₦airaland Forum

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.

How Buhari’s 5 years inspired the military to top form

By Richard Murphy

The President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has saved Nigeria from imminent collapse, by revamping the military’s institution which image, structure and organization was at its lowest point.

Within five years of direct support, strategic planning and implementation, the Nigerian Armed Forces have been inspired back to shape and can now hold its head high, performing creditably well, stoutly defending the territorial integrity of the nation, securing the lives and property of citizens, ridding the country of subversive elements and stamping out terrorism.

This is a sharp contrast from its dismal record in the not so distant past when it lost its place as a regional leader owing to the many missteps of the past and the devastation of its ranks by the insurgents.

No doubt, one of its biggest challenges the military has faced since the Nigerian civil war is the Boko Haram crisis when some elements took up arms against the state in the Northeastern part of the country in the attempt to take over the country by force.

The more the armed forces tried to engage, the more it betrayed signs of fatigue, weakness and lack of capacity which emboldened the terrorist to push further into the country bombing towns and communities at will, attacking military bases and villages and wrecking heavy toll on both the military and civilian population.

Worse still, troops that were supposed to defend the citizens seem more in need of help. Pathetic stories of troops deserting at the slightest indication of danger rend the air with reports of whole units fleeing from battle fields for safety, known as tactical withdrawal in other countries.

Aggrieved soldiers who had no confidence in themselves, their weapons and on the high command, protested openly by opening fire on their commanders.

Regaled with tales of how their husbands were being butchered at the battle fields, wife of soldiers could no longer keep calm and marched in the barracks with placards protesting the deployment of their spouses' to the battle front.

The situation was so bad that a Nigerian state governor lamented that the Boko Haram is "better armed and better motivated" than government forces trying to stop their attacks.

Then Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, was quoted as saying that not only were the insurgents better equipped but that "given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram."

Security experts confirmed that the terrorists were using sophisticated weapons and were receiving better allowances from their sponsors than the Nigerian troops.

No doubt, President Buhari met the worst armed forces at the time he took over the helms of affair. But quite astutely, he has been able to transform it into one of the best in the world today in just five years.

Facts indicating that the Nigerian military has recorded significant gains since the current administration speak for itself as Nigeria has never had it better than what is going on at the theatres of operation with the insurgents.

Since March when Lt. Gen. TY Buratai moved to the theatre of war in Borno State, the gallantry of the fighting forces have become more pronounced at every turn making many to wonder if is the same institution that was being ridiculed some back.

Within two months, no less than 500 of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists have been liquidated by Nigerian troops while many have been seriously wounded or arrested.

In the same March, Nigerian troops eliminated a notorious Boko Haram strategist and trainer, Abu Usamah, and killed over 100 of their fighters who were hiding in hidden communities like Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala and in Gorgi, Damboa local government of Borno State.

In April, Nigerian troops in another operations also killed 105 insurgents in Buni Gari and captured many of their weapons.

The terrorist group suffered much more devastation in May when troops killed 134 and arrested 28 of their informants while overrunning their camps in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi near the Sambisa forest.

The heat on the insurgence was so intense that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau in an audio message admitted to being weakened and cried for mercy seeking Allah’s protection against the firepower of the Nigerian military.

Not long after that 11 of the ISWAP members ran to the military and surrendered their weapons.

These gains have been made possible by a number of factors which the Buhari administration adopted which include reorganizing the military by dealing with those who had frittered away the resources meant for fighting insurgency.

President Buhari also appointed highly professional, well trained and disciplined officers to man each arm of the armed forces.

His appointment of Lt. Gen T.Y Buratai has been a source of huge blessing to the military as it was Chief of Army Staff that was responsible for the success of the Multinational Task Force on insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

To prove that the President hadn’t made a mistake by appointing him, Buratai began to lead insurgency operations from the front by going to the battlefield himself.

There, he is said to engage troops directly, hearing their grievances and complaint and then take immediate actions to address them, thereby motivating the fighting forces.

His presence at the theatre of operations has also been a massive boost in the application of experience and strategy as it is already paying off.

The Army Chief's latest innovation is said to involve moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents thereby overwhelming the terrorists.

The president Buhari administration has also taken positive steps to train and equip the military.

It has sent so many officers for coaching and has acquired some of the weapons of warfare to outwit insurgents.

This year alone, the army acquired 17 military vehicles consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzer from China.

The vehicles consist of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzers.

The army made the purchase from the Chinese government as part of its strategies to intensify effort in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad region and the contract was signed between Nigeria and the NORINCO back in 2019.

Nigerian troops expected to operate the vehicles have already been trained in China with the Chinese government confirming that Nigeria has become the first nation in the region to own advanced tanks with the buffalo 4-Wheel vehicles numbering 55 which have been procured and commissioned.

The Defense Industrial Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, in 2015 was also revived and made to commence the production of the 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition cartridge in its facility in Kaduna in addition to the ones it is producing.

In 2019, the Nigerian Army also deployed four newly acquired Mine Resistant Anti-Ambush Personnel (MRAP) vehicles and inducted them in Maigumeri super camp in Maiduguri.

The MRAP vehicles are meant to offer increased firepower, enhanced force protection against small arms as well as improved capability.

The government also increased budget on defense and this time around made sure that money meant for security were not diverted but gets to its intended destination.

In 2018 for instance, the Nigerian military budgeted about N38bn for the purchase of ammunition, fighter jets and helicopters as part of its efforts to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East.

This comprised N5,281,288,780 for the “procurement of ammunition of various types and calibres,” while another N1,024,800,000 was for part payment for three light utility helicopters.

In the 2017 budget, the army had also budgeted N5bn for the procurement of weapons to prosecute the anti-terrorism war.

Meanwhile, in the breakdown of the 2018 budget, the army set aside N1bn for the purchase of armoured vehicles, and N300m for the acquisition of 25 infantry patrol vehicles and N235,697,000 for the purchase of vehicles for the Operation Lafiya Dole.

These are indeed big strides that have made it possible for Nigeria to begin to hope that the insurgency which has ravaged the country for so many years would soon be a thing of the past and the entire villages in the Northeast would no longer live in fear.


Murphy is a security expert and wrote in from Calabar.

By Samson Abu

“Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility. Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government. For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helpingng to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.”

The above sentence is what readers on the Premium News platform are confronted with for every news story. The appeal is strong and meant to elicit monetary donations from members of the public in the sustenance of “journalism of relevance.”

Whatever the motives of Premium Times are in soliciting for monetary donations from members of the public remains to be unravelled in the fullness of time. I am still struggling to come to terms with it because I have had reasons to question the editorial stance of Premium Times in times past.

When I see responsible journalism, I know it. When I also see irresponsible journalism occasioned by mischief and a price tag for every news story I also know. I stand to be corrected; Premium Times is leading in this fold, especially when it comes to issues that concern the Nigerian Military in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group in North-East Nigeria.

Having all these in mind, I sparsely visit Premium Times let alone rely on the genuineness of its reportage of issues. But a senior colleague of mine and an expert in conflict and security drew my attention to a publication in Premium Times titled "EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Army ‘secretly trying’ soldier who criticized service chiefs on social media” he left the following note for me:

"Your good friends are in their elements again. This story is not about the soldier, but that of the Service Chiefs. You can guess what is up. Happy reading"

Out of curiosity, I followed the link to the story and to say I wasn't disgusted at the display of shoddy journalism would be an understatement. My conclusion was that with the likes of Premium Times, journalism has indeed gone to the dogs in Nigeria.

As a first, I knew after reading the first paragraph that someone has made a “modest support” in the accounts of the organization towards helping “to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.”

The trajectory in the story was poor. No media house that is well structured and abides by the journalism creed would sanction such a disjointed story lacking in every form of integrity and professionalism.

The Premium Times story reminded me of an article “Thinking about the Symbiotic Relationship between the Media and Terrorism” written by Mohammed Elshimi, where he stated that that the media does not create terrorist organizations, but it does promote terrorism. The principal distinction to bear in mind is: once terrorism gets going, the relationship between terrorism and media becomes symbiotic.

He stated that ‘Symbiotic’ explains how these strikingly different actors become interlocked in a relationship hinged on a convergence of interest: the media’s insatiable drive to supply content is simultaneously mirrored by the strategic necessity of terrorist movements for the oxygen of publicity.

“The media provides a platform for terrorist movements to broadcast and amplify their message to global audiences. Without this platform, the message of terrorist movements would not reach beyond its very immediate locale and therefore would remain unknown to most people outside the confined boundaries of the attack.”

Enter the world of Premium Times in Nigeria where the medium has been notorious in promoting acts of terrorism in Nigeria. Their scathing campaign against the Military is indeed legendary. They seem to have absolute disdain for the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East, Nigeria for inexplicable reasons.

I recall that sometime in 2016, the Chief of Army Staff sued Premium Times for libel and character assassination. And since then there has been no love lost between the Nigerian Army and Premium Times. In my opinion, this recent diatribe by Premium Times is nothing but a huge distraction to the counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria.

I am aware that the military authorities have stated that the soldier involved in the online video that went viral would be placed under observation and counselling. That was the most rational thing to do in a circumstance like this and not what Premium Times wants members of the unsuspecting general public to believe.

Premium Times must understand that a warfront is different from a newsroom and therefore the need to be circumspect in the propagation of half-truths. This is also on the heels that the country is at the last phase of the Boko Haram war and Nigerians may have forgiven those that contributed in promoting the war in the past but not anyone or organization that further prolongs the war through whatever means.

This is not a time for distractions, and it's such a shame that Premium Times is that veritable tool identified by those against the interest of Nigeria to distract the Nigerian Army. Sufficing to add that the prerogative of the tenure of the Services Chiefs in Nigeria is that of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

And for those interested in the Service Chiefs, I wonder in whose interest they want this to happen. I can bet that it is not in the interest of the country, but that of their cronies and business partners whose trade has been greatly affected since the Nigerian Military turned the tide against the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Even though it is expected that these merchants of war would fight back, the interest of the country must supersede personal interest. The promoters of Premium Times must realize and desist from availing their medium to unpatriotic elements to further fan the embers of war in Nigeria. The agitation is needless. It would only serve the purpose of denting further the already dented image of the organization by their often malicious stories on individuals and organizations.

It must be stated, and expressly so that since Premium Times cannot substantiate their claim of a secret trial, it would be in the interest of remnants of their reputation to retract their story and commit themselves to the best practices in journalism.

Premium Times must not distract the Army at this point. The authorities have said the soldiers involved in the outburst would be put through observation and counselling on the heels that emotions can run riot in war situations. This is normal and not peculiar to Nigerian troops engaged in the Boko Haram war in North-East, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army is in the process of taking stocks, and it is expected that the Boko Haram group and their collaborators would fight dirty, including launching vicious attacks using different mediums and methods. And the Premium Times charade is an example of an uncharitable Salah gesture to the efforts of the Military in the push emancipation of North-East Nigeria from the clutches of Boko Haram terror group.

Needless, I mention that terrorist activities won't thrive if there are no collaborators in the chain of violence. Some carry arms, some facilitate logistics, and some propagate their activities. Premium Times must stand out and not be counted as accomplices to acts of terrorism in Nigeria when the history of the Boko Haram insurgency is written.

Terrorism knows no tribe religion or organization for we all are victims of their fangs. Consequently, there must be a unity of purpose to defeat terrorism in Nigeria. The media has a vital role to play in this regard. This is the time for the press to join ranks with the generality of Nigerians that have given their support to the efforts of the Nigerian troops in battle. There is no need magnifying issues that would provide the Boko Haram terrorist the psychological boost that they so crave. For that in itself is aiding and abetting their activities.

Premium Times should take a cue from other media organizations in Nigeria. No doubt, they boast of some fine blend of journalists in the country, but this credit must be channelled in the right way and the interest of Nigeria. This is a piece of advice.

Abu is a freelance journalist based in Maiduguri.

Buhari's administration has demonstrated will, capacity to end Boko Haram - Professor Danfulani


The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has demonstrated the will and capacity to end terrorism and all forms violent crimes in Nigeria in the last five years, a former Director General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic studies, NIPSS, Prof. Danfulani has said.


Prof. Danfulani, who is the current Chancellor, CISS, appraising the performance of the current administration in the last five years, said one area where it has indisputably done tremendously well and saved the lives of citizens is security.

The Professor, speaking with our reporters in Abuja said the administration, though, has surpassed expectations in other areas like economy and fight against corruption, but said security is considered as central to the overall performance of an administration because it provides the base for other things like the formulation of policies and for planning as well as citizens wellbeing and infrastructural development.

He said an administration that knits it onions first and foremost sets out to secure the citizenry before any other thing as much cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos and brigandage.

The former DG of NIPSS said the Buhari administration which came a time that the country was facing security challenges, did well to identify security as one of the cardinal challenges facing the country and quickly moved ahead to take drastic actions which has earned Nigeria respect and admiration from across the globe.

Said the Prof: "From day one, Buhari gave the service and other security chiefs in the country his agenda for the nation and gave them a marching order to move to the theatres of war.

"From that moment, the war on terrorism and insurgency in the country took a new dimension with Nigerian troops leading joint operations in the Lake Chad region as well ridding the home front of the activities of the terrorists."

Danfulani said it is within this period that Boko Haram was technically defeated and their operations bases weakened to the extent that they no longer were able to carry out operations in the country but fled to other countries to sometimes attack soft targets.

He said many have tried to unravel the magic that Nigeria brought to bear to achieve this turnaround and pointed out that a lot has to do with the right leadership in the country and in the armed forces.


The Prof. explained that to have a clearer picture of what was brought to bear on the operations of the Nigeria military that is earning it positive results lately, the commitment of the country's leadership to security had to be x-rayed.


The professor said the commitment of President Buhari to security can be categorised into three different phases to arrive at the conclusion that Nigeria is achieving results due to the right kind of leadership.


He said the three phases are, Buhari's attitude to security while in the military, his efforts as a private citizen and his tactics as a president.


"Buhari, said the Prof, "while serving in the military, brought pride to Nigeria with the way he carried out assignments especially with the way he gave Chadian soldiers who were reported to have killed some Nigerian soldiers a bloody nose when he was serving in Maiduguri under the Shagari administration."


The Professor said even as a private citizen, the President involved himself in processes to secure the nation and was constantly reminding the then government to be more committed to securing the country untill an attempt was made on his life while driving in Kaduna.


Danfulani said it was the culmination of these efforts that came to bear when Buhari took over the mantle of leadership as president and provided the support and impetus for Nigerian troops to defeat the insurgents, recapture many seized Nigerian territories and set many communities free.

"Who would have thought that a time would come in Nigeria when we will spend a whole week, then later months and now years without a bomb going off in any part of the country.

"Who would have thought that schools, hospitals and markets in Bama, Monguno, Gwoza and many other terrorised towns would reopen?" he asked.


Prof. Danfulani maintained that those that doubted Boko Haram was defeated were shocked to hear that the success of the military has even gone beyond making the terrorists flee but that the Boko Haram leader is even looking for ways to surrender.


The academic added that the sucker punch came when the Boko Haram leader in an audio was heard weeping like a baby and pleading to Allah to intercede for them over what he called the wickedness of the Nigerian military.


"President Buhari, the chief of army staff and the troops in the field deserve a standing ovation for making the Boko Haram leader who is wont to talk tough all the time swallow his pride to cry for mercy.


"That is the height of the assurance needed by the citizens that the President through the armed forces has given priority to secure the lives of citizens and has succeeded in doing so," he stated.


Prof. Danfulani said the President deserves commendation for appointing highly professional and well disciplined officers like Lt. Gen TY Buratai to lead the war against insurgency and terrorism.


He noted that the war against insurgency and terrorism took a different dimension since March this year when the Chief of army staff moved to the theater of operation and vowed not to return untill the terrorists are defeated.


"You can see that within a month, more than 500 of the insurgents have been killed, their weapons seized and their informants arrested.


"They have been reduced to a rag tag army clutching at straws in the most pitiable and uncoordinated manner.


"The Nigerian military is serious about bringing Boko Haram activities to an end and very soon people would see that some of the things achieved can only through a dedicated leadership with purpose that we currently have," he stated.

By Abe Kolawole

It was then military president, Ibrahim Babangida after several failed attempts to revamp the Nigerian economy while in office, let out in exasperation that, “ the Nigerian economy has defied all solutions.”

Babangida it was who introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, devalued the naira, introduced the Second Tier Foreign Exchange Market and privatized many sectors of the economy.

But when all these did not post the desired result on the economy, he threw his arms up in surrender in that statement that portrayed his helplessness.

Fast forward to 27 years later, the country's economy, which seemingly defied five administrations after Babangida and countless policies and strategies betrayed its rigidity, as they say in medical parlance, began to respond to treatment.

Two things, according to experts have made the difference in the approach the current administration has adopted which are impacting positively on the economy.

The first is the integrity of the man on the saddle, President Muhammadu Buhari and the second is his well known zero tolerance for corruption.

Whereas past Nigerian leaders have been able to come up with beautiful economic policies and programmes, such have failed to yield positive results due to the lack of discipline and moral rectitude required on the part of the leadership to see them through.

However, unlike others, Buhari came tailored-made for the job. Since his days in the military where he served in many credible positions including the federal commissioner for petroleum and natural resources to when he left office and served as the chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), the president has shown that he cannot be enticed with material things to shift focus from doing his job creditably well and can go to any length to ensure he protects the people’s interest.

With that sense of commitment, he has been able to churn out results in any assignment. It was for instance during his time at the petroleum ministry that many projects including federal government’s investment in pipelines and petroleum storage infrastructures and the building of about 21 petroleum storage depots all over the country from Lagos to Maiduguri and from Calabar to Gusau were done and when he became chairman of the PTF, it is on record that the project executed by the fund far surpassed the expectations of even the administration that established it.

Nigerians became nostalgic for a repeat of the Buhari leadership when they recounted that after he left office as Head of State, no administration has rivalled his commitment towards developing the country.

Since he was swoon into office in May 29 2015, the story of Nigeria has changed. The economy which was in doldrums began to show signs of recovery; states which could not pay salaries were helped to do so through the provision of bailout funds; small and medium scale enterprises began to boom and the agricultural sector was opened up through investment-friendly policies.

The power sector which had drained huge resources in the past without reciprocal improvement, quickly picked up as thousands of megawatts of power were not only added to the national grid but transmitted and distributed to consumers. That’s not all, though.

The petroleum sector recovered from its convulsion with just a push as queues at the filling stations completely disappeared and availability of petroleum products became the new order.

Corruption which defied many administrations was forced to take the back seat when the Treasury Single Account, TSA, was introduced and those who stole from the public till in the previous administrations were made to face the wrath of the law.

Not less than 8,000 ghost workers were uncovered in the public service and many public servants who were benefitting from corrupt practices of the past, living large at the expense of others, discerning that a new sheriff was in town, repented and adjusted their ways.

But perhaps the greatest legacy for which the current administration would be remembered for both now and in many years to come is on the aspect of security.

Prior to 2015, the security situation in the country was so embarrassing that Nigeria became a laughing stock the world over.

Its soldiers were the butt of jokes in other nations including even smaller African countries due to lack of motivation, poor welfare, inadequate equipment and training as well as corruption. Troops battling terrorists in the country and in the Lake Chad region were forced to abandon the fight to flee into other countries for safety.

Several communities in the North eastern part of the country were taken over by insurgents who boasted with glee that they are on the verge of carving out another country out of Nigeria as the then administration looked on helplessly.

The terrorists not assuaged by their takeover of communities on the fringes of the Lake Chad penetrated further into the country spreading the bloodletting activities to many states in the Northwest and Northcentral parts of the country and capped it all with their heavy presence and operations right in the heart of the federal capital in Abuja.

It was an all-time low for Nigeria as many infrastructure like roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and communication facilities were destroyed by the insurgents in addition to the many killed and the thousands abducted, raped and terrorized.

President Buhari, well aware of the crisis when he resumed made the issue of security part of his inaugural speech, promising to deal with the situation and promised to relocate the military command to the theatres of war.

He also searched hard to fish out those who would help him attain the goal of freeing Nigeria from terrorism that was making life so difficult for a vast majority of the populace and he appointed Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai among other service chiefs, as the Chief of Army Staff. Jackpot

That was the watershed. The narrative on the war on terrorism, insurgency and sundry other crimes suddenly took a different twist.

The terrorists that were making videos of their exploits including bombing of significant edifices like the United Nations' office, the police headquarters both in Abuja and attempt at attacking the office of the DSS began to flee as the heat turned on them.

They were in no time forced to evacuate from the FCT as the heat became unbearable. Their weekly rit/ual of blowing up worship centers in an average of one per week vanished and their threats to bring down the country fizzled out as the military took the war to their base and entered their fortresses in Sambisa Forest and the Mandara Hills.

The so called capital of their caliphate in Gwoza was overrun to the extent that the leader of the Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau abandoned his location with his tails between his legs leaving behind his cherished flag and Quran which were retrieved and presented to the President by the Chief of Army Staff.

All the 20 local government spread between Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States which were under Boko Haram control were recaptured by Nigerian troops and all the communities liberated. This saw to the drop on the population of people at the Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps as many returned to their homes and communities.

The Buhari administration through support to the military and other security agencies also saved Nigeria from the threat of secession from some disgruntled elements in the Southeast and put a permanent stop to their criminal activities while the head of the outfit, Nnamdi Kanu fled.

Between 2015 and 2020, the military also launched several operational codes to take care of certain security issues affecting the country ranging from cattle rustling, kidnapping, highway robbery, ritual killings and banditry.

Each time the terrorists made futile attempts to bounce back through surprise attacks on certain towns and communities, the military showed resistance and resilience, turning around attacks on Biu, Damboa, Garkida, Michika and other places.

People in these communities have seen more than an actionable assurance that their security is now guaranteed and never have failed to thank the Buhari administration for that.

As the heat became too much on the terrorists, they resorted into harassing villages on the fringes of Nigerien borders in Katsina, seeing that they are losing their grip on all fronts. President Buhari, unrelenting, equally ordered for operations in that area that would took care of that problem permanently.

Indeed even residents of places far away from the North east like Abuja, Kaduna and Kano have also had a cause to remember what transpired in the years gone by and to thank the Buhari administration for the wonderful job it is doing which has made life more meaningful and secured for them.


Kolawole is former PRO, National Association of Nigerian Student and wrote from Ondo State.

Boko Haram: PMB, Army have done what is impossible for world leaders in just five years -- Abubakar Tsav

A former commissioner of police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has described the five years of President Muhammadu Buhari in the saddle of leadership in Nigeria as phenomenal in the annals of the country with regards to the prosecution of the war against terrorism.
Abubakar Tsav stated this in an exclusive interview he granted on the state of the nation recently. According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari came on board at a time when the country was grappling with myriads of challenges, and despite all of that he was able to stir the ship of Nigeria out of turbulence.
“For those who know me know that I am very objective when it comes to issues of national interest. What was happening in Nigeria before Buhari came on board was not a joke. We were on the verge. But he was able to stabilize the polity and Nigeria is better off today. This is indeed phenomenal, and I must extend my utmost commendation to him.”
He also stated that what assisted the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the past five years was his commitment to the war against Boko Haram terrorism and other acts of economic sabotage that became the order of the day in previous administrations.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of unquestionable integrity, and this has been the hallmark of his administration. I think its common sense for all those in his team to understand the body language of their principal and this is what we need in this country as we march forward.”
“This administration has carried out a near-impossible task in just five years, which is a rare feat that would make other world leaders green with envy. Virtually all sectors of the economy have been affected positively, and this is what you get when you have a leader that is upright and committed to the Nigerian cause.”
When asked about the commitment of the government in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in the country, Abubakar Tsav stated that the hallmark of the Buhari government is the feat recorded by the Nigerian Army in turning the tide against the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“The Nigerian Army has been excellent since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari. One of the first pointers that he meant well was the composition of the Service Chiefs. Mind you I am of that constituency, and when I saw the caliber of those appointed, I was convinced that it was just a matter of time before we turn the tides against those insurgents.”
“So I was not surprised that in less than a year, the insurgents were dislodged from their operational headquarters in Sambisa forest, and all the local government areas that were under their control were recaptured.”
“Make no mistakes; this is a rare feat for those of us that understand asymmetric warfare and in terrain like North-East Nigeria. The Nigerian Military indeed rose to the occasion, and they must be commended regardless of the propaganda campaign against it by some unscrupulous elements.”
He further averred that the Nigerian Military has rapidly transformed into a professional force that abides by the rules of engagement in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in Nigeria.
“There is something called professionalism. This is the perfect description of the Nigerian Military of today. When I hear things like Directorate of Army-Civil relations I marvel. Also looking at the creation of Human rights desk in the Nigerian Army is novel in the security architecture in Nigeria.”
“Sorry to say this, during our years, there was never going to be a mention of such, let alone talk about the establishment. But here we have a military that is responsive and as well committed to the preservation of human rights in its operations. This is very commendable.”
Abubakar Tsav also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for repositioning and leading the Nigerian Army in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgent group.
“I salute the doggedness of the Chief of Army Staff, Buratai. He is such a brilliant officer who understands what it means to be a leader. He has indeed led by worthy examples, and I am sure that posterity would be kind to him for his numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.”
He advised that the government should be alert to the possibility of the resurgence of the Boko Haram group due to external support it receives.
“The government must be careful not to celebrate too early because terrorism is dynamic and also with the fact that the Boko Haram group has assumed a regional dimension and that is to say there are eternal sources that support its operations. We must be careful in this regards and continue to monitor things closely.”

Nigerian troops have killed, fatally injured 762 Boko Haram terrorists, centre says in report

A report by the Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies (IPCTS) has revealed how the Nigerian military killed and injured over 762 Boko Haram terrorists in the last one month.

According to the report signed by Executive Director, Dr. Samson Bello, the institute attributed the military's all-new operational strategy for this feat, which is the brainchild of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.Y Buratai.

The Army Chief’s relocation to the northeast to lead the final clearance operation has rubbed off on the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

The atmosphere has drastically changed with the troops highly motivated ever than before in the quest to flush out the fleeing terrorists.

After its extensive research work in the northeast, the Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies hailed the COAS for being the catalyst propelling his troops from the front in the last one month.

It disclosed that no fewer than 350 Boko terrorists have lost their lives and nearly 500 suffered life-threatening injuries in the said period.

This situation, IPCTS reckoned, has heightened the tension in the Boko Haram camp and further given the Nigerian troops the edge with sustained military offensives.

With the troops on the cusp of victory, the institute, however, urged that the tempo is sustained as the jihadist might eventually surrender as the odds are well against them.

Read full report below.

Introduction:

The Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies is a Think-Tank that coordinates intellectual activities for the promotion of global peace and prevention of terrorism across the globe. The Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies has been at the vanguard of identifying the operational methods of the Nigerian Military in operation in North East Nigeria since 2009 when the Boko Haram group began a violent campaign in Nigeria.

Consequently, the Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies commissioned a research into the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria for January to April, 2020 and presents the following report.

The Nigerian Military as a State Actor and efforts to keep the peace:

RESCUE OPERATION FOR INNOCENT CITIZENS BEING HELD HOSTAGE:

The Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies identified that the Nigerian Military had been actively involved in rescue operations across the North East involving the rescue of women and children, as well as older people that have been held hostage and used as human shields by the Boko Haram group.

A critical survey revealed that between 2018, 2019, and 2020 the Nigerian Military rescued a total number of 12,500 people from the captivity of Boko Haram in parts of Yobe and Borno State. From the figure, 80% were women and children, and 20% were aged people that needed urgent medical attention.

It was also observed that the Nigerian Military rescue operations were carried out in a fashion that has resulted in minimal casualties. The Nigerian Military also had a medical team that attended to those rescued from captivity before they are released to their various families.

NEUTRALIZATION OF TERRORISTS AND CRIMINAL ELEMENTS:

The Nigerian Military have been actively involved in the war against Boko Haram in North-East Nigeria, and that has seen several casualties from both sides. However, it was observed that the Boko Haram fighters have been at the receiving end of a continuous military onslaught that has led to the neutralization of Boko Haram terrorists, as well as other criminal elements.

The sustained military operations against the Boko Haram group also led to the death of scores of Boko Haram fighters. The Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies identified that over 350 Boko Haram fighters were killed in the past month in North-East Nigeria, and over 500 sustaining life-threatening injuries.

COUNTER-OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN:

It was observed that the counteroffensives by the Nigerian Military had yielded positive results. The casualty figures recorded so far has been on the low compared to previous years where the Nigerian Military recorded heavy casualties from their operations.

The Nigerian troops have been able to sustain the tempo with the introduction of additional counter-terrorism methods, as well as a boost in their military hardware that gave them the edge and with superior firepower over the Boko Haram group.

It was also observed that the operational strategy of the Nigerian Military have indeed placed the Boko Haram fighters on the brink of defeat baring all unforeseen circumstances. As at concluding the research work, it was established that 762 Boko Haram fighters lost their lives in battle with the Nigerian troops led by the Military Chief in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

MOTIVATION:

In the course of the research work, it was observed that the military chief, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has been leading the battle against Boko Haram. The military chief coordinates the day-to-day operations and offensives against the Boko Haram terrorists.

It was also observed that the presence of the military chief, Tukur Buratai has served as a source of motivation to the troops and this has been responsible for the gains recorded by the Nigerian Military in the war against Boko Haram in North-East Nigeria.

The presence of the military chief has continued to serve the purpose of motivation in the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East, Nigeria.

The Non- State Actors (Boko Haram/ISWAP)

Loss of confidence by Shekau and his commanders:

In the course of extensive research in the operations of the Boko Haram/ISWAP, it was identified that the camp of the Boko Haram/ISWAP has been polarized along various lines. There are those opposed to the continued stance of Abubakar Shekau and want a truce with the Nigerian Military. There are also those who see the casualties as a sign that Abubakar Shekau has misled them so far, and there is a need for him to step down from his responsibilities as their supreme leader.

This situation has heightened the tension in the Boko Haram camp and further given the Nigerian troops the edge with sustained military offensives.

FATIGUE IN BATTLE AND LACK OF COHESION:

It was observed that the Boko Haram/ISWAP camp is experiencing fatigue which was occasioned by long hours of battle with the Nigerian Military. The fact that the Nigerian Military boast of more modern and advanced military hardware and tanks puts the Boko Haram fighters in terrible strain and the consequent result has been fatigue in battle and lack of cohesion.

It was gathered that this situation has led to the Boko Haram/ISWAP group splitting into many factions with most of the commanders that hitherto held sway no longer ready to continue.

POOR MANAGEMENT OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND GREED

Our team of researchers was able to gather that the Boko Haram/ISWAP group is having difficulties assessing funds and logistics. The group is struggling with the availability of limited resources at their disposal, and this has put a strain on their operational effectiveness.

There is also uproar amongst Boko Haram members that Abubakar Shekau is mismanaging funds meant for the execution of their offensive against the Nigerian Military as well as their allowances that have remained unpaid for a long time.

It was also gathered that Abubakar Shekau has been soliciting to his fighters not to down their arms in these critical times. However, the various pleas seem not to have been able to pacify the bulk of the fighters that have remained delusional zed daily.

REGIONAL COOPERATION

The Boko Haram crisis has assumed a regional dimension and this lead to the revamping of the Multinational Joint Task Force comprising of troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. This regional collaboration has put the Boko Haram group in a dire situation as most of their routes for receiving logistic supplies have been taken over by troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Nigeria:

The Nigerian government, by all indices the most significant contributor to the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force in terms of funding and troops. This commitment from the Nigerian government has enabled the operational effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Chad:

The contribution of Chad has been felt in recent times. The Chadian authorities on their part were able to secure the borders between Nigeria and Chad as well as the Lake Chad basin region. This action has deprived the Boko Haram group the luxury of launching attacks in Nigeria and retreating to the Islands on the Lake Chad Basin region from where they hitherto regroup and receive logistics supplies from external sources.

Niger:

The Nigerien authorities have shown commitment by deploying thousands of fighting troops to the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force. Nigerien troops have also fortified the borders between Niger and Nigeria from the Lake Chad Basin region.

Cameroon:

The Cameroonian government has also contributed troops and resources towards the success of the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force. Tremendous efforts have been made to secure Boko Haram cells located in the Mandara Mountains where they recruit and train their fighters.

Conclusion:

The Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies after extensive scrutiny of the issues in the war against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists concludes that the operational strategies of the Nigerian Military have proven to be effective in neutralizing the threats posed by the Boko Haram/ISWAP group.

We wish to state that if this tempo is sustained, the Boko Haram/ISWAP group might eventually surrender as the odds are against it.

By Anthony Kolawole


The war against terrorism in Nigeria has been a front-burner issue for a while. Social commentators have made postulations with regards to the success recorded so far. At the same time, some have also faulted the modus operandi of the Nigerian Military in the prosecution of the war.

These are indeed interesting times. Nigerians have not seen the worst of the war against terrorism. A critical contributor to the war has been neglected and with the whole emphasis placed on Boko Haram/ISWAP.

Nigerians have also failed to understand that there are various components of warfare and that the physical manifestation is just as an aspect of the overarching strategy just as it is evident in the raging battle between the Nigerian Military and the Boko Haram insurgent group in North-East Nigeria.

In Nigeria today, two things stand out with regard to the war against terrorism: the war and the war within. And this brings me to the activities of Amnesty International and Sahara Reporters and how they have wittingly sustained the perpetuation of terrorism in Nigeria.

Amnesty International is an embodiment of mendacious propaganda against the unity, peace, and progress of Nigeria. Its attacks on Nigeria have been phenomenal. For Amnesty International, nothing good should be heard about Nigeria. As such it's scathing annual reports on the country follow the same pattern and trajectory year in year out.

The Nigerian Military has been worse hit by the fangs of the self-acclaimed human rights organization in the sense that they have constituted themselves as a distraction in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria, as well as other parts of the country where the activities of militant groups are prevalent.

It is also a statement of the fact that Amnesty International has been providing that intellectual support to the Boko Haram group in Nigeria. Just when substantial gains are recorded, they accuse the Nigerian Military of human rights violations against Boko Haram. But they turn the other way when the same radical jihadists ransack communities killing unarmed citizens, as well as kidnapping women and children.

For Amnesty International, these are no crimes against humanity, as well as human rights violations because of the strategic partnership it entered to provide that intellectual support to the Boko Haram group. If this is not the case, have we wondered why it is that the group is in the habit of acting as the mouthpiece of terrorist and militant groups in Nigeria?

Have we also wondered why is it that Amnesty International issues statements and press releases in tactic support for the activities of militant groups in Nigeria at the slightest especially when our troops are making gains in the war against terrorism?

I stand to be corrected, the activities of Amnesty International are the real war in Nigeria because its mandate revolves around ensuring that Nigeria is destabilized and disintegrated by all means possible including propagating outright falsehoods and arriving at illogical conclusions. That is not all; it has also been stated that Amnesty International has been recruiting fighters for the depleted ranks of the Boko Haram/ISWAP group.

While this information has not been verified, it is not something I would doubt given the tendencies of Amnesty International and their avid hatred for Nigeria. In my opinion, it is not beyond what Amnesty International can do since for them it's a business every other thing can go to blazes.

Sahara Reporters, on the other hand, has been despicable in promoting the interest of terrorist groups in Nigeria. As a statement of fact, they have been in cahoots with Amnesty International little wonder why they echo the same sentiments in the public space. The Sahara Reporters platform has provided Amnesty International and other unscrupulous organizations masquerading as human rights advocates a medium to unleash derogatory remarks on the efforts of the Nigerian Military in the war against terrorism as well as the commitment of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to the rule of law.

For Sahara Reporters, though, I'm not surprised because its brand of journalism defeats the entire known creed. They concoct stories in return for pecuniary gains not minding the implication of their actions. Sahara Reporters also allied with some despicable groups to heat the polity with false information to set the country up in flames.

It is quite a sad tale that Sahara Reporters has reduced itself to this despicable level where it can conspire with those against the interest of Nigeria. I think it’s time for Nigerians to begin to scrutinize the likes of Amnesty International and Sahara Reporters as it is now evident that their overarching objective is to ensure that Nigeria disintegrates.

This is also of the heels that their support for the Boko Haram group, as well as other militant organizations, is indeed sad. So much so that I wonder the amount of money involved that some organizations and individuals would want to jeopardize the future of over 180 million people. And to think that these individuals are also Nigerians is emotionally drenching.

For how long Amnesty International and Sahara Reporters intend to sustain this tempo is left to be imagined. However, one thing is sure: Nigerians are now aware that Amnesty International and their counterpart in Sahara Reporters have indeed waged war against the soul of Nigeria.

Theirs is more deadly than the Boko Haram because the lives of over 180 million Nigerians are at risk. I think the government should do well to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from the evil plot of Amnesty International and Sahara Reporters.

The exigencies of time require proactive action else we might have ourselves to blame because, at the rate with which these organizations are going, Nigeria would be indeed lucky if they do not achieve their objectives at the end of the day. This piece should serve as a wakeup call to the relevant authorities, as well as to educate members of the unsuspecting general public on the plot by Amnesty International and Sahara Reporters against Nigeria.

Kolawole Ph.D. wrote this piece from Keffi, Nasarawa State

The Citizens Against Fake Activism (CAFA) has raised an alarm over Sahara Reporters' continuous demonization of the Nigerian military.

In a statement signed by its Director of Research, Evelyn Otti, on Thursday, CAFA said the media outfit’s target is to promote pro-terrorists and pro-Boko Haram propaganda for its selfish gains.

According to the group, SR's wants the war on Boko Haram to drag on longer than it already has in the hope that the terrorists can rebuild and strategize.

As the war drags on, CAFA added that the Omoyele Sowore-owned platform will continue to receive astronomical sums from its paymasters with vested interest in the country.

The Citizens Against Fake Activism, however, urged Nigerians to designate Sahara Reporters as an enemy entity operating in the country, “one that has persistently refused to relent in publishing and promoting contents that malign and undermine the safety of citizens”.

It, therefore, called on compatriots to take action, boycotting its website as a source of news.

Read full statement below:

Attention of Citizens Against Fake Activism (CAFA) has been drawn to the series of pictures and some stories on the website and social media handles of Sahara Reporters celebrating the casualties on the side of the Nigerian military in the ongoing final push to rid the northwest of Nigeria of the scourge called Boko Haram/ISWAP.

Ordinarily, a sub-par online publication like Sahara Reporters should be ignored and its content treated as inconsequential. But we find it necessary to draw attention to its ongoing criminal enterprise by way of its increased commitment to promoting pro-terrorists and pro-Boko Haram propaganda. Such undertaking can only be geared towards demonizing the Nigerian military, particularly the Army, with a view to demoralizing troops to see themselves as inferior to the terrorists they have committed to fighting on behalf of the rest of us.

The ultimate goal of this irresponsible strategy and approach to reporting is to make the war on Boko Haram drag on longer than it already has in the hope that the terrorists will then have time to rebuild their structure that has been dismantled by the Army.

While this assertion may sound surreal, one only needs to look at the foreign donor funding that is propping up the publication to understand the impetus of Sahara Reporters and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

The funding it is getting from entities that are connected with interests seeking the destruction of Nigeria explains why it has consistently applied itself to deploying pro-terrorist propaganda to wear down the troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces and give the terrorists the upper hand. It is the reason why the publication is always rushing to celebrate any loss on the side of the government troops while romanticizing and gleefully celebrating the crimes perpetrated by Boko Haram against innocent Nigerians.

This is why one is left to wonder whether this hack platform was hibernating during the numerous instances that our troops, through their gallantry, neutralized and continued to neutralise hundreds of these agents of the devil. The publication’s devotion to serve interests that are detrimental to the growth and success of our country is something that has to stop be in order for the country to make the desired progress in restoring peace to all corners of the land.

We are aware that Sahara Reporters hide behind idealistic concepts like “responsibility to report,” “global best practice,” “citizen reporting” and a dozen other phrases from the list of talking points handed to it by its funders, but we ask those that are responsible for the unprofessional publications if they can engage in such despicable acts in the countries where their financiers are domiciled. In those countries the graphic and destressing images displaying causality on the part of the military will be described as what they are: highly unpatriotic, very unprofessional and unacceptable by any right-thinking human.

In these countries, the concept of national interest, national security and placing the wellbeing of the population above that of the terrorists are unwritten codes that any news outlet worth its name abide by without being reminded. How people can become addicted to their oppressors’ leash to do damage to their own home country for a fistful of dollars is something that has continued to baffle us at CAFA. If those sending them on this fool’s errand succeed and destroyed Nigeria, we wonder where the urchins doing Sowore’s bidding by reporting to demonize the military will survive the consequence. They will have now country to spend the pittance they have earned from their foolery while their master would have returned to join his paymasters abroad.

We urge Nigerians to note and designate Sahara Reporters as an enemy entity operating in the country, one that has persistently refused to relent in publishing and promoting contents that malign and undermine the safety of citizens. This makes it imperative that people individually take action to send a strong message to the publication, like boycotting its website as a source of news. Nigerians should also report Sahara Reporters social media accounts that publish such pictures so that the pages can be taken down for glorifying violence against the state.

The North-West Good Governance and Security Forum (NW-GSF) has warned the lawmaker representing Sokoto East, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, to quit invading Nigeria with foreign mercenaries.

The group's reprimand trails Gobir's claims that he and his people now turn to Nigerien troops for protection against bandits.

“ Whenever there is an attack, immediately we inform the commandant of the Nigerien Army at a formation few kilometres away, the officer will come with his troops and help Nigerians,” the Senator said.

In reaction through its President, Hon. Imam Galadanchi, on Tuesday, the NW-GSF said Gobir may have subconsciously admitted being one of the politicians fuelling the insecurity situation in his state.

Rather than leverage on his position in the National Assembly to sway the much-needed military presence to his state, the group added that he opted to collude with others to illegally bring foreign forces.

According to the North-West group, there is every likelihood that these troops are “mercenaries – soldiers of fortune, who fight on whatever side the funding is coming from, in this case from Sokoto state politicians like the Senator”.

And when the funds become dry, the North-West Good Governance and Security Forum reasoned that these mercenaries may switch sides and become a problem for the country.

The group, in clear terms, denounced insinuations from Senator Gobir that Sokoto has been abandoned, describing it is an “untrue”.

It, however, advised the lawmaker to submit the list of the mercenaries he has been sponsoring to the relevant security agencies so they can work with the Republic of Niger to trace, track, contact and rehabilitate them.

Read full statement below:

The North- West Good Governance and Security Forum has followed with shock the revelation by the Senator representing Sokoto East in the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, that he was actively aware that his constituents connive with troops from the Republic of Niger to carry out military operations in Nigeria without the knowledge of the Federal Government. This must not in any way be construed as bridging the gap but should be called what it is, a usurpation of roles and responsibilities of agencies and departments of the Federal Government.

What the Senator did was an admission of being one of those politicians that set the ground for the security situation in Nigeria to degenerate in pursuit of their own selfish agenda. Rather than leverage his position in the National Assembly to pressure for the needed military presence in his state, he opted to collude with others to illegally bring the forces of another country to invade Nigeria. Senator Gobir must stop invading Nigeria with mercenaries.

In case Senator Gobir is not aware, there is every likelihood that the people he refers to as Nigerien troops are mercenaries – soldiers of fortune, who fight on whatever side the funding is coming from, in this case from Sokoto state politicians like the Senator. The moment the funds are not flowing then they will definitely switch sides and become a problem for the country. There is also no way that these mercenaries being engaged by the Senator will not find a backend strategy for ensuring that the bandit attacks continue so that they can continue to earn money from the pretense of offering support.

It is now clear to us that the banditry in the northwest has been commercialized, it is being sustained by the mercenaries that the politicians in the state were undiscerning enough to put on payroll simply because they wanted to create the impression that the Nigerian Armed Forces is not doing its work. We are afraid of what will happen when the money stops flowing to service these mercenaries, who are most likely to form an extremist group that will become Nigeria’s new nightmare. It is our sincere wish that we never get to such point but the soldiers and fortune and the bandits they are supposedly fighting now will team up and become the world’s new terrorist wing.

We wonder how Senator Gobir and his political associates failed to realize that they have, by their action, helped France to expand its reach along Nigeria’s border with Niger. That country’s destabilization efforts in pursuit of its own geo-strategic interests has now been ignorantly spread from the Lake Chad Basin to the Sokoto Rima River Basin with Nigerian politicians crassly paying for the invasion of their own country.

Had Senator Gobir and his associates supported local law enforcement with the money they are paying to the Nigerien mercenaries the issue of banditry would never have grown to become the major concern that is now. What saddens one is that Senator Gobir has not shown capacity to be remorseful for the error of his ways but has instead resorted to playing politics with the issues of banditry by accusing the Nigerian Army of abandonment.

We categorically denounce insinuations from Senator Gobir that Sokoto state has been abandoned. It is not only untrue and uncharitable, but it is the most unpatriotic thing for anyone in the privileged position as the people’s representative in the National Assembly to do at a time that the Army has shown capacity by giving Boko Haram a bloody nose in the northeast.

The North- West Good Governance and Security Forum consequently warns Senator Ibrahim Gobir, and other Sokoto state politicians that are in bed with him on importing foreign mercenaries into Nigeria, not to drive a wedge between the people and the Nigerian Army. What right thinking people would have done it so support the military to do their job and help in turning the tilde against criminals as the Army has continued to do.

We demand that the Senator submit to the relevant security agencies the list of the mercenaries he has been paying money to so that Nigerian authorities can work with the Republic of Niger to trace, track, contact and rehabilitate them in order for them not to evolve into terrorists that will trouble Nigeria in the nearest future.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has hailed the Nigerian Army for another display of gallantry in dislodging Boko Haram terrorists in Dapchi, Yobe State.

The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) on Monday neutralised scores of terrorists on the outskirts of Dapchi Town, leaving over 32 dead and many others injured.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, who confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, said the airstrike also destroyed two terrorists’ gun trucks.

In reaction through its National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja, CATE said the feat buttresses the commitment of the troops in ensuring that the remnants of insurgents are wiped out for the return of peace and tranquillity to the North-East.

According to the group, this remarkable turnaround is due to the leadership strides, patriotism and bravery of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who recently relocated to the Theatre of Operations.

CATE equally praised officers and soldiers under Operation Lafiya Dole, who have aligned with the philosophy and vision of the COAS, displaying acts of bravery even in the face of challenges.

However, the coalition urged the troops on the frontlines to sustain the tempo, adding that victory over the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists is insight.

While pledging to continue supporting the troops, CATE called on all Nigerians to do likewise.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism wishes to use this medium to pledge its unalloyed support to the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria and charges the troops to be vigilant and responsive as the Boko Haram terrorist group whose ranks have been depleted would attempt to pull surprises just like it did in the case of



The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism is delighted with the exploits of troops of 212 Battalion under Sector 1 of Operation Laifya Dole of the Nigerian Army who successfully repelled Boko Haram terrorists' attack, killed several insurgents and recovered arms and ammunition at Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State.

This feat buttresses the commitment exhibited by the troops of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that the remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP are wiped out for the return of peace and tranquillity to North-East Nigeria.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism as a critical stakeholder in the war against terrorism wishes to commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai whose leadership strides has turned the Nigerian Army into a vibrant and professional force in pursuit of its mandate of protecting and preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

The gallantry of the troops of the Nigerian Army was also manifest in the successful repelling of the attempted attack by Boko Haram terrorist in Dapchi that saw to the killing of over 32 Boko Haram members and several others injured. This is no mean feat and an indication that the days of Boko Haram/ISWAP in North-East Nigeria are indeed numbered.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism wishes to state that the Nigerian Army has indeed lived up to expectations in ensuring that the ranks of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group are decimated and rendered ineffective.

We salute this act of bravery that is in the overall interest of Nigeria, and a great victory for the people of North-East Nigeria that have suffered untold hardship through the activities of Boko Haram that went unabated years ago.

We must admit that indeed tangible progress has been made in the war against terrorism in Nigeria through the exploits of the Nigerian Army led by the indefatigable Chief of Army Staff. Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Nigerians must indeed be appreciative of the efforts of our loyal and dedicated troops and consequently urged them to victory in this final phase in the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria and Nigeria at large.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism also notes the various rescue operations of the Nigerian Army that has resulted in the rescue of thousands of women and children held in captivity by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group and used as a human shield.

That the various rescue operations have recorded little or no casualties on the part of the captives (women and children) speaks volume of a professional force that abides by the rules of engagement in warfare.

Our special commendation also goes to the officers and soldiers under Operation Lafiya Dole that has continued to display acts of bravery even in the face of challenges in service to our fatherland.

We are convinced that if this present tempo is sustained, Nigeria shall indeed have cause to celebrate the victory over the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in a short while.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism wishes to use this medium to pledge its unalloyed support to the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria and charges the troops to be vigilant and responsive as the Boko Haram terrorist group whose ranks have been depleted would attempt to pull surprises just like it did in the case of Dapchi recently.

We are grateful for this rare feat and encourage Nigerians from all walks of life to rally support for the Nigerian Army as they push for the final decimation of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

Nigerians must accept the fact that there was a time where over 16 local government areas in North-East Nigeria were under the control of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group and the consequent loss of lives and destruction of properties running into millions of dollars.

Today, the case is different as there is no Nigerian territory under the control of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group. Instead, they have been confined to hideouts on fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism is also aware of the renewed commitment of the Multinational Joint Taskforce that has seen to the effective manning of the Nigerian borders around the Lake Chad Basin Region thereby blocking every entry and escape route for fleeing Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist when they come under heavy bombardment from the Nigerian troops.

We are convinced that what is left of the Boko Haram/ISWAP group are disgruntled fighters that are out for a face-saving endeavor that would lead to no tangible result as the Nigerian troops have effectively gained control of war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism charges the Nigerian troops to go all out and ensure that those remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group are eliminated or captured for the return of peace to North-East Nigeria.

We also salute the leadership strides of President Muhammadu Buhari for providing that platform for our troops to continue to record tremendous progress in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

The end of Boko Haram/ISWAP is indeed around the corner.

CSOs applaud FG over the reinstatement of Igwe, as FIIRO ag. DG, demand the immediate dissolution of the Governing board.


The Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria have applauded the decision of the Federal government, to reinstate Dr Chima Igwe, as the acting Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi FIIRO. The group said the decision, as directed by the Honorable Minister of Science and technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, is a clear demonstration of the fact, that government is not willing to allow itself or the institutions of government, to be used by certain politically exposed persons, to advance ethnic politics and disrupt the progressive determinations, of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The group, have at several occasions, accused the workers unions and some members of the management team of FIIRO, of orchestrating a campaign of calumny against Igwe, who from all indications have truly completed his PhD programme, but rather being accused by unions, of not possessing one.

Speaking through its Convener, Comrade Emmanuel Ayodeji in Lagos, the group described the recent purported demotion of the former acting Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi FIIRO, Dr Chima Igwe as a charade and gross abuse of power, by the Governing Board of the Institute, and also an attempt by some desperate politicians, being led by the Chairman of the Governing board, to hijack the administration of the Institute, for selfish political gains.

The group stated that the latest purported demotion of Igwe, is illegal, saying the Governing board is abusing its powers considering the recent number of its arbitrary decisions, taken without any recourse to the Ministry of Science and technology, which ordinarily should be involved in such decisions.

The Civil Society Groups said the law is clear about the functions of the governing council, and among the many functions listed there, none empowers the council to even oversee the daily running of the affairs of the Institute, as being witnesed under under the current board.

The group described as ridiculous, the actions of the governing board, which has been conspiring with some directors of the Institute, to destabilise it and perpetrate corruption, saying it is clear that the board is on a self serving mission.

The group therefore demanded the immediate dissolution of the governing board of the Institute, by President Muhammadu Buhari, as it further accused the Chairman of the council of working against the interest of the administration of President Buhari, as it keeps doing everything to undermine the progress of the administration, by colluding with some corrupt members of FIIRO management staff, who have constituted themselves as problem to the Institute.

“We wish to remind Nigerians, that the war of against Dr Chima Igwe is both fuel by some ethnic champions and corrupt individuals, who are opposed to his prudent administration of FIIRO, when he had come to unravel the massive corruption taking place in the Institute, which has made the cartel to be at war with him. These they have employed several means, to achieve, including the recent engagements of the governing board of the Institute, to illegally force the Dr Igwe out of Office.” the group said.

“It will also interest Nigerians to know, that as a result of several frivolous petitions by these politicians and their conspirators within the Institute, the various anti-corruption agencies have investigated Dr Chima Igwe and none, till date, have found him guilty of involvement in any form of corruption.”

In conclusion, the Civil Society Groups believe that the governing board is on a mission of bring down the glory of the Institute, and as such, will not be tolerated.

By Richard Murphy

There is something obsessive about the way and manner Amnesty International carries on with its mandate as an international NGO in Nigeria. The organization carries on with this “our way or the highway” approach to issues, oftentimes dictating terms for the Nigerian government or agencies with the tone of an imprimatur – the kind of attitude that should come from a supra-national body like the United Nations because even regional supra-national organizations like the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) has not dared behave toward Nigeria in such manner.

While Amnesty International operates in other countries of the world, the kind of power it arrogates to itself in Nigeria is only found in Syria, where the White Helmets, possibly the NGO’s proxy there is practically coordinating the war aimed at toppling that country’s President Bashar al-Assad. A war so misguided that only a few people can still recall what the killing is about while terrorists like the al-Nusra Front has been canonized into sainthood irrespective of the atrocities they have committed or the fact that they are not really disparate from the Islamic State.

The White Helmets’ shady dealing in Syria is provocative to the point where it actively shares intelligence with terrorists, conveniently labelled as “rebels” to confer some degree of legitimacy on the crime they are committing. White Helmets’ operatives have helped to frame attacks targeting al-Nusra terrorists as crime against humanity, in instances when they cannot find actual attacks, they stage some with the help of movie producers and directors. Also, it is not unusual to find the group using its identity to provide cover for the terrorists. It is a situation that leaves a sour taste in the mouth but when big money speaks truth is the first casualty.

Perhaps because it has not found a credible local franchise to play that role, Amnesty International is Nigeria’s own White Helmets. It is the group that helps manage terrorists propaganda by crafting pseudo-reports that absolves terrorists of wrongdoing while criminalizing government troops that are fighting to end a decade-old campaign of terror that has left too many families bereaved and the economy of an entire region shattered in addition to an entire generation that has been lost to the wanton killing that is Boko Haram’s legacy perpetuated and defended by Amnesty International.

Although it is marketed as an international brand, the NGO uses a strategy of engaging indigenous mid-level to management staff supervised by an expat overlord, often a westerner, a situation that has deepened a culture of racism, abuse and harassment. The overlords, often working from the comfort of the organization’s headquarters in London, have the singular role of pressuring staffers into delivering damning reports against the country of operation, irrespective of the reality on ground. The incitement to commit crimes against their country is worded to the staffers in NGO-speak, which they have been indoctrinated to understand, fear and obey; an email with terms like ‘benchmarking, KPI, RoI, appraisal etc’ have meanings other than what people understand them to mean on the streets – they are the trigger words that remind Amnesty International’s Nigerian staffers of how easily they could lose the rare privilege of earning in foreign currency in an economy where such income source is considered as divine gift.
Such toxic work environment has been known in the past to trigger suicides among the NGO’s employees, something that triggered international concern in the recent past. While several top bosses at the charity have been thrown under the bus to create an impression that the problem of toxic work culture has been addressed, the practice of pushing staffers to author misleading reports has not stopped to Amnesty International’s workers remain miserable because they recall at all times the damaging lies they have to tell to earn those dollars. This has not been helped by the knowledge that they are helping terrorists like Boko Haram evade justice.

The only other thing that send Amnesty International staffers into depression worse than its toxic work culture is its finances which is a sure recipe for a moral dilemma in terms of its sourcing and spending; the NGO’s money is mostly sourced from questionable (almost criminal) corporate organizations and spent on terrorists and criminals.

For instance, in 2016 by its own financial report, the Amnesty International earned £68,407,000 from various sources. Pro-imperialist and war dependent groups like Ford Foundation pitched in £468,000 while an “Anonymous Foundation” threw in £667,000 in addition to 236 “anonymous donors” that contributed £725,000. Hiding within the ranks of these “anonymous” donors are the arms dealers, crisis entrepreneurs and mercenaries that have been contracted to overthrow governments in emerging countries or create instability that will have the same result. These kinds of donors are the ones that write the scripts that Amnesty International play out in Nigeria, often it is about emasculating the Nigerian military and build capacity for groups like Boko Haram, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

Other sub-heads of income sources should give the media and some ‘activists’ sleepless nights. Are they aware that Amnesty International is a profit-making body and that whatever actions it is taking in Nigeria are geared towards increasing donations, improve marketability and boost other revenue sources? Yes. It received £62,751,000 from its offices across 30, mostly western, countries; although it marked these funds as “unrestricted” but who says the donors would not show up with a shopping list of the kind of destruction that should be caused in Nigeria? Even more interesting is an entry like “Activities for generating funds” under which it made £102,000 as *Gain on Acquisition of AI Nigeria.* It also made some money from Sales of Campaign Materials. Discerning minds should be asking how this transactional disposition tallies with the marketed image of human rights campaigner.

Amnesty International’s 2017 is even more worrisome than its revenue source, irrespective of the fact that it found euphemisms for the nefarious ends to which its financial resources were committed. Its report showed that it spent €290,000,000 in that year half of it, 49.50% expended on Human rights research, advocacy, campaigning, raising awareness and education. In layman’s terms these expressions are respectively: money paid to fake witnesses to procure fraudulent interviews, money spent on recruiting for terrorist groups, money spent on harassing legitimate governments, money given to terrorists to fund their indoctrination and radicalization programmes. Almost a quarter, 23.76%, of its 2017 expenditure went into “Building our support base” and that is another euphemism for “money spent on expanding our terror networks”.

Interestingly, Amnesty International has not stopped “building this support base” or “raising awareness” or providing “education”. It recently ramped up its recruitment drive in Nigeria, asking people to “Join for free”, something that is guaranteed to catch attention and mostly likely encourage action in a country where the ravages of COVID-19 has ravaged the economy and left citizens in want. Those who sign up for this free membership must be warry. This round of recruitment is not likely to be rosy – unlike when the NGO recruited voice actors to pose as anonymous interviewees for its reports meant to discredit Nigeria’s war on terrorism.

This time around, anyone with as many as 100 brain cells should ask question as to why Amnesty International is on a volunteer drive at about the same time that Boko Haram has lost hundreds of its fighters to the ongoing military operation to stamp it out of Nigeria. Anyone that enlists into Amnesty International’s offer of free membership may just find themselves at the wrong end of the gun barrel, especially now that more details are known about the group. The warning is to the Nigerian youth: joining Amnesty International is the same as joining Boko Haram and the consequences will always be dire.

Something else that must be said is the need for the federal government to shake off its complacency where Amnesty International is concerned. The military cannot be given marching orders to wipe out Boko Haram and the government will do nothing when that assignment is being hampered by the well-funded interference from Amnesty International, which now looks set to attempt recruiting new members for Boko Haram. Just at the youth were warned above that this round of enlisting into Amnesty International will land them in the laps of Boko Haram, the government is similarly warned a successful recruitment of terrorists for Boko Haram by Amnesty International will alter the equation as those to be onboarded in this exercise would be educated, savvy and problematic to deal with. The best case scenario is to stop our youth from joining Amnesty International/Boko Haram for free.

Murphy is a security expert and wrote this piece from Calabr.

Terrorism: Youth Council accuses Amnesty International of recruiting Nigerians for hidden motives

The Amalgamated Youth Council of Nigeria (AYCN) has accused Amnesty International of recruiting young Nigerians into terrorist organizations.

The youth council raised this alarm in an open letter signed by its President Comrade Danelsi J. Osagie and addressed to Nigerian parents/ guardians on Monday.

According to the group, AI, a supposed human rights organization has become a recruitment agent for terrorist sects such as Boko Haram/ISWAP and Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to strengthen their already depleted ranks.

AYCN lamented that Nigerian youths have been deceived into signing for these organizations without knowledge of the potential implication.

While calling on all parents to scrutinize their children, the group, however, urged the youths to be cautious of fanciful logos and manifestos of organizations claiming to be pursuing youth development and intellectual advancement.

Read full letter below:

A Letter to Nigerian Parents/Youths

Dear Parents/Youths,

"Our Youths are being Recruited into Terrorist Organizations"

These are indeed trying times for the country with the activities of some organizations that do not mean well for the country. It is thus pertinent that we write this letter to you in the face of the myriad of challenges facing the country. As a first, Nigeria as a country belongs to all of us, and it behoves on us to see to its sustainable growth and development through our actions and inactions, and in the best of interests.

The Amalgamated Youth Council of Nigeria has been at the forefront of advocating for youth enlightenment programmes. This much has seen us liaise with various governmental agencies which have resulted in seminars, conferences and symposiums on the dangers of our youth undergoing indoctrination into terrorist groups by associating with organizations that do not mean well for our country.

We have held various sensitization programmes across the country that dwelled on the demerits of our youths belonging to some organizations whose ideology is rooted in deep hatred for the progress of the country.

The Amalgamated Youth Council of Nigeria over the years has identified some of these organizations and made adequate representation to the appropriate authorities in Nigeria to ensure that our youths are not indoctrinated to harmful ideologies.

Our concern mainly stems from the fact that most parents have neglected their role in providing that guidance to their wards and this has resulted in some organizations gaining control of our youthful population in furtherance of their evil plot against Nigeria.

One of such organizations is Amnesty International that is parading itself as an organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of human rights across the world.

It is no longer a secret that Amnesty International has done more harm than good to Nigeria through its various activities that have given terrorist and militant organizations in Nigeria such as Boko Haram/ISWAP, Indigenous People of Biafra, and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria the impetus to continue to wreak havoc in Nigeria.

It is such a sad tale that Amnesty International has been at the vanguard of covertly serving as a recruitment agency for these terrorist organizations, where hundreds of thousands of our youths have been deceived into signing for these organizations without knowing the implication of their actions.

The Amalgamated Youth Council is alarmed by this action; hence this passionate letter to our parents and youths. This letter is meant to serve the purpose of a wakeup call for our parents to wake up to their responsibilities before it gets too late.

This letter is urgent in every sense of it as Amnesty International is currently in overdrive in recruiting youths to swell the ranks of these terrorist organizations whose ranks have been depleted in recent times.

We are calling on all parents to scrutinize their children, and the associations that they keep as most of these organizations with a perceived global outlook are only masquerading to be in service to humanity. But in truth, they are the intellectual backbone of terrorist organizations.

If we are desirous of halting this trend, the time to act is now in the overall interest of our dear country and towards the sustenance of peace and tranquillity in Nigeria.

Our appeal in this letter is two-fold and directed to parents and youths. Our parents must begin the process of interacting with their children to instill a system where they must sanction their associations into any organization or group. Our parents must research thoroughly into organizations to understand their mission and vision beyond their face value.

Our youths must not be moved by fanciful logos and manifestos of organizations claiming to be pursuing youth development and intellectual advancement. They must ask critical questions as these are indeed trying times.

On a final note, the future of Nigeria would be jeopardized if our parents fail to act in this critical time. Our youths must live be circumspect and take up their responsibilities as future leaders. They should not be carried away by the lucre of now at the detriment of their future.

The Amalgamated Youth Council of Nigeria hopes this letter would be received in good faith and the interest of Nigeria.

A Coalition of Civil Society Groups have concluded plans to embark on mass protests and daily sit-outs, at the Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, to demand for an immediate arrest and prosecution of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Mudashir Obasa, over allegations of financial improprieties.

The group also says it plans to embark on a daily sit-out, at the commission's headquarters, to demand action, as it accused the EFCC, of shielding Obasa, from prosecution, over the monumental corruption taking place in the Assembly, under his leadership.

Details later.....

By AE Ameh

In the military, we are faced with several challenges. We are always on the go in the quest to keep the country safe and secured. I recall ten months ago when I was posted to Borno State from my previous posting in Taraba state; it was a case of mixed feelings for me as I didn't know what to expect.

Make no mistakes; I was not in anyway frightened. As an army officer, I had signed for it, and the issue of fear was far from it. I dare to say my initial reservations were how I was going to work with my commanders in the theatre of operations as we have been fed with tales on how some commanders can be overbearing. In some instances, their sense of judgment does much harm than good.

You reading might be wondering why I am writing the article. Yes, it is primarily to narrate a chance encounter I had with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai in the theatre of operations in Borno State.

The encounter was a chanced one which I would forever cherish as long as I remain an officer of the Nigerian Army. As I write this piece, we just returned from an operation in Dikwa where scores of Boko Haram members were killed and some arrested. Interestingly, the Chief of Army Staff was with us in action. It was like a joke, as we didn't know he was with us.

The Chief of Army Staff was inside our advancing tank that first engaged the Boko Haram group before we moved in to provide support during the operations. That encounter was such an eye-opener for me as it afforded me the rare opportunity of meeting the Chief of Army Staff on a one on one basis. The celebration that followed reminded us of our days in the Nigerian Defense Academy. The Chief was with us all through the night as we compared notes on the success of the operations as well as our lapses.

Two things struck me about the Chief of Army Staff. He is an exceptionally humble man. The way and manner he related with us sent shivers down our spines. It was such a difficult thing to see the number one man in the Nigerian Army shake hands with lance corporals, exchanging seats with sergeants, eating from the same plate a recruit would eat from and many other surprising acts.

I dare to say that in my ten years as a commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army, I have never seen a Chief that is so humble and down to earth. A Chief that looks at you and enquires about your family. I recall the case of a corporal who had some family issues that was bothering him.

At our usual camp night, the Chief of Army Staff noticed an unusual mien from the soldier. He beckoned on him and asked a few questions. The soldier narrated his challenge and how he has not seen his family for three years. Everyone was shocked that a soldier could have such courage to speak in the presence of the Chief.

We concluded that it was over for that soldier. Our commander attempted to take charge of the situation by barking on the soldier to disengage. All the while, the Chief was standing and wearing a smile, and there was pin-drop silence.

I recall that for about five minutes, there was palpable silence. The Chief then called on the solider to come forward. When he did, the Chief asked him to cock his rifle and face the south. The soldier complied, and the Chief asked him to fire shots until his magazine was empty.

After firing thirty shots, the Chief then asked him what his next actions would be. The soldier replied that he would refill his magazine. It was at that point that everything changed as the Chief took us on a lengthy lecture on "The Army Values". He harped on selfless service, honour, integrity and personal courage.

I must confess that we were held spell-bound by the way and manner the Chief spoke. At the end of the lecture, he asked the soldier to make his wish known. And immediately he granted the desire of the solider. The take away for me from that encounter was that the Chief of Army Staff listens. As a matter of fact, he has all the time to listen to you regardless of your rank. He always wants to hear us speak about our challenges.

The Chief of Army Staff is also a workaholic and one that does not sleep. Another crucial fact, the recent successes recorded in the theatre of operations are as a result of the inputs of the Chief of Army Staff, who has been with us for a while. He works extraordinarily hard from coordinating operations from the various sector commands; he is also involved in planning and reconnaissance operations.

The Chief is everywhere you can think of in the theatre of operations mixing and exchanging ideas with soldiers and officers alike. I also noticed that he does discontinuance any idea no matter how irrelevant such an idea is. His display of leadership is mainly responsible for the level of professionalism in the Nigerian Army today.

I stand to be corrected; the Nigerian Army has never had it so good. He is the soldiers' soldier and one that would take the lead in everything and expects everyone to follow. He is also one that takes responsibility for a wrong decision made. As incredible as this might sound, we witnessed one of such instances, and everyone was shocked with the way the Chief handled the situation.

I recall that this act by the Chief created some murmurings from the troops against some commanders that never made amends for some of their tactical errors; instead, they would shift the blame and continue as nothing happened even in instances where some of our soldiers lose their lives.

To cap it up, the Chief is a delight any day and anytime. His grasps of issues are legendary and speaks volume of a highly intelligent man. I also recall how he called off an operation because he felt the morale of the troops were not high enough.

He immediately ordered for a feast for those that were detailed to participate in that operation. It was such sweet relief for us because, in truth, most of us were exhausted mentally and physically. That is how sensitive the Chief is to the morale of the troops. The few weeks that he has been with us in the trenches has seen to an astronomical rise in the confidence of the troops.

As I write this piece, I can tell you that we are about going for an operation and the Chief is leading it. The atmosphere is calm, we are all relaxed and battle-ready, and for me to be able to pen this article tells a lot about my state of mind. I doff my heart for the Chief. He sure is a role model to young officers like us.


Ameh, an officer wrote this piece from Maiduguri, Borno State.

CoS: Nigerians in Diaspora laud appointment of Gambari as a plus for country's image abroad

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (UK) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari's choice of Prof. Ibrahim Gambiri as his new Chief of Staff.

In a communique issued  by  Prince Oni, The Director of publicity, at the end of an emergency virtual meeting on Thursday , the UK-based Nigerians described the diplomat's appointment as a “plus to the country's image abroad”.
Abba Kyari’s shock demise in April left a huge vacuum in the presidency, which was already being felt.

And Prof. Gambari was handed that monstrous task on Wednesday and Nigerians in diaspora has joined their compatriots back home to commend the move.

Being a seasoned diplomat and academia, the Nigerians said that Prof. Gambari comes with pedigree and would offer credibility to President Buhari's administration, especially in the international community.

The group believes his wealth of experience would impact positively on the administrative and policy direction of the federal government.

The Nigerians expressed total support for the president, who according to them, displayed statesmanship, putting the interest of Nigerians in appointments into sensitive positions of authorities in the country.

The group, however, urged the new CoS to swiftly hit the ground running and ensure that the nation comes ahead of his personal interest.

Read full communique below:  

A communique issued after an emergency general virtual meeting of Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, United Kingdom, assessing the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Introduction:

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (UK) is a think tank of Nigerian intellectuals resident in the United Kingdom and devoted to dissecting issues on development and governance in Nigeria, and to avail informed and expert advisory services to the Nigerian government on a sector by sector basis.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (UK) have in times past and through its vast network of members availed the Nigerian government laudable policy initiatives that have been implemented by previous administrations to the benefits of Nigeria and Nigerians.  

The Issues:

The recent appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari has elicited reactions from various quarters and as such an emergency general virtual meeting was called by the leadership of Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group to deliberate on the suitability and otherwise of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as Chief of Staff to the President.

The virtual meeting was well-attended, and an ad-hoc committee on leadership and governance was constituted to examine the resume of Prof Ibrahim Gambari, amongst other issues.

The Deliberations:

After extensive deliberations, the ad-hoc committee made the following observations:

That the appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari would give credibility to the Muhammadu Buhari led administration given his background as a professor of political science, a diplomat and an academician that has taught as various notable universities around the globe.

The Prof Ibrahim Gambari is coming at a time where Nigeria is in dire need of a seasoned administrator to assist in fine-tuning government policies, offering sound and balanced advice to the President on issues that concern governance and development.

That Prof Ibrahim Gambari's pedigree and international clout would serve as an image booster for Nigeria among the comity of Nations.

That Prof Ibrahim Gambari’s wealth of experience would impact positively on the administrative and policy direction of the Nigerian government.

The Consensus:

Members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring group were unanimous in accepting the appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

That President Muhammadu Buhari with this appointment is desirous of putting Nigeria on the path of greatness.

That Prof Ibrahim Gambari’s dexterity, extensive international contacts would be of immense benefit to Nigeria.

That Nigerians are particularly elated about the choice of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari being a nationalist, a patriot and true democrat whose wealth of experience in both local and international politics is second to none in all ramifications.

Our Stand:

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (UK) lauds President Muhammadu Buhari for his display of statesmanship and putting into consideration the interest of Nigerians in making appointments into sensitive positions of authorities in the country.

That Prof Ibrahim Gambari must strive to avail Nigeria his services by putting National Interest above personal interest.

That Prof Ibrahim Gambari must understand the enormity of the task at hand and must consequently hit the ground running.

That Prof Ibrahim Gambari understands that the former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari has left a big shoe behind and he must work very hard in line with the President's vision to restore normalcy, sanity and transparency in the conduct of affairs within the corridors of power.

That President Muhammadu Buhari choice is indeed the best for Nigeria and another value addition as a whole.

Conclusion:

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (UK) herby state that the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari is worthy, timely, and in the overall interest of Nigeria and expresses no doubt that his impact on governance would felt in no distant time.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff.

According to the group, the president has once again demonstrated true patriotism hinged on love, strength and unity of purpose.

Gambari, a renowned academic and diplomat of international repute was confirmed as late Abba Kyari's successor on Wednesday.

The appointment of the Kwara native has been widely accepted and NDF believes this is the right move by the president.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, on Wednesday, the NDF said "Gambari's appointment is a victory for democracy and the Nigerian people."

The choice of Gambari, the group added, is well-deserved and merited owing to his “ rich knowledge and grasps of the issues at hand as a highly rated diplomat, political scientist and scholar that has left indelible footprints in governance at the highest level”.

While declaring total support for the new Chief of Staff as he settles down for the task at hand, the NDF, however, urged all Nigerians to do likewise.

Read full statement below:

The National Democratic Front lauds the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari in the critical point of our existence as a people and as a country.

It is our firm belief that Prof Ibrahim Gambari is coming on board with rich knowledge and grasps of the issues at hand been a highly rated diplomat, political scientist and scholar that has left indelible footprints in governance at the highest level.

The National Democratic Front views his appointment as a victory for democracy and the people of Nigeria because the ultimate beneficiary would be the Nigerian people that have yearned for the dividends of democracy over the years.

We wish to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his display of patriotism and foresight in carefully selecting a Chief of Staff that would assist in formulating developmental policies that would translate our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities.

President Muhammadu Buhari has once again demonstrated his unflinching commitment to the Nigerian cause by bringing on board an individual who has achieved tangible results in the international scene, and whose strength of character is hinged on selfless service to our dear country.

The National Democratic Front joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating this appointment for its merit and suitability in line with the cardinal objectives which the Muhammadu Buhari presidency was overwhelmingly voted for at the general elections.

It is our firm belief that Prof Ibrahim Gambari would in no small measures and in his dexterity avail the Muhammadu Buhari administration the required drive in its fight against insurgency and corruption for the betterment of Nigeria.

The National Democratic Front at this moment declares its support to the new Chief of Staff as he settles down for the task at hand. We have no doubt whatsoever on his ability to fine-tune government policies and lead the President and Commander-in-Chief in the right path in the governance of the country.

It is our hope that Nigerians will continue to support the Muhammadu Buhari led administration and continue to extend the needed courtesies to the new Chief of Staff in particular and members of the cabinet in general.

This is indeed a victory for democracy and the Nigerian people as we confront the various economic, political and social challenges in the country.

The National Democratic Front wishes to use this medium to congratulate the good people of Nigeria for this worthy appointment. We desire that Nigerians from all walks of life extends their support to Prof Ibrahim Gambari as he settles down to the task ahead.

It consequently behoves on all cabinet members to do well to extend their sincere courtesies to the new Chief of Staff in a bid to speed up issues that affect governance in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed demonstrated the pan-Nigerian spirit that is hinged on love, strength and unity of purpose.

The National Democratic Front herby charges all Nigerians regardless of their political affiliations to see the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to the President as a step in the right direction in our quest for a Nigeria of our dreams.

We state that the confidence reposed in Prof Ibrahim Gambari would not be betrayed because he has a rich resume and pedigree that speaks volume of capacity, competence and patriotism.

By Idris Abubakar

The narrative that the rambunctious and puffy leader of the Boko Haram terrorists group, Abubakar Shekau, has been devastated to the point that he has not only become sober but is pleading for mercy would have been unimaginable in the recent past. 

Indeed when the audio tape of the Boko Haram leader was released by a major news medium, many did not believe it initially until it was confirmed by multiple sources.

Shekau, through media preps and hype has over the years  succeeded in not only terrorising the minds of people, but has succeeded in creating a myth of invincibility about himself. 

But it is true that the Boko Haram leader in a new audio, not only admitted being weakened but cried for mercy seeking protection against the firepower of the Nigerian military.

Shekau in the 1:22 seconds audio, cried that he and his men are facing difficulties  due to what he called the  devilish act and wickedness of the Nigerian military. 

He said, “We deserted Izala people to practice Your true religion; we abandoned Tijjaniyya people to practice Your true religion; we deserted the Shiites to practice Your true religion; we forsook our parents, uncles and aunties to practice Your true religion. 

“It is because of your religion that we placed knife on Your servants’ necks; but today, they are trying to change us from one thing to another. Oh Lord, have mercy upon under [the blessings] Ramadhan; Oh Lord, have mercy on under [the blessings] of Ramadhan," he said while crying profusely.

The ululations of Shekau is  not without basis.

Since March when Lt. Gen. TY Buratai moved to the theatre of war in Borno State, the fight against insurgency and terrorism took a new dimension with the Nigerian military giving the insurgents hell in each encounter.

The sustained offensive has recorded a series of successes against the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists fighting on the fringes of Lake Chad region. 

In March, Nigerian troops eliminated not less than 20 top Boko Haram 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.

The troops followed up on that with the  killing of 105 insurgents in Buni Gari and captured many weapons in April and on the heels of that in May, killed 134 of ISWAP and  Boko Haram members  and  arrested 28 of their informants and overran their camps in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi near the Sambisa forest. 

These appear too good to be true but all facts relating to the success have been fact checked and confirmed by security experts, the media and other independent bodies .

The question now is what has made it possible for these successes to be recorded within a short time and in the magnitude attained.

Hitherto, the killing of even tens of insurgents given the asymmetric nature of the fight and the lack of clear demarcation between the terrorists and civilian communities have been celebrated,  but in less than two months, over 500 of the terrorists and not less than 40 of their top commanders and informants have been  taken down bringing them to their knees and begging for mercy. 

The secret has to do with the current leadership of the military and the experience of the person leading the assault on the insurgents at the Lake Chad region.

Buratai undoubtedly is one of the best war commanders and intelligent military tactician Nigeria and indeed Africa has ever had.

Since he began leading the Multinational Joint Task Force against insurgency the pressure tilted on the terrorists.

Pathetic stories of troops fleeing from battle fields in what was known as tactical withdrawal stopped completely. 

Stories about soldiers opening fire on their commanders due to lack of trust or wives of soldiers protesting the deployment of their husbands to the battle front all stopped

Troops and their commanders who have worked directly under Buratai have described him as motivation personified.

Troops tell the story of one of his first appearances in the theatre of war after he was appointed chief of army staff. While addressing soldiers in their camps,  shots, apparently from the insurgents were heard from the nearby bushes and the COAS was said to have given an order for the troops to follow him to take down the 'irritants.'

Since confirming that the Army Chief is serious about winning the battle due to the zeal and courage he exhibits, troops no longer have cause to doubt the sincerity of their commanders and have been motivated to push harder. 

Seeing that the new helmsman is  not one that would hole himself up in a guest house partying while troops are in the battle field but one that is prepared to be in the battlefield with them, troops regained their confidence and moved with gusto. 

The Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters must noticed the change in the fighting spirit of troops and must have been asking themselves if these were the same set of troops that were scared of confronting them that many of them were said to have even deserted the army out of fear.

The fact is, Buratai, thinks, eats and drinks battles. He sees military engagement and combat as every drill that should be expected by any serious soldier no matter the rank.

Those close to him say he devotes his time to study and  planning war strategies and is meticulous and thorough in execution. 

He is said to have studied all the strategies of war heroes like Chaka Zulu, Khalid ibn Walid, Hannibal, Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte and others.

War experts and security analysts maintain that given the depth of knowledge and experience Buratai has acquired over the years, that it would be an insult to expect anything less from the current war against insurgency given the nature of the enemy who are mere street urchins trained by a sprinkle of rebels from Chad who serve as their commanders. 

The  Army Chief's latest innovation is said to be the strategy which involves moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents which has completely overwhelmed the terrorists. 

President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed made the right choice as far as the military high command is concerned. 

But it is not over until it is over. 

Buratai and the troops  deserve the prayer and support of all Nigerians as we can see that he and his troops are on the last lap of putting a final stop to Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism.


Abubakar is a security expert and wrote this piece from Shomolu, Lagos.

By Abubakar Tsav

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Tuesday,  lost his mother, Kakah Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf Buratai after a brief illness at her home in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The death of the Buratai matriarch, is coming two years after the patriarch of the Buratai family, Alhaji Yusuf Buratai, a veteran of World War II, who joined the West African Army in 1942, passed on in February 2018.

The Buratai family having lost two strong pillars in the past two years must indeed be grieved by the irretrievability of the losses and the sad reality their absence portends.

The death of Mama Buratai, though painful has however reminded us of the deep sacrifices and forfeiture of personal comfort the Nigerian military in the bid to secure our lands and ensure the rest of us stay safe pass through.

For at the time that Mama passed on peacefully, her son, Lt. Gen. Buratai was in the trenches fighting what has become like a cancer in the body of the country, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism.

Buratai is currently in his native Borno State overseeing military operations to defeat terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

He has been engaging the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists that have since 2009 taken up arms against the Nigerian state and whose activities have resulted in the death of thousands including women and children, displaced and scattered many families and destroyed property and basic infrastructure including hospitals and schools that are too numerous to be quantified in a fierce battle.

Buratai, to effectively decapitate this scourge, has since March this year, relocated to the theaters of war and has been leading the battle from the front.

His presence at the battlefield had spruced up the courage of the fighting troops spiking up the number of wins being recorded at the Lake Chad region.

Within the first week of his relocation to the Northeast, over a hundred of the insurgents were brought down and subsequent military operations have also brought out better results with over 500 of the terrorists liquidated in less than two months.

It is to the credit of the Chief of Army Staff that the insurgents for the first time since they declared war on Nigeria and other neighbouring African countries, began to cry for mercy and to send signals that they are considering the act of surrender.

As Nigerians and other lovers of peace the world over cheered to this news, many forgot that the soldiers in the field, whom many have derided in the past, also have their lives to live and that they also are responsible family men like many of us and would have preferred they are with their families.

But the need to secure the country and make life meaningful for the citizenry and to facilitate development has trumped all other desires and wishes.

The death of the Buratai matriarch while her son was in the trenches, tells the story of our gallant soldiers.

Perhaps Mama wanted to draw our attention to the plight of the average military personnel on the battlefield and to remind us to keep them in our prayers, that was why she passed on as such an auspicious time.

Like the other mothers whose cries cannot be heard,  she has donated her son to the cause of serving humanity and motherland.

President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this much when he commiserated with the Chief of Army Staff over the death of his mother.

In a statement signed  by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,  the President prayed that the Almighty God will comfort Lt. Gen. Buratai, who he said has been at the epicenter of war against terrorists in North East, urging the family to find solace in Hajiya Hauwa’s good works.

He also prayed the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed matriarch, who he said lived a pious, prayerful, and generous life.

Those who knew Mama  Buratai, described her as kind hearted and generous mother who assisted many.

"We remember your fond love, years of toil, endurance and perseverance while alive. Naturally, your affectionate love drained sorrows from the hearts of many; comforted the millions of wailing souls around you.

"We remember and will miss your comforting counsels in our moments of torments. Your sagacity transcended boundaries and brought comfort to the known and unknown. Mama, your translucent piousness, generous lifestyle and care would forever be etched on our memories," said one of them in a glowing tribute.

Mama  Buratai was said to have been very supportive of her son and had even expressed optimism that her son would bring the insurgency in the country to an end.

This shows she has been a supportive mother who knowing the qualities she has imparted in her son, had the confidence to know where his capabilities could take him.

That she did not cringe and cry when her son was at the battlefield, must have been the secret to the confidence exuded by the Chief of Army Staff which had in turn rubbed off on the troops and had kept them going resulting in the current series of successes being recorded at the battlefield.

President Buhari, the Nigerian armed forces and indeed all Nigerians would miss your motherly support to the nation.

We can only hope that after all these years of standing as a pillar unto your son, your demise will not diminish the spark in him but would in respect to your loving memory, serve to urge him on to finally bring the battle against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria to an end.

Rest in peace Mama as we pray that God grants you Jannatul Firdaus.

Tsav wrote this tribute from Makurdi, Benue State.

By Idoko Ainoko



Civil rights activists,the world over, are  known for their fight against social injustice and their bid to make lasting impact on the lives of the oppressed and underprivileged.

They champion causes for the betterment of the citizenry as well as reinforce mechanisms for effective governance in the overall interests of the people and for the development of nations.

In the UK, US and other countries, rights activism was fired by the increaing cases of gross injustice and discrimination against certain persons and when it started,  it was thorough and very serious as it focussed social justice and the fundamental human right. 

Early activists in the US include names such as  Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. Du Bois , Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson and many others.

These people put their lives on stake to advocate for equality and social justice and sometimes went through terrible experiences to achieve their aims for a better and egalitarian society. 

Early activism in Africa took the pattern of the struggle in black America and was mainly for the inclusion of natives in goverment and widening the political space for the participation of the majority. 

In Nigeria, the likes of Herbert Macauley, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aminu Kano, Funmi Ransom Kuti and others were at the forefront of the struggle.

Down the line,  they passed the baton to people like JS Tarka, Tai Solarin, Wole Soyinka, Gambo Sawaba and others.

The nature of activism however changed with prolonged military rule when  people began to demand for popular participation in politics. That was when the likes of Beko Ransom Kuti, Ayo Obe, Olisa Agbakogba, Femi Borishade and the likes took to the street to demand for justice for the oppressed.

But over the years, the term activism has been bastardised and reduced to mere political rivalry or complaint over loss during elections or worse still, a process of seeking attention  for appointment.

This process became rampant  during the military era when  settlement of political opponents became the order of the day.

Since then, every Tom, Dick and Harry mounted the rostrum with claims of activism to get attention and once they are settled with juicy political offices, they abandon the struggle and continue with the pursuit of personal comfort.

Unfortunately, the phenomena transcended the military era became the culture in political and civil society circles until President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in May 2015 and decided to put a stop to such mercantilism.

Those who wanted appointment he insisted had to show merit; anybody that takes the course of blackmail just to seek attention is either ignored or dealt with according to the laws.

On a good day, everybody agrees that the President Buhari led APC government is doing very well.

Within the four years it has been in goverment, the administration has recorded many feats that has moved Nigeria forward.

The administration has made mark in the key areas it had set out to achieve which are, fight against corruption, improving the economy and fight against insurgency. 

Corruption in the public sector has been reduced to the barest minimum with the introduction of TSA and the IPPIS form of payment.

Under the current administration, prominent persons including members of the ruling party have been brought to book for corrupt practices and so much stolen money has been recovered and utilised for public good.

The federal goverment also has been able improve on the economy through the agricultural sector and empowered many farmers while developing the small and medium scale enterprises.

It has also done well in the aspect on security, as it has been able to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists that were almost taking over the country. 

The administration has done more than that. It handled the issue of the Coronavirus very well which explains why the virus did not get out of hand.

Recently the government also reduced the pump price of fuel and has been paying the poor and vulnerable in the society.  But it seems like the more the goverment impacts positively on the people, the more a certain group  of  persons that call themselves activists are not happy. 

They have chosen not to see anything good about the current administration and will criticise everything even for the fun of it. 

In other climes, activists criticize only policies and actions of government they perceive as wrong but in Nigeria they make no distinction, as they are bent on casting the goverment in bad light.

These are what the Femi Fani kayodes, the Omoyele Sowores, the Ayesha Yusufs, the Shehu Sanis and the Deji Adeyanjus of this world are doing. 

They lack the capacity and painstaking finesse to thoroughly x-ray government policies and actions to offer suggestions, but are quick to pick holes.

Most of these later day 'activists' have missed it. They were not around when the struggle for democracy was fought, hence mangle the process and intent for popular struggles. 

They are not concerned about the oppressed or the less privileged, they are only angry that they and their sponsors have lost power. 

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina captured their mood rightly when he described them as 'wailers.'

They are the wailers who must cry to get attention. They are like the proverbial child who screams even when his mother is on her way to the market to get his food.

They wail even when they're being helped.

Yesufu rode on the back of the 'Bring Back Our Girls' struggle for the release of the Chibok girls and when she failed to get an appointment in government like some of her counterparts took her wailing to a level where nobody takes her serious again.

In the case of Sowore, one does not even have to go far to know what is driving him as has himself revealed that what is driving him is his ambition to be president of Nigeria;  and when he couldn't achieve that, he now turned it into a revolution calling for regime change.

Deji Adeyanju on the other hand is only trying to find his feet but has gone in the wrong direction. That his activism is of the Mercantile hue was exposed when his sponsors took him to Dubai when  he was challenged by some hoodlums during a protest. 

While Fani kayode who was the spokesman for 2015 presidential campaign, has not stopped crying because his party has lost power. His case is similar to that of Shehu Sani who wanted to be given an automatic ticket to the Senate and when the ruling party insisted on a primary election he ran to another party.  Having been defeated in the general elections, he has now ran back to activism.

But it is high time well meaning Nigerians expose these  people and call them to order.

They should be made to realise that Nigeria belongs to us all and that other citizens are not happy with they way they're trying to distract the current administration from achieving its policies and programmes for the betterment of the citizenry and development of the nation.


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

Buratai has quarantined Boko Haram terrorists, sponsors now on self isolation, says Security expert, Dogo Luqman 



A security expert,  Mr. Dogo Lukman, has applauded  the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and Nigerian troops over the recent onslaught against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

He said what Buratai and the troops have done to the terrorist groups is akin to placing them on quarantine while sending their sponsors on exile.

Our correspondent reports that Buratai has been coordinating military activities in the theatre of war since March at the Lake Chad region in the bid to making sure that the activities of the groups are brought to a final end has posted impressive results on the battlefield giving hope that the defeat of the terrorists is close by.

Lukman, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said after processing relevant information emanating from the Lake Chad region, there is every indication that the terrorists have finally been subdued, cornered a a cordoned off while their  sponsors have gone into hiding.

His words: "These elements that used to torment the peace of the entire country have been quarantined by the heat coming from the troops and are now self isolating themselves in caves."

The security expert who gave analyses of the information coming from the theaters of war said in March 27, 2020,  Nigerian troops eliminated not less than 20 top Boko Haram 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.

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

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

The security expert said though the Nigerian military declared that the army killed over 300 insurgents in the recent combat operations, there are indications that over 500 of the terrorists have been killed within the period. 

Luqman said this is evident from the overrunning of insurgents’ camps in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi and in and  around Sambisa  Forest where many of the terrorists were killed .

"These operations happening in the deep fortresses were hardly reported but the casualty rate on the part of the insurgents was quite high.

The troops normally pull put of such places to plan ahead hence tend to underestimate the level of damage but the insurgents have been given a bloody nose this time that they cannot tell what exactly hit them," he said.

The security expert said the recent audio message released by Abubakar Shekau in which he confessed that his men are under “trial” and going through rough times is a confirmation in security cycle that they have been overwhelmed.

Said Luqman: "This is a man that in all his messages used to talk about killing or abducting innocent and unarmed citizens, but this time he is saying they are passing through a trial and is encouraging them not to lose hope.

He said Nigerian troops have gone beyond technically defeating the terrorists to nearly bringing them down to their knees.

"This is because they can no longer operate as they wish and are only scampering from one point to another in utter confusion," he added. 

The security expert commended the current battle strategy of the military which he said involves moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents.

This he said is commendable and has boosted the confidence of troops while overwhelming the terrorists.

Luqman called on the authorities to send more troops to the battlefield in order for the military to maintain presence in the operational locations they overrun and to avoid a situation where the Boko Haram elements regroup.

He said though the troops have done much, there is the need to take proactive and innovative steps that would confound the insurgents and accelerate their final defeat adding that concentration should not be on their fighting troops alone but efforts must be made to counter them in intelligence gathering.

"No doubt much has been achieved but the little effort remaining requires a harder push and superior strategy," he stated.