₦airaland Forum

*PDP lauds PMB, military on sustained offensive against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists*

The PDP National Support Vanguard (PDP-NSV) has shoved aside its usual politics to hail the Nigerian government and military for the sustained onslaught against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

According to the top opposition group, now is the time to shun partisan interests in support of the gallant troops ahead of final victory.

In a statement co-signed by Hon. Gideon Ekele and Comrade Lucky Jonathan, its President and National Secretary respectively, the PDP Vanguard said that President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained a patriotic stance by providing much-needed leadership in the Armed Forces.

This, according to the group, has translated to the multiple gains recorded by the Nigerian troops in the war against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

In time past, the PDP-NSV admitted sitting on the fence instead of rallying behind the troops on the frontlines.

For the current momentum to be maintained, the opposition, however, urged all Nigerians to support the military in ridding the nation from the remnants of the already decimated radical jihadists.

Read full statement below:

The PDP National Support Vanguard wishes to laud the Muhammadu Buhari led administration for its commitment in the war against terrorism in Nigeria. The government has maintained a patriotic stance by providing that leadership needed in the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This leadership has indeed translated to the multiple gains recorded by the Nigerian troops in the war against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in North-East Nigeria.

The PDP National Support Vanguard sees the war against terrorism in Nigeria as a collective one, rather than one blinded by party sentiments and at the detriment of the much-needed peace and tranquillity in the country.

We wish to state that it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to put party sentiments aside and give the Nigerian Military the needed support in the discharge of its constitutional mandate of preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

It must be stated that the Nigerian troops consist of Nigerians from various parts of the country that swore to an oath to protect and fight for the interest of Nigeria regardless of their ethnic and religious affiliations and this much they have stayed true to so far.

The PDP National Support Vanguard believes that it is time for all and sundry to shun partisan interest and support the Nigerian troops as they begin the final push for the decimation of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

The multiple gains recorded by the troops in battle against Boko Haram/ISWAP must be sustained for the betterment of the country, and this suffices why all hand must be on deck in this critical point of our existence.

This is not the time for the pursuit of blind partisanship or loyalty to party affiliations. This is indeed the time for unity of purpose and utmost loyalty to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

We wish to state that in times past, the PDP National Support Vanguard like many other Nigerians have sat on the fence as far as the war against insurgency is concerned mainly for partisan consideration.

It is therefore instructive to state that sitting on the fence is no longer fashionable because Nigeria is on the verge of winning the war against terrorism through the exploits of our troops in the theatre of operations in North East.

The PDP National Support Vanguard recognizes the exigencies of time. It, therefore, states that it is in full support of the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the war against terrorism in the country.

We call on other Nigerians regardless of their political affiliations to rally support for the troops in battle in North-East Nigeria as any attempt to continue in any blind partisanship by any organization is to declare oneself as enemies of humanities.

The leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has cried profusely in a new audio, seeking protection of Allah against the firepower of the Nigerian military.

Of late, the Nigerian military has intensified offensive and recorded a series of successes against the Boko Haram terrorists on the fringes of Lake Chad.

In a 1:22 seconds audio copied from DailyNigerian platofrm, the Boko Haram leader spoke in Kanuri, seeking protection of Allah against the “devilish act” of Nigerian military, and said they are facing difficulties in this Holy month of Ramadan.

“If it is the devilish act and wickedness [of the Nigerian military], may Allah protect us from their evil. Oh Allah, keep us firm on your religion. We are poor things who know nothing, oh our Lord, Allah.

“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 (crying profusely).

“Oh Allah give us victory over our enemies. Oh brothers, for Allah’s sake, obey Allah and help me with prayers. This does not mean I am angry.

“May Allah keep us firm on the Qur’an. Allah knows best. Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet of Allah and all thanks be to Allah,” Mr Shekau sobbed.

In a reaction to the audio clip, Bulama Bukarti, a human rights lawyers and conflict analyst who has studied Boko Haram for over a decade, said “this is the first time we heard Shekau cry in this way.”

According to Mr Bulama, the audio suggests that something terrible is happening to the Shekau faction of Boko Haram.

“The Shekau we are used to is a bombastic, ruthless gangster that ridicules, mocks and chortles at his victims. This audio is quite unusual. It suggests that the group is under immense pressure that threatens its existence. Anything that will make Shekau sob must be a serious existential threat and I think it is the Nigerian Army’s ongoing onslaught.

“The army has been releasing news and photos of their successes and Boko Haram itself has lately been releasing eulogies to dead fighters. That is what made Shekau wail in this audio. He thinks it is hard to survive this one,” Mr Bulama said.

He however noted that the audio does not suggest that the Boko Haram leader is surrendering and seeking negotiation.

“But make no mistake that he would never back down, he will not surrender. He would rather die fighting. As the clip indicates, he is as committed to his cause as ever. And history has taught us that Boko Haram is capable of weathering storms and bouncing back from serious defeats. Therefore, I suggest that the Nigerian Army should push on; it is not time to relax. It is time to do even more,” he added.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has proven that he is enemy of man and God by sacking over 450 staff of American University of Nigeria (ABTI), and Gotel Communications, the Employment Advancement Rights Network (EARN) has said.

EARN, in a statement signed by its President, Barrister Edward Ogenyi, on Sunday, described the move as “inhuman, unconscionable, intolerant and lacking in compassion especially at a time that responsible organizations are holding off on such decisions until after the COVID-19 pandemic”.

The group of legal practitioners wondered how Nigerians would have coped with Mr Atiku as president, knowing that he is so “consumed by extreme capitalism”.

EARN, though, added that this is an eye opener for Nigerians, especially with the ex-VP reportedly nurturing ambition to contest again in 2023.

The human rights group, therefore, warned Atiku that Nigerians are waiting for him at the next polls to “put a final nail in the coffin of his tyrannical style and ineptitude as a manager”.

EARN, however, called on ABTI and Gotel Communication to recall the sacked staff or their founder would face mass action all over the country.

Read full statement below:

As a pressure group of seasoned activists, lawyers and professionals with the sole aim of protecting Nigerian workers, Employment Advancement Rights Network (EARN) has comprehensively reviewed the sack of over 400 staff of the American University of Nigeria (ABTI), which is owned by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and almost 50 staff of Gotel Communication, also owned by the politician.

We have also reviewed the justifications for the sack of these hardworking Nigerians by the managements of ABTI and Gotel Communication, which both answer to Atiku. The responses to the sack amount to a charade and adding insult to injury. Both organizations sufficiently demonstrated that they place profit over humanity, a policy that could have only been formulated by the owner.

EARN condemns the sack of the over 450 staffers of these Atiku-owned organizations as inhuman, unconscionable, intolerant and lacking in compassion especially at a time that responsible organizations are holding off on such decisions until the COVID-19 pandemic has been sufficiently brought under control. The situation at ABTI and Gotel cannot be more precarious than what obtains in the banking sector, where chief executives have listened to reason and put a planned sack of workers on hold.

We wonder why the university and broadcasting company could not, like the banks, wait until after the pandemic before throwing hundreds of workers and thousands of their dependent into poverty, hunger and uncertainty. This callous decision confirmed that the origin of these organization and the seed fund for setting them up cannot stand up to scrutiny.

In our view, Atiku has by this action declared himself an enemy of God and humanity. Contemplating the sack at a time like this in the first instance is evil and implementing it elevated the owner of the decision to the status of the devil. He is by no means a man that should have a say in the wellbeing of anyone because it is apparent that his only concern is his avarice.

Considering the repeated failed attempts he has made to become Nigeria’s number one citizen, EARN is now imagining what the lot of Nigerians would have been under a person that is so consumed by extreme capitalism. Knowing that he has the intention to again run for president in 2023, right thinking people must now begin interrogating is this profit monster should be allowed anywhere near where issues that affect the ability of citizens to earn decent living.

We hereby put Atiku Abubakar on notice that Nigerians are waiting for him in 2023 to put a final nail in the coffin of his tyrannical style and ineptitude as a manager. The explanation put forward by his companies for the sack confirms that he is incapable of planning and organizing even at such level, which makes it criminal for him to have aspired to high office in the past knowing that his competence is below what is required.

We caution in the strongest term possible that Atiku must get ABTI and Gotel Communication to recall the sacked staff since they already admitted that these people lost their jobs to the incompetence of the owner and management and not gross misconduct. Failure to recall the sacked staff, EARN will launch coordinated picketing in the form of sit-ins, with consideration for social distancing, in Atiku’s houses and businesses all over the country. The properties will not only be picketed but would be fully occupied and locked down once the COVID19 pandemic is over.

*North-East: Police, political leaders must act fast to consolidate military gains - NEDA*


The North East Development Agenda (NEDA) has called on the police and political leaders in the northeast to build on the tremendous achievements of the military in the region.

NEDA gave the charge in a statement signed by its President Alhaji Ali Tanko on Sunday.

Nigeria’s once troubled northeast zone, a supposed stronghold of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in years past is now enjoying relative peace and tranquillity thanks to the gallant Nigerian Army.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Burarai, himself led the final clearance operation that has consumed hundreds of the fleeing radical jihadists.

However, NEDA believes this progress would be tainted without the support and collaboration of other actors such as the police and the elites.

According to the group, these terrorists have abandoned the fight and fled inwards into Nigeria’s other towns and villages where troops are not stationed.

As it isn’t the role of the military to carry out civil policing, NEDA reckoned that the cooperation of the police and the leaders is required to fish these fleeing terrorists.

The group, therefore, called on the Nigeria Police Force and political leaders from the region to immediately swing into action to consolidate on the gains made by the military in keeping the area free of Boko Haram.

Read full statement below:

The progress that has been made by the Nigerian Army and other services of the military in ridding the north east of Boko Haram has been reassuring given the scale on the terrorists have been killed and their camps decommissioned. But there is urgent need to act in ensuring that there is no vacuum created in places from where Boko Haram elements ts have been eliminated.

The North East Development Agenda (NEDA) is consequently calling on the civil police, being the Nigeria Police Force and political leaders from the region to immediately swing into action to consolidate on the gains made by the military in keeping the area free of Boko Haram. A delay in doing this will make everyone that failed to take action liable should there be a resurgence of terrorism in Nigeria.

The military remains in pursuit of fleeing terrorists as it continues to drive the battle deeper into anywhere that Boko Haram is found to have a presence. Some of these terrorists apparently abandoned the fight and fled inwards into Nigeria’s other towns and villages where troops are not stationed. This is an area in which the political leaders are needed to galvanize the people into providing useful information that will help security agents mop up these fighters.

We also know that the military is not meant for everyday civil policing neither are troops trained for such, which makes it necessary for the Nigeria Police Force to step in and complement the efforts of the military by immediately taking over civil policing to ensure that the fleeing terrorists do not regroup anywhere near the north east again. The emphasis here is that the Police does not have to wait for a Presidential directive or National Assembly motion to resume its statutory duties in the north east now that the terrorists that once put the situation there beyond the functions of the police have been decimated.

What was experienced in the past was a situation where terrorists rebuild their cells from towns and villages that were not adequately policed after the military had cleared them of terrorists. This is a mistake that must not be repeated. A visible police presence, coupled with the necessary structure for intelligence gathering, will be a natural deterrence to any aspiring terrorist not to test the strength of the state.

From all available reports on the ground, the military has won the war against the Boko Haram terrorists and conscious efforts by the political leadership to restore normalcy must be immediately put in place as to forestall the negative consequences of the terrorists ever regrouping again.

In this regard, the political leadership should show direction by speeding up the rebuilding efforts and economic expansion in the north east to address the poverty that made Boko Haram’s recruitment of frustrated and desperate youth easy in the past. For this purpose, political leaders in the region should embrace a sort of peer review mechanism that ensures that public resources are used only for what they are meant for, which is to bring about improvement in the life of the people.

It is equally necessary that politicians collectively commit to engaging in acts that can re-introduce terrorism to the area. The practice of giving tacit support to Boko Haram members or any violent group out of political desperation has to stop while political office holders must also desist from a tendency to politicize anti-terrorism measures as this has proven to be a great disadvantage to the society.

The political leadership must also mobilize the traditional and religious institutions to contribute to the restoration of lasting peace in the north east. The traditional institution can be empowered to keep track of the youth ward by ward such that anyone showing tendency of radicalization and extremism can be immediately helped with rehabilitation. The religious leaders on their part can help correct their colleagues that are involved that are involved in promoting extreme doctrines.

This arrangement would be greatly strengthened if the police prioritizes intelligence gathering and building a network of community volunteers to create a viable information network and a kind of participatory policing in the communities.

Such a synergy among these critical stakeholders is the greatest thank you gift that they can give to the Nigerian military and the troops that have made the supreme sacrifice to get rid of terrorists that once held the north east by the jugular.

Press Release: SMBLF Asks Nigerians To Be Vigilant.

Leaders of the Southern And Middle Belt Leaders Forum are outraged at the complacency of the Nigerian Security Forces at the invasion of their areas by teenagers from certain section of Nigeria hidden in containers and trailers in large numbers in spite of the ban of interstate movements by the President, the Northern Governors Forum and the Nigerian Governors Forum.


What type of country do we we live in that the order of a President and laws in the country would be selectively obeyed or ignored totally by some citizens without consequences while others are under koboko to obey?

This ominous development is coming after Boko Haram threatened openly three weeks ago, that they were going to take their battle against Nigeria to the South East and South South. Very worrisome in this development is the quietness of the National Security organizations, the National Covid-19 Committee and the Presidency since this story broke out.


This development has brought about very strong suspicions amongst people regarding the aim of the deployment of these young men. Their capacity to escape all border security checks until they reach many States in the South and Middle Belt and nearly the whole country points to a strong collaboration. SMBLF asks all Nigerians at the receiving end to be vigilant.


God forbid that the Boko Haram threat is being surreptitiously executed.
We will certainly not fold our arms and allow massive influx of youths who have no reason to flout extant laws on interstate movements, no pressing National engagement in our areas, no verifiable occupation, no tests for Covid-19 and no pre-arranged accommodation, to come and forcibly occupy our forests and perhaps prosecute the threat of Boko Haram.


The silence of the Federal government in this situation is ominous. The maneuvers appear deliberately planned and provocative. We will resist any threats to our invasion and the security of our lives and property with every amount of self - help available to us.

To avoid further descent to an uncontrollable situation,we call on the Federal government to publicly declare this invasion illegal, direct our National Security Organizations to flush them out NOW and ensure that they do not return. We need to be reassured there is a government here!


Not too long ago General Danjuma warned us to be ready for self - help. We hope that his predictions have not become inevitable and that our country can be saved a slide into lawlessness and its disastrous consequences.

A stitch in time saves nine! We call on our people to be vigilant.

How can we endure sporadic killings in the hands of herdsmen in "normal" times and Almajiri invasion under pandemic?


Signed by:

1) Chief E K Clark for Pandef

2) Chief Ayo Adebanjo for Afenifere

3) Chief John Nnia Nwodo for Ohaneze

4) Dr Bitrus Pogu for The Middle Belt Forum

*Boko Haram: Group hails Buratai's winning strategies, urges neighbouring nations to lear[sub][/sub]n*

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has applauded Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai for his unique strategies which are yielding results aplenty in the war against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

According to the pro-democracy group, the COAS’ meticulous planning, deep thinking, experience, foresight and profound knowledge of the terrain is the difference in the theatre of operations.

The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have recorded tremendous success in the final clearance since Lt. Gen. Buratai stepped foot in the Northeast almost a month.

Scores of the insurgents have been consumed by the troops' continuous onslaught, the most recent in Timbuktu Triangle.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General, Dr Abdulkadir Bolaji, the NDF said that this progress is as a result of deep thinking on the part of the military high command as well as painstaking calculations and meticulous planning.

The group added that this isn’t much of a surprise as the COAS is known as a master strategist, a thoroughbred professional and commander with vast knowledge in military warfare while climbing the ranks.

Like George Washington, the NDF noted that Buratai reviewed the old strategies used by troops and out-thought the enemy by adopting a unique fighting approach.

The National Democratic Front, however, urged the COAS to share his secret with the other nations so that rooms are not created for the insurgents to explore through the weakness of one country to hide and nurse their wounds as it happened in the past.

Read full statement below:

Gradually, even those who had disparaged the Nigerian Army over the news that its Chadian colleagues had flushed out Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists from its territory, are beginning to concede that Nigerian troops were misjudged on the basis of a single operation but are more coordinated and better.

In the past two months, the Nigerian army through a streak of victories over Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists has shown that it has not lost the verve and composure it has come to be known for over the years.

Between April and now, Nigerian troops have penetrated the fortresses of insurgents with liquidated top commanders and foot soldiers of the sect, set confusion in their midst, scattered their ranks and pummelled their topiary.

Only last week, within a spate of 24 hours, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole through a coordinated artillery bombardment on Timbuktu Triangle and another artillery engagement in Buk, Damboa LG of Borno State, killed 134 number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

This is in addition to the victories recorded against the insurgents only last month in which over of the terrorists were similarly liquidated.

The National Democratic Front, NDF, wants the world to note, that these victories were not by accident but as a result of deep thinking on the part of the military high command ad well as painstaking calculations and meticulous planning.

We want the world to know that having followed the professional progress of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, we have noted that what is happening now in the theatres of operation is consistent with his character as a meticulous planner, deep thinker, experienced strategist and a sharpshooter.

Right from his days at the Army Headquarters where he served in the Department of Army Policy and Plans, Abuja; from where he became Assistant Chief of Staff Administrative Matters at the Infantry Centre Jaji; to when he became a Major General and was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji; to when he was appointed Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTNF) before he became Chief of Army Staff; Lt. General Buratai, has been known as a master strategist and thoroughbred professional and commander with vast knowledge in military warfare owing to his experience and study of military strategy the world over.

We make bold to say that Nigeria is lucky to have a planner- strategist at the helm of the military command at a time the nation is ravaged by the activities of terrorists and insurgents because having personnel with less qualification, foresight and experience would have put Nigeria in quandary.

The Lake Chad Region, which is bordered by four countries of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria has made the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists quite unique and different from other theatres of operation.

While military expeditions in Afghanistan have only the mountainous terrains to contend with and in Somalia, the vast land and waters, the Lake Chad Region combines all the environmental challenges and more.

From the Nigerian and Cameroonian sides are high mountains with steep and creepy slopes while on the Nigerien side are vast stretches of desert land and between Chad are both land and water.

Past military expeditions that relied on surmounting the challenges from a particular angle have failed until the current Chief of Army Staff used a different strategy that took into cognisance the uniqueness of the challenges posed by the undulating terrain.

Like George Washington, the veteran military tactician who got the highest honour as a military officer did in the battle to win New York, Buratai, reviewed the old strategy used by troops and out-thought the enemy by adopting a unique fighting style suitable to the conditions at hand.

Washington is known for studying through the detail of army operations, including logistics and is said never to have led a large army into battle but relied heavily on the art of surprise, using tactics like ambush to overwhelm the enemy.

In the case of Nigerian troops, Buratai used the element of right timing to take the battle to the insurgents.

He, like Washington, must have reasoned that in a long war of attrition over a large territory with large scale military engagements like the one in the Lake Chad Region, that careful deliberation was the most appropriate strategy and he applied at a time the insurgents least expected which is coming with harvests of victories that we are witnessing today.

These basic elements of applying the right strategy at the right time were what helped Washington achieve a decisive victory which ended the American Revolutionary War.

We therefore commend General Buratai for his brilliance and application of the best military strategies to conquer the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists who have become irritants in the Lake Chad region.

We believe that the recent events in the theatre of war are precursors to a final battle which would route out insurgents entirely from the region and end the war as Nigerian troops have succeeded in regaining the confidence of the citizenry.

Buratai has shown that Nigeria will conbattlefieldain its pride in the comity of nations as the first to defeat this kind of insurgency.

We applaud the efforts of the Nigerian Army Chief and that of the entire troops in the battle field and wish them success in the final push to decapitate Boko Haram and ISWAP.

We urge members of communities around the Lake Chad region to cooperate fully with Buratai and the troops as victory is in sight.

We call on commanders of troops of neighbouring African countries to rise above the mundane and emulate the style of the Nigerian Army Chief which is bringing results.

The Nigerian army Chief must be magnanimous enough to share his secret with the other nations so that rooms are not created for the insurgents to explore through the weakness of one country to hide and nurse their wounds as it happened in the past.

We join our voice with that of others to call on the army Chief to live up to his promise not to leave the theatre of war until total victory is attained.

We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for putting a round peg in a round hole in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.

Nigeria's victory over Boko Haram has come to stay, says human rights researcher, Kuanum


Foremost researcher on human rights and author of several books,  Mr. Terrence Kuanum, has described recent victories by Nigerian troops led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf  Buratai in the Lake Chad Region, as a positive sign that the victory of troops over the insurgents will be permanent. 


Kuanum made the observation in an exclusive interview with our correspondent in Abuja.


He said the last two months have seen the steady progression in the offensive being led by General Buratai against the terrorists and insisted that the winnings all point to the direction of permanent victory as the terrorists are now in disarray .


"I had the opportunity of following recent happenings in the Northeast and I must say this is an opportunity for Nigerians to feel proud as there is every indication that the war against the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists would soon be over permanently," he said.


Reviewing the steps taken by the Chief of Army Staff in recent operations, Kuanum said for the 11 years he has been following the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and the efforts of the Nigerian and other governments to stop them, he has not seen a better coordinated and result yielding efforts like the current one.


He said from what he knows about military operations and counter insurgency efforts,  having a back-to-back victory as is being recorded recently by Nigerian troops, is a clear indication that the terrorists have been overwhelmed and are on the verge of surrendering. 


"What you normally get from this type of asymmetric warfare is a tit-for- tat kind of battle where one side strikes the other at a time it was least  expecting and the other side tries to take its pound of flesh by launching a counter-offensive.


"But what we now have in the Northeast is the consistency in  shelling and decimation of the Boko Haram terrorists by troops exposing the terrorists' lack of capacity to reply and confirming that their earlier boasts as not only empty but vacuous," Kuanum said.


The foremost researcher and  authority in military history, said he is sure that at the end of the operation which he said would be over soon, other countries would be coming to Nigeria to learn how to defeat insurgency and terrorism because according to him,  that has been the toughest and complicated type of warfare the world over due to its asymmetric nature.


He said for Nigeria to have been able to find a solution to the scourge where even military super powers like Russia and the US have failed  in the past years, would surely come as a thing of pride for the entire nation.


The researcher said in the past countries like the US and Russia could not put their acts together by thinking that they can subdue terrorism through the decapitation of its leadership and top commanders alone.


He said that approach which was borrowed from anti- criminal operations especially in drugs and narcotics where once the Don is taken out and the other foot soldiers run for cover, however did not work in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. 


"That was why when the US took out Osama Bin Ladin and other commanders of the Alquaida groups, the activities of the terrorists did not stop," he pointed out.


He said Nigeria made the same mistake when it assumed that with the killing of Mohammed Yusuf, the terrorism of Boko  Haram would stop saying it rather evolved into a more dangerous outfit under the leadership of Abu Shekau.


"In the same way, the killing of Muhammad Marwa did not stop the Maitatsine sect until a wholesome operation that included the liquidation of the ground troops, destruction  of their armoury and reorientation of their members took place," Kuanum explained.


This, he said are some of the strategies he noticed with the Buratai leadership where no stone is left unturned to bring an end to the activities of the terrorists. 


He said: "General Buratai is known to be one of the serious thinkers and sound intellectuals within military cycles and he must have taken all these into cognisance and is applying them to achieve the winning formula we are witnessing."


Kuanum asked: "When was the last time you saw a Shekau releasing a video bragging that he would capture Nigeria as he is wont to do in the past? When was the last time you saw terrorists invading military barracks,  seizing weapons and making shows of them?"


All these, he said,  "have become history and the end of Shekau is near I tell you, so I believe the security reports which suggest that Shekau is begging to surrender are true."


When asked to give his opinion on whether the federal government should accept Shekau if he surrenders, Kwuanum said he believes accepting the surrender would have greater impact on Nigerians and would serve to discourage other terrorists more than killing him in the battle field.


He said this is because the military has claimed several times that it has killed Shekau after which he would resurface and dismiss their claims.


The researcher said if the military finally takes Shekau out this time, many would doubt if it is true saying if on the other hand Shekau surrenders and he is presented to the public, people would be convinced and many of his men would follow suit and surrender.


Kuanum called on the Chief of Army Staff not to relent saying many Nigerians are praying for him and the troops to succeed.

A former military officer and historian, Capain AI Adeleke (rtd) has said the current victories of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists are products of deep strategic thinking on the part of the Nigerian military top brass.


Adeleke, who spoke with our correspondent in an interview in Lagos, said it is part of strategic military planning to lure the enemy into thinking it is gaining the upper hand in a battle only for full arsenal to be unleashed to overwhelm in ways they cannot recover.


He said the fact that Boko Boko Haram terrorists have become sorry sights the battle field after proclaiming they were unstoppable shows that superior and sophisticated approach to combat have been  deployed on them. 


The expert,  however said the string of victories being recorded by Nigerian troops  did not come as a surprise as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai, is one of the most strategic thinkers and repertiores of intellect in the military today.


He said from the frontal engagement carried out by troops based on precise intelligence reports with almost zero casualty, it is obvious that Buratai is taking after respected past war heroes who won their battles through  application of strategic planning and tactical drills.


"You don't record such victories repeatedly through trials and errors but through conscious systemic and deliberate tactics," he said.


Adeleke said  it is not unlikely from the results being recorded against the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists that the Chief of Army Staff must have observed closely the staying power, resilience and master stroke strategies of people like Julius Caesar, Hannibal,  Khalid ibn Walid,

 Alexander the Great , Frederick the Great, Gustavus Adolphus, Prince Eugene of Savoy and Napoleon Bonaparte. 


Citing the war pattern of  Gustavus Adolphus, Adeleke said it was his invasion of Germany that helped the Protestants clutch victory from defeat at the hands of the powerful Catholic League, headed by a then world-dominating Spain.

He added that Gustavus became one of the most famous military leaders in history,  when he turned Sweden into one of the superpowers of Europe after he, like Buratai, won a series of great battles "through innovative integration of infantry which included cavalry and artillery and which provided the foundation for modern military warfare."


He said Khalid ibn Walid, who is known as the greatest war General in the Arab world on the other hand, must have inspired Buratai with his outmaneuvering of a much larger Byzantine force in a brilliant campaign that culminated in his great victory at Yarmouk. 


He said Khalid compares with Buratai in the manner he remained undefeated in all of the 100 battles  that he fought, which paved the conquest of the Middle East, Persia, India, North Africa and Spain.


Adeleke said Frederick the Great on the other hand, must have served as an inspiration to Buratai going by the way he defended Prussia During the Seven Years’ War.

He said it took the exceptional resilience of Frederick the great when Prussia was surrounded by much stronger enemies of Austria, Russia, and France on all sides, to  survive, and later snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

He said another remarkable influence on the Chief of Army Staff must have been the Roman army commander, julius Caesar.

He said Caesar, after the conquest of Gaul showed his brilliance in warfare when he led the Roman army into Germany and Britain and established the dominance of Rome over western civilization.


He also said Hannibal who led the single greatest logistical triumph in military history must have inspired Buratai.

He recalled that Hannibal almost destroyed the armies of Rome by ingeniously marching an army of elephants from Africa, through Spain and over the Alps into Italy. 


He said Alexander the Great on the other hand conquered  almost the entire world then and was known for his ruthlessness to completely eliminate the enemy.


He said Buratai definitely shares part of Napoleon's military genius which the latter demonstrated by his destruction of the Third Coalition and the defeat of the combined armies of Austria, Russia, Portugal and others in a series of battles that culminated in what is known the Battle of Austerlitz.


He said, "As a retired military officer, I cant help but notice some of the traits of these renowned war heroes in the current Chief of army staff which reassures me that the man not only knows what he is doing, but is capable of enacting further breathtaking strategies to bring terrorism and insurgency to an end in Nigeria. 


He said, " When you talk about true grit and military Professionalism there is  no way you will not commend Buratai and the troops in the field especially with application of sophisticated strategies and intellectual depth to warfare.


Adeleke said  for an officer who has passed through some of the best military instutions in the world and acquired recondite trainings coupled with having gained valuable experience before his present assignment, no less should be expected from Buratai. 


He said, "The chief of army staff was already heading the multinational task force before  he was appointed to present  position hence the ground work for the current victories have  being laid have been laid by him.


"It was under Buratai as the commander of the multinational taks force that Nigeria was able to clear insurgents from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in 2015 for elections to hold there ."



He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his foresight and ability to discover someone like Lt. Gen TY Buratai to lead the war against the enemies of Nigeria. 


"You know Buhari himself is a military tactician who has seen much action  in his days in the army, so he recognises talent, skill and mental acuity when he sees one and I'm happy that he made the right choice in appointing an Army Chief with the necessary grit and qualification to deliver," he added.

The Young Political Leaders Forum of Nigeria (YOLN) has praised the Nigerian Army’s incredible exploits in the war against terrorism.

The group made this known in a letter signed by its President, Prince Timothy Atuluku, to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.

According to the political leaders, Nigeria would have been consumed by the Boko Haram insurgency had the president and the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, led by Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai not intervened.

The group stated that but for the coming on board of Buhari's administration, Nigeria would have become the mockery of the world.

The leaders, thus, hailed the sterling leadership of Mr President and his COAS which indeed filled the leadership vacuum over the years to prosecute the war against terrorism has been phenomenal.

The political leaders, however, assured the president and COAS that Nigerians are behind them in the quest to wipe the Boko Haram insurgents in North-East Nigeria.

Read full statement below:

His Excellency
Muhammadu Buhari
President and Commander-in-Chief
Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Villa,
Abuja-Nigeria.

Dear President Muhammadu Buhari,

LETTER OF COMMENDATION IN THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

The Young Political Leaders Forum of Nigeria brings its warmest regards to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the sound leadership in the country since 2015.

We wish to state that, but for the coming on board of your administration, Nigeria would have been consumed with the myriad of challenges confronting it chiefly the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria.

Mr. President may wish to recall that upon assumption of office in 2015, the military hierarchy was relocated to North-East Nigeria. That singular act indeed set the country of the path of progress with regards to the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Mr. President may also wish to recall that the appointment of Service Chiefs in the country was indeed the game-changer in the sense that the various Service Chiefs hit the ground running and Today the multiple successes recorded in the war against terrorism is evident for all and sundry to see.

The Young Political Leaders Forum of Nigeria is, therefore, using this medium to inform Mr. President that the efforts of the Nigerian Military have been outstanding since 2016 when the military gained ascendency over the Boko Haram terrorist group that culminated in the sacking of the operational headquarters of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Sambisa forest.

We are more than appreciative of the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria and other parts of the country. We wish to exbeen consumed with the myriad of challenges confronting it chiefly the Boko Haram insurgency in N

Mr. President, you may wish to know that the overwhelming votes by Nigerians in the 2019 elections are in recognition of the outstanding show of commitment to the war against terrorism that has yielded tremendous results over the years.

The Young Political Leaders Forum of Nigeria indeed states that the confidence reposed by Nigerians has not been betrayed by His Excellency and hence this letter of commendation, as well as appreciation to our loyal and committed troops that have continued to do the country proud.

We wish to state that in the annals of our democratic experience since 1999, Nigeria has never gotten it right like now when our country is indeed blessed with a leader that has exhibited sincerity of heart and purpose and also a leader that has shown significant commitment towards setting Nigeria on the path of greatness among the comity of nations.

Mr. President, it must be stated that your sterling leadership has indeed filled the leadership vacuum in Nigeria over the years, and your commitment to prosecuting the war against terrorism has been phenomenal.

The Young Political Leaders Forum of Nigeria also commends the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. He has led the Nigerian Army with utmost professionalism and dedication in the discharge of his duties.

Mr. President, you may wish to be informed that the Chief of Army Staff has led the troops in battle in an exemplary manner that has seen the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group confined to the fringes of the Lake Chad in absolute disarray and with nowhere to run to.

The sacrifices of our troops have indeed been felt in all nook and cranny of Nigeria, and this is made possible by the ingenuity of the Chief of Army Staff and the political leadership who has made it a habit to undertake routine visits to the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria.

Mr. President, the outcome of the routine visits of the Chief of Army Staff in recent times has seen to the killing of over 250 Boko Haram terrorists in recent operations carried out by the Nigerian Military.

The Young Political Leaders Forum of Nigeria wishes to inform Mr. President that Nigerians are with him and the administration towards a final victory on the war against the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria.

The Young Political Leaders Forum wishes to encourage the President and Commander-in-Chief not to relent in this final push against the remnants of the Boko Haram by the Nigerian troops by providing that conducive atmosphere for the overall success in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

Nigerians are eagerly waiting to come out en mass after the COVID-19 pandemic is over to celebrate these milestones from city to city in appreciation of what the military has done for the country through their numerous sacrifices over the years.

Mr. President, you have indeed done well and set Nigeria on the path of greatness through your laudable initiatives and the Young Political Leaders Forum in Nigeria wishes to state in unequivocal terms that it is indeed passing a vote of confidence on our gallant and loyal troops fighting day and night in executing the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

We consequently encourage the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai not to relent in its final push in bringing the Boko Haram war to an end.

Mr. President, a true leader, has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.

Timbuktu- Triangle Victory: Coalition of Activists laud Nigerian troops over successful outings

The Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria (CNAGN) believes that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deserve special laurels for their tremendous feat against Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.

This special recognition trails the troops’ recent onslaught around the Timbuktu-Triangle in Borno State which was once reported to be under the control of the radical jihadists.

Led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukut Buratai, the Nigerian troops have gained massive grounds in its final clearance operation, with the latest consuming 134 insurgents.

And in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Kenneth Anayo, on Tuesday, the group of activists hailed the “troops for their uncommon efforts, patriotism and gallantry in the past few weeks especially their most recent exploit in neutralizing over 134 terrorists”.

CNAGN expressed confidence in the COAS and his troops as they match closer towards victory over the terrorists who already appears to be depleted.

The activists, however, urged the Federal Government to carry out a similar operation on the civilian and non-combatant wings of Boko Haram, who arm them with information.

Read the full statement below:

The Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria has urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to specially commend the troops currently carrying out the final phases of the operation to wipe Boko Haram terrorists out from the northeast of Nigeria and all over the country. The Coalition’s reachtion followed reports that the Nigerian military neutralized as many as 134 Boko Haram terrorists in the Timbuktu-Triangle while arresting 16 informants that had helped the terror group’s operation in the past.

The punishment that the Nigerian Army has inflicted on Boko Haram terrorists is a befitting gift to Nigerians at a time that people are eager for good news in the midst of the COVID-19 scourge. The terrorists that once made themselves into a scourge and a torn in the country’s flesh are today getting the kind of treatment they deserve being the disease that they are. For this the Army, its leadership and troops that are taking part in the operation deserve laurels to spur them on.

We at the Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria laud the troops for their uncommon efforts, patriotism and gallantry in the past few weeks especially their most recent exploit in neutralizing over 134 terrorists as part of the final onslaught in the war against terrorism. The troops have left everyone talking about their gallantry and patriotism in the their continuous display against the terrorists.

This group, which has always had the highest level of confidence in the capacity of our military to defeat the terrorists without any doubt, is proud that a time has come for all Nigerians to stand behind the troops to defeat the terrorists and their agents of darkness.

The Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria, however, wants to appeal to the Federal Government to reciprocate the good work the military is doing in flushing out the leftovers of Boko Haram elements by unleashing a similar operation on the civilian and non-combatant wings of Boko Haram. By this we mean that the government should act on intelligence at its disposal about the sympathizers, sponsors, enablers and collaborators of Boko Haram.

The fact that the military has arrested as many as 16 informants for the terrorists showed that they have seriously infected the national space. Consequently, we demand that the government take action in freezing bank accounts linked with terrorism financing, close down businesses connected to Boko Haram commanders and their associates, including those that have been used as fronts for laundering funds to the terrorists.

It is also time to take a firm stand against propaganda deployed in support of Boko Haram and those behind such poison. We equate this with the Nigerian Military being on the threshold of cutting off the head of the beast but the government and the rest of the country must take active steps to incinerate its carcass so that is has no prospect of spawning miniatures or clones in its dying moment. We urge that Boko Haram is atomically defeated on the battlefield in the northeast, defeated in the media and cyberspace, defeated in the socio-political and economic space in order for all Nigerians to enjoy peace.

Even as they commend the military for destroying Boko Haram, Nigerians must now take the next crucial step of collectively freeing their minds grip that terrorism once held over them. It is in the hearts and minds of Nigerians that the terrorists will be finally defeated. The days of Boko Haram are over.

A security expert, Richard Murphy has said the killing of 135 Boko Haram terrorists in the Timbuktu Triangle around northeast Nigeria has exposed the terror group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau as a liar who is now under pressure to maintain an influence he never had.

Murphy, who spoke against the background of the series of military operations that resulted in the killing of the terrorists over last weekend, noted that the development has forced Shekau into a situation where he could be killed by his own commanders owing to the repeated losses they have suffered.

According to Murphy, “The pace at which the Nigerian military is going has made it clear that any terrorist that does not personally broker a deal to surrender is most likely to end up like those that have been killed in recent operations. Dead.

“Interestingly, there is a facet that some analysts are not seeing in the present military operations. These Boko Haram terrorists are being killed as they flee the battlegrounds. It is not that they were being repelled in the course of attacking a military base, it is not that they were killed while springing an ambush or launching a surprised attack against troops. They are being decimated by an army that took the war to them in their hideouts.

“I have an explanation for this. It is that the fundamentals changed in a way that Boko Haram terrorists and their commanders are yet to appreciate. They have lost the capacity to retreat into neighbouring Chad after launching attacks in Nigeria and the same can be said of Niger and even Cameroon. The Nigerian military also took delivery of certain hardwares, which was not the case as at the time decision makers in the west were being swayed by fabricated human rights violations report.

“Add the compelling leadership exhibited by the Nigerian Army Chief, General Buratai, and you begin to get a picture of why Shekau will do well to close shops, possibly consider a surrender, if that window is still open,” the security expert posited.

He said the number of terrorists killed by government troops in recent weeks have exposed Shekau’s “numerous lies” that have spurred his minions to their death in the ongoing war being waged against their insurgency.

Murphy explained that “War is not all about the bombs and the bullets. It also entails psychological warfare, which is what propaganda is directed at achieving. This must have been what Shekau thought he was doing when he recorded the latest audio he published. But within hours of the clip making it to the public it became apparent that it was a bad call given the mix of situations he currently faced. The desperation showed through just as each sentence of the recording is now proving to be a lie.

“Shekau lied that he was not considering any decision to surrender. Yes, in the business he is currently engaged in he wouldn't say otherwise until the final whistle, which we are not likely to wait for given the division that now dominate his camp.

“From all indications, he is on the run and his capacity to do any further fight with the troops is zero. He has lost over 300 men in just one month and such a rogue wants the world to believe that he is still able to fight? That's not correct. He is finished and his end has come,” he declared.

The security expert however said the Nigerian Army must sustain its offensive against the terrorists to ensure recovery is impossible for them while noting that the country had given Shekau enough time to surrender while he failed to take up the offer even though it was presented several times.

He warned that the Army must fight and ensure that the last terrorist is killed and not allowed to escape into Chad or any other neighbouring nation, “Nigeria must learn from the past in two different respects. The first is that any terrorist left behind in this onslaught is like the rhizome of an invasive plant species left in the soil, given enough time and the right conditions it will grow and take over the whole place; this is what happens each time the military defeats Boko Haram and leaves behind some remnants of the fighters. The second thing Nigeria must learn from is the history of Boko Haram itself, if you killed its founder or leader without mopping up the followers, they will always find a mad man to lead them into battle,” Murphy stated.

Boko Haram 134: Our military have lightened our spirits in spite of Covid-19 – African women network

The Africa Women Arise for Change Network (AWACN) has hailed the Nigerian military’s final clearance operation against Boko Haram terrorists as the sole bright spot in an utterly gloomy COVID-19 season.

AWACN, in a statement on Wednesday, said the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have gladdened the hearts of African women with its recent onslaught on the fleeing terrorists.

Led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General T.Y Buratai, the Nigerian Army has recorded tremendous success over the insurgents, with the most recent exterminating 134.

In a statement by its President, Lady Nkechi Odoma, the group expressed delight with the COAS and his men for this magnificent feat amidst the rampaging coronavirus that has consumed nearly 300,000 lives worldwide.

As women, AWACN said they were the worst hit by terror activities ranging from deaths of their husbands, children and even rape.

The women network congratulated the COAS, describing him as “ a responsible husband and family man who feels our pains and who has been in the theatre of operation with the troops for the past five weeks”.

AWACN, however, urged the Army Chief and his troops not to take their foot of the peddle as they are only a stone throw away from victory.

Read full statement below:

Recent news coming from the theatre of the military operation in Northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region has gladdened the hearts of African women like no other thing has done in the recent past.

Women in Africa are happy that Nigerian troops by their gallantry and patriotism are proving that evil can never have a permanent victory over good and that finally, our tears as key stakeholders in the family unit would be permanently wiped away.

You may wish to know that women have borne the brunt of the activities of these terrorists the more as they have made many of us widows, many have been victims of rape and forced marriages, while many have been dispossessed of all they have including their children.

It comes to us therefore as not only cheery but reassuring that Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) eliminated 134 Boko Haram/Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and arrested 16 informants in Borno State, Nigeria recently.

These are the groups responsible for the worst horror visited on African women in recent times.

Though the general mood the world over is that of angst and grief occasioned by the ravaging effect of the Coronavirus, which has also claimed hundreds of thousands of lives the world over, bright sparks that illuminate the horizon should not be neglected.

We see the recent victory of Nigerian troops as one of such sparks that is worth celebrating because of the overall impact it would have on bringing the inhuman carnage in Northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region under control as well as restore peace and development in Nigeria.


By now, the world is aware that the ongoing subsidiary operation in the North East Theatre of Operation, code-named ‘Operation Kantana Jimlan, led by no other than the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, is yielding great success.


Since the Chief of Army Staff relocated to the theatre of war, Nigerian troops have moved from one success story to another and these have given us hope that a total victory over the evil forces of ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists is not only certain but will be sooner than expected.


To our pride and happiness, Nigerian troops through a coordinated artillery bombardments on Timbuktu triangle conducted on May 1 and 2, destroyed seven Boko Haram Gun Trucks while 78 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters were killed through both aerial and human intelligence and within the same period, another successful artillery engagement to Buk in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State resulted in the neutralization of an additional 56 BHT criminals bringing the total of the terrorists liquidated within a spate of two days to 134!


Such acts of bravely being repeated by Nigeria troops in recent operations will surely hasten the liquidation of the evil terrorists groups in Nigeria and will make way for a return to normalcy in many of the ravaged communities and make us, the women, happy.

It will also send a strong signal to other insurgents that the days when their evil activities were being tolerated are over.

We note the precision on targets and assault on the strongholds of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the most professional and efficient manners.

Indeed we can say that the Nigerian Military is one of the best in Africa if not the entire world.

Another commendable aspect of the exercise is that 16 high profile Boko Haram and ISWAP informants have also been identified and apprehended.

With the rounding up of these informants, the intelligence and information gathering network of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists would be weakened and it is not unexpected to hear very soon the insurgents begging to surrender since their sources of information have been blocked and their further resistance would be akin to groping in the dark.


We congratulate the Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai, a responsible husband and family man who feels our pains and who has been in the theatre of operation with the troops for the past five weeks.

We note that his presence and participation in operations has greatly inspired the troops leading to.the success being recorded at the battle field.

We also commend the troops who have by their acts of gallantry given the citizenry a course to rejoice at a time of when the general mood the world over has not been that bright.

We urge the chief of army staff not to relent but pursue the fight to its logical conclusion more so as victory is at sight.


We assure the Chief of Army Staff of the cooperation of the citizenry especially women towards ensuring that the battle is won.

God bless the Chief of Army Staff and God be with our troops until the final victory over evil is achieved.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police and human rights crusader, CP Abubakar Tsav (rtd), has given the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai and the Nigerian Army a pass mark for their success in recent military operations at the Lake Chad Region.


Our correspondent reports that Nigerian troops in two operations on the 1st and 2nd of May, coordinated artillery bombardments on Timbuktu triangle and destroyed seven Boko Haram Gun Trucks and carried out another artillery engagement in Buk, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State eliminating 134 number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. 


The retired police commissioner and elder statesman,  in an interaction with newsmen, said the recent decimation of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists by Nigerian troops in the Lake Chad region serves as a sweet reminder that the Nigerian army has not lost the efficiency and professionalism it has been known for over the years.


Tsav in the interview explained that he is full of commendation for the Nigerian troops not  because they succeeded in liquidating terrorists but making it further difficult for them to carry out any attack within Nigerian borders.


The retired police commissioner said it is evident that all the operations were executed with clinical military precision and professional efficiency. 


This, he said, is obvious from the total avoidance of collateral damages despite attempts by terrorists to hide in civilian populated communities and their  'cowardly' use of humans as shields when overwhelmed.


He stressed that the manner the insurgents were taken out can only be achieved if troops are abiding by the highest forms of professional ethics under the right leadership. 


Tsav said he noticed there have been  differences in the approach and outcome of military operations since the Chief of Army Staff relocated to the Northeast.


"When the Chief of Army staff moved to the theatre of operations, the message he was sending to his troops is that he doesn't mind putting his life on the line for results to be achieved and that he is expecting no less from the soldiers.


"He is also stressing the seriousness of the operations and the need to impart on troops the highest level of strategy and tactics to win the war but before one could even say 'go' the results have started showing. That means not only has he sent the right signals, but the troops have been able to decode the message and act accordingly," Tsav said.


The retired police commissioner said he was happy with last week's liquidation of 134 number of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists terrorists recalling  that only last month, 105 number of terrorists were liquidated during an encounter at Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government of Yobe State by troops of Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole.

                        

Tsav said he is impressed because while the number of terrorists taken out is important, it is also worthy to note that high calibre weapons including  five  AK-47 Rifles, three GPMG, one  Duska Anti Aircraft Gun, one PKT Gun, two handheld radio,  several ammunition and ammunition links  magazines and assorted hard drugs were also recovered from.


He said this will further weaken the insurgents by depriving their remnants of weapons they have been using to unleash terror on hapless citizens," he said.


The elder statesman said it is worth noting that it was not quite a month after that succeful operation that the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have again eliminated 134 Boko Haram/Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and arrested 16 of their informants.


He said while the insurgents are in disarray and desperate to put up a face, Nigerian troops have been calm and calculated in their operations which has made them to achieve high and excellent  results.


Tsav said Gen Buratai and troops of the Nigerian Army have by these victories shamed the prophets of doom who had predicted that Boko Haram insurgency would bring an end to the entity known as Nigeria.


He said what is happening in the field of operation is the complete opposite of what the prophets of doom predicted saying rather than disintegrate, Nigeria is waxing stronger and stronger while citizen confidence on military instutions has been fully restored.


"From the over 20 local government captured by the terrorists and the hoisting of their flags in some, what we have now is that not an inch of the Nigerian territory is under either Boko Haram or ISWAP control. This is kudos to the Chief of Army Staff and the troops'" he stated.


Tsav added that apart from being happy that normalcy is fully returning to the Northeast, Nigerians are beginning to feel proud of their country once again. 


He said with the current records of onslaught against the terrorists, no dissent or insurgent group would contemplate taking up arms against the Nigerian state without fearing the consequences.


"I expect the Army Chief to live up to his promise to stay with troops until total victory is attained as his presence is a great morale booster to the officers and men in the field," he added.

Exclusive: We are finished, Boko Haram Commanders cry out over sustained onslaught by Army

Feelers from North-East Nigeria indicate that the Boko Haram group is seeking avenues for a dialogue with the federal government in a bid to put an end to the recent onslaught against it by the Nigerian Army.

According to credible sources conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria, it was stated that the recent onslaught led by the Chief of Army Staff that resulted in the death of over 135 members of the group, which included some top commanders is indeed the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

A source who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information stated that the leader of the Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau is indeed battling for his life as some top commanders of the group have turned against him and are ready to take the bulls by the horns to negotiate for a soft landing by surrendering and seeking forgiveness.

“After the last operation by our troops, over 135 members of the group were killed including a top commander who has been at the forefront of surrendering as there seems to be no way out of their dilemma.”

“The death of the commander indeed shook Abubakar Shekau who is battling to avert a revolt from his members over his insensitivity to their plight and also the death of one of their top commanders who has advocated for a ceasefire in recent times.”

The source also added that the situation in the camp of the Boko Haram group is that that of despair and lamentations.

“We have been able to scoop that Abubakar Shekau is trying his best to keep the spirits of his fighters high, but the challenge they faced in recent times has not yielded the desired results as our troops are closing in on them as the day goes by”

It was also gathered from reliable sources that the death of the top commander had been blamed on Abubakar Shekau who is still maintaining a tough face as regards the war believing that the situation could still be remedied.

Our source informed this medium that what is left in the Boko Haram camp is a group of disgruntled fighters that are lacking in everything from food to arms and ammunition.

“You might have read in some daily newspapers on the efforts of some Boko Haram members reaching out to the federal government for a ceasefire. This is very true, as there have been several attempts to get the Nigerian Army to a ceasefire which has not yielded the desired results since the Chief of Army Staff is personally coordinating the operations.”

“I can tell you that the situation is quite tensed as the directive of the Chief of Army Staff is to get Abubakar Shekau wherever he is, and I am not sure any of the sector commanders can go against that directive. So in a way, it is a tough situation for everybody, unless the Chief of Army Staff orders a ceasefire, and so far he hasn’t done so.”

According to a top staff of one of the humanitarian agencies in North-East Nigeria, he stated that the Boko Haram group is seriously rooting for dialogue as a way of ending the war. He also added that overtures had been made and from the look of things the Nigerian Army is not disposed to the idea of dialogue.

“We have done our best in asking the military echelon to dialogue with the Boko Haram group, but we have not received any favorable response so far. You know that there is a limit to how far we can push because it is a very sensitive issue. As such, we must respect whatever decision from the military authorities.”

When asked if indeed the Boko Haram group is seeking for a genuine dialogue with the federal government, the source stated that the Boko Haram group is truly seeking for a way to end the war as they have run out of ideas and stock to prosecute the war further.

“They have reached out to us to plead with the military authorities to halt further attacks on them as they are ready to dialogue and drop their arms. This much we have passed to the theatre command, and as we speak, we have not gotten a response from them.”

“We are treading carefully so as not to incur the wrath of the authorities, and so this is where we are as it stands. If the military hierarchy so decides to dialogue with the Boko Haram group we shall welcome it because we are interested in the return of peace to North-East Nigeria.”

According to another source who has worked in the North East for several years, stated that the probable option for the Boko Haram group is to seek the support of world leaders in prevailing on the Nigerian authorities to dialogue with them.

“From the feelers, we are getting; it doesn’t seem likely that the Nigerian President is ready for a dialogue. The option left, in my opinion, is the intervention of world leaders and organizations, and that can only happen at the diplomatic level, which is clearly outside our purview.”

“I can tell you in confidence that many of the Boko Haram fighters are ready for a dialogue and they are insisting that the government should withdraw the Army as a sign of goodwill. However, how that would play out is left to be imagined.”

“They have cried out on numerous occasions for the Army to a ceasefire so they can have a dialogue, but from the look of things that situation seems much tensed as the troops are advancing daily.”

This medium was able to gather that the Chief of Army Staff who has been in the North East has ruled out the possibility of a dialogue with the Boko Haram members. A top commander who doesn’t want his name in print stated that the Army Chief is not disposed to having a dialogue with Boko Haram.

“The Chief is not interested in any form of dialogue and as such the troops have continued to advance in recent weeks. Not unless the Army Chief shifts his grounds, the likelihood of dialogue is ruled out as it stands.”

“I do not see that happening in my opinion as it seems the big man in Abuja would not condone such options with the way things are. The option of dialogue would have happened years back if indeed they were serious.”

It would be recalled that the Nigerian troops have carried out sustained operations against the Boko Haram group in recent weeks led by the Chief of Army Staff that has seen to the death of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters.

By: Benedict Agu

They said He wasn't a democrat, he proved them wrong by conducting an election that has become a reference point on the continent of Africa today. They said He was corrupt, yet five years after leaving office, not a single case of corruption have they been able to bring forward against him. You then begin to wonder what his continued rising profile have psychologically and emotionally done to the Muhammadu Buhari regime, who still curiously and outrageously appears to be embroiled in a  wild goose chase of their imaginary corruption allegations, against former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

While it somehow sounds laughable, one is also sincerely concerned about the latest drama of the regime, which media reports claim, is requesting all documents from American banks concerning any alleged transactions to, from, or for the benefit of Dr Jonathan and his wife between 2009 and the present day.
The latest revelation is scandalously an obvious witchhunt and tendentious at best. It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf, that this is another in the series of the usual diversionary antics of the Buhari's regime, whenever it is battling with its aviodable mistakes and irretrievably nosediving popularity.

Well, in the latest instance of the mendacious allegation, the regime flagrantly failed in its usual manner, to link any verifiable asset or the purported foreign bank accounts directly  to Dr Goodluck Jonathan, but instead resorted to media rascality and propaganda, which has become the regular trademark of the Buhari's regime.

It is important  to remind this regime once again, that Nigerian political culture has advanced far beyond this regime's characteristic blame game, rumours and innuendos.  They should perhaps be reminded that the era of rumormongering and government propaganda is well past its sell-by date.

For the benefit of unsuspecting members of the public, particularly Nigerians,  Dr Goodluck Jonathan today remains one of  poorest former President in the whole of the African continent. And this is because he refused to appropriate public funds to himself, contrary to the design of the unconscionable propagandists desperate to sell a different narrative to the public. His lifestyle before, during and after office attests to the fact that this illustrious son of Nigeria has always lived within his means and was driven by patriotism for all his actions and policies as President.

How many Nigerian leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari can find the comfort of having his residence in such part of Yenagoa, in Bayelsa State,  where the Jonathan modest residence is located, or is it the rented duplex which houses the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Office in Abuja that speaks to his opulence? For the avoidance of doubt Jonathan has no investment or property anywhere in the world today that could be described as  a choice possession befitting of a man who has served this country as former Deputy Governor, Governor and later Vice President and President of the Federal republic of Nigeria.

Despite all the harassment and empty boasts of the Buhari regime targeted at his predecessor, none of the so called corruption allegations against Dr Goodluck Jonathan has been personally linked to him. Goodluck Jonathan is only a rich man, in the imagination of his detractors and shadow chasing agents of this regime.

Nothing can be more duplicitous of a serving government than to surreptitiously without recourse to Dr. Jonathan subpoena American banks to produce his non-existent bank documents despite the former President's consistent insistence that he has no accounts abroad.

The fact that the Federal Government admitted in the US court judgement that was not under investigation on the matter being that the signing of the P&ID contracts preceded the Jonathan administration, points to the fact that there must be more to the endless witch-hunt than pursuit of public good.

It is as well that the former President has not only  not restated his innocence but has gone further to urge the American authorities to cooperate with the blundering Attorney General of the Federation in his request for bank details senior officers that served in the past administration.

It is instructive that Jonathan through his spokesman reminded the Buhari government that it found itself in a big whole today with the P&ID imbroglio because it willfully ignored appropriate counsel stemming from a negotiated settlement offered in 2015 by the preceding administration that could have ended that matter without the threat of  impending financial doom.

Despite the foregoing, it is obvious that operatives of  the embattled Buhari regime will definitely stop at nothing in continuing on this path of infamy.

They will not give up on attempting to demonise Dr Jonathan and members of his family, especially as it has now become very obvious that the woeful performances of the regime, can never earn President Buhari the kind of popularity and influence, being enjoyed by Dr Goodluck Jonathan, after his tenure of office. But they fail to realise that Nigerians are no fools.

The Coalition of Arewa Youths for Good Governance (CAYGG) has charged the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and the troops on the frontlines to sustain the momentum against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

According to the group, the onslaught must be intensified, so as not to give the terrorists any space to recuperate.

CAYGG made this appeal in a statement signed by its President Haruna Ochimana on Monday.

From experience, the group said the radical sect leverage on “any lull in attacks against them to recruit more hapless youth into their ranks and also pick up arms and provisions supplied by their sponsors”.

The group, however, expressed confidence in the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, especially with the COAS leading from the front.

It assured that the “ hour for a final victory is now and nothing should be spared in smoking those vermin out of those vermin out of their warrens”.

Read full text below:

After taking time to assess the ongoing war that the Nigerian Army has taken to the camps of terrorists in the northeast of the country, the Coalition of Arewa Youths for Good Governance is appealing to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and the Nigerian Army to sustain the upper hand they now have over the terrorists be it the Boko Haram elements or those dealing death under the franchise of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The onslaught against the terrorists must be intensified and slowed down on any account in order not to allow them any breathing space to reorganize. Past encounters have taught that the terrorists use any lull in attacks against them to recruit more hapless youth into their ranks and also pick up arms and provisions supplied by their sponsors.

We further appeal to the COAS and his commanders not to be distracted by the recent gimmicks of the terrorists and their sponsors as the singular objective of the military presence in the region is to ensure that the terrorists are sent into oblivion and the communities in the area can again resume their places as the agricultural, commercial and entrepreneurship hubs that contribute a huge chunk to the economy of Nigeria.

The trick that Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, is playing by being indecisive with whether he wants to surrender or be killed in battle is one that the COAS should not allow to slow down the efforts to bring this war criminal to justice. We rather see Shekau and his sponsors being caught in the confusion ensuing from the intensity with which the troops have descended on them.

We expect that the military anticipate the next front in the ongoing war, which would be fought in the theater of public opinion and populated by international NGOs that will publish fictitious reports to continue the strategy of distracting the troops. The military must put itself in a position to appreciate that patriotic Nigerian youth like the Coalition of Arewa Youths for Good Governance is more interested in having peace and security restored to their country and not given unnecessary consideration to what pro-Boko Haram international NGOs think about the rights of sociopathic murderers.

The news feeds are replete with the how troops of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of the COAS, who has relocated the fronts, have continued to dominate the winning streaks against the terrorists that once tormented the peace of the country. While not behaving like Oliver Twist, the Coalition of Arewa Youths for Good Governance sees now as the best time to sustain the momentum against the insurgent and eventually finish them off once and for all time.

We nonetheless greatly appreciate and thank the Army for putting the terrorists in their place because it would have been a calamity had the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists continued to torment Nigerians at a time when COVID-19 is ravaging the world. We are consequently grateful to the Nigerian military that they have sustained the war and maintained the tempo of victory against the insurgents, who would have added to the dread that the virus is instilling in hearts.

We believe our troops will do more especially at a time that the COAS is busy in the theatre of war to see to a final defeat of the insurgents from all angles. Nigerians both at home and abroad appreciate these selfless sacrifices, the tenacity of purpose and resilience being displayed by our gallant troops, their commanders and the Chief of Army Staff.

The troops should see that the hour for a final victory is now and nothing should be spared in smoking those vermin out of their warrens while also cutting off the head of the serpent as this amount to tackling the problem from its the root and bringing us the desired trophies from the war front. This is one battle that the world has been eagerly waiting for Nigeria to win and enthrone its long-standing superiority in the continent as the force against insurgents and terrorists.

By Ibrahim Kabiru Dallah

The Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria means different things to different people. While to some, it is a war against Nigeria, few others perceive it as propagation of their ideals. For another category, however, it is just a business venture that must not come to an end.

The recent audio purportedly released by the factional and delusional leader of the Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau and its rabid interpretation by Ahmad Salkida, leaves a lot to be imagined. For starters, it smacks of a puerile attempt at changing the narrative since the Nigerian troops launched an offensive against the Boko Haram group because of their avid interest in ensuring that blood continues to flow in fulfilment of their evil desire against Nigeria.

I stand to be corrected; Ahmad Salkida needs to tell Nigerians more stories on the fact that the Boko Haram group is not decimated and that they are hinting on dialogue instead of surrender. The sensibilities of some of us conversant with the operations of the Nigerian troops in North-East Nigeria will be insulted if this narrative pushed by Salkida and his gang is allowed to gain traction.

While his actions might not be entirely new, Ahmad Salkida has, in times past and on numerous occasions, acted as the mouthpiece of the Boko Haram group. He has displayed an impeccable sympathy to the group, which is manifest in audios and videos when the chips are usually down.

This time around, Ahmad Salkida again interpreted purported audio with the voice of Abubakar Shekau claiming that the Boko Haram group is in strong spirits and its commanders and fighters are not on the verge of surrender but instead disposed to dialogue.

While it is commendable that they admitted to the dialogue option that in itself indicates that all seems not well in the camp of the Boko Haram group regardless of the propaganda Ahmad Salkida is pushing on their behalf.

There is also no doubt that the offensive launched by the Nigerian troops has indeed left the group in disarray hence this face-saving measure by Ahmad Salkida and those that do not want an end to the Boko Haram insurgency for apparent reasons.

Two things struck me in the treatise by Salkida. He stated thus: “The Boko Haram leader also derided social distancing measures against COVID-19, saying members of his group were observing congregational prayers and engaged in trading in their hideouts.”

I am sure he didn’t think through this strategy before going public. How can a group of people holed-up in their hideouts be engaging in trading? What are they trading in and whom are they trading with? Are they trading with Nigerians, Chadians, Malians or Cameroonians? Your guess is as good as mine.

He also stated that Abubakar Shekau had urged his members to be patient and resilient in the face of trials. I agree with this position because the Boko Haram group is indeed faced with trails of immeasurable proportion since the renewed offensive against it by the Nigerian Army with the active collaboration from the Multinational Joint Task Force consisting of troops from Chad, Mali, Niger, and Cameroon.

It is obvious that they have reached a point of no return as their escape routes have been taken over by troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force and as well as cutting off their supply chain for arms and ammunition as well as other logistics supplies.

These are critical questions that must be asked by discerning minds when the likes of Ahmad Salkida attempt to push forward a misleading narrative. However, the beauty of it all is that indeed times have changed as far as the war against terrorism in Nigeria is concerned. The tide has turned and the end of the Boko Haram group is around the corner, and this much the likes of Ahmad Salkida must come to terms with.

This is not the time for propaganda as the only option left for the Boko Haram group is to surrender in this circumstance. It also behoves of Ahmad Salkida to take this message to Abubakar Shekau that there is a need for him to surrender as it is evident that all his commanders are disillusioned and not willing to fight anymore.

This much has been in the public domain and an indication that indeed the Boko Haram war is about to end. So, this feeble attempt by Shekau through Salkida cannot fly as the rational thing to do is to surrender in the interest of all and sundry.

It is indeed a situation of the voice of Shekau and the hand of Salkida and indeed the cry of a drowning man whose only rope he has to hold unto is to attempt to use proxies to paint a picture a fighting force, but in truth, a group that is holed up in hiding with nowhere to run to as troops have surrounded them with no escape route spells doomsday.

The efforts of the Nigerian Army in this renewed onslaught against the Boko Haram group are indeed commendable. They have somewhat put pains in the hearts of those that do not wish the country well by seeking an elongation of the war that has rendered millions homeless and hundreds of thousands dead.

That the Boko Haram group has been rendered ineffective in recent times spells doom for this category of people that sees their nefarious activities as the propagation of their ideals, as well as those that see it as a business venture that must not come to an end. Whatever the case may be however, a special commendation must be extended to the leadership of the Nigerian Army that has been relentless over the years.

The recent news emanating from the theatre of operations indeed corroborates the fact that indeed top Boko Haram commanders are seeking a truce with the federal government. If this is not the case, I wonder why Abubakar Shekau himself is muting the option of dialogue as a way out as propagated by Ahmad Salkida in his recent outing.

The Boko Haram group has been placed on the edge regardless of the feeble attempt by Salkida to change the narrative for whatever it is worth. It is indeed time for all and sundry to rally support for the Nigerian Army in this final push as we are all in one way or the other victims of the nefarious activities of Boko Haram.

Ahmad Salkida should also do well to understand that the Boko Haram war is coming to an end, and there is no need to push further narratives that they cannot sustain. He should do the needful by advising his friend to toe the line of his commanders and surrender. This war has ended. Business too.

Dallah is a patriotic citizen and wrote from Lafia

*Covid-19/ Boko Haram: Inter-faith congregation forecasts divine victory over pandemic, terrorists*

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) has prophesized that an end to the Boko Haram insurgency and COVID-19 pandemic is in sight.

NIFROP made this declaration on Saturday, the seventh-day of its Joint Prayer and Fasting for divine intervention and solution to Covid-19 and Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism.

In his speech, NIFROP's president, Bishop Sunday Garuba said "God has given us a song of victory" over the terrorists, noting that Abubakar Shekau's days are numbered.

Despite meeting virtually, the cleric reckoned that its sessions have garnered over 500,000 views, a testament of the firm followership across religious lines.

With its numbers and intercessory prayers, Bishop Garuba said the fleeing Shekau and whatever is left of his group would soon be a forgotten issue.

NIFROP, however, urged Nigerians to continue to show support for President Muhammadu Buhari and the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole led by Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

Read full statement below:


Dearly beloved of God,

I welcome you all once again to the 7th day of our simultaneous joint Prayer and Fasting programme put together in prayers and supplication to God Almighty for divine intervention in halting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria and across the world, as well as the end of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria.

As we all know, this prayer session is being held online because we have been advised to observe social distancing as a precaution. We consequently developed this online platform, which started about six days ago.

I must commend those of us that have been consistent with the prayers and fasting even though it’s been done virtually; I also want to encourage some of us that have not been able to connect with us online in this critical national assignment do endeavor to do so. The pages are National Inter- Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace on both YouTube and Facebook and The Unity Church/ Unity Masjid.

Dear brethren, I am joyed in the Lord to inform you all that the first-day virtual meeting also witnessed the distribution of food to brethren across all creed and faith across the country. This is indeed phenomenal in the sense that we were able to put smiles on the faces of families regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliations.

I also wish to inform us that so far, we have had over 50,000 viewers who have followed our prayers and fasting programme online. This is indeed phenomenal, and it is our earnest prayer that the figures should continue to increase to the glory of God.

My dearly beloved in the Lord's vineyard, this is a great assignment that God has bestowed on our shoulders on behalf of our great country and let me announce to you all that by the special grace of God we shall emerge victorious at the end of the 21-day prayer and fasting programme.

In the book of Hebrews 4:16, the bible says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Let me announce to all us that we shall receive mercy and find the grace to help us in our time of need by the special grace of God because God is not a man that he should lie, and his words are yes and amen.
The book of Psalms 90: 17 states that "May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
Establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands." This is reassuring because we are carrying out an important assignment, and God, in His infinite mercies shall establish the works of our hands.

The Holy Koran also confirms this in (Quran 42:26) "And He (God) answers those who believe and do good works, and gives them more out of His Grace."

My dear beloved, as we all know, the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace has been in the vanguard of uniting Nigerians across both faiths praying for the peace and progress of Nigeria, and this has seen us hold several programmes that has had a significant effect on our polity over the years.

I want to use this occasion to commend all of us from the pastors and imams that have been committed to our activities over the years. It is our earnest desire that Nigeria shall continue to experience peace and progress now and the years ahead.

I also want to use this medium to inform all of us that God is indeed merciful to Nigeria through the gift of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose commitment to the overall wellbeing of every Nigerian takes center stage.

President Muhammadu Buhari has, over the years, strived to keep the country as one. For that, we are grateful to God for his benevolence and His grace over the life of our president. We pray that God in His infinite mercies continue to grant him a sound mind and sound health in the discharge of his duties.

Dearly beloved in Christ, this body, which is also known as the Unity Church and Unity Masjid has been supporting vulnerable families with food items and direct cash transfer to those who have fallen on hard times within the period.

Our intervention was initially projected for 5 000 families. However, today we can tell you that the Lord is making more provisions and supporting brethren with more than expected. We shall continue to render this valuable assistance for as long as we can.

We will continue to do the little that we can and pray the Almighty God to heal the land and deliver us from the Boko Haram/ISWAP evil. I want to inform all of us that indeed our victory over COVID-19 and the evil deeds of Boko Haram is certain.

In the book of Deuteronomy 20:4 "…for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." Dear beloved, our victory over COVID-19 and Boko Haram shall be indeed sweet to the Glory of God.

I want to use this medium to declare that the days of Abubakar Shekau are indeed numbered. I am convinced that by the special grace of God, he shall be captured, and the end of Boko Haram would come very soon.

Our dear father shall not lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Our pride often tricks us into thinking we can deal with evil on our own. We can't, and if we try, we will fail. We pray to our Heavenly Father and ask for deliverance.

Dear Lord, do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us; Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us in Jesus name.

I thank you all and encourage us not to relent until we receive redemption in Nigeria. God has given us a song of victory.

At a time when he is running from one camp to another to evade capture by soldiers that are hot on his trail, a foreign funding of €5 million from an international NGO has set the leader of Boko Haram, Abubabakar Shekau on a war path with some of his key commanders, as they accuse him of greed and unilateral decision making in how the funds should be shared.

Verified intelligence reports indicated that the International NGO, which operates in the northeast and with affiliations in other parts of the country informed the Boko Haram leadership of the receipt of the funds on their behalf with an advisory that disbursement will follow “previous channels and beneficiaries’ templates.”

Sources familiar with development in the war against terrorism in the northeast confirmed that the NGO in question would usually credit arms suppliers on behalf of the terror group using fronts, proxies and convoluted cut-outs that distances it from terrorism financing. It will then retain its handling fees and costs for providing relief materials and medical treatment to wounded terrorists while transferring the balance to the terrorists using similar channels as those for paying arms dealers.

There has been no mention of the organization or third-party country that made the €5 million available.

The outstanding amount to be remitted to the terrorists is now a subject of contention between Shekau and his key commanders. One of the sources revealed that “Shekau is hiding because some of the boys, who are angry over how he is handling the money, have threatened to kill him before the government troops get him.”

The Boko Haram leader is reportedly interested in using a chunk of the money for recruiting mercenaries as replacement for the fighters that have been killed in recent encounters with militaries while also paying generous compensation for those that have been killed in a desperate move to shore up morale. But some of his commanders reportedly expressed their preference for “taking care of and encouraging the living” while also prioritizing those that have put in time in killing for the group. The commanders are accusing Shekau of directing the money at expenditure lines that will either benefit him or for which proper accountability will not be possible, like paying compensation for dead fighters whose relatives are not known.

Another source who is a staffer of an international NGO working in the region, not the one that provided the funds, disclosed that "an international NGO gave Shekau €5 million to share to his commanders and their fighters pending full arrangements for their surrender. But instead of being appreciative, the fighters rather condemned Shekau for his greed and they are gearing up for a show down.”

A military source meanwhile said “Shekau is getting blind as such only the very close ones of his aides have access to him. The issue of €5 million is causing serious disaffection in their camps. We found out that the audio message he released was a sort of commitment to those who gave the money. He had to show that he is still in the fray and remains the contact they should deal with.

“Shekau has been receiving such funding in the past and he was never able to build his terror infrastructure beyond what is currently being dismantled. Our commanders have not concerned that he is still defrauding those sponsoring him, if there is any concern it is that we should be able to capture him before his own fighters kill him,” the source said.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) believes the leader of Boko Haram terrorist group Abubakar Shekau is playing double games with his sponsors, knowing he is almost at the end of the road.

Led by Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have surmounted the jihadists in recent weeks with both land and air offensives.

Scores of the insurgents lost their lives while few others that survived like Shekau were said to be on the verge of surrendering to the troops, staring defeat on the face.

However, the factional leader, in a viral audio clip, refuted the Army’s onslaught despite overwhelming evidence.

And CATE believes this is just a coy to extort funds from his sponsors, bragging to satisfy them on one hand, retreating on the other.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Gabriel Onoja, on Friday, the centre warned Shekau that he is engaged in an exercise in futility, one that will either end in his death or his eventual capture.

CATE, therefore, urged the Army not to keep the option of surrender on the table indefinitely, allowing troops to haul Shekau into custody with the speed of light.

Read full text below:

Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has followed the released of an audio recording of Abubakar Shekau, who leads Boko Haram which he likes to call Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, with interest considering the positive connotations the recording has for Nigeria’s war on terrorism. In the recording, Shekau futilely attempted to shake off the decimation that has been visited on his band of terrorists by the Nigerian Army after they had taken a previousus beating from the military of Chad.

Contrary to what Boko Haram spin doctors like Ahmad Salkida want the world to believe, there are glaring facts to be gleaned from Shekau’s audio recording, which points to the reality that this sick terrorist leader is staring defeat and possibly certain death in the face unless he pushes ahead with his reported plan to surrender.

First, it took Shekau this long to record an audio from his bolt hole and he cannot even do a good job of it as he was only able to record eight-minute 22 seconds of rant before he had to scurry off again, afraid that he would be bombarded into oblivion. We are aware that he had to wait until it is Ramadan, knowing that true believers in God must make time out to fulfil their religious obligations; while others were praying and breaking their fast became for Shekau the ideal time to record his short audio clip. An unbeaten Shekau would have recorded a lengthy diatribe.

Shekau’s preference for audio over video that would have given him mileage for proof of life confirms how scared he has become since the military took the war to his hideouts. He is aware that a video shoot, irrespective of how well he attempts to disguise the background or strip the file of metadata would have resulted in his exact location receiving the deserving packages from our ever-ready military. The Nigerian Army has constricted the space around Shekau, and it is a matter of time before the serpent begins to feed on its own tail, the terrorists are narrowing their options to committing mass suicide like they did in Chadian prison or being killed in battles they are now poised to lose.

The period that Shekau and his fighters have been scrambling around in Sambisa Forest must have affected him to the extent that he is unable to appreciate how the world have moved on since he first manifested his mental illness. Democracy has taken root and its dividends is what has sealed Boko Haram’s fate in areas from which the Army has expelled terrorists.

We will not worry about Shekau’s glorification of his murderous group’s disregard for social distancing needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That they are disregarding social distancing is enough proof that they have a collective death wish and are ready to commit mass suicide via mass coronavirus infestation instead of falling from the bullets of the gallant troops of Nigerian Armed Forces. He is aware that exposure to COVID-19 will wipe out whatever is left of his terrorists’ camps within three weeks hence the stall tactics to allow enough time for himself and his members to die off.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) is advising Shekau to die alone if he is so desperate to kill himself and to desist from his current attempt to lure more unsuspecting youth to join his doomed cause. He should jettison his ongoing drive to recruit unsuspecting youth as a replacement for the hundreds of his terrorists’ fighters that have been wasted by troops in recent weeks.

The overture that the Boko Haram leader made about surrendering is possibly the best decision he has even made in his lifetime. But, tragically for him, he allowed the allure of money to derail him into making the provocative audio recording that has shown him as a fraud, someone that will do anything to extort his sponsors.

Instead of accepting defeat quietly, he and his sponsors have decided to play a double game. He is bragging to satisfy the demands of his sponsors on one hand while they too are giving him the false hope that he would not be hunted down. He accepted to surrender at one end while promising his sponsors, particularly members of the Nigerian opposition at the other end that he will not surrender provided he is given more money to buy arms and ammunition to continue fighting.

CATE categorically warn Shekau that he is engaged in an exercise in futility, one that will either end in his death or his eventual capture that will amount to the height of ridicule for the persona he has built for himself with people’s blood.

We want to appeal to the Military not to keep the option of surrender on the table indefinitely. They should allow troops to haul Shekau into custody with the speed of light so that the terrorist and his sponsors will know that the military is not to be dared.

CSO  Cautions security agents over Intimidation and Harassment of former Edo State Chief of Staff.


A civil society organization, The Generational Citizens for Better Leadership Initiative in Benin City, Edo State. Has cautioned security agencies in the state to desist from intimidating and harassing the former chief of staff to Governor Obaseki, Comrade Taiwo Akerele.

In a press statement signed and released to the media on Thursday Morning in Benin City by the spokesperson of the group Comrade. Etinosa Uwangue cautioned security agents and implore them to desists from harassing and intimidating the former chief of staff or his private staff.

The former chief of staff to the Edo State Governor Taiwo Akerele is a law-abiding citizen of the state who has served the state meritoriously until his resignation and as such does not deserve the kind of treatment been melted down on him. If he is needed by the security agents, it is advised they follow appropriate channels provided by the constitution rather than the Gestapo style they are using.

The spokesperson for the group further demanded a probe into the alleged invasion of the former chief of staff residence in Benin city by armed security agents and also calling the state commissioner of Police and DSS Edo state command to call their officers and men to order.

By Nkechi Odoma

Assessing a phenomenon comprehensively at every point and dimension of history is quite difficult. It is impossible to get an accurately wholistic picture of any occurrence, so long as different people are involved in appraising it.

And philosophers have profoundly argued that the preceptory senses of all human beings do not function on same polar in exactitude. The sense of interpretation of reality by humanity functions in dissimilar patterns. What is often adopted as the confluence point is the preponderance of a baseline.

The Military like any other profession religiously relies on loyalty and the patriotism of those who operate under its temple. It means, everyone of them professes to its etiquettes and decrees regarded as sacrosanct. Where there is a betrayal or violation of the institutional oath or its operational creeds, the organization or institution becomes endangered in many facets.

The military subscribes to total obedience, professionalism, loyalty and patriotism in the discharge of its constitutionally defined responsibilities. It is central to the operations of the Military. That’s why acts of insubordination in the Military is ruthlessly handled and with all seriousness.

Many Nigerians have no inkling about the reasons responsible for the ravaging and festering of Boko Haram terrorism in the country which constituted a nationally perpetual source of agonies. What most people knew was the simplistic understanding that Boko Haram killed, abducted, committed acts of arson, and raped married women and teenage girls because they were mightier.

Even the critically-minded never bothered to deeply reflect on the menace of terrorism in Nigeria; its entrenched tentacles or fortress in the Nigeria’s neighbouring countries such as Chad, Niger and the Cameroun republics. What was frequently bandied in public domain was that Boko Haram factional leader and his top commanders were all powerful and had Nigeria on their palms, which they caress mindlessly in violent destructions or bloodbath.

To these minds, the Nigerian military, and in particular, the Nigerian Army was at best, a bunch of effeminate assemblage of men and women, who fed robustly on state resources, without justifying it in actions on the battlefield. Nigerian soldiers were ridiculed as an Army which could not fight a less trained ragtag army such as Boko Haram. People defamed our soldiers as weaklings and disingenuous in warfare, the reason for their existence.

But a plethora of factors accounted for the lackluster performance of the Nigerian Army before President Muhammadu Buhari was ordained leader of Nigeria. Thereafter, he appointed Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai as the Chief of Staff (COAS; an appointment he added an additional mandate as leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.

An avalanche of reasons fired the glaring incompetency of soldiers in courageously and victoriously facing the Boko Haram insurgency in the preceding administration. Some people are aware of this water-tight fact and the masterminds are not in the dark too. But it is not everything on security that ought to be naked in public space.

Even a blindman discerned the lack of patriotism and loyalty of the Army to their Commander-in-Chief and other senior leaders of the time. Soldiers of the era were not even patriotic to their country. It was not questionable that they regaled in this unpatriotic act for suspected vicarious benefits.

Of course, when Nigerians persistently heard stories about instigated mutiny in the frontlines and soldiers shirking in the heat of battle before enemy forces, it only expressed the extent of degeneration in the Army as an institution. It was not surprising they failed to achieve any tangible results in the counter-terrorism combats.

And there was no option because the Army of the time was perilously populated by spies and betrayers of the country in favour of enemy forces. Secret information leaked easily and tales of ambushes were rampant. Several unpleasant and unprofessional acts occurred behind the scenes at the theatre of war and no one was apologetic about it.

But a knowledgeable and astute soldier, Gen. Buratai understood all the minutiae and challenges. It explains why he focused his initial days as the Army’s Chief helmsman to reposition the Army into a professional institution, responsible, responsive, loyal and patriotic in the discharge of their constitutional mandates.

With the right clan of comrades, adequately prepared for the task, Gen. Buratai has effectively utilized soldiers in the positive service of Nigeria. Today, Nigerians are seeing an Army which is ready to die on the battlefield in defence of their country than allow terrorists of whatever hue feast on blood of Nigerians.

Whichever direction the pendulum swings, one can say, it is Gen. Buratai or Nigerian Army. Or, whether option ‘A ‘or ‘B’ and even both, the destination is the same in the service of the nation in the Army of today.

Everyone can attest that their sacrifices have guaranteed them a prestigious place in history. Under the Buhari Presidency, the Nigerian Army has surpassed expectations and even those who shy away from confessing it publicly, exclaim it in privacy. It has handled the insurgency decisively and these deeds have not gone unnoticed.

But as usual, a lot of Nigerians only identify and align the perfection of Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian Army to the counter-insurgency and other Internal Security (IS) operations. But that’s the lacuna in human perception earlier hinted. The truth is that the Nigerian Army is also famed endearingly in handling other issues bordering on security in Nigeria outside terrorism. A Nigeria without an Army would have gone extinct by now.

Soldiers have been the rescuers and saving grace of Nigeria on many precarious public security threats. Normally, the Presidency issues the orders for the deployment of the Army over security issues that have overwhelmed civil security. And each of the interventions of soldiers on Internal Security has resolved the problem quietly in favour of Nigeria’s peace and security.

And manifold examples are handy. No Nigerian will dispute that Nigeria’s eighth democratic republic would have been an illusion if not because of the intervention of the Nigerian Army. The country’s politicians who are badged perpetually as power monks ganged-up to forcefully wrest power from the incumbent who was re-contesting for second term and the popular choice of Nigerian masses.

There were flyers from meetings in their secret shrines, especially by some opposition elements that the 2019 elections should be bloodily rigged in their favour. Political thugs and election riggers were empowered to execute the job. It was scary and disturbing.

Arms and ammunitions were stockpiled in different parts of Nigeria, ready to be unleashed on Nigerians on election-day. Bloodshed was already prepared and hovering in the air for Nigerians, only waiting in the offing to be unleashed on the d-day.

President Buhari got wind of it. He acted on intelligence reports immediately in national interest, by deploying Nigerian Army to complement civil security in the 2019 electoral exercise. Soldiers saved the day, as there were attempts of violence, but the initiators were not given a chance to carry out the evil by the Army.

All two segments of national elections were conducted with near zero level of violence and bloodbath. The professionalism and neutrality of the Nigerian Army in the exercise is applauded to date.

Those enjoying the success of that election and the stability of Nigeria’s transition from democracy to democratic government, least remember that Gen. Buratai and soldiers laid a smooth bed for them, by acting as defence bulwarks. The plotters were stopped and failed woefully to accomplish the deadly plots of violently disrupting the elections at the detriment of the lives of Nigerians.

Likewise, in the face of the ravaging deadly Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria, measures to control its spread in the country were brazenly abused by Nigerians. Civil security drafted to enforce lockdown and restriction of movements, with the imposition of stay-at-home order by the Presidency, undeniably compromised the process by assisting the populace to flout the order to imperil public health

Again, only Nigerian soldiers deployed to parts of Nigeria to enforce the stay-at-home order that has lessened the impact of Covid-19 spread in Nigeria. Or else, the country would have been in the hottest furnace of another national problem, recording thousands of infections and deaths daily.

Gen. Buratai has proved in this instance too, that the Nigerian Army is after public good. But how many Nigerians ever genuinely sit back and reflect on these to say, “thank you” to the Nigerian Army and Gen. Buratai? Therefore, it is not baffling when knowledge of Gen. Buratai or Nigerian Army’s messianic roles in service and protection of the nation is narrowed down to only Boko Haram.

It is amazing that people only talk about Buratai's heroism on terrorism combats and forgetting the other equally very sensitive areas where the Army has come first and stainless in the course of interventions. Has anybody ever cared to know what Niger Delta militancy, armed banditry and cattle rustling would have done to Nigeria without the Army?

And what ethno-religious crisis, herdsmen/farmers inferno, violent separatists agitations, and communal clashes would have done to the challenges of insecurities in Nigeria had the Army been unresponsive? Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian Army’s patriotism have indisputably earned them a colorfully prestigious place in the nation’s Hall of fame. The day of a formal festivity in celebration of these great heroes and heroines would certainly come.


Odoma wrote this piece from Abuja,

WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE PEOPLE OF KOGI STATE FROM ALL DISEASES


The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to reports in sections of today's press credited to Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director General, National Centre for Disease Control (DG NCDC) insinuating that states which are yet to record cases of COVID-19 are either negligent in testing and tracing, or actively hiding, the disease within their territories. 


Since Kogi State is one of only 3 states in the country yet to record any case of Covid-19, and indeed the DG NCDC is quoted to have mentioned us by name, we find the said comments, along with the unfair attempt to name, defame and shame us incredibly distressing. 


Kogi State confesses that she is not aware the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria is a one-legged race to see which state can put as many cases as possible into the national incident basket, and even if such were to be the case, the current administration in Kogi State does not play such games with the lives and psychology of her people.


The Governor of Kogi State does not believe that increasing the burden on the overwhelmed NCDC and the other agencies cum resources labouring in the frontlines of our response to this deadly pandemic, when neither case nor cause for such has genuinely risen in the state, is helping the country in any way. 


Kogi State has religiously followed all the NCDC and World Health Organization (WHO) CoviD-19 advisories, both for identifying cases and preventing spread. 


We have also adhered strictly to the various guidelines from, and directives of, the Federal Government, customised to improve both efficiency and efficacy within the peculiarities of our own circumstances. 


While we are not surprised that they have worked for us so far in keeping our state CoviD-19 free, we do find it disconcerting that the lead agency in the fight is possibly expressing doubt in their efficacy while simultaneously denouncing us for following her own guidelines. 


In fact, we built our self-assessment app hosted at kogicovid19.gov.ng around the NCDC's checklist for 'suspected and high risk' cases and as at last week it has been visited nearly 200,000 times with over 14,000 completed self-assessments out of which only about 60 presented cause for further investigation which then failed to meet the Covid-19 spectrum. 


As of today being Tuesday the 28th Day of April, 2020 we insist that Kogi State has no confirmed case of Covid-19, or any case to the knowledge of our vigilant medical structures across the state which matches the suspected or high risk factors for it. If the situation changes at this very moment we shall not hesitate for a second before alerting the NCDC. 


Convinced that we have not erred in any way to deserve censure from a body we have obeyed without complaint, even when the result has been serious disruptions to our society and way of life, we however reiterate that we shall not capitulate to intimidation of any kind.


Accordingly, if the latest position is to forward all cases of cough, catarrh, fever and allied febrile and respiratory ailments occurring in Kogi State to the NCDC unvetted as possible CoviD-19 cases, we demand a firm and public advisory to that effect from the agency, and not the indirect (and documented) pressure which we have come under this week from high up the hierarchy of the agency.


We are thus left with no choice than to issue this rejoinder, both for the records, and to avoid being unfairly victimised or stigmatised howsoever the highly fluid coronavirus curve/situation develops in future. 


Such comments as were attributed to Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu in the offending news reports, if indeed the NCDC head was not misquoted by a mischievous newsman, can only be described as unfair, unfortunate and dubious. 


They are also inherently subversive of the Federal Government's herculean efforts to keep as much of Nigeria as possible free of CoviD-19, not to mention how they undermine the  good faith and trust displayed by Kogi and other states in complying with the NCDC's directives. 


Assuming, but not accepting, that the head of the NCDC was neither misquoted nor quoted out of context, and if a strategy is actually in play, for instance the development of herd immunity to the coronavirus in the general populace (with all the scientific gray areas and dangers of mass deaths associated with that model), should state governments not be officially informed and carried along?


We sincerely hope the NCDC and Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu will quickly come out to repudiate or retract those dangerous comments (whichever is applicable) in order to minimise damage to the mutuality of trust and cooperation which we need to continue working together through this pandemic.


For how can we, or for that matter, any other state in the Federation which cares for her people, continue to exercise faith in, and compliance with, the NCDC's guidelines if there is even a scintilla of suspicion that rather than working with us to prevent the spread of this deadly virus, the agency has an ulterior motive to see it spread through the length and breadth of the land?


For a better understanding of the forces truly at work behind this interview we now have some questions for the NCDC in the hope that her answers will shed light on recent events of a curious nature which we are investigating as a State:

Must every State in Nigeria record cases of COVID-19 considering that not even China, the origin and for a while the epicentre of the outbreak, experienced it in every province?

In the light of known science about diagnosis and prognosis of Covid-19 and given that it has been several months since we started hearing of the so-called asymptomatic carriers, is it possible for such individuals to remain so indefinitely - neither showing symptoms themselves nor infecting anyone else in proximity to them? 

What informed the position of Dr. Ihekweazu that states not yet affected with the virus in Nigeria are hiding cases or was he expressing an expected outcome? 

The NCDC set certain criteria for people who should be tested, have those criteria changed, and if yes, when, and why was it not communicated to states via the usual official channels? 

Are we moving to a stage of random testing? Does the Centre now have the resources and capacity to test all Nigerians?

Can the NCDC explain her certainty that Kogi State is among those who are hiding cases? 

Does the NCDC know anything about the recent rush by known fake news merchants on social media  to raise persistent false alarms on the alleged escape of COVID-19 patients from NCDC isolation centres in neighbouring States into Kogi State? 

If the answer to the above is affirmative, what informed such belief and why did the NCDC deny that there were such escapes when health authorities in the state approached her for confirmation after each rumour spread?

Given the devastation wrought by the disease in several locations across the country including in health institutions where patients or their doctors have tried to hide cases of COVID19, does the NCDC believe that any right thinking Governor will hide cases in his State? 

Assuming a Governor were to exhibit such mental imbalance as to attempt to hide cases of COVID-19, does the NCDC believe he will not only do so without the body count exploding but that he will also receive the connivance of the medical, media, civil society and traditional institutions in his state, as well as the general public? 

If Kogi State did not hide Lassa Fever cases which have killed more Nigerians comparatively, why should it hide cases of COVID-19 cases which is attracting more global attention at the moment?


The work at hand remains gargantuan, for the NCDC and for all the states, and while we await the answers to the above queries, we urge the NCDC to continue investing her whole focus on the daunting task of containing the coronavirus rather than generating needless controversies which  distract her and her partners from the fight at hand. 


As a Government, we are ever willing to follow the guidelines already set by NCDC to protect our people as well as all lawful upgrades to them in future. We will therefore not hesitate to present samples of people who genuinely fall into the established category of symptoms to the Centre. We shall continue to work with the NCDC and other health authorities to keep Kogi State free of CoviD-19 and other forms of diseases. 


The Kogi State Government also commends the leader of our nation, President Muhammadu Buhari for rising gallantly in defense of the Nigerian people at this trying time of global health apprehensions. 


Difficult times define great leaders and the President has proven to be a capable leader for Nigeria at this time characterised by a willingness to empower experts and give them the stage in the interest of the nation, and beneficiaries of that trust like the NCDC and state governments must not mismanage or abuse same for any subterranean motive.  


We thank the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Health and of course the NCDC for all they have done and will continue to do until this pandemic is contained and crushed. 


We wholeheartedly accept our responsibility as a Government to ensure the wellness of our people. We shall continue to do whatever needs to be done to ensure COVID-19 does not set foot in Kogi State.


 We also urge the people of Kogi State to remain calm and rest assured that we have never hidden, we are not hiding, nor will we ever hide, any case of Covid-19 in Kogi State. We urge them to ignore all and every statement to that effect as nothing but malicious and dangerously instigatory rumours which government will henceforth deal with as appropriate. 


Signed: 
KINGSLEY FANWO 
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communication

APPENDIX: HOW HAS KOGI COMBATTED COVID-19? 
 

Lest anyone accuse us of ineptitude or riding on sheer luck, we wish to point out that in addition to everything else, Kogi State has had an excellent history of managing epidemics in the past. 


The excellent network we already had in place for managing Lassa Fever and other disease outbreaks long before CoviD-19 appeared on the scene provided a framework upon which we founded our current structures for containing the virus. 


We inaugurated a CoviD-19 and Lassa Fever Squadron Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor of Kogi State to enable us tackle the former without losing track of the latter, which was already claiming casualties across the nation at the time. 


The Committee which is overseen by the Governor himself is composed of a broad spectrum of medical practitioners, Civil Society Organization, Religious Leaders, traditional institutions and other stakeholders has thus far done a great job in keeping both diseases at bay. 


The Kogi State Government has developed and deployed measures which have proved effective: 

Our people are adequately sensitised in all languages and locations throughout the state about the coronavirus. 

Our people and their properties are adequately secured in their homes and when they venture out by a state security infrastructure which is permanently on high alert. Since the lockdown began, we have arrested at least 21 kidnappers in addition to many perpetrators of other crimes.

We have set up 3 Isolation/Containment Centres in the State, which currently lie unused (as we indeed hope they will remain until this pandemic is over). 

We have, through the Kogi State Ministry of Health, deployed health personnel to all the 239 Wards of the State to help sensitize the people on the dangers of the virus and also in contact tracing. 

We provided emergency and toll free numbers for anyone who suspects a case of Covid-19 to call in at no cost and we have responded to many calls, all of which turned out to be false alarms. 

We ensured that the economic disconnect which drives people to risky behaviours at times like this are minimised through a curated lockdown system which sustains a level of business activities while reducing the risk of contagion. 

As part of our controlled lockdown procedures for social distancing we shutdown schools, places of worship and events with mass gatherings and sent state workers on Grade Levels 1 to 13 on paid furlough. 

We banned  certain means of public transportation like motorcycles and tricycles which tended to increase exposure. 

As mentioned earlier in this piece we were the first state to officially release a web application for self-assessment which has proved to be popular and effective in reducing panic among the populace. The Federal Government and several state governments have since launched similar apps. 

What we expect from the National Centre for Disease Control is commendation of our efforts to contain the outbreak of the pandemic.

A coalition of Civil Society groups have conlcuded plans to drag the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, over what it termed the ongoing monumental corruption, currently taking place at the Commission. The group which includes the Centre for Change, Centre for Public Accountability and others said it has become necessary, to demand for a thorough investigation of the commission’s activities, under the Interim Management Committee, whose activities it says has become counterproductive and may totally make it impossible for the Commission to futher deliver on its mandate, across the Niger Delta region.

In a statement signed on behalf of the groups by Comrade Atani John and Olufemi Lawson the coalition want the EFCC, to probe series of “frivolous” contracts being awarded to phony companies, among which it says were, the reported Lassa fever equipment contract, in which over N4 billion naira was alleged to have been misappropriated. Also is the fraudulent award of a N4.5 billion contract to a company belonging to a relative of the Minister of Niger Delta, Mr Godswill Akpabio. The coalition also accused the IMC of NDDC of already paying the company over one billion Naira, in clear violation of the due process and operational guidelines of the NDDC.

The group also said it is aware of plans, by some desperate officials of the commission, to conceal evidences that will aid a thorough investigation of the NDDC’s activities and part of steps being consider includes setting fire on some offices housing vital information and documents, regarding contract awards by the NDDC.

It urged security agencies to place special surveillance on the NDDC headquarters and offices, in order to avert the evil plan.

The group also said it is engaging stakeholders and relevant authorities in the niger Delta, to join the call, as this remains the only way, towards ensuring the survival of the agency, which has now been turned to a cash cow, for some greedy and self serving politicians.

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) has announced an extension to its 21-day fasting and prayer till the end of Ramadan.

According to NIFROP, this is in light of the prevailing circumstances in the country and a show of solidarity to its members as well as other Muslims around the country.

The group made this known in a statement signed by Chairman, Board of Trustees, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, on Tuesday.

NIFROP, however, encouraged all members to be steadfast in the prayer for Nigeria against the further spread of COVID-19, as well as an end to the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

It further declared that the end of terrorism is imminent as “God has revealed to us during our fasting and prayers that indeed Abubakar Shekau would be captured and Nigeria shall be free from the clutches of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist activities”.

Read full statement below:

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace wishes to inform the general public of the extension of its 21 Day Fasting and Prayer session for divine intervention in halting the further spread of COVID-19, the impending economic meltdown as well as the capture of Abubakar Shekau and an end to the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP in Nigeria.

The 21 Day Fasting and Prayer session would continue till the end of the Ramadan in light of the prevailing circumstances in the country and a show of solidarity to our Muslim brothers and sisters, and members of NIFROP, as well as other Muslims around the country.

NIFROP has been in the vanguard of uniting adherents of different faiths under one umbrella in prayer and supplication to God for divine intervention in the affairs of Nigeria.

We are standing by the word of God in the Book of Mathew 6:16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full."

We encourage all our members across the country to be steadfast in the prayer for Nigeria against the further spread of COVID-19, as well as an end to the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

We wish to state that the end of the Boko Haram/ISWAP group is imminent as God has revealed to us during our fasting and prayers that indeed Abubakar Shekau would be captured and Nigeria shall be free from the clutches of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist activities.

NIFROP has been connecting with our members all around the country through a virtual platform through sermons and words of exaltations from Pastors and Imams from different churches and mosques across the country.

We are mandated to pray together in the book of Ephesians 3:16-19 which states that "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

We wish to state that our prayers and fasting programme is structured through an online format where our members link up to an online platform where we pray together and after that break our fast.

In the past days, we have prayed for God's intervention in the affairs of Nigeria. We have also prayed for the grace of God upon the life of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, to continue to lead Nigeria with the fear and grace of God.

We have also prayed for our troops engaging the Boko Haram terrorist in North-East Nigeria. We pray for God in his infinite mercies to continue to protect them and grant them victory.

The leadership and members of NIFROP felicitates with all Muslims in Nigeria in the month of Ramadan fasting, prayer, and reflection.

NIFROP, since the commencement of its prayer and fasting programme, our Unity Church and Unity Masjid is reaching out to over 5000 families through the provision of food items and direct cash transfers to ease hardship brought about by the compulsory lockdown in the country and the negative impact of Covid-19 on our daily living. With the support of our brothers and sisters all over the world, we will be able to increase this number as it may please the lord of host.

May God, in His infinite mercies, continue to protect Nigerians and the rest of humanity in this challenging period.

...Donated to other maternity patients...

The Chief of Staff To The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Moh’d Jamiu Asuku on Tuesday visited one of the beneficiaries of the Asuku4GYB Health intervention who recently delivered to a set of triplet.

The Chief of Staff through the NGO cleared the medical bills and donated generously to the family while he equally instructed them to reach out to his Head of Health outreach Comrade Abdulrahim Ohindase for future needs of the newly born.

Pharmacist Abdulkareem Jamiu also made generous donations to other maternity patients to meet up their individual financial needs.

The COS commended the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja who accompanied him to the maternity ward for the good work the hospital has done assuring that the hospital would continue to enjoy robust partnership with the State Government

The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olatunde Oladeji Alabi lauded the usual efforts of the Chief of Staff in offering intervention to the down trodden in the society encouraging him to do more.

Signed:-
Abubakar Y. Mujahid
Special Assistant To Chief of Staff.
� - Yahaya AbdulMutoleeb

Clerics across religious groups have launched a 21 days of fasting and prayers to seek divine intervention for an end to the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of Nigeria’s military against Boko Haram terrorists as they make a final push to contain terrorists’ threat to the country.


The clerics, under the National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NIFROP) said the fasting and prayers will be remotely held with prayers sessions streamed online to conform with the requirement for social distancing as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19. 


This round of fasting and prayer, which kicks off today is significantly different from previous prayer sessions held by the group for which its members congregated to pray while urging those that cannot be physically present to pray from their homes.


Bishop Sunday Garuba, who is NIFROP’s President said “For the fasting and prayers we have launched, clerics of the Christian and Muslim faiths will be joining the prayers from across the country and from several other locations from across the world. We are mindful of the need for social distancing at a time like this so each person will pray from the confines of their homes while we all connect through online streaming of key activities. In fact, we urge all faithful to obey the directive to stay at home and observe social distancing.


“This fasting and prayers is our contribution and support for the ongoing global efforts to prevent the killer Corona Virus from spreading and killing more people. We will be interceding for God to divinely stop the virus in its track while giving knowledge to our doctors and scientists to find the weak point of the virus and be able to develop solutions, be it vaccines or cures. Humanity need the mercy and compassion of God at a time like this.


“We are assured by the words of God in 1 John 5:14 that says, ‘And this is the confidence that we have toward him (God), that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.’ We are going to use our prayer session to ask God for forgiveness, as God for an end to the plague of Corona Virus, ask God for healing and recovery.” He said.


Bishop Garuba revealed that NIFROP, which is also known as the Unity Church and Unity Masjid, will be using the period to support vulnerable families with food items and direct cash transfer to those who have fallen on hard times within the period.


He explained that “During the 21- Days period, the Unity Church and Unity Masjid will be embarking on intercession for God's intervention, we will also distribute food stuffs with other essential palliatives and cash transfers on daily basis to indigent families.”


On the ongoing military efforts to clear Boko Haram out of Nigeria, Bishop Garuba stressed that NIFROP will specifically pray for the troops and their commanders to succeed in their quest to restore the northeast of Nigeria into an area where people are free to worship God according to their conviction.

He said the prayers will expose more about those that have been hiding behind Boko Haram and using the terrorists to torment Nigerians.

By Ahmed Badamosi

The Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France), ASF France, has added its name to the list of foreign organizations who see nothing good in Nigeria.


It is well known that there are some groups which never pull the attention of the rest of the world to any positive happening in Nigeria but never miss the opportunity to cast the country in a bad light at the slightest chance.


ASF France has joined this army of naysayers, when in the bid to gain relevance, interfered in the internal matters of Nigeria by issuing a biased statement against its security agencies.


Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people, is always of interest to the international community and its role as a stabilising regional force has long been established.


Due to its significance to the world, mushroom organizations, who have run out of ideas plying their trades in other climes without getting any attention, try to take advantage to seduce the needed attention.


This is what the Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France), ASF France did recently by its so-called intervention in the internal affairs of Nigeria where it says it is condemning reported cases of brutality and extra-judicial killing of civilians by security agencies, in the course of enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown.


The ASF France, hd in a statement through its head of office in Nigeria, Angela Uwandu, said it views the action of security agents as reported by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, “of having killed 18 citizens in the first 14 days of the enforcement of lockdown regulations on the COVID-19 pandemic,” as unacceptable and a direct disregard of their role as protectors of the society.


But in trying to appear as protecting the Nigerian citizenry, the ASF France has exposed the ulterior motive behind its so-called intervention and exhibited basic ignorance about the issues it claimed to be trying to address.


That the ASF France had set out from the beginning to do a hatchet job to discredit the security agencies is evidenced on the fact that it relied one hundred per cent on a report by an agency indicting other agencies, but did not conduct an independent investigation to verify the allegation in a matter as sensitive as alleged extrajudicial killings.


Neither did it make any effort to contact any of the agencies alleged to have carried out the judicial killing to confirm if the allegations are true.

As an organisation which claims to be defending the right of citizens, the ASF is well aware that the principle of fair hearing is fundamental to justice and should have in this case extended it to the security agencies before rushing to the media with what has turned to be a one-sided and obtuse report.


It would appear there are certain international bodies always out to hinder security agencies in Nigeria from doing their work and would always display their mischievous penchants for exaggeration of errors and witch-hunting at the slightest opportunity they get.


Not long ago, it was Amnesty International, AI, that advertised itself as ever willing to look the other way when terrorists blow up humans in their hundreds through either bomb or by the use of other devices but would find fault the moment the Nigerian Army or the other security agencies are called to stop the carnage by the terrorists who are well armed and who have made their intentions to overthrow the government of Nigeria known.


The hypocrisy and selfish intent of the AI were exposed by their constant claims that it is the security agencies that are killing the terrorists while not mentioning any atrocity committed by the terrorists.

It seems the ASF is now trying to continue from where the AI seemed to have stopped but has picked on the wrong issue.


The Government of Nigeria, worried by the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, otherwise known as COVID-19, the world over, took certain measures which include the closure of international borders, restriction of internal movements, maintaining citizen social distancing and directing a stay at home order, to stop the spread of the pandemic.

To ensure compliance, the government then mandated the security agencies to monitor the stay at home order for their own safety.


The law enforcers, driven by a sense of patriotism and the need to serve humanity, did not mind the risks involved but stepped into action to ensure compliance with the government’s order.


In the course of achieving that, those found to have contravened the laws were brought to the mobile courts established for the purpose and tried. The speed with which the security agencies attended to the matter helped increase the level of compliance in all the states of the federation.


This in effect has resulted in a stoppage of community transmission, identification of those who had come in contact with positive cases and generally brought down the number of contraction as people began to stay at home.


While a vast majority of people, including the government of other countries expressed joy knowing well the impact of what an explosion could cause and are commending Nigeria for how it is handling the situation, all that the ASF France could see about the development is negative.


It is instructive that while the ASF France did not commend the efforts of the Nigerian government in halting COVID-19 in the statement, it made heavy weather out of some infractions that occurred in the course of ensuring compliance by indicting Nigerian security agencies of killings not minding that it is doing so on a false premise and without proper investigation.


Groups like the ASF must be reminded that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and is well aware of how to handle its internal affairs without undue interference by self-serving originations.


The issue of COVID-19 is a sensitive matter and it borders on the health, wealth, security and general well being of the nation hence steps taken for the general good should not be viewed from an adverse perspective nor misinterpreted and cast in a bad light.


The essence of deploying security personal is because they possess the requisite facility for monitoring, investigating and apprehending offenders and it is not only Nigeria that has involved the security agencies. South Africa, on Wednesday, mobilized 70,000 of its security personnel to ensure strict compliance.


The security agencies as far as COVID-19 are concerned,  have been going about their duties with the utmost sense of decency and decorum and should not be smudged with the tar of isolated but regrettable incidents.


So far, the mobile courts have heard and dispensed with 90 per cent of the cases brought before them. This is proof that the security agencies have not been arbitrary in handing the issues but observed, following due process.


So far, no Nigerian has reported that security agents broke into their home and dragged them to answer for charges they are not aware of.

All the cases have been of those that violated the stay-at-home order.


From the various reactions of the offenders, particularly in Abuja where a man even removed his clothes and another lady who drove past a blockade, it is clear that the security agents have made a tremendous effort to maintain civility even when provoked.


So, therefore, this is not the time for any organization to begin to query the role of the security agencies in their bid to ensure that COVID-19 is defeated. This early campaign to cast a slur on the conduct of the military is a subtle way of encouraging lawlessness and would not augur well for the country if security agents are blackmailed into not doing their jobs.


A responsible civil society organization should have occupied itself with contributing to the success of the campaign by championing the cause of defeating COVID-19 through focusing on issues like the regular washing of hands, maintaining social distancing and maintaining basic hygiene rather than devote its attention and resources on attacking agencies of government trying to do their best in the circumstances they found themselves.


If the problem of the ASF officials is that they only understand French and the French ways of doing things, they should have asked Nigerians who understand the English language to explain to them what is going on.

That way, they would have appreciated what the Nigerian security agencies are doing, thus saving themselves the embarrassment of advertising their ignorance and lending their services to unacceptably interfering in the affairs of a sovereign nation.

 

Badamosi wrote this piece from Abuja.