian military, which has achieved the impossible even in the face of crippling blockade of arms sales and other covert sanctions that are intended to prevent Nigeria from being able to deal with Boko Haram internationally sponsored terrorism. After series of incidents that expose the ignoble roles of countries like France and corporations linked to such countries, the appetite of these entities to risk further exposure as international sponsors of terrorism has made them scale back their support for Boko Haram.

Similarly, the NGO arm of Boko Haram have been rendered ineffective following their exposure and the connection of the links they mutually share. Amnesty International is one of such groups that hide under the theme “upholding of human rights” to provide cover for Boko Haram to operate, while it deploys its reports to incapacitate troops from effectively fighting terrorists through the constant dangling of accusation of rights abuses against them it also coordinates other NGOs to offer support that made Boko Haram into a deadly gang. Some of its partners are into steadily supplying food and provisions to the terrorists under the guise of preventing human suffering from hunger, others provide treatment to terrorists wounded in battle without alerting authorities to take them in for their crimes citing the protection of the terrorists’ human rights as excuse. Even more terrifying is the discovery that these NGOs made themselves into the intelligence gathering arm of Boko Haram by passing information to terrorists about troops movement, they get this information as part of security briefings that are meant to keep them safe by notifying them of impending operations against the terrorists.

It must be counted fortunate for Nigerians and unfortunate for Shekau’s Boko Haram that the Nigerian military finally resolved to do away with the political correctness that had allowed the identified terrorist advantages to thrive. In the wake of other events: the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the exposure of Amnesty International as a terrorists supporting NGO, the confirmation of the double standard of countries like France and the Chadian retaliation for Boko Haram betrayal of killing its troops, the Nigerian Army went all out to end the reign of terror in the Lake Chad Basin. The last two months of the resulting military operation have exposed Shekau as one that hates even his own men, someone who is violently prodding them to fight onto death while hiding in his burrows.

A Shekau who had clandestinely negotiated the possibility of his own surrender and safe passage into oblivion would not let his men surrender and end the war, not because he has any hope of regaining the upper hand in his failed war but because he is worried about losing the funds from his sponsors. He has continued to give his fighters and sponsors alike the false hope that he can keep his acts of terror going and wear the troops down by making the military operation drag into another dry season when the terrorists can cover greater distance without being bugged down by the elements. What he is rather succeeding at is sending his men to die in the hands of government troops. He keeps giving them false hope even though they are now guaranteed a journey into the great beyond instead of a return trip to their lairs each time they venture to the battlefield because General Buratai is on ground to supervise every single incursion of the troops.

The fear of Amnesty International no longer stops the troops from doing what the nation commissioned them to do. The NGO is no longer able to author fraudulent reports that absolve the terrorists of wrongdoing while indicting soldiers for fighting evil. Troops are thus able to go for the jugular each time they engage the terrorists. They did everything General Buratai wants in the government troops, what Nigerians want - killing as many terrorists as possible, rescue as many hostages as possible and making the entire northeast inconducive for terrorists. The result has been troops that made us proud, they have killed over 1000 killed in 60 days.

Alas, Shekua who is still in hiding in the Cameroonian Mountains, has continued his ineffectual bid to inspire his fleeing elements to keep fighting, without mentioning that what he now asks of them is a guaranteed suicide mission since the certain outcome for any fighter who heeds Shekau’s call is a bullet ridden and mangled corpse. Shekua hates his own men more than he hates the country to the extent that he keeps pushing them to go get killed even when he has lost over 3,000 of his fighters in a short time. Shekau may enjoy one more day of pushing his hapless fighters into suicidal battles but the only way the present configuration will end is the Boko Haram leader being in shackles as part of the Nigerian Army’s victory parade.

Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

*Buratai, Nigerian troops get commendation over liquidation of top Boko Haram/ISWAP commanders, 72 fighters*

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. T.Y Buratai and troops on the frontlines have received massive commendation for liquidating top Boko Haram/ ISWAP commanders and 72 fighters in Borno.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) showered praises on the COAS for once again leading troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to another victorious outing against the terrorists.

According to the pro-democracy group, on Thursday, the current feat complements the gains made by the military in the last three months, with the fallen terrorists numbering over 700.

Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have intensified its onslaught on the fleeing radical Islamic fighters following Lt. Gen. Buratai's relocation to the northeast.

Most recently, the rejuvenated troops launched a counter-attack on the terrorists who attempted to overrun Banki and other communities in Borno State, and in the process, slew its top commanders alongside 72 others.

In a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, the NDF hailed the COAS for remaining at the field of operation since March, adding that his presence has brought “monumental success for the country”.

With the renewed vigour and gallantry among the troops, the NDF reckoned that the deadline for the total annihilation of the terrorists groups in Nigeria would be met in no distant time.

The group, however, urged “ Lt. Gen. Buratai and his men not to relax or think that the terrorists would relent in their efforts to cause more damage on the polity.”

Read full statement below:

We wish to laud, commend and appreciate the Nigerian military particularly troops of Operation Lafiya Dole which have been fighting Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Northeast Nigeria, who have once again had a victorious outing in their quests to defeat terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

This time, the troops launched a counter-attack on the Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to overrun Banki and other communities in Borno State, and in the process, killed top commanders of the terrorist group and liquidated 72 of their fighting men.

Details of the encounter garnered from various sources indicated that the counter attack followed a failed attack on troops’ location at Banki Junction by terrorists within the 7 Division strike group response area and that it has been confirmed by competent military sources that the high ranking commanders of the Abubakar Shekau’s faction of the Boko Haram terrorist group were killed.

Top commanders of the Boko Haram that have been taken out according to top military sources include Manzar Halid, Amir Abu Fatima and Nicap, among others.

Going by the confession of former Boko Haram members, these men are some of the notorious kingpins of the group who have either masterminded or led some the deadliest operations of the group.

Apart from that we also have it on good authority that 72 members of the Boko Haram were also neutralised and many others wounded with narrow chances of survival.

Those wounded according to released information from the military, include some high profile commanders and fighters of the Boko Haram namely, Abu Jamratu AL-Naweer, Kaka Bana and Tareta Babakari while a large number of their equipment , including gun trucks, motorcycles and bicycles were destroyed by troops.

The Boko Haram terrorists were said to have on seeing the superior fire power from Nigerian troops made to retreat and withdraw from the base but were not successful as troops had already enclosed them due to superior tactics and manoeuvres and liquidated many of them.

Reports also indicate that the Boko Haram/ISWAP groups have been totally shattered and devastated and further weakened after this latest attack which is an addition to the sustained onslaught against the terrorists groups since March this year.

NDF notes that the current feat complements the gains made by the military in the fight against insurgency and terrorism and brings to nearly 700, the number of terrorists top comanders and fighters that have been brought down within a spate of three months.

It also adds to the number of communities and persons that have been saved from attempted attacks by the terrorists in recent times.

This feat calls for an applause to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen TY Buratai who has been at the field of operation since March as well as for the troops for performing at excellent levels and reducing to the barest minimum activities of terrorists and insurgents in Nigeria.

We, at the NDF are not in any way surprised by the success of the current operation as the presence of the COAS in the theatre has brought about monumental success for the country on its campaign against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in the country.

With the renewed vigour and increase gallantry of the Nigerian troops, we are optimistic that the deadline for the total annihilation of the terrorists groups in Nigeria would be met and we have no iota of doubt that the troops led by the Chief of Army Staff would deliver on the mandate.

We notice with pride that since the relocation of the army chief to the theatre of operation, the moral of troops have been boosted and it has been reports of success stories all through.

Nigerians are beginning to see why the President places so much confidence on the current structure of the military high command as Nigeria has never had it so good in the fight against insurgency which at a time seemed to have overwhelmed our troops.

We urge Buratai and his men not to relax or think that the terrorists would relent in their efforts to cause more damage on the polity.

If events of the past are anything to go by, the constant pummelling of the terrorists groups would make them want to prove that they are still deadly and desperate to attempt another attack.

The military must therefore be vigilant to make sure they're routed out any time they attempt to do so as it has done in several of their attempts to attack major towns and communities in recent times.

We commend the Chief of Army Staff for good and quality leadership, brilliant strategies and planning and for his presence at the war front.

We on behalf of other Nigerians thank him and the troops for making the country secured for all of us to live in and go about our various businesses and we are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for picking the right men for the job.

Uche Ogah: Investigation On Corrupt Practice; Truce and the misconception of facts.


Allegations of gross corrupt practices and financial crimes levelled against the honourable minister of States for mine and steel development, Uche Orgar by National Coordinator of Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates led by Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi has been resolved and truce made as it is only a product of misconception and unavailability of facts to the petitioner.


Why is there a great concern about allegations or petitions, then few formal complaint investigations result in findings of false allegation. Simply put, the stakes are high. There may be negative impacts on career and reputation. Potential job loss or discipline is a reality. The stress, time, effort, frustration, and financial cost take a toll on the parties. Establishing the basis for a complaint, or defending against allegations, particularly if this entails proving a negative—that something did not happen when it is alleged it did—is often a difficult and lengthy process.

The embarrassment and emotions attached to allegations and evidence can undermine even the strongest individual. Orgah least needs this at a time like this

The truce does not think of allegations as being “true” or “false” but important that clarity be set.

It is simplistic and unhelpful to frame allegations as “true” or “false”. Doing so leads to confusion and misunderstandings
An allegation is a statement of belief that some wrong or harm has occurred and to this extent, Pelumi Olajengbesi is right through his organisation to make demands and all needed information's have been given and peace achieved.

We wish to commend the openess of the Honorable Minister Uche Ogah in attending to the allegations levelled against him and the readiness of the petitioner to accept the fact provided towards a lasting peace for national development and protection of individuals dignity.

Amnesty International's latest Report Against Military Fallacious, Lacking in Objectivity- CALSER


The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has rubbished Amnesty International’s latest report against the Nigerian Military in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

Amnesty had alleged that children in the North-East were being subjected to unlawful treatment and detention in inhumane conditions.

However, in a counter-report signed by Princess Ajibola, on Wednesday, CALSER described the claims as “ fallacy, lacking in objectivity”.

The Centre said this may just be another coy by the international humanitarian organization in its characteristics penchant for distracting the Nigerian troops when the morale is high.

CALSER added that this is even more striking, especially as the report was based on an interview conducted on only 48 children held in detention, as well as 22 adults.

Contrary to AI's allegation, the Centre disclosed that the military have been conducting operations that led to the rescue of thousands of women and children, granting them access to medical care before release to their families.

CALSER noted that in all of its engagements, “we have not been able to establish cases of torture by the Nigerian Military as put forward by Amnesty International”.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Liberation, therefore, stated that the recent report by AI is lacking in all ramifications and should be disregarded by all and sundry.

It, however, pledged its commitment to continue working with the military in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Read the full report below:

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights Statement on Amnesty International's report "'We dried our tears': Addressing the toll on children of Northeast Nigeria's conflict" accusing the Nigerian Military subjecting children in North-East Nigeria to unlawful treatment and detention.

The Nigerian Military has been engaged in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria since 2009 when the Boko Haram terrorist group began a violent campaign against Nigeria.

As standard with warfare, there are bound to be casualties of immeasurable proportion. But the report by Amnesty International in fulfilment of its supposed mandate of bringing to the fore perceived cases of human rights violations in countries where it operates, Nigeria inclusive is lopsided.

In the report by Amnesty International, it alluded that the Nigerian Military's treatment of those who escape such brutality has also been appalling. From mass, unlawful detention in inhumane conditions, to meting out beatings and torture and allowing sexual abuse by adult inmates – it defies belief that children anywhere would be so grievously harmed by the very authorities charged with their protection.

This statement is at best a fallacy that lacks objectivity as the activities of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria has continuously been scrutinized by a coalition of civil society organizations including the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights believes that the motives of Amnesty International in this regard could be hinged on a disdain for the successes recorded since 2016 when the Nigerian Military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram terrorist group.

This is on the heels that the report was based on an interview conducted on 48 children held in detention, as well as 22 adults. It is indeed questionable that conclusions can be drawn from such sample size given the population of North-East Nigeria that as at 2011 stands at 23,558,674 or 13.5% of the country's population.

It must be stated that such a sample size cannot avail a reasonable conclusion in research. As such, there is a high level of mischief on the part of Amnesty International, which might not be unconnected with its insatiable desire to see to the festering of the crisis in North-East Nigeria to suit their purpose and cause a distraction to the operations of the Nigerian Military.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights have in times past questioned the genuineness of the reports of Amnesty International on Nigeria. This position of ours had led to the commissioning of various researches to ascertain the veracity of the claims made by Amnesty International.

It suffices to state that on these occasions, there was a wide disparity between what was reported by Amnesty and our team of independent researchers. This has been the trend, and it has assumed a worrisome dimension with the recent report by Amnesty International.

Amnesty International in its report also posited that most of such detentions were unlawful; children were never charged or prosecuted for any crime and are denied the rights to access a lawyer, appear before a judge, or communicate with their families. The widespread unlawful detentions may amount to a crime against humanity.

It is common knowledge that the use of children in war is a crime against humanity. And as such, it is indeed bewildering that Amnesty International can feign ignorance to these ignoble acts by Boko Haram. While it is understandable that Amnesty International would feign this ignorance, it is nonetheless against all known protocols why such anomalies should be encouraged rather than rebuked.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is in receipt of the fact that the Nigerian Military has been conducting rescue operations that have led to the rescue of thousands of women and children have been rescued from the Boko Haram captivity. It is also public knowledge that the Nigerian Military has availed those rescued from captivity access to medical care, as well as counselling before they are released back to their families.

Therefore, there is no record in the archives of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights that indicates otherwise. We have also been painstaking in scrutinizing cases of human rights violations in North-East Nigeria and the bulk of the summary of our scrutiny highlighted gross violations by the Boko Haram group. Case studies were seen in the Chibok girls, the Dapchi girls, as well as the Buni Yadi massacre of young boys in their dormitory by the Boko Haram group.

It must be stated that children rescued from Boko Haram captivity are not detained or charge for terrorism as in the first instance, the involvement of children was more forceful and against their wishes. This fact, the Nigerian Military highlighted and stated that counselling sessions are availed rescued captives regardless of their age or gender.

Amnesty International was economical with the truth when it stated in the report that almost everyone fleeing Boko Haram territory, including children, is "screened" by the Military and Civilian Joint Task Force – a process that, for many, involves torture until the person "confesses" to affiliation with Boko Haram. Alleged Boko Haram members and supporters are transferred and held, often for months or years, in squalid conditions in detention centres including Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri and the Kanji military base in Niger State.

Every discerning mind would agree that screening is a precautionary measure put in place by the Nigerian Military to ensure that fleeing Boko Haram terrorist do not infiltrate the civilian populace and wreak further havoc. The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights observed that these precautionary measures have indeed drastically reduced incidences of suicide bombings in markets, places of worship, communities and other places in times past.

Moreover, in all of our engagements, we have not been able to establish cases of torture by the Nigerian Military as put forward by Amnesty International. We are indeed aware that the Nigerian Military has a Directorate for Civil-Military relations, as well as the establishment of human rights desks.

It is worthy to state that the establishments of these initiatives have seen to the reprimanding and consequent prosecution of errant soldiers that were caught violating human rights in North-East Nigeria.

It is therefore awkward that Amnesty International estimates that at least 10,000 people, including many children, have died in detention during the conflict. There is no iota of truth in this claim, and this much Amnesty International must own up to.

Amnesty International contradicted itself in its report wherein it stated that conditions are better at the Operation Safe Corridor site than elsewhere in military detention, and former detainees spoke positively about the psychosocial support and adult education there.

For inexplicable reasons, Amnesty International refused to acknowledge the fact that the detention facilities of the Nigerian Military operate under the same conditions. This much the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights can attest to given the fact that it has on several occasions, visited the various detention centers of the Nigerian Military in various locations.

The Centre for Africa Liberation wishes to advise Amnesty International to dedicate substantial time to conducting field research instead of relying on hearsays and desk research with regards to the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria.

Conclusion:

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Liberation states in unequivocal terms that the recent report by Amnesty International is lacking in all ramifications and should be disregarded by all and sundry.

The accusations are with sinister motives and not a reflection of the issues on the ground. The general public must realize that acts of terrorism are of various dimensions and Amnesty International through its recently released report has availed us the possibility of intellectual terrorism.

The Centre for Africa Liberation would continue to work with the Nigerian Military in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.