₦airaland Forum

By Solomon Oseke

These are indeed interesting times in Nigeria where the media has elected to be on the other side of the divide, churning out divisive news items that serve the country no good, all in return for a plate of porridge. It is also a sad epoch in our existence as a people and as a country where some news platforms have taken the role of being the mouthpiece of the enemies of Nigeria.

I get confused most times on how we got it so wrong in this country like we are a bunch of uneducated folks that know nothing about National interest. Some news platforms now see it as the fad to lead the assault against the government not for what it worth but to promote the interest of their paymasters that have refused to come to terms with the reality that Nigeria belongs to all of us and not a select and those that have also refused to come to terms that it is no longer business as usual where a few share the commonwealth of the people at the detriment of the over 180 million Nigerians.

These news platforms are obsessed with everything about Nigeria. From the choice of the President to who has the right to appoint and sack Service Chiefs in the country. The Nigerian Military has also not been spared from their venomous attacks. Day in day out, we are regaled with fictitious stories about the President and how whatnot about the operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria.

This trend is indeed worrisome and should give all well-meaning Nigerians a reason for worry because as it stands, we are not only fighting terrorism in North-East Nigeria, we have also been confronted by lack of patriotism from a constituency that is meant to maintain editorial independence, accuracy and fairness, social responsibility and public interest.

This is the starkness of the reality confronting us as a country now and a vivid definition of the enemy within. The enemy within are those that use their positions to cause havoc rather than promote peaceful coexistence in the society. The enemies within are those who would stand truth on its head by publishing false and misleading stories for the consumption of the general public. The enemies within are those who would intentionally spread inaccurate figures from the North East and push to the public space without minding the consequences of such actions on the overall psyche of the fighting troops as well as the generality of Nigerians.

The enemies within are those who would collect gratification from members of the opposition and spread propaganda using their news medium all in the name of playing politics and at the detriment of National Interest. The enemies within are those who are not happy with the gains been recorded by the Nigerian Military in the war against terrorism in the country. The enemies within are those who would leak to the Boko Haram terrorist the operational strategies of the Nigerian Military.
The enemies within are those who quote military commanders out of context to destabilize the system, and the enemies within are those that wine and dine with the enemies of Nigeria in their quest for the disintegration of Nigeria. And the list goes on.

I have had reason to state in numerous forums that the challenges facing Nigeria are orchestrated and sustained with the active connivance of some news platforms that have elected to be the devil’s advocate in time as critical as this in the annals of the country.

In recent times, the worst hit is the Nigerian Military in the theater of operations in North-East Nigeria. It is so grave that now these individuals twist everything that comes from the theater of operations to give a different interpretation to the general public. The recent casualty of their mischief is the theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, where he was quoted out of context in such a despicable manner.

I am at a loss as to how we got it so wrong in Nigeria. As a start, since 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed leadership of the country, Nigerians sighed relief and wished for our hopes and aspirations to be translated into tangible realities. This much we saw with the quality of appointments into critical areas of the Nigerian economy, including the Nigerian Military.

Using the Boko Haram war as an example, the Nigerian Military hit the ground running after the presidential directive for the relocation of the military command to Maiduguri in Borno State. And in less than a year, we saw tangible results with territories under the control of the Boko Haram group recaptured. The leadership of the Boko Haram group was dislodged from their operational headquarters in Sambisa Forest, and their remnants scattered all over the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.

Nigerians were relieved. They were grateful and encouraged the Nigerian Military to do more to put an end to the activities of the Boko Haram group. Little did we know that some were not happy, and they consequently ganged up against Nigeria. And as funny as this might sound, the likes of Sahara Reporters led this charge in their onslaught against Nigeria.

Sahara Reporters and their agents have been at the vanguard of ensuring that Nigeria does not know peace. They have twisted and falsified figures. They have misinterpreted government policies and efforts towards ending the war against terrorism in Nigeria. They are in the habit of going to town with false casualty figures in an attempt to instigate mutiny in the Armed Forces.

This was the case during the Goodluck Jonathan era, and they succeeded, and Nigeria suffered the consequences. And ironically, this same strategy is what is happening now in Nigeria, and Nigerians must be aware of this nefarious plot against the Nigeria Military.

We must realize that they are more ferocious than before and would stop at nothing to ensure that they achieve their notorious agenda. It is, therefore, no surprise that the Nigerian Military is their strategic focus due to its exploits in the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria. But for how long they intend to carry on remains to be understood. This would only be possible if Nigerians allow it.

In all of these, I am more than convinced that all those that have elected to be on the side of the evil plot against Nigeria would be indeed put to shame. And how would this be possible? This would be possible if all Nigerians, as a matter of urgency, begin to disregard the activities of Sahara Reporters and their agents scattered all over Nigeria.

The good news is that Nigeria is indeed bigger than those individuals and their agents that are against the interest of Nigeria. I firmly believe that Nigerians would, in one voice, reject and rebuke those that are against our progress as a people and as a country.

The government also has a role to play. They must strive to control the narrative in the media to feed Nigerians with the actual situations of things at all times and every given opportunity. They must not allow the likes of Sahara Reporters and their agents to take the lead as this might have harsh consequences for the morale of its troops in operation in North-East Nigeria.

Nigerians must stay united in our quest for sustainable growth and development. We must form a common voice to defeat the enemies within and as well as the enemies of our progress. Nigeria is indeed on the path of greatness. I salute the enormous sacrifices of our Military and can only encourage them to do more in service to fatherland.


Oseke wrote this article from Auchi.

....Lauds COAS, Buratai's patriotism

The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress (PYYC) has warned ethnic bigots to steer clear of the military and avoid politicizing its internal administrative matters.

PYYC's caution trails the manner the recent reshuffling of senior officers was interpreted in some quarters despite being an obvious routine exercise.

In a statement signed by president, Mr. Kola Salau, the Yoruba youths said it is “disappointed that certain interests are attempting to incite the Yoruba nation to take offence” at the redeployment of commander Operation Lafiya Dole.

PYYC wondered why the same group didn't put in similar energy when one of them, Lieutenant General L.O. Adeosun, was given an accelerated promotion.

The Yoruba youths, however, expressed its support for the military, the Army, in particular, under the leadership of Lt. Gen TY Buratai.

According to PYYC, the Army chief has shown exceptional patriotism and passion for competence and capacity over personal interest.

Read full statement below:

The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress has noted with alarm the attempt to politicize what should otherwise be internal routine administrative matters in the military. Our sense of alarm arose out of our concern for the consequences that such unbecoming trend have for the long-term stability of the country.

The most recent of this ill-advised impugning of political meaning into military matters are the faulty reactions from some quarters to the routine reshuffling of senior officers that is now being interpreted as punitive when that is not the case.

Some ethnic bigots are alleging that the immediate past Theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, General Olusegun Adeniyi, was redeployed because he spoke out about operational challenges. Whereas we are aware that General Adeniyi was sent to be a research fellow at Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja, where he would be able to share his field experiences with others and therefore make the institutional knowledge readily available to others.

The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress is disappointed that certain interests are attempting to incite the Yoruba nation to take offence at this redeployment when the assignment of commanding Operation Lafiya Dole is not the birthright of any ethnic group. Commanders from other ethnic nationalities had occupied the position in the past and more from other ethnic nationalities will still man the position until the terrorism is wiped out from the northeast of the country.

We wonder why these same interests did not mobilize the Yoruba nation to protest when one of them Lieutenant General L.O. Adeosun was given an accelerated promotion to his current rank, which by the way places him on the same rank as the Chief of Army Staff. This was in recognition of his gallantry and is consistent with the Yoruba drive for competence and excellence.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has demonstrated similar passion for competence and capacity, which gives us the impression that he must be a Yoruba son to have such preferences. We are pleased with his stature as a detribalized statesman whose actions are guided by patriotism at all times and will never descend low as to vilify any officer.

The Congress therefore wholeheartedly supports the Nigerian military, particularly the Army under the able leadership of Lt. Gen TY Buratai while urging Nigerians to continue to give him their support.

We however warn detractors of the military to stop giving ethnic slant to internal workings of the military. Those behind the campaign of calumny against the military should learn to give up because all their previous and ongoing attempts to infiltrate the military have failed and will continue to fail because of the detribalized leadership that is in place in the military. We warn these ethnic bigots to stay away from the military as it is not an institution that is open to their interference.

By: Emeka Nwosu

In the wake of the breakout of the Coronavirus pandemic ( COVID-19) globally, the federal government of Nigeria has initiated measures towards the containment of the further spread of the virus. President Muhammdu Buhari consequently imposed a 14-day lockdown in the federal capital territory-Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states.

A section of the country hailed this move by the president and as well criticized by others citing the effect the lockdown would have on the polity. This medium consequently investigated the level of compliance in the Federal Capital Territory and environs.

In the Federal Capital Territory, it was observed that the level of compliance was over 95% with officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies seen at strategic places within the federal capital territory enforcing the lockdown.

Those that were granted clearance to move were mostly those rendering essential services. This medium sampled the opinion of some persons as regards the directive of the federal government on the containment of the Coronavirus pandemic, and the responses were indeed satisfactory.

According to Mrs. Hannatu Yakzum, a nurse with one of the public hospitals in Abuja, she expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance so far, indicating one of the ways the coronavirus could be contained is when people stay indoors.

"The lockdown is necessary given the fact that the virus spreads upon contact and the World Health Organization has stated there is a need for people to maintain social distancing by staying in their homes for a certain period. The federal government has done well in this regard, even though it would be difficult to observe 100% compliance."

"As you can see, there is a strong presence of soldiers at strategic places within the city, and they have denied access to those that do not have any business outside. This is quite commendable."

Another respondent interviewed in the Asokoro area of the federal capital territory believed that mandating the Nigerian Army to enforce the sit-at-home order is one of the best decisions given the attitude of Nigerians to obeying instructions.

"The coronavirus is real and a global pandemic. As we all know, it takes great efforts for Nigerians to obey instructions most times. So the deployment of soldiers is appropriate, and that is why you could see this level of compliance. I am not sure the police would have achieved this much.

It was also observed that soldiers who mounted checkpoints at the City Gate were seen screening motorists in an orderly manner while maintaining social distancing. Mr. Abayomi Lawal, a security operative with Nizamiye Hospital, stated that the soldiers were conducting themselves with care with the kind of questions been asked and the level of distancing maintained.

"We are gradually getting it right in this country; you must agree with me that if this were to be in time past, you must have received some merciless beatings before questioning by the soldiers. But this time around, you could see the decorum displayed by the soldiers. Those without a genuine reason to be on the road are advised to turn back and go home."

"The level of organization displayed by the soldiers at the city gate is responsible for the orderliness experienced here. As you can see, those cars turning back are those that were denied access by the soldiers."

However, for Mr. Kunle Ifedayo, a welder residing along the airport road, it wasn't a pleasant experience he had with the soldiers at the Zuba axis of the federal capital territory. He stated that the soldiers meted out stringent punishment to those they found on the roads.

"I was asked to sit on the bare floor for over an hour by the soldiers. I was on my way to Zuba to quickly buy some materials to complete a job so that I can have some money. I explained to the soldiers, but they won't listen. They said I have flouted the presidential directive and asked me and some others to sit down on the floor. I think that was too harsh since we were going to buy work materials and not traveling."

This was not the case for Mr. Stanly Rotimi, a building contractor who was forced to push his car backward for one kilometer for flouting the sit at home directive. According to him, he was on his way to one of his building sites in the Lokongoma axis of Abuja when some soldiers stopped him.

"I was asked of my mission, and I informed them that I was on my way to the site. They asked if I was going to work alone and I informed the soldiers that my workers were already waiting for me at the site. They told me I had no businesses gathering people at this period and was asked to push my car backwards for close to one kilometer. I almost died until an officer beckoned on me to stop and offered me water to drink."

"In truth, I didn't know my action violated the government sit at home order, even though I think the approach of the soldiers was very harsh. I could have died in the process of pushing my vehicle all by myself. I am appealing to the relevant authorities to caution the soldiers as it is not everyone on the road that is healthy."

Our reporters also observed that within the federal capital city that consists of Wuse, Maitama, and Garki, a strong military presence was noticeable at strategic places. It was noted that the soldiers accosted those on the road, and those with the genuineness of reasons to be out were granted passage and while those without any cogent reason were asked to return home.

For Ms. Ada Onyeakachi, a telecoms worker, it was reassuring to see the way and manner the Nigerian Army exhibited decorum in their conduct. She believed that, indeed, things have changed in the operations of the Nigerian Army.

"It was hard to believe I was in Nigeria with the way and manner I was approached by soldiers on my way to work. The decorum was impressive and they as well maintained social distancing with face masks on. I think Nigeria is making progress."

When our reporters visited the Karu axis of the FCT, it was observed that soldiers mounted checkpoints and ensured that those with legitimate business outside were granted permission into the FCT. Quite many vehicles were turned back.

Some of those our reporters interacted with expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the soldiers. They stated that there were no displays of hostilities as typical in times past. Mr. Ephraim Oguche, who was one of those denied passage, said that he was impressed with the conduct so far.

"I don't feel bad in any way, but instead glad I was treated courteously by the soldiers. Upon interrogation, they pointedly told me I had no business outside and that I should return and stay with my family. I didn't argue with them as I know they were only doing their job in the interest of the country.

Our reporters also gathered from credible sources that the military high command issued a directive that under no circumstance should motorists be subjected to any form of torture. Our source who pleaded anonymity stated that it would have been impossible for the soldiers to go contrary to the directive issued by the military hierarchy.

"The conduct of the military personnel on the streets was as a result of the directive issued that under no circumstances should any citizen is harassed on the street. The instruction was clear. Those on essential duties should be granted passage, and those without any genuine reason should be asked to return home."

"I think to a large extent that has been the order of the day, except for a few cases where some soldiers would attempt to go extreme in their conduct."

This medium also interacted with scores of people at different locations within the FCT, and the generality of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the lockdown by the relevant security agencies.

This was against the initial apprehension expressed in some quarters with the implementation of the lockdown by the relevant security agencies. The military command has, by their action, displayed an enviable level of professionalism.

Truth vs. falsehood: When not to crucify the Military

By Ebuka Jackson

I am one of those that that have long stated that journalism has been destroyed in Nigeria with the half-truths and often malicious reportage of events in recent times. It is so despicable that some news mediums would go any length to spread falsehoods, not minding the consequences of such actions in the polity.

The recent redeployments carried out by the Nigerian Army has again elicited reactions from some certain quarters after a news medium in their wisdom twisted the narrative in an attempt to mislead the general public into believing what is not the case.

As a start, it must be stated in unequivocal terms that should the likes of Sahara Reporters carry on in this fashion, Nigeria might wake up one day and realize that we do not have a country anymore.

It is no secret that Sahara Reporters thrives in falsehood, and the content of their news items are highly paid for by their numerous clients that consist mainly of those who do not have the interest of the country at heart. I stand to be corrected; Sahara Reporters can be termed a platform dedicated to the propagation of Armageddon in Nigeria.

Its editorial style smacks a mockery of what journalism entails. Its writing style is unprofessional and lacks every sense of standard editing protocols. It’s more like a copy and pastes session where they are eager to publish in return for their paycheck.

This brings me to the recent publication by the same Sahara Reporters wherein it stated mischievously that the recent redeployment of the Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in North-East Nigeria by the Nigerian Army was done because Major General Olusegun Adeniyi complained and exposed the inefficiencies of the operations of the Nigerian Army in North-East Nigeria.

This was not surprising coming from the stable of Sahara Reporters. But the challenge here is the fact that the news medium would elect to pass such falsehood to the unsuspecting general public with so much impunity, not minding whose ox is gored.

As a first, Sahara Reporters is not conversant with military operations, and as such, it is smacks of a mockery for it to attempt to blackmail the Nigerian Military for a purely military action. I am constrained to pen this article to put issues in proper perspectives as one conversant with the operations of the Nigerian Military with regards to promotions, demotions, appointments, and redeployments.

As a start, there are standard procedures in the Nigerian Military with regards to the above mentioned. The operational strategies of the Military are always subjected to routine appraisals, and based on reviews, such things as promotions, deployments, and the likes are effected in boosting the operational effectiveness of the force.

I want to use the case of rotation of troops in the battlefront as an example. It is standard procedure, not just in the Nigerian Military, for occasional rotation of officers in their various commands. This is so because when an officer stays too long in a duty post, there is a tendency for such officer to get compromised in the cause of the discharge of their duties. This practice is not just restricted to Nigeria but the world over. This is easily verifiable.

So, that Sahara Reporters sees the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi as witch-hunting is a function of two variables. One is the fact that they must have acted in crass ignorance of standard military practice, and two, they carried out the instructions of their paymasters to cause disaffection in the polity.

Either of the above, their action is quite despicable and capable of causing unrest in the country. And not just that, their actions can go a long way in causing mutiny in the Nigerian Military for very obvious reasons. It must be stated that since the formation of Operation Lafiya Dole in North-East Nigeria, scores of commanders have been appointed and replaced by the military hierarchy in line with standard practice. And this standard practice was what led to the appointment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi in August of 2019 when he took over from Major General Benson Akinroluyo.

It also suffices to add that Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has been in the theatre of operations in Maiduguri for a while. He was the deputy theatre commander to Major General Benson Akinroluyo, whom he subsequently took over from as commander in 2019. So in a way, the narrative been pushed by Sahara Reporters is not only defective, but it is also of poor taste given the fact that Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has been in the theatre of operations for over four years as deputy theatre commander and subsequently as commander.

I must state that this is standard practice, and this much as seen to the various rotations of officers across military formations in the country. Mind you; the recent redeployments didn’t affect Major General Olusegun Adeniyi alone as scores of officers were also affected.

At this point, the public must be aware that Sahara Reporters desist from crucifying the Nigerian Military for no justifiable reason. It must also do well to learn not to delve into issues that are routine military practice the world over. It is, therefore, my considered opinion that this is not a time to play to the gallery. They can continue their money for stories regime, but I beg that the Nigerian Military is spared their shenanigans.

The enormity of the task at hand requires all levels of concentration, and this much Sahara Reporters must realize and come to terms with. They should also do well to educate their paymasters that spreading falsehood against the Military serves no good now and always.

The public must also do well to see through the veil of Sahara Reporters and consequently views its reportage of issues with a pinch of salt. A word is indeed enough for the discerning. This is my take.


Jackson is a public affairs analyst and wrote from Abuja.

Rotation of officers is a professional strategy aimed at reinvigorating operations-- CP Tsav.

A former top security chief in Nigeria and retired Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has stated that the routine posting of officers in the Nigerian Army is a professional strategy aimed at reinvigorating military operation. He said this during an interview with select journalists in the country in the wake of the recent reposting of military commanders across the country by the Nigerian Army.

CP Abubabar Tsav (rtd) stated that as standard with most security formations, there are regular postings and reposting to ensure that cases of familiarity and complicity are reduced to the barest minimum.

“ It is a standard practice that officers should not stay at a particular command for too long a period to reduce incidences of familiarity and complicity with criminal elements in such locations. If you look at the operations of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, you would realize that there are always postings and reposting as a way of reinvigorating operations for maximum efficiency.

He further stated that postings in the security sector are purely for professional purposes and not witch-hunting, as some would want to believe.

“ People must understand the sensitivity of the operations of security operatives. It’s far different from conventional practice in the civil or public service. Here we are dealing with the protection of human lives and properties, and as such, there is no room for sentiments. Nigerians must come to terms with the fact that whenever any of our security agencies carry out routine postings, it is purely for operational reasons and nothing more.”

When asked if the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi from the theatre of operations in North-East Nigeria was not connected with his recent conduct where he posted videos of troops during operations in the northeast, he stated that nothing of such would have been the case as the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has evolved to be a professionally active fighting force.

“ I tell you for free that those of us in the security sector understand the dynamics involved in warfare. We also follow security issues carefully, and I tell you that the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has nothing to do with the videos that went viral on the social media space.

“ I think the Nigerian Army of today has evolved past that stage that people are insinuating. Not with a man like Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, a statesman to the core. It must be noted that the sensitivity of the northeast operation requires that the Chief of Army Staff carries out a holistic review of his frontline commanders and their performances as a whole and not just about one rare attempt to showcase oneself to the world as a war Commander.”

“ One does not need to be in the top echelon of the Nigerian Army to know that Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, given the opportunity would promote Major General Olusegun Adeniyi and any other officer that is doing an excellent job. So it must be understood that his redeployment is routine and in line with the operations of the Nigerian Army in operation in North-East Nigeria.”

“ The Boko Haram war is not one that the Nigerian Army would play to the gallery. It is an asymmetric war, and there is no room for personal or selfish pursuit. The overarching objective remains for the best interest of the country and the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. Therefore I strongly believe that his posting has nothing to do with his recent actions but the overall well-being of the Nigerian Army and the interest of the state.”

On the war against insurgency, Tsav stated that in less than no time, the Nigerian troops would have cause to be celebrated by the citizens as the troops have continued to give in their best to the fight.

“ If we go down memory lane, we would realize that since 2009 when the Boko Haram group began a violent campaign against Nigeria, there has never been a time like now where the morale of the fighting troops has been boosted to give in their best. Since 2016, the Nigerian Army has indeed risen to the occasion and proved that they indeed mean business. From the takeover of the over 16 local government areas under the control of the Boko Haram group, to the capture of the operational headquarters of the group in Sambisa forest.”

“ These exploits indeed came with lots of sacrifices, and this is where I give great credit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, for his unflinching commitment to ensuring that the Boko Haram insurgent groups are neutralized. This much we must admit in fairness.”

The anti-corruption crusader also stated that the Nigerian Army has demonstrated and displayed that capacity to end the war against terrorism in Nigeria. It behooves on well-meaning Nigerians to give it all the support it deserves.

“ I believe that those who know me would readily attest to the fact that I am not one that shies away from the truth, even while I was in service. This attribute of mine can be easily verified. I have always spoken the truth in all situations in areas I have considerable knowledge. I think as far as security is concerned in Nigerian, I can count myself as an authority.”

“ I can state categorically that the Nigerian Army of today is indeed a highly professional and effective fighting force. This is not unmindful of the activities of some disgruntled elements that are working hand in hand with some external forces that do not want the progress of Nigeria.”

“ Sufficing to add that despite all their shenanigans, these disgruntled elements cannot break the spirit of the fighting troops. Instead, the troops have continued to display loyalty to the country in the battlefront hence the numerous gains recorded since 2016.”

Tsav particularly queried some news platform that derive pleasure in publishing negative things against the military stating that these news platforms are compromised and it is against the interest of the country if such anomalies continue unabated.

“Terror groups take to social media because it’s cheap, accessible, and facilitates quick access to many people. In the past, it wasn’t so easy for these groups to engage with the people they wanted to. In contrast, social media allows terrorists to release their messages right to their intended audience and interact with them in real-time. The media provides a platform for terrorist movements to broadcast and amplify their message to global audiences. Without this platform, the message of terrorist actions would not reach beyond its very immediate locale and therefore, would remain unknown to most people outside the confined boundaries of the attack.

“ This negative trend must be curtailed because the terrorist groups have found these news platforms as worthy partners in their despicable plot. It is also not a secret that these news mediums are funded by some external interest and members of the opposition that are hell-bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria. This trend must be discontinued, and these news platforms should see themselves as partners in progress as no amount of money is worth any human life.”

He also advised Nigerians to continue to rally support for the Nigerian Army in the quest to defeat terrorism in Nigeria.

“Nigerians must rally support for the troops. They must see the enormous sacrifices that are being made daily and come to the realization that the interest of Nigeria should take center stage at all times. I believe that in less than no time, the Nigerian troops will have cause to be celebrated by the citizens as the troops have continued to give in their best to the fight against terrorism.”

*By Charles Ibekwe*

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Army redeployed some top generals and senior officers in a move meant to reinvigorate and enhance synergy as a tradition in its operations.
Among those redeployed is the theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi who until his redeployment was in charge of leading the onslaught against Boko Haram terrorists and other forms of insurgency in the Northeastern part of the country.
The redeployment of personnel came at a time the Nigerian army which has recorded several victories against the remnants of what is known as the Boko Haram, needed to reposition to round off the onslaught in strategic military style.
But because the redeployment came few days after a foiled ambush by the Boko Haram terrorists on the convoy of the now TC of Operation Lafiya Dole, it has been given all sorts of interpretation that are strange in military circles.
The Boko Haram terrorists had tried to attack the convoy of the then theatre Commander but were immediately repelled in the process as many of them fell to the superior firepower of the troops in the convoy, with a significant number fleeing and abandoning their weapons which were recovered by troops of the Nigerian army.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian army lost two of its men in the attack but the devastation in the camp of the terrorists was such that they could not re-engage the soldiers as they had wanted to but ran with their tales between their legs.
Mischief makers are however already in town with all sorts of insinuations with a certain online publication, based in the US and run by key political opposition figures in Nigeria, Sahara Reporters, leading the rumour mill by trying to link the current redeployment of personnel to that incident.
The attempt to link that foiled attack with Tuesday's redeployment has produced a mass of rubbish that neither makes any sense nor appeals to any sense of reasoning. Apparently concocted to deceive the gullible and put the army on the defensive, many Nigerians have seen through the tale and have since written it off as ludicrous.

General Adeniyi, as stated in the release by the army has now been redeployed from the theatre command in the North-east which he headed to the army research centre in Abuja while Major-General, F. Yahaya, will now lead the Boko Haram war as theatre commander of Operation Lafiya.
The affected personnel are in high spirits because they understand that deployment in the military , the world over, is routine and is done to rekindle spirit of the officers and to enhance professionalism.
It could also involve the movement of forces within operational areas, outer positioning of forces into a formation for battle or relocation of forces and material to desired operational areas.
In the US army usage, deployment encompasses all activities from origin or home station through destination, specifically including intra-continental United States, intertheater, and intratheater movement legs, staging, and holding areas and can last from 90 days to 15 months.
It can also mean the return of service members in a combat zone to their prior station.
The current deployment of the generals as well as other top military officers in Nigeria, therefore is another normal exercise meant to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness and professional efficiency.
It is also aimed at injecting new hands to further actualize the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai as Chief of Army Staff, .the Nigerian army has benefited from such movements and have helped in terms of new strategies to prosecute the war against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

In 2019, the Chief of Army Staff, approved the redeployment and posting of senior officers to different positions.
In that exercise, E.O Ogunkale, a major-general, was moved from Command Army Records, Lokoja to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation and A.O. Uthman, also a major-general, was redeployed from Nigerian Army School of Signals, Apapa, Lagos to Defence Headquarters as Director, Defence Communications; while Maj.-Gen. O.O Soleye was moved from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters, Command Army Records, Lokoja as Commander.

In 2018, the Nigerian Army also redeployed 103 officers including Major General Abba Dikko,the Commander, Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole while a Deputy Vice Chancellor was appointed for the newly established Nigerian Army University Biu, NAUB.
In 2017 the Nigerian Army redeployed and amended postings of seven major generals, 45 brigadier generals and 597 other officers in one of its most far-reaching shake-up exercise in recent years
To further demonstrate the regularity of such exercises, the Army cancelled the redeployment of Adeniyi Oyebade, two months after he was transferred from being General Officer Commanding of Nigerian Army 1 Division, Kaduna, to Army Headquarters in Abuja as chief of logistics.
Many who are aware of military drills and operations know that deployment of personnel is a constant feature.
That is why innuendos by mischief makers and other publications like Sahara Reporters to taint the recent exercise has failed to find accommodation on the minds of rational beings.
It has been exposed as yet another attempt to find faults when there is none and a failed attempt to award credit to those fighting Nigeria where they do not deserve and it is a shameful and most unfortunate thing anybody could try to wish for his country.

Ibekwe is ex- US marine and public affairs analyst based in Lagos.

By Ahmed Danfulani

Fear has been sold to the world with the outbreak of pandemic of Coronavirus (CONVID-19) in Wuhan, China. In just a few weeks, the entire world has been reduced to one huge symbol of deaths and of mass graves.

The phobia of Coronavirus is real and deafening. The victims are as scary as much as the non-victims. Like a verse in the legendary South African reggae star, Lucky Dube, everybody “is the next victim,” unless the haunting image of Coronavirus is pulled down globally. It has reached the shores of Nigeria with about 30 reported cases of infected people, with one death so far.

Regrettably though, Nigeria has seen enough mass deaths in her history in a decade to the extent the global alarm over Coronavirus induced deaths is mincemeat or child's play in the psyche of Nigerians. Boko Haram insurgency, with its latest tincture, ISWAP terrorism have made mass deaths a regular menu in the country.

Can Nigerians excuse themselves from gory and nauseating memories of mass deaths and graves spurred by vicious armed bandits, armed separatists campaigners, herders/ farmers conflagrations, communal upheavals, militancy or religious extremists and even political thugs or violent election riggers? These memories are evergreen and recurs from time to time.

However, it should not be misconstrued that recounting these orgies of recurrent circle of violence and deaths in Nigeria implies an endorsement or preference for it than the epidemic of Coronavirus. But it's simply, a parodic attempt to establish how Nigerians are inured to mass deaths in other more demonic forms in the country than Coronavirus.

And to date, Nigeria has been grappling with silent, but very sophisticated layers of Coronavirus in other colorations. Nigeria has been battling things far more deadly and contagious than Coronavirus which neither the military nor the civil authorities have fully appreciated its intensity in recent times.

The determination of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration to blight insecurities in Nigeria, especially insurgency is unflinchingly consistent. And the unquenchable zeal and courageously gallant outings of the Nigerian military to also eliminate Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria is self-evident. But again, it is variously frustrated in more stealthy ways than the global invasion and spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

Many Nigerians may not be aware of the dark forces against the resurgence and festering of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in the country. The problem with these latest security threats is not because insurgents or terrorists are so powerful to the level of repressing the Nigerian military. It is also beyond the contemplation that the FGN has not done commendably enough to terminate the reign of insecurities in Nigeria.

The major issues in the Northeast are not really the Boko Haram terrorists who, who like Coronavirus, sneak to hack people to death at will, abduct and destroy public infrastructures in the region. It is also not the evil men who masquerade under the cover of NGOs to subject the already traumatized, frail and suffering victims of insurgency to inhumane and degrading treatment after taking so much from the outside world to assist them survive.

More than a few will also be shocked that it is also not the usual political actors who appear on the stage only when Boko Haram is at the losing end with their crocodile tears. But they initiate nothing to get youths off the streets to divert their attention from conscription as foot soldiers of terrorism.

From these ponders, one will therefore hastily guess that it is Coronavirus pandemic that is Nigeria’s problem. But the real problem in the Northeast shockingly is not Coronavirus. After all it hasn't been discovered in Nigeria beyond manageable stage, after the first case in Lagos.

On the contrary, the greatest existential threat to Nigeria now in respect to her battles with terrorism and insecurities is the role of Amnesty International (AI) and some foreign cables such as Reuters and AFP. They have constituted the worse stumbling blocks to Nigeria’s match towards exculpation from insurgencies and insurrections.

AI and these foreign online platforms have been the major disasters that our country has faced in its war against Boko Haram and it is hideously more potent and lethal than Coronavirus. And insurgency has attracted more deaths in Nigeria than Coronavirus has ever recorded anywhere in the world outside Wuhan in China.

There is every clue to suspect AI and these foreign newswires as agents and fake news purveyors for terrorists and their external sponsors. Not only that they fabricate and circulate fake news on the FGN and the Nigerian Military’s confrontations with Boko Haram, but their extreme focus of propaganda on Nigeria on the fake side of news is repulsive.

AI has morphed into a daily news medium in Nigeria; inventing and syndicating news about terrorism and the Nigerian military encounters with terrorism in the Northeast. The common denominator among them all is that their published reports are permanently crafted to indict the Nigerian troops and Military authorities.

It does not usually have named attributions, but speculative and propagandic. It drapes with everything which conveys the message that these actors are into active promotion of cyberspace terrorism. And the world frowns at it and there are laws which prohibits it.

Nonetheless, these vicious enemies of Nigeria make generous, but unprovable allegations against the Nigerian military such as human rights violations, extra-judicial killings, sexual abuse of women, use of child soldiers, starvation of Boko Harm suspects in military detention facilities, unlawful arrests and detentions and sundry such constructions of offences of war crimes.

But sadly, while they level such allegations on the military, these suspected agents of terrorists are less bothered to confirm their findings from military authorities before rushing to the press with the scanty findings from what they usually term “eyewitness” account. And the “eyewitness accounts” are usually their planted agents in the theatre of war in the Northeast or outrightly cooked sources.

Therefore, they reel out very alarming and unsubstantiated casualty figures. When terrorists triumph against troops or not, a news story is crafted to give credit to the “invincible” might of terrorists, to cause anxiety in Nigerians and dampen the spirit of troops. These agents are normally the first to break the news of Boko Haram attacks on any community, an indication that they might be privy to such attacks before its occurrence. It means they are likely working closely with terrorists.

In its 2015/2016 annual report on Nigeria, AI levelled such senseless allegations of war crimes against the Nigerian Army prosecuting the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast as well as other security agencies.

However, when several probe panels invited them to substantiate the allegations, AI hedged and adduced excuses on lack of trust in members of the Panel. From its reaction, it was clear that AI was functioning like an opposition party or alternative government in Nigeria. And it had no evidence to prove the allegations.

And the scheming of AI and its apostates is to perpetually and falsely accuse Nigerian Military of war crimes in prosecution of the counter-insurgency combats in the country. And therefore, frustrate plans by countries of goodwill to sell weapons to Nigeria to battle Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, citing human rights violations and war crimes against Nigeria.

So, AI and these online newswires are Nigeria’s worse version of Coronavirus more than the pandemic itself. Any country will be glad to accept Coronavirus, but pray fervently never to have these agents of darkness gang-up or occupy their country in the guise of anything.

Nigerians should not forget that AI and these newswires as well as their external sponsors are very determined to set the people against themselves. Over the years, this has been the game plan, which is designed to finally plunge Nigeria into an interminable war like in Syria or Sudan. But the plans have so far not succeeded because Nigerians are aware and have refused to fall for their cheap propaganda. Nigerians are urged to remain steadfast and vigilant.


Danfulani wrote from Yola, Adamawa State.

By Idoko Ainoko

When the matter borders on the security of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters has on several occasions acted as if it does not care about the peaceful and cooperate existence of the country. 
Going by the way the online medium  concoct stories, twists facts and embellish negative occurrences in favour of insurgents, terrorists and other the enemies of Nigeria, one can say without fear of contradiction that Sahara Reporters is not serving the interest of Nigeria.
The medium has been consistent with this style of reportage that one cannot but ask in whose interest it is carrying out the all the negative press about Nigeria and its security agencies. 
Last year, a national daily inadvertently reported details of the preparation by the Nigerian army to crush the Boko Haram terrorists and many media managers rose in condemnation of the act of indiscretion by the media house.
In a paper presented at a workshop for the media and the military in Kaduna, chairman of the editorial board of Thisday newspapers, Segun Adeniyi categorically stated that what the media house did was wrong.
But because it was a one off case, the military and other concerned stakeholders immedlaiey put the episode behind them and moved ahead.
That cannot however be likened to the case of Sahara Reporters which consistently takes sides with the terrorists in the reportage of conflicts in the North eastern part of the country.
When a media organisation allows itself to be biased to the extent that it is seen as the mouthpiece of criminal and u patriotic elements, then it should bow its head in shame. 

The media is expected to inform the general public, but such information must be factual and for common good.
The Nigerian army, on the other hand has a statutory duty to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and it has since 2015 when the current administration was inaugurated being doing that successfully. 
The army has successfully liquidated the base of the Boko Haram terrorists, set many of their captives free and recaptured seized territories from them.
It has also made it difficult for the insurgents to attack communities at will and has recently been able to foil such attempts in Biu, Garkida and Maiduguri among other places. 
But Sahara Reporters most times when the Nigerian army makes such commendable move against the insurgents, prefers to go to sleep.
It closes its eyes when troops overrun invading forces of the insurgents and turns a blind eye when the insurgents suffer casualty. 
But any move by the insurgents or acts of error by the Nigerian army is never missed by Sahara Reporters as it is embellished and blown out of proportion to make them look like they are having an upper hand in the war.
Two months ago, Sahara Reporters reported that the Boko Haram dealt the Nigerian army a heavy blow when the terrorists attempted to ambush one of the theatre Commanders but were subdued and neutralised. 
The army felt embarrassed by the way Sahara Reporters reported the  incident that it had to clear the air on the matter saying it was rather the Boko Haram insurgents that were decimated at the site of a failed ambush sprung against the theater Commanders’ Convoy.
The army said, "In a clear display of misguided desperation to stage a reprisal following the recent neutralisation of several of their top commanders by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, on 6 January 2020, some marauding elements of the criminal Boko Haram insurgents laid and eventually sprung an ambush against the convoy of the Theater Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi.
"The Theatre Commander’s convoy came under the criminals ineffective and uncoordinated fire from Anti-Aircraft Guns, Machines Guns, Rocket Propelled Grenades and some of their foot soldiers about 2 Kilometers to Auno in Kaga LGA of Borno State while returning from Jakana where he visited troops’ location following his earlier meeting with the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum at Auno.
"In a commendable demonstration of bold action in battle, the Theatre Commander led the gallant troops of his convoy to engage the criminal Boko Haram Insurgents with superior firepower, subduing them and thereafter assaulting the ambush site with his men thereby causing the criminal insurgents to flee the location in disarray."
In that incident alone, 20 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one camouflage trouser, one Nigeria Police Force fragmental jacket, 2 AK 47 Rifles and 3 AK 47 Rifle magazines were captured from the fleeing insurgents by the army. 
But Sahara did not see all of that. 
Before that, Sahara Reporters on its website had also published a story with the caption “Nigerian Army Presents Unverified “Lt Col” To Refute Petition Against Military Hierarchy” on its website to disparage the army.
In this report as noted earlier, Sahara Reporters committed itself to support for terrorism and fighting Nigeria, its people, its military and particularly the Nigerian Army.
This is because no such thing happened because the serving officer was found not to be the author of the petition as the officer in question dissociated himself from the so-called petition in a press conference he personally attended.
When the army called a press conference to clarify the matter, Sahara Reporter chose not to attend. 
The type of stories you are sure to see on Sahara Reporters website about the Nigerian army are fabrications about defeat, glorificarion of insurgents and any act of misdemeanors by any soldier.
The onlibe news platform has obviously become a mouthpiece of the enemies of Nigeria. 
When they are not obsessed with the choice of President Buhari on who serve the nation as service Chief, they are  providing full support for the terrorists just to see that the nation is defeated or they are serving as a platform for the disintegration of the country .
This is clearly not just unethical and unprofessional but unpatriotic. Those behind Sahara Reporters should realise that they can achieve nothing in the long run if they continue on this path of perfidy and should as a matter of insurgency retrace their steps. 

Ainoko wrote this piece from Kaduna.

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) believes there is a deliberate agenda by online medium, Sahara Reporters, to trigger mutiny amongst Nigerian troops on the frontlines.

CATE says it came to this conclusion having examined the Omoyele Sowore-owned portal's reportage on the military and the insurgency war in the last three years.

In a statement signed by president Gabriel Onoja on Tuesday, CATE described SR as an enemy of Nigeria, promoting external interests against the country, doing so by also violating ethical standards.

The centre cited two recent instances where Sahara brought its devious motives against Nigeria to the fore; a report claiming that soldiers have been infected by coronavirus and another alleging troops maltreating civilians.

CATE, therefore, warned Sahara Reporters to quit cyberspace terrorism, having been known to embrace foreign interests against Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism.

It further advised the medium to be mindful of the legal provisions of their actions.

Read full statement below:

The Centre Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) observes with utmost dismay the deliberate intentions of an online Newswire with an identity as “Sahara reporters” to perpetually cosset actions against the Nigerian Military, which by every interpretation constitutes supportive acts of Cyberspace terrorism.

In the last one month, when the entire world has been brought down by the global Covid-19 pandemic, with economies of even super world countries grounding to a sudden halt and a corresponding reduction in sponsorship of international terrorism, Sahara reporters has enlivened it in Nigeria.

Nigerians must know that before this era, Sahara reporters had satisfactorily established themselves as masked agents of foreign sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria by their reportage. This online publication has assertively asserted itself over the years as the greatest and unrepentant enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians to the extents it promotes external interests against the country so brazenly.

Those abreast with how Sahara reporters begun and its funding to date should not be surprised at the replay of this information. And the Sahara reporters’ medium does it in more ways than imagined, especially on Nigerian troops battling Boko Haram criminals and ISWAP terrorists in Nigeria’s Northeast.

They satisfy their external paymasters through invention or contraption of outright falsehood or fake news and rush to hasty publications of same about terrorists “triumphant” strides. But in all their reports in the last three years, the medium freely violates ethical standards by quoting unverified death figures against the Nigerian Military or Nigerians in the Northeastern part of the country without confirmation from appropriate authorities.

Sahara reporters most favourite past time now is when it promotes all manner of fake news against the Nigerian military battling to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria. No one needs a soothsayer to know, the medium has perfectly aligned itself with their agents of darkness, fabricating and publishing falsified terrorists attacks on Nigeria to embolden terrorists. It’s done with fake and escalated casualty figures to celebrate the death of soldiers and dampen morale of troops together with their superior officers.

Even as the professionals as Sahara reporters lay claims, they write such stories with nameless attributions, just targeted at derailing the counter-insurgency operations and dampening the spirit or resoluteness of the Nigerian military or troops to terminate terrorism in the country. CATE has noticed that Sahara reporters is all out to instigate or trigger mutiny amongst troops who will find handy excuses to abandon their duty posts at the frontlines in Nigeria’s Northeast.

CATE is astounded with Sahara reporters’ consistent focus of sexed-up reports on anti-terrorism combats in the Northeast. If they find nothing or notice that Nigerians are enjoying some respite and recovery from the insurgency ravaged Northeast, through the courageous efforts of troops, the online medium cooks anything to rekindle the confidence of their external masters.

For instance, in the March 28, 2020 edition of Sahara reporters with the screaming headline, “BREAKING: Two Nigerian Soldiers Test Positive For Coronavirus In Borno.” It was a three-paragraph story and it said nothing outside scratching the surface. The opening paragraph said, “Two Nigerian soldiers have tested positive for Coronavirus in Monguno, Borno State, Sahara reporters can confirm.”

What is new about Covid-19? Did Nigeria invent Covid-19? To what extent has Sahara reporters investigated Covid-19 in Nigeria to report to Nigerians that it has found it expedient to negatively profile Nigerian troops at the warfront? Its part of the medium’s conspiracy with their foreign sponsors. Terrorists themselves dread Covid-19 and it explains why the tempo of terrorism in Nigeria has waned because Iranians can no longer sponsor them.

And to further betray the medium’s devious motives against Nigeria, Sahara reporters, again wrote in the same story; “It is unclear if the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) had tallied the newly recorded cases to the number of confirmed cases in the country….” The basic rule in journalism is that, when in doubt, leave out the aspect in the story. But they played it because they are on a mission.

Please Nigerians, CATE is sampling just two recent reports from Sahara reporters. The second report from same medium is even worse. The medium quoted the Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, as lamenting how Nigerian troops “recorded heavy casualty during a recent encounter with the hoodlums.” The report branded terrorists “hoodlums” and not terrorists anymore. This is barefaced mischief.

Sahara reporters proceeded to circulate the re-circulated videos of soldiers maltreating civilians at no named place and attributed it to Nigeria. All over the world soldiers use same camouflage uniform (khaki). The Sahara reporters photographer would have convinced Nigerians by showing at least a label of a signpost where they claimed Nigerian troops manhandled civilians. But no, because the news medium is on a hatchet job.

Unfortunately, none of any verisimilitude sign that could be linked to Nigeria was indicated in the video which Sahara reporters posted on their website. It’s possible that the medium lifted the photograph from Chad, Niger or even Cameroun and impinged it on Nigeria to serve their known agenda for their external paymasters. This is an uncharitable and unpatriotic act.

This is very unprofessional and unethical. Sahara reporters should settle their grudge elsewhere, but spare the Nigerian military at frontlines. Nigerians have no time to play politics now with issues of security.

CATE is unequivocally stating that Sahara reporters is promoting mischief, falsehood and dishonest objectives to ruin the gains so far made on the war against insurgency in Nigeria. Nigerians beware!! The medium is into active promotion of cyberspace terrorism, by using foreign interests against Nigeria to surreptitiously support Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism. Sahara reporters regrettably has marketed itself as the terrorists’ chief propaganda corps in Nigeria.

But let Sahara reporters be reminded about the Nigerian law, gazatted as “Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013,” Section 5, subsection 1, A & B which says; "Any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support (a) for the commission of an act of terrorism, or (b) to a terrorist group, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction or imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years…For the purposes of this section, "Support" includes incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet ."

CATE pleads with Sahara reporters to be mindful of the legal provisions, its implications and draw a distinctive line between journalism and support of terrorists individuals/groups through their online (internet) publications.

By Mohammed Ali

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai is from Borno State in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. But that is not why the people of that geo-political zone love him.

Everytime the name of the Chief of Army Staff comes up in discussions in the region, the peoples'countenance brighten and their spirits lifted.

This is as a result of what the Chief of Army Staff has done to restore normalcy and hope in their lives by giving a sense of belonging that the country can protect them from constant attacks, intimidation, mass murder, torture and other forms of abuses.

The above scenario has come to represent the lot of the people of the region before the coming of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

It was a dark period for the people when all forms of bringandage were being unleashed on them without let.

Out of the six states in the Northeast, only one, Taraba could claim to.have suffered only minimally from the devastating effects of terrorism and insurgency that was ravaging that zone.

The remaining five, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe saw real terror and other forms of dehumanization that they cannot forget in a hurry.

This was the region where teenage boys in secondary were slaughtered in one night, over 200 school girls were adopted, communities sacked and surviving members of the comuntuues left to die in bushes and desert stretches and families permanently displaced with no hope of reuniting.

Other parts of the country also felt the heat as bombings, mass shootings, and executions imcteased leaving hundreds including law enforcement officers, and civilians dead .

Out of the six states in the Northeast, three states were regarded as the main theaters of conflict hence the most severe impact of terrorism were felt in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states where violent deaths were becoming the order of day.

The entire social and economic infrastructure in those states collapsed with the poorhealth situation in those stayes worsening, schools remaiing permanently closed and many living as refugees in neighbouring countries, or internally displaced within the country

Sexual violence and kidnapping became upscale.

This is not to talk of markets, churches, mosques, roads, homes that have been destroyed.

But with the coming of Buratai as Chief of Army Staff in 2015, troops were able to penetrate the fortresses of the insurgents and freed many that were held captives.

Local governments that were.taken over by the insurgents were.recaptured and brought under the control of Nigeria and order was restored while general services in health and other public institutions resumed.

Families that were separated for.long were reunited, those that fled to other countries as refugees began to return and camps of Internally Displaced Persons were emptied as many returned to their communities.

The Chief of Army Staff also added value to the lives of the people of the region by building an army university in Biu, one of the local governments being targeted by the insurgents.

Added to that, Lt. Gen. Buratai also the established Nigerian Army Brigades in Monguno, Gubio, Gwoza, Damaturu and Damboa to enhance security in the area.

The designation of Sambisa Forest as Nigerian Army Training Area and the establishment of Command Secondary Schools have added to the security in the region and raised the standard of living of the people.

States like Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and even Adamawa have since put the horrors of the insurgents behind them and are living normal lives all thanks to the efforts of troops.

These days,.when movement of insurgents are sighted in the region, the people are not alarmed as they know that they will definitely be crushed by the ever ready troops in the area.

This is why Buratai is highly loved and respected in the region. He has given the people their lives back.

By Idoko Ainoko


Every system and in all political dispensations, there are enough spoilers and destroyers. The professional sabs stop at nothing to rock the boat even where the circumstances resist. There are people who hate progress and invent all antics to ensure progress is interrupted. Their only joy is when they cause confusion.

Nigeria has a fair share of such people. And unfortunately, they are also found in the corridors of power and they use such positions to pursue personalized agenda at the detriment of the nation. Nigeria’s most urgent challenge now is the insecurity.

But it is glaring that there is no meaning approach or suggestions to assist the President and Heads of Security agencies overcome the challenge of insecurity. Most Nigerians are out to weaken the attempts by the President to surmount our security challenges.

And the National Assembly has many of such Nigerians who are opposed to President Buhari’s stringent actions on security. I can argue conveniently and boldly with Nigeria’s best of political Socrates that since 1999 the National Assembly (NASS) has been Nigeria’s greatest incumbrance on the country’s progressive match to peace and prosperity.

NASS has consistently affirmed itself as the static and haunting nightmare of the country’s match to a stable or vibrant democracy, good governance and progressive development. Every evil plan against Nigeria is hatched through NASS. which they usually back with pristine laws.

The negative shadows of NASS are too overflowing and have overshadowed any modicum of respect or honour it has ever earned on credibility as an important institution of government in a democracy. I am not hesitant to say, NASS has marketed itself as an institution which also deserves an independent body to monitor it’s sinister and destructive activities in the nation.

The National Assembly is currently deliberating on a law Christened “Nigerian Armed Forces Commission Bill 2019.” The Bill is sponsored by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe from Abia state. The law seeks to dissolve all the powers constitutionally vested in the President in hiring and firing his Service Chiefs. The powers which presently resides with the President is transferred to the Commission whose composition comprise politicians and National Assembly members.

It is difficult to understand the direction or intention of the proposed Bill. It is hogwash in every sense. It is the most senseless Bill ever contemplated in Nigeria or known to any country in the world. Outside its obvious aberration, I see it as a duplication hence existing laws already empowers the Senate to confirm Service Chiefs nominated by the President. So, what does the Senators want to do to Nigeria with that Bill?

What the Sen. Ahmed Lawan-led Senate is attempting to do by the Armed Forces Commission is to politicize and weaken the management of national security. It is a masked attempt to polarized the Nigerian military and make it susceptible to the mercy of politicians to recklessly manipulate. This is how we consciously embark on actions that are capable of destroying our country. The Senators themselves know that such a Bill is irrational and destructive to the security architecture of the nation.

But a lot of Nigerians are comfortably silent, because the darts are directed at a President they hate. But they have forgotten that President Muhammadu Buhari will not remain Nigeria’s President forever. Every Nigerian knows the Armed Forces Commission Bill will spell doom for the country if allowed to scale through the legislature.

The contents of the Bill overtly endanger the future of Nigeria because it is a sure way of polarizing the Nigerian Armed forces which will begin to function by the dictates of political parties and politicians. This is not permissible anywhere. We cannot leave sensitive decisions on national security in the hands of multitudes as the Senate is contemplating.

I am convinced that this is not justifiable. It surprises me that members of the Senate are hypnotized and hoodwinked by Sen. Abaribe into believing such a destructive and worthless Bill is worth their attention and energy to the point of debating. It is not possible for one nation to have two Commanders-In-Chief. The Bill seeks to create two Commanders-In-Chief for Nigeria. Where else is this aberration obtained?

Abaribe is a diehard apostate and an unrepentant agent of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). He is the Senator who took the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on bail when every one else declined. He failed to produce Kanu in court on the appointed day, which betrays his total allegiance to IPOB. It is clear to me that Sen. Abaribe is the veiled official force of IPOB in government and the Senate. And therefore, he is using his privileged position to nourish IPOB’s agenda as evidenced by his contemplation of this absolutely useless Bill.

And we all know that the main agenda and determination of IPOB is to lead a war against the country. It has not given up on this ambition. And its agents like Sen. Abaribe are working in diverse ways to create fertile and unchallengeable grounds for the IPOB war on Nigeria. No one is in doubt as to where they are deriving their inspiration.

And the nonsensical Armed Forces Bill sponsored by Abaribe is cleverly crafted to weaken the power of the Nigerian Military in the event IPOB declares war on the country. It is honed to sow the seed of disloyalty to Mr. President among the Armed Forces when IPOB steps out again against Nigeria.

So, we are not going to allow Sen. Lawan and his cahoots to rubbish the Nigerian Armed Forces. If Sen. Lawan is blind to Abaribe’s prosecution of IPOB’s agenda, Nigerians are not blind to it. The Bill is a façade by Sen. Abaribe to feather the nest of IPOB. It is Sen. Abaribe’s drive for IPOB’s agenda to destabilize Nigeria. But we don’t think, it is correct for him to use the Senate as platform in promoting and emboldening the ferocious and criminal activities of IPOB.


Ainoko is a public affairs commentator based in Kaduna.

By Sunday Attah
 
 
There is no such thing as crisis of confidence in the current war against insurgency in Nigeria. If there is, it wouldn’t have been confined to the hush tones of conspirators but would have been evident in reports of the operations of troops.
When Nigerian troops suffered defeat in the hands of insurgents in the previous administration and retreated to other countries for tactical maneuver, the whole world knew that there was a problem on ground that even the military command could not hide.
The contrary is the case with reports coming from the theatres of war and other locations where Nigerian troops have battled the insurgents in recent time.
Unlike in the past where military camps and fortresses were being attacked and subdued at will and communities decimated in the twinkle of an eye, the narrative has changed to reports where troops have constantly repelled insurgents based on intelligence reports, destroyed their bases and sending them fleeing in all directions by taking the war to their bases.
This was the case in Biu, Michika, Maiduguri and other places where the insurgents had attempted to launch attacks.
The effectiveness of military operations at the moment is such that there is no room for the slightest form of compromise to be accommodated, not to talk of engendering a crisis of confidence. Such thoughts exist only in the imagination of naysayers.
People have forgotten so soon that Nigerian troops have recorded tremendous success in the fight against insurgency compared to what was obtainable in the past.
This they have done by changing tactics and strategies and taking the fight to the theatre of war, deployment of intelligence in the face of challenges and by boosting the morale of troops.
The Nigerian Army as well as the Chief of Army Staff, have received awards and recognition from governments and reputable organizations the world over.
The gallantry of the Nigerian troops is to such an extent that neghouring countries which were relied upon to lead in the fight against insurgency after having withdrawn the bulk of their troops from Nigerian soil have been awed by the renewed efficiency, professionalism and determination of the Nigerian troops which has seen them succeeding in the fight unlike in the past where they have to rely on such countries.
Time there was when Nigeria invested heavily on the participation of other countries as a stimulus for fighting the insurgents. But with the success being recorded now, Nigeria has taken back its leadership position in the fight and has paved the way for the success of the much onslaught against troops.
The Chief of Army Staff explained recently that the narrative changed because changes were introduced in tactics deployed by Nigerian troops from a wholly defensive posture to one where the army defend in numbers and conduct offensive operations in smaller packets but simultaneously in different fronts.
People have also forgotten so soon how the terrorists had seized parts of Nigerian territories and proclaim with glee that they are severing it from other parts while hoisting their flags to drive him the point.
It was such a low period for Nigeria that in Borno State alone, 14 local government came under the authority of the insurgents with the sacking of every form of authority of the Nigerian government, such things no longer exists as all the captured local governments and territories have been liberated and there is now an effective local government administration in those places.
Many would recall that Sambisa Forest used to be the most dreaded place in Nigeria where even troops dare not tread.
Insurgents had captured the military training facility as well as the armory and were deploying it to their use as they wished. The area was a no go area for troops then even when it was suspected to be where they kept the terrorists kept their abductees.
The effrontery of the insurgents then was such that they even penetrated military bases like Monguno and Gwoza and seized the training facilities as well as armoury and sent troops and other trainees fleeing for dear lives.
But the Nigeria army under Burati has confined such experiences to the dustbin of history by retrieving such captured military bases and the dreaded Samnbisa Forest from the hold of the insurgents and established a base at Camp Zero.
More than that, the hitherto usual invasion of military facilities by the insurgents have been stopped as the remnants of the terrorists have been so pummeled that they have been reduced to launching attacks on only soft targets.  
This has led to an improvement on internal security as many roads that were declared impassable due to the activities of insurgents on such routes have been liberated by Nigerian troops such that many can now travel freely to their destinations without fear of being killed or attacked.
The barricading of major roads by organizations and in worship centers in state capitals has also reduced as people no longer fear conducting business within their premises.  
From complaints about lack of sufficient and modern weapons the amry has been able to equip personnel with modern fighting equipments as well as encouraged and supported all NA officers and soldiers who have innovative ideas and competencies that it is now partnering with several companies in Nigeria including Innoson Motors, Proforce Limited and Nigeria Machine Tools, among others, towards the production of light and heavy armoured vehicles, critical equipment as well as protective clothing for NA troops which has led to the development of the TYB Rover, Infantry Patrol Vehicle (IPV) and the Bionbion Helicopter, among several other equipment.
Many also forget there was time when the activities of insurgents had begun to penetrate the hinterlands leaving the fringes of Bor and Yobe and extending to Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna and even to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
 
Those that peddle the idea of a crisis of confidence rely heavily on the restraint deployed when measures that extend beyond Nigeria are involved.
But this is misleading because they do not seem to realize that there are various dimensions to the insurgency which Nigeria has no power over. The interests of nations come into play when certain measures are taken which impact extends beyond a particular border. In such an instance, nations have to observe restraint in order not to be seen as infringing on the territorial integrity of others.
Issues concerning prisoner swap especially when  it has to do with international terrorists organisations like ISWAP cannot be determined by the interest of one country alone due to the effect it is bound to have on the global war against insurgency.
 
Nations have to fight to defeat both internal enemies and those coming from outside and the Nigeria army have done great so far showing that it has learnt from history.
In Romans 13 the bible enjoins all to respect constituted authority. It says,  “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.”
It is also recorded that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received his first divine revelations for the purpose of legal warfare to repel aggression and protect human rights in Mecca where he peacefully preached the message of Islam to the Meccans for thirteen years until an intolerable level of persecution forced him and his followers to flee to the nearby town of Yathrib (later known as Medina and despite emigrating outside of Mecca, the Meccans headed by the Quraish aristocracy vowed to exterminate the newly formed religious community.
In all aspects therefore the Nigerian army has giving a good account of itself while defending the people and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
There is therefore no such thing as crisis of confidence as far the war against insurgency in Nigeria is concerned.
 
 
 Evangelist Attah is a public affairs commentator based in Abuja.

A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Dr. Solomon Aguele, has congratulated the newly sworn in Executive Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Area, Hon. Peter Aguele.

This came on the heels of the judgment of the Edo State High Court declaring Him Peter Aguele the rightful winner of the local government chairmanship primaries in the council.

Speaking with reporters at his country home in Ewohimi, Edo state, the former PDP Chairman urged the newly elected chairman “to see his victory in the court as an act of God and therefore use the opportunity to unite the people of local government and provide the desired leadership and dividends of democracy to the people”.

Dr. Aguele added that “indeed the court had shown by it's judgement that it still remains the last hope of the common man”.

By Bridget Agada

The management of disasters in Nigeria has come under public scrutiny in recent times. This is especially so in the light of the various humanitarian crisis that has been experienced in Nigeria, and worthy of mention is the Boko Haram crisis in North-East Nigeria. As a start, this subject would not be understood in its entirety if the agency of government responsible for the management of national emergencies in Nigeria is not highlighted.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was established via Act 12, as amended by Act 50 of 1999, to manage disasters in Nigeria. It has been tackling disaster-related issues through the establishment of concrete structures with the overarching mission to coordinate resources towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response in Nigeria.

It acts in the following areas: Coordination, Disaster Risk Reduction, search and rescue, policy and strategy, Geographic Information System, Advocacy, education, administration, finance, and logistics; relief and rehabilitation; planning, research, and forecasting.

Nigeria, as a nation, has suffered from its share of disaster occurrences. For example, between 1992 to 2000, Nigeria recorded about 400 major fire and aircraft disasters involving more than 10,000 people with a death toll of about a thousand-plus, and the quantum of property destroyed was evaluated to be in millions of dollars.

These include flooding and soil erosion, while the human-made ones include dam-failure, maritime disasters, bomb explosions, conflicts occasioning displacement of victims), oil spillage, population explosion, and air crashes. Nigerians have been lucky with earthquakes but not so fortunate with floods, pollution, and oil spillages.

The loss of lives and inefficient disaster management in Nigeria has been a burden too hard for the government to carry. The problem has been compounded by the fact that the citizens lack the basic knowledge of health and safety as well as a disaster avoidance technique. As a result of the inefficiency and apparent shortcomings in the management of disasters and to address the limitation in the scope of the operation of National Emergency Relief Agency NERA, and proffer solutions to the ineffective disaster response in the country, on the side of NERA which was established in by Decree 48 of 1976 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to fight the reoccurrence of disaster and the post effect of the disaster which is death, the federal government of Nigeria held a meeting with stakeholders and leaders of NERA and the outcome metamorphosed to the formation of NEMA for effective management of disaster in Nigeria.

The question is thus: Is NEMA making progress on her mandate? The answer is yes due to the following reasons. Since April 2017 when Engr Mustapha Maihaja came on board as the director-general of the agency, a lot has changed. This much has been attested to my critical stakeholders in the industry. They indeed stated that the policy drive and innovations introduced to the operations of the organization indeed gave it a fresh breath of life.

As a first, NEMA under the leadership of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja established Disaster Response Units (DRUs) to enhance disaster management efforts nationwide further. DRU's are designated military units established through the instrument of the National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) and charged with the responsibility of providing immediate assistance to civil authorities to reduce further loss of lives and property as well as human suffering during a National Disaster.

This is aside from the fact that efforts are almost completed to put in place Hi-Tech facilities and other infrastructure for an improved and all-encompassing disaster management system for our country. An example is the installation of the Search and Rescue Satellite-aided Tracking (COSPAS-SARSAT) system. COSPAS-SARSAT system, since its inception in 1982, has reportedly saved over 20,000 lives worldwide. The system consists of emergency radio beacons, equipment on satellites in low-earth polar ground receiving stations, also called Local User Terminals (LUTs), Mission Control Centers (MCCs), and Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs).

It is on record that only three COSPAS-SARSAT technologies exists in the whole of Africa, and one of them is located in the NEMA headquarters in Abuja. This is indeed a rare feat and an example of the leadership drive of the director-general towards ensuring a regime of effective and timely disaster management in Nigeria.

It has also been stated that most disasters resulting in high casualty rates are due to the absence of an early warning mechanism. In this regard, NEMA has established a functional GIS lab for early warning and precision in response to disasters and emergencies. The lab collects spatial data, analyses, and prepares useful information that helps to aid responses to disaster. It is one of the significant facilities of the agency for its disaster risk reduction programme.

The Agency under Maihaja has gone into collaborative pacts with Helicopter operators in the Country, NGOs, INGOs, International, regional, and sub-regional bodies and agencies for both capacity building and technological enhancement in pursuit of a workable preparedness approach to curtailing disasters.

It must be stated that all of these innovations have indeed positioned NEMA as an effective disaster management agency. It is also on record that NEMA under the watch of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has seen the development of an improved welfare package for its workers that consists of improved insurance and emoluments. This has led to an increase in the productivity level of the staffer in the agency. This is indeed commendable and an indication that the exceptional and proactive leadership provided by Engr. Mustapha Maihaja is indeed yielding dividends and responsible for the various successes recorded by the agency in managing disasters in Nigeria.

NEMA under Maihaja has also implemented measures that ensure unscrupulous elements do not abuse materials meant for the needy. It has eliminated the practice where impostors collect materials intended for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the biometric registration of affected persons. Critical stakeholders have recognized this feat as indeed revolutionary.

It is indeed a statement of the fact that NEMA under the watch of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja is indeed making tremendous progress on her mandate of effective disaster management in Nigeria. The director-general has set a worthy example of what sound leadership should be in Nigeria in our quest for socio-economic development.


Agada is a human resource practitioner and wrote from Abuja.

The Centre for Democracy and Developmental Research (CDCR) has rubbished a US report which alleged voter intimidation by security agents during last year's general elections.

According to CDCR, the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria released by the US Department of State was fabricated and full of lies.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, President African Affairs, Dr. Johnson Bewaji wondered how the US Department of State arrived at this conclusion, especially after the polls was adjudged as one of the most transparent by international observers that traversed the length and breadth of the country.

The Centre recalled the patriotic role played by the Nigerian Army, Department of State Service and other security agencies during the exercise; how it maintained sanity and integrity during the entire process.

CDCR, though, believes that this may be another grand plot by the opposition to discredit the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

After a careful analysis of the issues raised, the centre, however, the Centre concluded that the Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria is absolute falsehood and a figment of the author’s imagination.

The Centre for Democracy and Developmental Research, therefore, advised Nigerians to ignore the report and others in this same direction aimed to paint the current government in bad light.

Read full statement below:

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research is holding this press conference to put issues in proper perspective with regards to the allegations against the Nigeria Security Agencies by the US Department of State in its 2019 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria.

The report, amongst other things, alleged that there were high incidences of voters' intimidation by Nigerian security agents, including the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army, during the 2019 general elections. The report also alleged that these supposed acts fuelled the impression that the Nigerian Army worked for the success of the ruling All Progressives Congress during the general elections.

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research as a result of this wish to state that both local and international observers closely monitored the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and the Centre for Democracy and Development Research was amongst the accredited international observer groups that traversed the length and breadth of the country during and after the elections.

It is succinct to state that during the elections, the role of the Nigerian Army was invaluable in the sense that it was able to maintain sanity and integrity during the entire election period by ensuring that the activities of political thugs and others do not hamper the credibility of the elections in any way.

We also wish to state that the officers and men of the Nigerian Army indeed saved the day in the areas that were prone to violence. This undeniable fact was highlighted in our interim report after the elections, and we are consequently bewildered as to the source of the information of the US Department of State in its 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria.

The content of the report is indeed questionable and calls for concerns from all critical stakeholders because it is highly misleading and not an accurate representation of the facts on the ground with regards to the credibility of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

The Centre for Democracy and Developmental Research sees this attempt as futile and a deliberate attempt to question the authenticity of the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2019 general elections.

It is indeed worrisome to state that the content of the US Department of State 2019 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria strategically shares semblance with the narrative pushed forward by the opposition party that lost out at the elections.

This statement of fact can be further buttressed when the issues canvassed in the 2019 Country Report are put side by side with the plot by the opposition party to discredit the outcome of the elections before the international community.

We are therefore constrained to believe that the possibility of the US Department of State acting out the script of the opposition in Nigeria is very high and of reasonable suspicion, because its content and arguments are directed at the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research wishes to state that there was never a time it observed during the elections incidences of voters intimidation by the security agencies. There is also no basis for the unsubstantiated assumption that the Nigerian Army worked for the success of the ruling All Progressive Party at the elections.

We indeed wish to state that the reverse was the case as it still appears some foreign interests are still angry that the military and other security agencies stood against the underground plot by Nigeria's opposition and their external collaborators to destabilize Nigeria.

This is on the heels that the underground plot was to ensure that war broke out after the exercise in their attempt to seize power through the back door.

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research after a careful analysis of the issues raised and the elections it observed wishes to state that the 2019 Report on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria is absolute falsehood and, at best, a figment of the imagination of the authors.

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research wishes to inform members of the general public that indeed the plot to discredit the electoral victory of President Muhammadu Buhari is still rife and taken the international dimension with the 2019 Human Rights Practices Report in Nigeria as that example of that international dimension.

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research wishes to advise members of the unsuspecting general public to form the habit of disregarding reports of such nature as their motives are not always in the interest of Nigeria, but that of those that have elected to ensure that Nigeria disintegrates.

The Centre for Democracy and Development Research thanks all present and wishes to state that it shall be making public the outcome of its observations of the 2019 general elections for the consumption of the generality of the public.

Thank you for your time.

By Deborah Obeweh
 
In the history of terrorism and the fight against insurgency the world over, few countries are able to beat their chests to say they have succeeded in crushing terrorists in record time like Nigeria has done under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Since President Buhari promised during the inauguration of his administration to relocate the operational command of the armed forces to the areas ravaged by the activities of the insurgents, the world watched to see if the strategy could usher in a glimmer of hope in an asymmetrical war that has defied all known tactics for winning a conventional war.
This is because most who have been involved or have experienced insurgency and terrorism know how different it is from a conventional warfare and realize that it takes more than a sophisticated armory or superior firepower to crush.
World powers like the US and Russia have found out that the war against insurgents is different from a conventional war because, due to how it starts, is fought in a terrain better known by the insurgents.
The efficacy of weapons is therefore hampered by the undulating terrain like hills, valleys, forests and creeks; access to the fortresses of the insurgents is made difficult with laying of land mines and due to proximity to civilian settlements. There is also the inability of members of surrounding communities to cooperate with troops due to fear and lastly, peculiarity of the illogic the drives the insurgency.
All these factors affected the initial operations of Nigerian troops sent to fight the insurgents and like it happened to US troops in other countries, Nigerian troops were being ambushed and killed and many had to run to other countries for their safety.
Worse still, communities and local government were being captured and a sizeable part of the country was brought under the control of the insurgents.
But the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai as the chief of army staff in 2015 helped to changed all that; it raised the hope that Nigeria was about to do something different giving his approach and tactic towards the fight.
The Nigerian government had made a promise to end the scourge within a given time and Gen. Buratai resolved to achieve that.
Here was Nigeria, which had in the past admitted to not possessing modern weapons and a general lack of confidence haunting its troops now talking tough and giving a deadline for the defeat of insurgency.
And to the surprise of many nations, Nigeria was able to achieve and by December 2015, was able push the insurgents out of the territories they were occupying, destroy their weapons, set captives held by them free, liquidate many of their top commanders and pushing the insurgents to the fringes.
The world immediately took an interest in Nigeria because this is an area where many nations have failed.
The US an acclaimed world power failed woefully in several wars against terrorists and insurgency that it has come to learn to tread carefully when the issues in other nations bother on the twin evil.
Right form its intervention in Iraq to its recent in Syria, the strategy adopted by the US have not been that effective. This has not been helped by its meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign states or resort to different standards depending on the countries concerned.
Its intervention have been woeful that most times it is even blamed for escalating the crises in such countries as it happened in Iraq and Syria.
The Soviet Union had also not fared better when it comes to fighting terrorism,
It exhibited a lack of preparedness to fight counter-insurgency war when it went into Afghanistan.
It was reported that in 1985, Soviet forces lost 18 aircraft and 53 helicopters,  before the introduction of the Stinger shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles into the war.
In Somalia the US-led military operation in 1992–93 which culminated in the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3–4, 1993,  18 U.S. soldiers and hundreds of Somali militia fighters and civilians were killed.
Under international pressure, the UN humanitarian effort, known as Operation Provide Relief, arrived in Somalia in April 1992.Various Somali militias however disregarded the cease-fire that brought the UN intervention and engaged in extensive fighting as well as in large-scale hijacking and looting of international food convoys.
 
Hence the US proposed to the United Nations that American combat troops be sent to Somalia to protect aid workers which the UN accepted and on December 9, 1992, a force of about 25,000 U.S. troops began to arrive in Somalia.
The already unstable situation took a turn for the worse when 24 Pakistani soldiers were ambushed and killed while inspecting a weapons-storage facility.
On October 3, 1993, the U.S. forces in an attempt to capture Olympic Hotel in Mogadishu, where the targets were thought to be meeting went awry.
After 17 hours of continuous fighting, the surviving U.S. troops were finally rescued by an international force but the battle left 18 U.S soldiers dead and 84 wounded.
Soon after the incident at Mogadishu, the US withdrew all its troops from Somalia and a year later UN troops were also withdrawn, leaving the country engulfed in clan warfare.
This is in sharp contrast to what is taking place in Nigeria where within a short while after taking over, the Buhari administration crushed the erstwhile dreaded Boko Haram insurgents by taking the fight to their territories.
Within three months after Buratai moved troops to the theatre of war, the minister of information, Lai Mohamed announced that the insurgents were technically defeated and degraded.
This is because much success was recorded after troops were mobilized to enter right inside the fortresses of the terrorists at Sambisa Forest and the terrorists were fled and were reduced to launching attacks on soft targets to prove their existence.
Since 2015 when the current administration was inaugurated, so much effort was put in place to ensure the life of the citizenry is secured.
General Tukur Yusuf  Buratai on assumption of office got the troops ready for action and introduced reforms and  strategies which gave the military upper hand as they took the insurgents by surprise in their fortress which saw the Boko Haram terrorists running for dear lives.
Complaints about insufficient weaponry became a thing of the past as weapons were procured at speed and mobilized across the theatre of war.
There was confidence building as the low morale of the army gave way to high spirits as men and officers which under the previous dispensation were quitting due to lack of confidence became encouraged and fought in defense of their fatherland.
The military took the dreaded Sambisa forest and established a base at Camp Zairo as the insurgents on seeing superior fire power and war strategies surrendered and began to fight among themselves. 
Gwoza a local government headquarters  and 13 other local governments which were previously captured by the insurgents and designated the capital of the Caliphate were recaptured by Nigerian troops and its people liberated.
Local governments areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States that were under Boko Haran were liberated and the insurgents were pursued to precincts on the fringes of the Nigerian border and began to prey on soft targets to be able to eat
Much has been achieved with the release of the over hundred Chinok girls and return of the other set stolen from Dapchi within days.  This is a far departure from the attitude in the previous era when more than three weeks were wasted before the administration could even admit that some girls from Chibok were abducted.
Camps for Internally Displaced Persons IDPs were emptied as  more persons in such camps relocated to their recaptured communities living normal lives as before. 
 

Obeweh is a psychologist and wrote from GCU, London Campus, United Kingdom

Boko Haram/ISWAP: CALSER pays special tribute to COAS, Buratai's continued impressive coordination of troops' offensive against terrorists


The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has hailed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai for sustaining the momentum and intensity in the fight against terrorism.

CALSER paid special tribute to the Army Chief at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Nigerian Army recently announced remarkable success in anti-terrorism and anti-banditry operations across the country.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, noted that armed bandits, kidnappers and other sundry criminals were finding it difficult to operate in the country due to the increased onslaught of the troops against them.

CALSER, in a statement signed by President, Princess Ajibola, lauded the COAS whose steadfastness and dedication to the course has rubbed off on his gallant troops, evident in their recent outings.

According to the Centre, this “ is indeed an indication that the war against terrorism would indeed come to an end soon”.

It further revealed that “with the reports gathered, there has been tremendous progress that has seen to the rescue of innocent people, mostly women and children from the Boko Haram/ISWAO enclaves.

“This is indeed commendable and as such the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that the Nigerian troops have indeed proved that where there is a will there is always a way because, despite the various conspiracies against Nigeria in the war against terrorism, the Nigerian troops have always given the Boko Haram terrorists fatal and decisive blows in the war front. “

The Centre reckoned that this tremendous gains wouldn't have been possible without President Muhammadu Buhari's concerted effort to ensure that the security agencies are up and running with improved welfare and up to date operational equipment.

“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights salutes the resolve of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration for this display of patriotism and unalloyed commitment to Nigeria,” Princess Ajibola said.

CALSER, however, urged Lt. Gen Buratai not to take his foot off the pedal at this point, especially with the troops in an all-time high in terms of morale.

While charging Nigerians to rally behind the military, the Centre called on the African and international communities not to play ostrich and join hands with Nigeria in ridding the country of fleeing and heavily decimated insurgents.

This, the group declared, has become paramount as a bulk of the arms and ammunition used by the Boko Haram terrorists were supplied by foreign countries.

“ The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic also wishes to state that the war against terrorism requires all hands to be on deck in our quest to defeat terrorism. All Nigerians must stay united with the Military as they push for the final decimation of the Boko Haram terrorist group,” Princess Ajibola noted.

“ This is also calling on other African countries to intensify their resolve in the fight against terrorism in the African continent as it must be stated that the threats posed by terrorist organizations in the region is a collective threat as the effect would be felt across the region and ultimately affect our growth and development.

“This charge is also extended to the European Union to do all it can to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism by ensuring that it sanctions any of its member countries that sell arms and ammunition to the Boko Haram terrorist group.

“ This is indeed the time for African leaders to exhibit the true African spirit by join hands with Nigeria to defeat the remnants of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group. This much is necessary because the strategic importance of Nigeria in the African continent cannot be overemphasized.

“This is on the heels that the bulk of the arms and ammunition used by the Boko Haram terrorist were supplied from some European countries. It must be stated that it is not by mere coincidence that the Boko Haram group continue to enjoy the strategic support of some European countries.

“We wish to state that it is deliberate and a part of the grand plot by some foreign interest to destabilize Nigeria in fulfillment of their nefarious agenda. This is unacceptable and must be discontinued immediately.

“Nigeria shall be indeed great again. The leadership of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights salutes the courage of all Nigerians that have kept faith in the country for the labors of our hero's past shall never be in vain. “

By Evangelist Sunday Attah



A larger percentage of the world’s population lives below the poverty line. As nations grapple with how to overcome this, they are not spared from the further debilitating and catastrophic effects of other disasters that aggravate the pitiable conditions of the poor and even increasing their number. Due to this, there have been injunctions by the major religions on assisting the poor and coming to the aid of the needy. In Nigeria, while organizations and individuals have taken it upon themselves to intervene in various ways to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, the combined effect of natural and man-made disasters has emphasized the need for more of such efforts. Considering the enormity of the problems on ground, many have given up while others who have managed to remain and have had their resources drained.


The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was set up by the government to intervene in emergency situations and has been doing so over the years but with the coming of Engr. Mustapha Maihaja, there seems to be an understanding on the part of the agency that the role NEMA is supposed to play goes beyond living up to government’s mandate but to serve humanity and do the will of God. In the Bible, the question was asked, who should be considered a nieghbour and Jesus Christ responded with a parable of the good Samaritan in which the assistance of a foreigner categorized as an enemy qualified him to be regarded as the neighbour of the slain traveller who was ignored by his brothers and those supposedly close to him in his time of distress.

If the question, ‘who is your neigbour?’ is to be put to the very weak and poor in Nigeria today, regardless of religion, ethnic group or geo-political zone, the response would be unanimous: Maihaja.
This is because since the coming of Engr Mustapha Maihaja as the Director General of NEMA, the agency has responded to emergency situations and has moved swiftly to help the needy in a way that has qualified it to be seen as the neighbour of the poor, vulnerable and weak in the society.


The agency has been able to achieve these from the observation of analysts on four major fronts, namely, through its response to disasters and emergencies, constant reaching out to the distressed, providing succor to the weak and poor through social protection intervention measures.
In Deutronomy, the Bible says: “ For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land and in ACTS 20: 35 it says. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”


In Islam, the Hadith stated that Hadrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him) as saying, ”There are some servants of Allah the Almighty whom He has bestowed with special blessings by which they help His servants. As long as they help people with their wealth and influence, Allah the Almighty keeps bestowing His blessings on them. If anyone of them keeps away from helping people then Allah the Almighty withdraws His blessings from him and transfers it to some more deserving person. “ 


And according to Hadrat Abu Hurayra(Radiyallahu Anhu), Allah’s Messenger(peace be upon him): “Whoever relieves a believer of a difficulty from the difficulties of this world, Allah shall relieve for him a difficulty from the difficulties of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever lightens the burden of someone in difficulty , Allah shall lighten his burden in this life and the next.”
Disasters and emergencies as is well known are of two different kinds, but NEMA has positioned itself to take up the challenges with equal adroitness. The agency's response to natural disasters like flood and emergency situation caused by human activities like the insurgency in the North East have received high élan an commendation both within and outside the shores of the country.

In the former category, NEMA has shown sensitivity and concern to the plight of those ravaged by natural disasters that its intervention in the areas has so mitigated the effect of the disasters that the victims have been brought back to normal lives leaving no room for regrets.
It is common knowledge that in Nigeria, several communities in several states during the rainy seasons, are ravaged by floods due to heavy rains and release of water from some dams. This has usually leaves a large part of the population  in the throes of the devastation from loss of lives, homes and other property.
Several states in Nigerian including Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau and others are rendered homeless and citizens reduced to destitute.
But with the intervention of NEMA which lately has even gone head to take proactive steps by warning communities of likely floods and giving them adequate advice on preventive measures, much of the effect of the devastation has been reduced.


The agency has helped communities and individuals with relief material to return to their bases and start new lives without allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by the devastation of the disasters.
 
 
 
On the man made disasters especially the hardship caused by the effects of insurgency in the North eastern part of the country, the various initiatives employed by NEMA have had tremendous impact on the lives of those that have been affected by the crisis in the area. NEMA has been able to establish bases in terms of reaching out in several villages, communities, and hamlets with food items, clothes, medications and other relief materials that the impact of NEMA in North-East Nigeria has been commended in several fora in that regard.
Does this line of action also answer to a call? Yes. In Deutronomy 15:17 it says, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”
And in Islam it says, “Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan's brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord. (17:26 - 27).
 


Not done with that, the agency lately moved ahead and exercised its mandate to tackle humanitarian issues emanating from ecological devastation in the country.
This is one area that has been neglected in the past but with the coming of Maihaja, realizing the number of people affected and the effect on the general well being of the citizenry, NEMA took up the responsibility. NEMA’s Establishment Act empowers it to cover ecological problems hence the agency took up the mandate seriously as many parts of the country are suffering from ecological devastation.
The southern parts of the country suffer from erosion, the central part of the country suffers from the activities of miners and in the north there is the age long problem of desertification.
The intervention by NEMA has reduced the hardship caused by each or a combination of these disasters and has brought succour and relief to the communities and individuals living in these areas.
This also has a spiritual background as the Bible says in Proverbs 19: 17 that “ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed and in 1 John 3: 17-18, “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
In Islam, Safwan ibn Salim related that the Prophet said: “Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari) and Anas related that the Prophet said: If any Muslim plants something or sows seed from which a man, a bird or an animal eats, it counts as a charity for him. (Bukhari, Muslim)


NEMA under Maihaja has also reached out to the distressed. When Nigerians were being humiliated and put under harsh conditions for repatriation in Libya, the agency felt concerned and moved into action.
This has seen the agency participating in the repatriation and rehabilitation of Nigerian refugees from Libya through airlift of returnees from Tripoli to Port Harcourt, fact-finding negotiation mission to Libya, international and local media and publicity and others. The agency through its distribution of relief material to communities has helped in mitigating the suffering of the poor and the weak,
Again this lies at the background of the love for one another enjoined by the two major religions in Nigeria, proving that NEMA under Maihaja is God-sent.


Attah wrote this piece from Abuja.

Media Right Initiative and the Centre for Transparency and Public Accountability is suing the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the House, by asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, to order the Assembly give account of how it has spent it's Budgetary allocations and other finances, over the past six years.

The groups say they are suing the Lagos Assembly Speaker, Honorable Mudashir Obasa for failing to give account of how funds accruable to the Assembly, has been spent thorough the years in question, coupled with the monthly income and allowances of each member of the Assembly.

The group further unveiled its plan to approach the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos, on Thursday, to file the case, mandating the EFCC, to immediately commence an investigation into the financial conduct of the Assembly.

The groups said they are alarmed, by recent revelations of abuse of office, frivolous spendings, and are determined to let Lagosians know the extent of at which the State's procurement law, has been abused by the Lagos State house of Assembly, under the leadership of Honorable Obasa.

Meanwhile, the groups have engaged the services of Human rights Lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, a Lagos based Senior Advocate of Nigeria and other legal practitioners to prosecute its case against the Assembly.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice (CTJ) has aimed jibes at Amnesty International for failing to prove allegations of human rights abuses against the Nigerian Military before the presidential panel despite hiring a team of international lawyers.

The acclaimed humanitarian group had claimed it “received credible evidence that as the military regained control, more than 600 people, mostly unarmed recaptured detainees, were extra-judicially executed in various locations across Maiduguri”

However, AI's legal team were unable to backup this bogus allegation before the presidential panel and CTJ reckoned its the group's usual “campaign of calumny” against the gallant troops.

In a press conference briefing a statement signed by National Secretary, Barrister Abiodun Sodiq Babalola, on Monday, CTJ said it monitored the military's activities and found AI's claims to be totally false.

It further revealed that AI lawyers relied on “ newspaper reports and news items planted in the media as it was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the allegations were indeed genuine".

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, therefore, warned Amnesty International and its sponsored proxies to discontinue its propaganda of mischief against the Nigerian Military with immediate effect.

Failure to do so, however, the group said would attract the full wrath of Nigerians.

Read full report below:

The leadership of the Coalition for Truth and Justice welcomes you all to the important press conference in light of the allegations of human rights violations by the Nigerian Military in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and other militant groups in Nigeria.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice, as a critical stakeholder in the fight against terrorism and other militant activities in Nigeria, has monitored the activities of the Nigerian Military with regards to the use of force in the discharge of their various operations.

This is also on the heels that, in some quarters, clamors were rife that the Nigerian Military engages the use of maximum force, and grossly violates human rights in their various operations.

It is on record that the Federal Government of Nigeria had inaugurated an eight-man Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights' Obligations and Rules of Engagement in 2017.

We wish to state that this presidential investigative panel was mandated to "the review of extant rules of engagement applicable to Armed Forces of Nigeria and the extent of compliance thereto.

To investigate alleged acts of violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended; the Geneva Convention Act; the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, Ratification and Enforcement Act and other relevant laws by the Armed Forces in local conflicts and insurgencies.

"To investigate matters of conduct and discipline in the armed forces in local conflicts and insurgencies; "To recommend the means of preventing violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws in conflict situations, and to make further recommendations in line with these terms of reference as may be deemed necessary.

We consequently wish to state that Amnesty International in operation in Nigeria made over 150 submissions against the Nigeria Military through its lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) as well as some other international human rights lawyers to support their claims that the Nigerian Military has consistently violated human rights in its operations.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to state that the Presidential Investigative panel absolved the Nigerian Military of human rights violations as the brilliant lawyers engaged by Amnesty International could not prove that the Nigeria Military indeed violated human rights in their operations.

The lawyers relied on newspaper reports and news items planted in the media by Amnesty International as it was not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the allegations were indeed genuine.

We wish to state that since the countering of the claims of human rights violations by Amnesty International by the Presidential Investigative Panel, Amnesty International has elected to continue its campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Military using proxies.

We have it on competent authority on how Amnesty International is now sponsoring some local NGOs to run a campaign of calumny against the Military in recent times. This fact can be seen with the flurry of allegations on human rights violations against the Nigerian Military.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to inform the members of the general public that Amnesty International as an organization has been adequately mobilized by some enemies of Nigeria that are covertly sponsoring violence in Nigeria to continue to use its platform to distract and discredit the Nigerian Military, especially in this period that the Nigerian Military is making significant gains in the war against terrorism in North-East Nigeria and other parts of the country.

It is also on record that Amnesty International, in their usual fashion of making bogus and unsubstantiated claims on human rights violations, is primarily propelled by pecuniary benefits and not in the interest of human rights.

This trademark of Amnesty International is the order of the day in all the countries it is in operation. The insincerity of Amnesty International is indeed legendary with the fact that their activity is fraught with lies, deceit, selection bias, fraud, and as well as an ideology and foreign policy bias against either non-Western countries or Western-supported countries.
It is worthy of mention that countries such as Israel, Congo, China, and Chile to mention but a few have complained about Amnesty International's one-sided reporting, and failure to treat threats to security as a mitigating factor.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to use this medium to inform Nigerians that Amnesty International is a fraudulent international organization that does exactly what it accuses others of. Sufficing to mention that in February 2019, Amnesty International's management team offered to resign after an independent report by Konterra group found what it called a "toxic culture" of workplace bullying, as well as numerous evidence of bullying, harassment, sexism and racism in the organization.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice wishes to state in unequivocal terms that Nigeria, as a sovereign country, is duty-bound to protect its civilian population and is doing just that within the ambit of the law.

Nigerians are also duty-bound to see through the gimmick of Amnesty International and understand that its aim is nothing but to destabilize Nigeria just like it did in some countries. Nigerians must, in one voice, resist and rebuke the shenanigans of Amnesty International.

We consequently wish to use this medium to warn Amnesty International and its sponsored proxies to discontinue the campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Military with immediate effect.

Nigerians have indeed had enough of its nefarious activities. As such, it must desist from it or face the full wrath of Nigerians. Amnesty International must understand that Nigeria is not a banana republic, but one with extreme regard and respect for human rights in line with international humanitarian and human rights laws.

I thank you all for listening, and it is hoped that Amnesty International would heed to wise counsel at this material time as its destabilization plot has failed.

By Abubakar Tsav


The world is replete with very many tinges of experiences. A man’s bad deeds lives long after his demise, but his good deeds are interred with his bones. President Muhammadu Buhari accepted the burden of leading Nigeria at a time in its history every aspect of existence in the country was in extreme shambles.

It is repeating the obvious to say, the Military is the strength of every nation. The Army is its first treasured gold and hub of preserving and securing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a nation from external aggressors. The Army is the foremost in many ways and ought to pass fitness test all the times to respond to security emergencies.

Unfortunately, President Buhari met a Nigerian Army that was completely in disarray and neglected in infrastructural development; signposted by defaced and dilapidated barracks, ill-equipped armouries and populated by unprofessional and undisciplined soldiers. Worse of it all, the Nigerian Army was politicized, enmeshed in partisanship and polarized along Nigeria’s faultlines of ethnicity, religion and regionalism.

Equally saddening was the reality that Nigerian soldiers who were formally famed nationally and globally for their gallant exploits in wars and Peace-Keeping Missions could no longer boast of such accomplishments. Even combating the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and other insurrections in the country was a big challenge to soldiers. Troops disgracefully faltered many times on the battlefield in the face of enemy forces.

The dignity of the Nigerian Army was rubbished by a basketful complaints of favoritism in postings, stalled promotions, unpaid salaries, denial of basic allowances, poor or non-existent welfare packages; lack of motivational incentives to soldiers deployed on special assignments on Internal Security (IS), absence of a reward system for excellence, brazen abuse of Rules of Engagement (ROE), widespread professional misconduct and constant mutinies.

In effect, Nigeria operated and paraded a demoralized and depressed Army, where promotions were earned based on a soldier’s link or affinity with the President or other top notchers in Government. A soldier’s hard work was not recognized and appreciated with a promotion as reward for excellence unless he either knows ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo or former President Goodluck Jonathan, the serving Presidents of Nigeria at that time.

Military Guard rooms were looking better than barracks where soldiers and their families were living. Army offices across the country were pigsties, and like dwelling places for animals.

The most fatal blow on the Nigerian Army was the deep-seated issue of religion and ethnicity. They became strong factors in the force to the extent that it gravely affected the operations of the Army as an institution; shattered the coherence and the cord of comradeship among soldiers. Infinitely politicized, the Nigerian Army was more enthusiastic in performing political duties than their constitutionally assigned professional roles.

So, officers and soldiers had redirected their loyalty and patriotism to specific political parties which their brothers and sisters professed. It was not to Nigeria, the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army leadership or field Commanders. The productivity of soldiers was on a steady, generous and dangerous decline in a sphere of the Nigerian Army operations.

President Buhari could not accept the eroded values and degradation of the Nigerian Army. He knew he owes Nigerians and the Nigerian Army a sacred obligation to change its status of a degenerated Army to a responsive, responsible and professional Army.

But the President needed a marksman for the job. Thus, came the appointment of Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, as the Chief of Army Staff and leader of the Counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria. The COAS was briefed by his Commander-In-Chief on the task at hand. But ab initio, Gen. Buratai was also aware that he needed a standard Nigerian Army to deploy as solution to the countless security challenges which were tormenting the nation.

Having carved a niche for himself as a professional soldier of enviable standing, Gen. Buratai, also a notable administrative guru, launched far-reaching reforms and innovations in the Nigerian Army. And he followed their implementation reverently and meticulously.

Within a short time, the Army began to recover its lost glory and trampled shadows. Today, and with every sense of pride, the narrative of the institution of the Nigerian Army has changed for the better. Its reputation has soared incredibly. It is attested by the sustained successes of troops over Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in the Northeast; soldiers' professional candour, discipline and adherence to the appropriate code of service loyalty anywhere they serve.

And as long as Gen. Buratai is on the saddle, he has maintained the tempo and is improving it with each passing day. One can assert with certainty, that so long as Gen. Buratai continues to remain on the saddle, the Nigerian Army will keep getting better and excelling in all tasks assigned to it, as it sails gradually to the destination of perfection.

A peep into Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the Nigerian Army shows a pleasing reversal of all the aforementioned odds and negativities, which demoralized, afflicted and hindered our soldiers from performing their professional duties. He has succeeded in insulating our soldiers from partisan politics. Even when on Election Duty, soldiers remained apolitical and neutral in the exercise of their duties as recently confirmed by the Ebonyi state Governor, Chief David Umahi while assessing the Army’s participation in the 2019 general elections.

Salaries and allowances of troops are paid regularly and promptly; almost every Army Barrack in the country has undergone renovation; new offices have been built for the Army and old ones renovated; the reward system based on excellence has been restored and very active. Even on the battlefield, Gen. Buratai decorates soldiers who have displayed exceptional courage and gallantry in terrorism combats.

Soldiers need not to know Mr. President or have affinity with him to have their promotions effected and timely. All that is required of a soldier is his loyalty, dedication to duty and hard work to earn what he deserves.

Army Hospitals have been animated and stocked with drugs and other modern medical equipment for soldiers and their families. In -service training of soldiers is open to all indiscriminately and once a soldier qualifies or is due for refresher courses, he does not lobby anybody to get the approval. New training institutions like the Nigerian Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, Biu have been established under the leadership of Gen. Buratai.

Gen. Buratai has introduced multiple incentive packages for the Nigerian Army. These are initiatives that ginger performance enhancement for soldiers. Interestingly, the Army Chief has repositioned the Nigerian Army in a manner that it has developed its internal capacity to contribute to the economic development agenda of the present political leadership of Nigeria under President Buhari.

Besides establishing new Army Divisions and Units, Gen. Buratai’s leadership has ventured into economic initiatives like the Nigeria Army Farm and Ranches; the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Development Limited; the Command Engineering Depot; the Nigerian Army Property Limited and the Nigerian Army Welfare Guarantee Limited among others. These economic concerns are the first in the history of Nigerian Army and designed to serve both the Army and the Nigerian public.

Therefore, the arrival of President Buhari on the leadership podium of Nigeria and the right choice of Gen. Buratai as the COAS have been the saving grace of the Nigerian Army, which was fast sinking into oblivion. The duo have remained the best thing to have ever happened to the Nigerian Army.

Every soldier today looks at himself with pride and dignity. Troops no longer shirk at the warfront, but fight the enemies even at the cost of their lives. It is not controvertible that the Nigerian Army today stands as one of the best in Africa. There is every optimism that it can still be the best in considering the various limitations in terms of technology. Nigerians believe it can be the overall in the world one day and Gen. Buratai can make it possible as evident in his determination to leave a legacy for the nation.



Tsav who was Commissioner of Police in Lagos and served at the Public Complaints Commission, Abuja wrote from Makurdi, Benue State.

The North East Peace Advocates have showered praises on President Muhammadu Buhari and Engr Mustapha Y. Maihaja for restoring transparency and accountability to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The group made this known in a strategic report to appraise emergency management after a thorough study of NEMA's activities in the North-East with regards to crisis management.

In the report signed by President, Comrade Bitrus Ali on Sunday, the group hailed the Director-General for inch-perfect interventions in mitigating the suffering of internally displaced persons in the North-East.

The North East Peace Advocates observed NEMA’s strong presence in villages, communities, and hamlets, all thanks to Maihaja's reforms structured in line with best global practices in disaster and emergency management.

According to the group, this wouldn't have been possible without President Buhari's willpower who has displayed an extraordinary commitment to addressing disasters and emergencies in Nigeria through the appointment of Maihaja.

The North East Peace Advocates, however, advised ministries, departments, and agencies in the country to emulate the accountability and transparency in NEMA's operations.

While urging President Buhari to honour Maihaja, the group admonished the NEMA DG not to rest on his laurels.

Read full report below:

Introduction:

The management of disasters and emergencies in Nigeria has taken a front burner in recent times. In some quarters, it has been stated that the relevant agencies responsible for the management of disasters and emergencies in Nigeria have been lackadaisical.

Consequently, questions have been asked as to the effectiveness of the National Emergency Management Agency in the management of disasters and emergencies in Nigeria since the advent of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in 2015.

The North East Peace Advocates, an organization dedicated to the entrenchment of peace in North-East Nigeria, undertook a study of the activities of NEMA in North-East Nigeria with regards to the management of the crisis in the region.

It deployed a team of researchers to the three senatorial districts in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states with the mandate of assessing the situation on ground with regards to the emergency management and responses by NEMA to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Duration/Limitations:

This research work spans seven months, and the researchers were mainly hampered by communication challenges that were overcome through the assistance of local tour guides.

The objective of Research:

The overarching aim of the Research was to examine the various interventions of NEMA in mitigating the suffering of internally displaced persons in North-East Nigeria as a result of the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis.

Core Issues:

In the course of the Research, across the three senatorial districts in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa state, the unanimous verdict was that of excellent service delivery by officials of NEMA whose presence in the affected communities visited is paramount.

It was observed that NEMA officials were divided into teams in each community, and each team leader has the power to make quick decisions without having to wait for approval from the leader of the delegation at the local government level.

The same applies to the head of the delegation having the powers to make decisions without waiting for approval from the state coordinator of NEMA in the various states.

It was also observed that a regime of transparency and accountability is in place with the various monitoring and implementation mechanism put in place since the present Director General of NEMA came on board.

Our researchers were able to identify the emphasis on accountability in the discharge of their duties, and this much has seen to the rise of the effective management of the crisis in the region. The various initiatives employed by NEMA have a tremendous impact on the lives of those that have been affected by the crisis in the area.

It was also observed that NEMA has a strong presence in villages, communities, and hamlets. Most of the areas visited by our team of researchers had imprints of NEMA no matter how remote such settlements were.

There is also in place a feedback mechanism that assesses the operation of NEMA in every local government area, usually reviewed by NEMA officials from the headquarters, who routinely visits locations where NEMA is in operation. The director-general is also a member of the review and assessment committee.

Conclusion:

The North East Peace Advocates upon completion of the research work comes up with the following conclusions:

That the director-general of NEMA has been able to institutionalize the process at NEMA, and this has seen to an enviable level of accountability and transparency in its operations.

The impact of NEMA in North-East Nigeria is indeed commendable given the manner its operations are structured in line with best global practices in disaster and emergency management.

That the director-general of NEMA has indeed displayed quality leadership strides that have affected the operations of NEMA positively.

That the preparedness of NEMA in addressing disasters and emergencies in North-East Nigeria is topnotch and should be replicated across the country.

That the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed displayed an extraordinary commitment to addressing disasters and emergencies in Nigeria through the appointment of a dedicated professional who has hit the ground running since assumption of office.

That the level of transparency and accountability in the operations of NEMA should be replicated in all ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria.

Recommendations:

The North East Peace Advocates recommends that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari continue in this fashion with regards to the operations of NEMA.

The director-general must not rest on his oars in ensuring that disasters and emergencies in Nigeria are adequately managed.

That the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari commends the director general of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja for the excellent job he is doing in NEMA.

NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA CHARGES 2020 JAMB CANDIDATES TO BE GOOD AMBASSADORS OF NIGERIA

As the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination  (UTME) commences nationwide on Saturday,  14th March 2020, The Leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged the candidates taking part in the examination to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, by conducting themselves according to the laid down rules and to the highest ethical standards as future leaders of the country.

This was contained in a goodwill message to candidates made available to newsmen and signed by the National Vice President (North Central)  of the NYCN.  Amb. Akoshile Mukhtar and his team during an inspection of one center’s each from the Six geo Political Zones of the Country. At the Navy Boys Secondary school Ogun State, the Council was pleased with their level of preparation and the same at the  Government College Kefi. Quoting the late Nelson Mandela,  the NYCN reminded the candidates that “education is the most powerful weapon with which you can change the world while noting that the Nigeria of our dreams will be squarely dependent on the quality of the products of our educational system.

The statement went on to call on the candidates “not to take their responsibilities as future leaders with levity, as the significant challenges of a 21st century multi-plural country like Nigeria rests on their shoulders,  even as the rest of Africa looks to Nigeria for direction”.

The leadership of the Council expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of JAMB, “having carefully monitored the process and discreetly interacted with various stakeholders in preparation to monitor the conduct of the examination nationwide”. The statement concludes that JAMB,  under the leadership of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has come to body the spirit of a new Nigeria along the lines of the vision of President Muhammadu,   providing a world-class examination service at a lower cost than in years past while making unprecedented remittances of excess funds to the Nigerian treasury”.

Lawyers draw battle line with Senate over Armed Forces Commission Bill

No fewer than 350 lawyers across the country have vowed to resist any attempt by the Senate to pass the proposed Armed Forces Commission Bill into law.

Sponsored by the lawmaker representing Abia-South, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the bill, among others, claims to address the lopsided appointment of heads of security agencies by the president.

If passed, it will whittle down the President’s powers and hand it over to the legislative arm while also establishing the Armed Forces Service Commission.

The Senate’s Minority Leader and others connected with the said bill have come under serious criticism, the latest being legal practitioners under the aegis, Lawyers Initiative for Democratic Advocacy (LIDA).

In a letter signed by Director of Communication, Ekpa Stanley Ekpa and addressed to Senate President Ahmed Lawan, on Wednesday, the group declared that as legal practitioners, it is their duty to ensure that the rule of law, justice and separation of powers are upheld for the betterment of the ordinary citizens”.

It revealed that the Armed Forces bill goes against their mission, describing it as “obnoxious, repulsive and satanic, targeted at reducing the Nigerian Armed Forces into a mushroom assemblage that can be easily subjected to political interference”.

The group argued that it is the lofty duty of the Federal Character Commission to enforce the Federal Character Principle and not that of the Senate and if passed the bill would lead to several administrative crises among the various bodies involved.

The lawyers, therefore, warned it “ will resist any attempt by narcissist elements within and outside the country to assail and defile our sacrosanct Constitution”.

It added that the bill will serve no useful purpose for the development of Nigeria.

A civil rights organisation, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria, on Wednesday embarked on a solemn protest to the Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja protesting against the sack of the former acting Director General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi FIIRO Lagos, Dr Chima Igwe. The protesters described the sack as illegal.

The Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Ayodeji Emmanuel, who led others while speaking at entrance of the Ministry called on the Minister of Science and technology, Dr Ogbonaya Onu to immediately relieve the newly appointed ag DG of the Institute, Dr Yemisi Asagbra of her appointment, accusing her and some management team members, of being responsible for the crisis, which has rocked the Institute over the past few months.

According to Ayodeji, the sacking of the Igwe and his subsequent replacement by the governing board of the Institute violates every principles of justice, equity and fairness as he asserted, that Chima Igwe has been previously subjected to several investigations by the Ministry and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offenses Commission ICPC in the past, and given a clean bill of health.

Recall that the sacked ag DG, Chima Igwe has been embroiled in controversies surrounding his Doctorate degree, which the Unions at the Institute alleged, that he never possessed. This led to several investigations and series of Industrial action and the most recent being another pronouncement by the ICPC, which the governing board of the Institute, based its decision to sack Igwe upon.

A petition to the minister, Senate Committee on Science and technology, Secretary to the government of the federation and others were later by the group.

The group further demanded a probe into the activities of the Unions who were involved in crisis, and an alleged underhand dealing between the new ag DG of Institute, Yemisi Asagbra and some officials of the Lagos office of the ICPC.
It also asked the Federal government to confirm Chima Igwe, as the substantive Director General of the Institute, as it described his as a competent and transparent administrator, whose record are viable enough to provide quality leadership to FIIRO.

By Dan Amor

As expected, the usually selfish and self-centred Upper Chamber of the Nigerian bi-camera legislature took its peculiar joke too far on Tuesday March 3, 2020. In a brutally caustic display of the game of the ostrich, the double-faced Janus who is the Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, sponsored a bill whose sole aim is to cut the powers of President Muhammadu Buhari as duly enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The proposed law is mischievously centred on the appointment of the service chiefs of the nation's military arms. Tagged: "Armed Forces Service Commission And Other Related Matters 2020", the bill has passed its first reading on the floor of the Red Chamber.

If it scales through, the bill would transfer the appointing power of Mr. President of the service chiefs to a commission which would advise the Commander-in-Chief on the appointment of the Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector General of Police, Director of Military Intelligence and heads of other arm-bearing security agencies such as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service, etcetera. What this means is that the President would cease to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is invariably a usurpation of the power exercisable by the President under Section 218 of the Constitution under the guise of federal character.

In the face of mounting security challenges, the country cannot afford to witness another round of altercations between the Executive and the Legislature. The 8th Senate could not boast of any meaningful achievement due largely to its belligerent posture and selfish attitude to the business of lawmaking. One had thought that with the rapprochement between it and the Executive arm of government before and after the 2019 elections, the Senate would jettison its previous fighting and individualistic spirit and choose the path less followed in order for the country to move forward. The current step being taken by the Senate is unarguably an ill wind that will blow no one no good. You would recall that the leadership of the 8th Senate waged several unwarranted battles against the executive, from the Presidency to almost all the ministers and heads of security agencies.

Col. Hameed Ali (retd), the Comptroller General of Customs was roundly distracted by a vainglorious Senate that was determined to strip him of his portfolio when he was literally cajoled to appear before it with his uniform. The Senate also had a running battle with the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris who completely snubbed the Red Chamber's summons on four consecutive occasions. The 8th Senate also bluntly rejected the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. With the Presidency, the 8th Senate had a stand-off over issues like the electoral act bill which was rejected four times; the control of resources in states by the Federal Government; perennial delays in the passage of annual budgets and the phenomenon of padding of budgets.

Yes, Nigeria is saddled with enormous responsibilities as a largely heterogenous and vast country and as a regional power in West Africa. Most of the self-inflicted injuries we have had to live with as a nation were foisted on us by our leaders. With the oil boom of the 1970s shortly after the civil war, some of our national leaders in different fields spoke as if, on the continental scene, we were omnipotent, invulnerable, unchallengeable. Our head of state then, General Yakubu Gowon was even reported to have said that Nigeria's problem was not how to make money but how to spend it. This was hubris of the highest order and was the beginning of the free-for-all looting of our national patrimony into private pockets and the attendant failure to build a strong and virile national economy. We are far from being omnipotent. There are vast problems in Africa that we did not cause and which we are powerless to resolve. It is, in fact, more realistic to speak of some trying African conditions not as problems - which implies that there are solutions - but as conditions, which will change in time in ways that we cannot now foresee. We are not invulnerable, nor is any country in the world armed with nuclear weapons.

Our military and our economic strength have fluctuated relative to that of both friendly and hostile nations. Neither are we completely shielded from the impact of great economic shifts, as both the oil crisis orchestrated by the recent Coronavirus scare and the impressive economic performance of a few countries have confirmed. We are not unchallengeable, as both individual and state terrorism have both revealed to all observers. The challenges the country is faced with, which President Buhari is painstakingly addressing are what he inherited from previous administrations. The Senate therefore has no right to add salt to the injury. Every Commander-in-Chief the world over, has the constitutional powers to hire and fire his service chiefs. Nigeria cannot be an exception.

The Senate President Ahmed Lawan and the Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe, therefore, cannot usurp President Buhari's powers on this score. We have responsibilities, but they are not indefinite. It is the responsibility of the Senate to lead the good people of this country to reinvent the State as an organic political institution. The Nigerian State need to be made more efficient, more responsive and more united. We actually need to embark on massive public enlightenment programmes that would encourage the people to take their citizenship responsibilities more seriously. The Senate being an assembly of the elected representatives of the people should lead in this campaign rather than encouraging separatist gang ups against the system. The nature of Nigerian politics at the moment gives cause for grave concern. Political contestations seem to be regarded here as the equivalent of warfare.

This politics of the winner takes all and the loser loses everything must be halted. This is the root of violence during elections. Senators should discourage the humongous allowances they corner into their pockets at the expense of the people. The character of our political parties is the major problem confronting our society today. Aside from the death of ideology, there is a total breakdown of discipline and lack of focus in all the political parties. Many of the political parties whose leaders are in the Senate cannot articulate issues that would ameliorate the plight of ordinary Nigerians nor do they possess the wherewithal to curb the excesses of their members. Our Senate leaders know all this but because they are swimming in endemic corruption, they cannot save the situation. They only attack policies that don't favour their clannish self-centred hegemony.

Our greedy senators attack one another on all fronts over all manner of issues especially those bordering on sharing of looted funds. They insult the leadership of their parties without restraint and they viciously insult their party leaders over issues they themselves should help solve. Occasionally, they declare free for all on the floor of the Senate over flimsy excuses all bordering on parochial self interests. Among our gullible senators, issues that concern the future of the country are never discussed. The insecurity threatening to engulf the entire country does not mean anything to them. This is why they can stop at nothing to antagonize the service chiefs at a time when they are supposed to be given a pat on the back. It is said in certain circles that the Senate President has sold out to the separatist agenda of those who want to mortgage the unity of Nigeria for a pot of peppersoup. If the 8th Senate had a frosty relationship with the Presidency and the citizens paid dearly for it, must the 9th Senate continue in this belligerent and stultifying social order? Nigeria will definitely survive any kind of gang up. Ask Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Amor is Vice Chairman, Editorial Board of TheNigerian News.

Why I will be a patriot, not a terrorist! Rendition of a poem!

By Best Agbese

The COAS, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai is a bundle of talents. A famed soldier, he is also a consummate and prolific poet. General Buratai selects his poetic themes carefully and dwells on very touchy contemporary issues. He infuses into his poetry very powerful emotions while crafting his thoughts.

In a poetic piece titled; "Are You A Terrorist?," General Buratai examined the wretched and rustic life of a terrorist. He identifies actions or concealed inactions of seeming onlookers which bear trademarks of terrorism.

In the opening stanza, the poet begins with series of rhetorical questions. He presents and compares two general lifestyles at the disposal of the terrorist.

One portrays the beauty of an alluring life, in a normal world a terrorist denies himself. He contrasts it with the ignoble beast- like and lonely life he imposes on himself by living with chirruping birds and dangerous reptiles in forests, caves and mountains, perpetually dreading his shadows.

He writes; "Living in the jungle or in the city?/ The city in everyday life embodies all the niceties and comfort life can offer. In this realm of normality, there are limitless opportunities of comfort and a prosperous life for the individual.

And the next line again asks the terrorists whether he prefers a squalid life, "In the market place or in the park?/Roaming the city streets or the bush paths?"

While the poet portrays two worlds, the stanza intimates that the terrorist foist on himself, life of squalor and misery, even when he kisses the city gates. He is a tout for chosing the life of blood and destructions and so, denies himself of the goodies of existence.

The poet proceeds to mock the terrorist's imposition of deprivations on himself. He writes; "Breaking terror news from a reporter;" because a terrorist is the harbinger of bad news; he pleasures in propagating gory pictures of victims of his sadism.

The poet sermonizes that a terrorist is very scared to break his own news freely like other normal human beings. This in itself alludes to his mental derangement.

It is explicable because he is cursed by a cruel fate. That terrorists also deprive themselves of the pleasures life offers by satanic wickedness is alluded in this verse; "Or breaking hearts in the worship places?" Even in sacred places, they exhibit their satanism.

And in the third stanza, the poet parodies the convictions of the terrorist, as he says; "Are you a terrorist?"

He continues by challenging the guts and might of a terrorist who swims in false illusion about the defeat of humanity by atrocious acts. He says a terrorist is an slowpoke and feeble-minded, "Who believes all others not of him are lost? /Or he who believes those who fight."

And the poet submits reassuringly that a terrorist erroneously believes troops who battle them in trenches,
"In defence of citizens have no faith?/ A cause and a patriotic faith they have." Now, the poet goes into outright deriding of terrorists, who in the mindset of the poet are paperweight in the battles they start.

In the next stanza, the poet comes out more forcefully against terrorists misconceptions and ideological bent. Permanently relying on the style of repetition, he again asks; "Are you a terrorist?," The poet thinks, terrorists are effiminate warriors who are barren of valour to face real gallant men like Nigerian troops on the battlefield.

Rather, they sneak in the dead of the night to unleash violence on helpless women, children and their aged parents, only to lay false claims to bravity. But they are nothing other than cowards who scamper at the sight of battle with troops too many times.

The poet explains further that the terrorist is a cursed fighter, "Who sees only one course to his ascendancy/Or who provides many reasons to blame/Those patriots that daily sacrifice for the nation?"

Having drenched the soul of the terrorists in ascerbic tirades and invectives, he migrates to innuendic allusion to sympathizers and agents of terrorists. Searching their ungodly souls, the poet descends heavily on the dead consciences of these set of another children of Adam and Eve obviously under a curse.

He asks, "Are you a terrorist?/
Who remains mute when the enemy strikes/ The innocent but blames the patriotic/Forces without offering any civic hand?"

Terrorists agents and sympathisers who display pretentious empathy for the nation under the spell of terrorism exposes themselves wittingly. According to the poet, their antics are not only known, but the message is conveyed very poignantly by their silence in the face of action to appease the wailing blood of the innocent crying for justice.

The poet campaigner is saying it is absolutely nonsensical to blame troops when Boko Haram accomplices either cleverly encourage terrorism by reneging to enlist in the fight or project a perforated sense of patriotism.

There is a lengthy scolding of disparate categories of veiled shadowy existence of terrorists in many subsisting sub-sets who pose as saints. While the poet tries as much as possible not to offend their sensibilities, he repeats same question; "Are you a terrorist?"

And he provides answers,an indication from the answers that terrorists sympathisers function in a wild range, which include those "Who supports the enemy's propaganda/ Or who attacks the patriots' genuine psychological operations/Or who condemns policies toward solutions?"

Perusing the poets mind, it connotes that a terrorist includes that politician who kicks against Government policies designed to end terrorism or the cronies he recruits for this purpose. They include the formal and informal pen pushers who regales in hyping or celebrating terrorists publicity stunts. They are all guilty of cyberspace terrorism, the poet mutters mildly.

And the next stanza explains it more pungently and heartingly. In the last phase of the repetition,"Are You A Terrorist?," the poet punctures this issue which obsesses his mind all day and every minute, as he crafts the poem.

He thunders condescendingly and condemnably on allies of terrorists. The poem asks unreservedly and asserts that by your actions, you have affinity with terrorists if you are the personality, "Who is quick to spread the fake news?"

Or the type who is eager to "Spread any adverse news on the patriots?/
Or who always finds faults of the patriots/ In the fields or in their abodes."

The overriding preoccupation of the poet is to examine the operative nuaunces of terrorists and terrorism. Through a unique poetic style of repetition, an impressive use of the stream of consciousness and mastery of diction, he finely conveys a contemporary message on terrorism which touches every heart penetratively.

The poet fruitfully counsels all not only to resent terrorists and abhor terrorism, but always be a patriot and never a terrorist.#


Agbese, a patriot and PhD student at University of Dundee, wrote from Scotland.

An ex-serviceman, Major Atawodi Achile (retd), has alerted President Muhammadu Buhari over the implication of the proposed Armed Forces Bill by the Senate if passed into law.

The erstwhile military officer made this known in an open letter to President Buhari, where he described sponsors of the bill as forces after the soul of Nigeria.

Major Achile, a former serviceman under the Nigerian Army and now security expert, said it is “irrational, abberrational, inchoate, corrosive, abuse of legislative powers and traduces military tradition” for the National Assembly to embark in such path.

According to him, the NASS is being instigated by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and others interested in overthrowing the current administration and truncating the nation's democracy.

The veteran warlord, however, urged the president to take “decisive actions to checkmate the veiled infiltration of our National Assembly by foreign forces and agents in furtherance of the destabilization plots against Nigeria”.

Read full letter below:


Compliments of the season to you and members of your cabinet. We salute you for the steadfastness and resoluteness of your administration in confronting the monstrous insecurities in Nigeria.

I solicit the support and cooperation of every Nigerian to your administration in these difficult and delicate times. We believe you are the Biblical Peter on whose rock God wishes to redeem and rebuild Nigeria.

Sir, you are aware of a Bill pending in the Senate for establishment of Armed Forces Service Commission, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia).

The contents of the proposed legislation seeks to wrest the sacred powers and authority conferred on you by the 1999 Constitution Section 217 and 218 for the composition, appointment and termination of services of Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria by vesting it in a Commission.

The Bill expressly states that the Commission shall have the powers to recommend to you or whoever is the President those qualified for appointment as Service Chiefs and Heads of other arm-bearing security agencies in Nigeria.

The offensive Bill also contemplated to imbue the Commission with the powers to recommend to the President the removal from office of these Service Chiefs and Heads of other arm-bearing security agencies on flimsy excuses or what members of the commission deem offensive.

We find such provisions irrational, abberrational, inchoate, corrosive, abuse of legislative powers and traduces military tradition. This is a serious attempt to unlawfully erode the powers of the Presidency and make the appointment of Service Chiefs and termination of same susceptible to manipulation by political musketeers.

There is nowhere in the world that a President recognized as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will have his powers in full exercise of this authority severed or stripped from him and quarantined in a strange body through a legislation.

Mr. President sir, I want to put you on notice that the National Assembly is being instigated by one Senator Abaribe and a few conspirators into unwholesome actions. It is another clandestine attempt to overthrow your government and truncate our democracy.

I plead with you not to handle the matter with kid glooves; but take decisive actions to checkmate the veiled infliltration of our National Assembly by foreign forces and agents in furtherance of the destabilization plots against Nigeria. Beware that the National Assembly has offered itself as a cheap plank for triggering disaffection, disunity and crisis in the country.

Thank you, sir, for your kind audience.

*Armed Forces Commission: 200 CSOs unanimously reject bill being considered by Senate as invitation to anarchy*

No fewer than 200 civil society organizations, on Tuesday, unanimously rejected the proposed Armed Forces Commission Bill, describing it as an “invitation to anarchy”.

Led by Comrade Ogenyi Okpokwu, the double century CSOs, under the aegis of Parliament Watch, made its stand known at the end of a one-day Town Hall meeting at the Confereence Hall, Top Rank Hotel, Abuja.

In a communique signed by Comrade Danelsi Momoh, Comrade Kabir Dallah and two others, the CSOs said the National Assembly have not shown interest of the nation at heart after the bill scaled first reading on the floor.

The bill, according to the group, is “retrogressive and an attempt to undermine the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces”.

The CSOs further resolved that the NASS is acting against the interest of the country and heating up the polity for anarchy.

Having exhaustively analysed the said bill, the Parliament Watch concluded that it is “not in the overall interest of Nigeria and as such it is unacceptable for lacking in merit in its entirety”.

It, however, warned the NASS to avoid undermining the office of the President, the nation's constitution and a reverend institution like the Armed Forces.

Read full communique below:

Introduction:

The Parliamentary Watch is a Civil Society Organization that is devoted to the preservation of emerging democracies through the contributions of the parliament in Nation Building. It has, over the years, monitored the parliament and made tangible interventions in times of critical concern as it relates to issues of National Interest.

The Parliamentary Watch as an organization has continuously kept the parliamentary arm of government in check through numerous advocacies that have, over the years, entrenched our nascent democracy with the overarching objective of ensuring that our parliamentarians stay through to the ideals of democracy.

The Issues and Deliberations:

The Parliamentary Watch at its one-day town hall meeting deliberated on the activities of the National Assembly with regards to the robustness of its deliberations vis-à-vis the introduction and passage of bills that are of national concern.

There was an extensive deliberation of some of the new bills introduced by the National Assembly, and the impact such bills, when passed into law, would have on the overall wellbeing of the country.

One such Bill that attracted the attention of the members in attendance is the “Armed Forces Service Commission (Est.) Bill 2020 (SB 362)”. According to the Bill, the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Director of Military Intelligence and heads of other arm-bearing security agencies shall be appointed subject to recommendations by the Senate.

The Bill is advocating that the Armed Forces Service Commission shall have the power to approve the promotion of officers as heads of military formations/branches such as General Officers Commanding Divisions of the Nigerian Army and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, amongst a host of others.

The Resolutions:

The Parliamentary Watch after extensive deliberations came up with the following resolutions:

Members of the Parliamentary Watch unanimously agreed that the National Assembly has not proven that it has the interest of Nigeria at heart with the Bill slated for Second reading of the floor.

That the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission bill is retrogressive and an attempt to undermine the powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as stipulated in Chapter Six, Section 2 (1) (2)

That the National Assembly is strategically acting against the interest of Nigeria by playing to the gallery in an attempt to arrogant executive powers to itself.

That Armed Forces Service Commission Bill is a call for anarchy in Nigeria and to subject Nigeria to public ridicule among the comity of Nations.

That Bill is an affront to the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That the Armed Forces Service Commission bill lacks merit in its conceptualization and its provisions are against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and an attempt to rewrite history through unconventional means.

That the National Assembly through the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission Bill is attempting to reduce Nigeria to a Banana republic where they can subject their whims and caprices on Nigerians unpatriotically.

Conclusion:

The Parliamentary Watch at the end of the one-day town hall meeting convoked to assess the merit and demerits of the proposed Armed Forces Service Commission as a result of this concludes that the Bill is not in the overall interest of Nigeria as a country and as such it is unacceptable for lacking in merit in its entirety for the following reasons:

That the Armed Forces as a highly sensitive and strategic institution constitutionally mandated to defend Nigeria from external aggression and maintaining its territorial integrity and sovereignty should not and cannot be subjected to the whims and caprices of politicians and against National Interest.

That Section 218 Subsection 1 and 2 expressly states that “the powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall include power to determine the operational use of the Armed Forces of the Federation; (2) power to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the Armed Forces of Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.”


Recommendations:

The Parliamentary Watch herby makes the following recommendations:

That the National Assembly must save its face from this despicable attempt at usurping the powers of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces with regards to the appointment of Service Chiefs in the country.

That the National Assembly must desist from the attempt to destroy a strategic National and Professional Asset that has stood the test of time since the creation of Nigeria.

That the National Assembly must not lose sight of its functions as clearly spelled out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and which must align with the strategic goals of ensuring growth and sustainable development

That the National Assembly must realize that its role in the Nigerian setting is to enact laws that would serve the overall interest of the country and not bills that suit their purpose and fulfills their desires and interests.

That the Armed Forces must not be dragged into politics as it is critically engaged in sensitive internal security assignments that requires all level of concentration in the light of the politically sponsored security challenges in the country.

Don’t succumb to plans to destabilize Nigeria, Diaspora group warns Senate over bill on Armed Forces Commission


Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group United Kingdom (NDMG-UK) has charged the Senate not to allow itself to be used as an agent to destabilize the country through the proposed Armed Forces Commission Bill.

The group of Nigerians in the UK made this known in a communique issued after its meeting in London on Monday, which appraised and reviewed in totality the legislative activities of Nigeria’s 9th National Assembly.

In the communique co-signed by Prince Ugo and Mr. Tegha Samuel, Chairman and Secretary Communique Drafting Committee respectively, the NDMG-UK urged the NASS to take a deeper look at the proposed bill and restrain itself from foisting confusion.

The UK group revealed that the Armed Forces of a country is a symbol of unity and should be spared from partisan abuses especially as being contemplated by controversial lawmaker, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Failure to do so, the NDMG-UK reckoned, may lead to a total break down of law and order which is the ultimate target of Senator Abaribe and his cohorts.

The group, however, urged the NASS “to retrace its footsteps and learn to conduct its legislative functions in a manner that is beneficial to the immediate and future aspirations and progress of Nigeria”.

Read full communique below;

A communique issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, United Kingdom (NDMG-UK) after its meeting in London, which appraised and reviewed in totality the legislative activities of Nigeria’s 9th National Assembly (NASS).

That the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, United Kingdom (NDMG-UK) has recognized the legislature as an integral and very crucial arm of the democratic government in Nigeria. And the National Assembly (NASS) which is the only organ vested with the powers of churning out legislations for good governance seems to have slumbered, slacked, unfocused and derailed in the discharge of this fundamental responsibility.

The NDMG-UK wishes to call on the leadership of the National Assembly led by the President of Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan and the House of Representatives Speaker. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to urgently re-direct the parliamentary body on a productive, purposeful and rewarding trajectory of lawmaking for the nation.

The NASS leadership is enjoined to frequently organize seminars and workshops for national parliamentarians in the area of legislative functions, procedures and matters of legislation through sponsored member-Bills and other issues ancillary to it. This will refresh the knowledge and enlighten lawmakers especially newcomers in the Chambers on the art of legislation and the democratic process.

The meeting noted with grave concern some anti-populist motions and Bills being contemplated by both chambers for passage. The NDMG-UK particularly frowns at the recent resolution of NASS which purportedly passed a resolution calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over resurgent insecurities in parts of the country.

Equally, we condemn in stringent terms the calls for the resignation of the country's Service Chiefs as an egregious resort to laying the landmines for disruption of Nigeria’s democracy and overheating of the polity. Such positions emanating from the hallowed chamber of NASS which failed to gauge public mood are calls for anarchy and plain disservice to the nation.

The meeting also resolved that the NASS be reminded that it must genuinely re-work and re-order itself to toe the path of public good in the course of legislation for the general interest of Nigerians. Its status now only aligns to the generally held notion that the 9th National Assembly has not proven an inch that it has the interest of Nigeria at heart.

The NDMG-UK also wishes to draw the attention of all well meaning Nigerians to the Armed Forces Commission Bill currently being debated in the Senate which seeks to strip Mr. President of the constitutional power as the C-in- C to exercise full control of appointment and promotion for officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces. It also raised fundamental concerns over the Bill in the House of Representatives seeking to upgrade the educational qualification for aspirants gunning for election either as President or Governor as another misplaced priority.

The meeting noted that both Bills are attempts tomqif allowed to scale through. The NASS is hereby persuaded to take a deeper look at the proposed Bills and restrain themselves from foisting an aberration and confusion on the nation by discontinuing any further debate and or, discarding the Bills for national interest.

NDMG-UK wishes to use this as an opportunity to persuade the entire leadership of the National Assembly to take into account the flurry of opposition and protestations against the proposed Armed Forces Commission Bill particularly staged by Nigerians and a barrage of Civil Society organizations (CSOs). These are attestation to the public resentment over the actions of the parliamentarians who are encouraged to make necessary adjustments. They are obliged to cultivate the needed public sensitivity when taking such decisions in the future.

The meeting noted that the Armed Forces of any country binds the nation together and must be protected by its Government. Any other institution in the country could be bastardized, but the Armed Forces should be spared and insulated from partisan abuses especially as being contemplated by Senator Abaribe.

There is therefore, no reason for anyone to crave to destroy the Nigerian Armed Forces , which is a symbol of unity and protection through such a despicable Bill, crafted in contents and intendments to entrench divided loyalty to Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Finally, the NDMG-UK wishes to unequivocally call on the entire National Assembly to retrace its footsteps and learn to conduct its legislative functions in a manner that is beneficial to the immediate and future aspirations and progress of Nigeria.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has lashed out at the National Assembly over its proposed Armed Forces Bill, describing it as another plot to truncate the nation's democracy.

According to the group, the bill sponsored by the lawmaker representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, is targeted at destroying the revered Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

NDF made this disclosure at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, NDF said the move is unconstitutional as it will whittle down the powers of the President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Dr. Bolaji added that the bill shouldn't even be given consideration in the first place, especially as it is being championed by a staunch advocate of the Indigenous People of Biafra and an Nnamdi Kanu's sympathizer.

NDF, therefore, urged Nigerians to rise in unity to condemn this attempt at destroying a critical national institution like the Armed Forces.

It further called on the National Assembly leadership to ignore sentiments in this critical time and uphold the country's democracy and peace .

Read full address below:

The attention of the National Democratic Front has been drawn to the presence of a bill seeking to establish the Armed Forces Service Commission to amongst a host of other things deliberate and decide on the composition and appointments of Service Chiefs in the country.

The bill seeking to establish the Armed Forces Service Commission is, at best, the handiwork of political merchants, warmongers, and separationist advocates. As such, the National Democratic Front wishes to put in in precise terms that this is nothing but an attempt to destroy our revered Armed Forces.

The National Democratic Front as an organization with expertise in documenting the democratic experiences in advanced and emerging democracies wishes to state that in the most advanced democracies in the world, there is no such arrangement in place that would take the powers out of the hand of the president as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

It is the inalienable constitutional rights of the President to oversee the affairs of the Armed Forces in the country, and this bill can thus be regarded as a coup against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We are appalled that the leadership of the Senate would allow such travesty to be discussed on the floor of the red chambers without taking the time to look at the antecedent of the sponsor of the bill, who is a known separationist advocate.

The sponsorship of this despicable bill is indeed an avenue for the likes of Senator Eyinaya Abaribe to carryout out from where his protégée Nnamdi Kanu stopped in their quest to disintegrate Nigeria.

The National Democratic Front considers the sponsorship of such a bill as an affront to our collective sensibilities as a people and as a country, given the fact that it is on record that Senator Eyinaya Abaribe is a staunch advocate for the Indigenous People of Biafra.

We are also aware that seated in the hallowed chambers are other advocates of those that are hell-bent on destroying our revered Armed Forces so they can actualize their destabilization and disintegration plot against our dear country.

This fact is corroborated in that such a bill that seeks to promote the interest of a certain few have been slated for a second reading on the floor of the Senate. This is indeed despicable and might be an indication that the leadership of the Nigerian Senate might have been compromised in ways too numerous to mention.

We also wish to put it on record that, indeed, Senator Eyinaya Abaribe is nursing a grudge against the Nigerian Military for quelling the IPPOB uprising and as such one of the way to retaliate is to seek for the destruction of the Armed Forces through the Armed Forces Service Commission.

Nigerians must indeed know that this is indeed an attempt to whittling the strength of the Armed Forces in preparation for renewed hostilities by the members of his IPOB constituency in their quest for the disintegration of Nigeria.

Nigerians must rise in unity to condemn this attempt at destroying a critical national institution like the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The implication is that is this anomaly is allowed to materialize; we might wake up one day and realize that we do not have a country of our own anymore.

Nigerians must see this attempt by Senator Eyinaya Abaribe as a disservice to our great country, which by all indication, would plunge it into anarchy if some certain institutions are not protected from the murky water of politics.

The National Democratic Front wishes to use this medium to charge the leadership of the Senate to rise above sentiments in this critical time and indeed prove to Nigerians that the Legislative Arm of Government is a partner in progress and not an adversary.

It must at all times, watch out for the interest of the generality of Nigerians and must do all within its powers see that acts of legislation do not destroy certain segments of the country.

It must also be stated that the stakes are high and the likes of Senator Eyinaya Abaribe are scattered everywhere in the country and holding positions of authorities with which they intend to foster their plot against Nigeria by targeting those institutions that are our symbol of unity and national pride like the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We consequently call on the leadership of the Senate to protect Nigerians from the activities of warmongers, separationist advocates, and political merchants and protect and preserve the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the attempt at destroying it through the obnoxious Armed Forces Service Commission.

I am thanking you all for your time and for rapt attention.

Suspicious shadows of foreign NGOs in festering Boko Haram

By Tunde Kila

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian military have spent the last four years dousing the wild fires of terrorism in the country. A lot has been done by Government and individuals to arrive at this destination. But traces of the problem is still there for nearly inexplicable reasons.

Nigeria is compelled to face another facet of terrorism, which by character and actions of the actors appears more ruthless and heartless by the executors. And until terrorism resurged again in 2019, one could reasonably assert with certainty that solace and respite came the way of victims and communities of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East (NE) Nigeria. It was where it raged in extreme turbulence.

Part of the grounds the Nigerian military regained in counter-insurgency operations in the last few years are facing portentous reversal. The pairing and blend of forces with Boko Haram by the ISIL’s backed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists sect is the nascent threat.

Also disturbing beyond the complicit roles played by covert actors, Nigeria’s nightmare in the resurrected wave of terrorism includes the suspicious shadows of some foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the nation’s Boko Haram conundrum. These NGOs operating in Nigeria and the NE in particular under the pretext of rendering humanitarian services to victims of terrorism may be bad companions. They are suspected of aiding terrorists and accentuating terrorism in the country.

Over time, the activities of these NGOs in the NE have raised questionable bars on genuine humanitarian trust. It has become too naked, somewhat bold and consistent to ignore. In Nigeria, almost everyone believes the word “international” ascribed to Amnesty International (AI) is only applicable to Nigeria.

All the attention and energy of AI is concentrated on Nigeria. It appears as if other nations are not facing terrorists’ battles or where such warfare exists, there are no human beings and so, their rights are not violated to attract an “eagle eye” by AI.

Meanwhile, the entire Middle East is terrorism signified, with over 20 terrorists’ sects operating in the region. But AI is deliberately blind to the atrocities of human rights violations in this region. It was just yesterday, America brutally assassinated the leader of the Quds sect, another terror group, Gen. Qassim Soleimani alongside three other persons.

At the instance of Gen. Soleimani’s assassination, there was no material evidence suggesting a war scenario that would have compelled American special forces to have acted in that manner. Unfortunately, AI’s ink dried up and not even a word either in a press release or so-called annual report ever mentioned this incident anywhere on abuse of human rights.

Insistently at the forefront of NGOs suspected of such repulsive indulgence against Nigeria remains the Amnesty International (AI), an international watchdogs for human rights abuses and violations. Nigerians and the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have kept protesting against the activities of AI in Nigeria.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has incessantly brawled with the AI over false allegations, mendaciousness and malicious reports against the Nigerian Military and troops in the frontlines; same for the Nigerian Military itself.

And last year, the Nigerian Army, temporary banned the operations of some NGOs. The UNICEF of the United Nations (UN) was also affected. The Military alleged some of its officials furtively committed acts of espionage for terrorists in the North East.

In the same year, a frustrated Nigerian Army also angrily shut down several offices of Action Against Hunger (AAH) and Mercy Corps (MCs) in the North East. Both foreign NGOs are into the task of providing humanitarian assistance to victims of terrorism in the areas of food and medical supplies.

The Nigerian Army’s sustained discreet searchlight on their activities posted signals suspecting the NGOs of also supplying food and medication to terrorists operating in the region. The Army raised several alarms accusing the NGOs of supporting insurgents and indirectly, thriving terrorism, until it was compelled to act by closing down its offices.

Although, the FGN has lifted the ban on AAH and MCs which are now operating under stringent conditions in the region. Nevertheless, the challenge of the Nigerian Military in sustaining the victory over insurgents or staging effective counter-insurgency operations over resurgent insurgency in the North East is far from being over.

It is observable that Amnesty International (AI) poses the biggest problem for the Nigerian military in prosecuting anti-terrorism combats. AI’s persistently suspicious aiding of terrorists and their sponsors through fake propaganda and defamation of the conduct of soldiers involved in the war by fabricated accusations of human violations has been a cog in the wheel of a progressive war against terrorists.

It is now clear that AI’s offices all over the world have ganged up against Nigeria’s battle with terrorists. The first sign of this intentional posturing by AI against Nigeria which aligns and sympathizes with Boko Haram/Haram terrorists is the eagerness of some of its offices worldwide to conspiratorially report the Nigerian counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram criminals and ISWAP terrorists with every bias.

And their confluence point has always been to indict the Nigerian Government for consenting to the perpetration of human rights violations and refusal to investigate; or the Nigerian Army for masterminding human rights violations.

The grand design by AI and its suspected pay masters is to frustrate bi-lateral understanding which Nigeria, under the Buhari Presidency, has struck with countries like America and the United Kingdom for military aid in terms of training support, surveillance/logistics and weapons procurement to battle terrorism in Nigeria.

It may shock Nigerians and the world to know that that Amnesty International UK, which is a separate country headquarters of AI and, different from AI African region or Nigeria’s country office unashamedly canvassed this position in one of its report on Nigeria’s battle with terrorists.

The AI-UK published on its website a news report captioned; “Nigeria: Boko Haram survivors raped and starved by military 'rescuers'" dated May 24, 2018. The report identified Mr. Oliver Feeley-Sprague, Amnesty UK’s Military, Security and Policing Programme director as the newsmaker and highlighted in its riders that; "New Amnesty investigation details the “horrendous” treatment of women and girls by the Nigerian military since escape from Boko Haram…Many forced to become ‘girlfriends’ of military in exchange for humanitarian assistance…UK must urgently review support to the Nigerian military…UK needs to ensure “any training it’s providing hasn’t contributed to the vile abuses and violations currently taking place in north-east Nigeria.”

Feeley-Sprague finally let the cat out of the bag, by saying; “The UK government must work with relevant women human rights defenders to review UK support to the Nigerian military…”

AI’s country office in Nigeria serves as the architect of the concocted news reports about Nigeria from where it is syndicated elsewhere in their offices around the world. It embellished, amplified and circulated with scant regards for the facts. On February 1, 2019, AI also published on its website a news story captioned; “Nigeria: Deadliest Boko Haram attack on Rann leaves at least 60 people murdered.”

The lead paragraph stated that “At least 60 people were killed following the 28 January devastating Boko Haram attack on Rann, a border town in Borno state, northeast Nigeria, Amnesty International has confirmed.” Sadly, there was nowhere throughout the story AI could justify even its guesses that 60 Nigerians were killed in the attack.

The attack was perpetrated by Boko Haram insurgents. But despite the atrocities and human rights violations insurgents meted out to victims in the onslaught, AI was very careful in stating or mentioning the Boko Haramists. It mildly and vaguely said, “This attack on civilians who have already been displaced by the bloody conflict may amount to possible war crime, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

And next, AI descended very hard and callously against Nigerian soldiers, accusing them of abscondment from duty when Boko Haram came visiting. AI added; “Disturbingly, witnesses told us that Nigerian soldiers abandoned their posts the day before the attack, demonstrating the authorities’ utter failure to protect civilians”

And always consistent with reports of AI in Nigeria is that it alleges aberrations in several communities, but rely on what they coat as “eye witness” from a few distraught persons to anchor their report on a generalized scale indicting either the FGN or the Nigerian Military.

More defective is that AI has assumed the role of every day media in Nigeria by reporting incidents of Boko Haram attacks, painting very horrible portraits of the attacks at every instance. But it does not deem it necessary to balance/confirm such reports with government or military sources before rushing to the press with any trash fed them.

Therefore, AI is an active promoter of cyberspace terrorism in Nigeria. It was persuaded by public agitations before it started mentioning the human rights violations by Boko Haram insurgents in its reports. Now that a guilty conscience haunts AI, it silently or vaguely blames insurgents; but descends very harshly on the FGN or the Nigerian Military calling for ICC to investigate and prosecute them for alleged war crimes.

AI is wittingly escalating Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in Nigeria through cyberspace terrorism with such gibberish it consistently pushes into public domain. AI is enjoying these fraudulent practices and it is reason it does not plan to leave Nigeria anytime soon in spite of public protestations against their continued stay. But a good conscience should tell them to stop dancing on the graves of our patriots.


Kila wrote this piece from Ikeja, Lagos.