₦airaland Forum

Eid-Maulud: Arcbishop eulogises role of Nigerian military in sustaining peace, asks citizens to unite in faith, prayers for troops fighting insurgency

As Muslims in Nigeria join the rest of the world to celebrate this year's Eid Maulud, the
National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace, has called for fervent prayers for the Nigerian military.

The group also eulogised the troops for sustaining peace across the nation.

His Eminence, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, the Grand Patron of the religious organisation in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Monday, called on every Nigerian, irrespective of religious affiliation to intensify their supplication to Almighty God for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the peace that will herald the start of longing prosperity for Nigerians.

The statement further enjoined all Nigerians to unite in one voice against those that seek to terrorize the nation.

The statement reads.


I congratulate Nigerians across all faiths, particularly our Muslim and Christian faithful. I felicitate with us all because it the grace of God that has made us to celebrate today in a relatively more peaceful atmosphere than that of last year, which has strengthened my faith that it can only get better from here onwards.

The occasion has become a reminder of the great things that can be achieved together, whether in the spiritual or physical realm when we unite in prayers or work together as a nation ordained by God the almighty to be great.

The shining example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose birth Eid-el-Maulud signposts, should be inspiration to us all irrespective of our creed. It should be a reminder that we can place humanity above selfish interest.

I use this time to call on Christians and Muslims all over the country to pray for the peace of Nigeria, pray for the Nigerian military, the troops and particularly the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai with all the other service chiefs that God will strengthen them in their determination to get rid of terrorism in the country. Let us plead with God to grant these men the kind of valour and exploits recorded by His Anointed as recounted in our scriptures.

In our recognition of the fact that only God gives victory, let use the occasion of this Eid-el-Maulud to intensify our supplication to the Almighty for President Muhammadu Buhari to win the peace that will herald the start of longing prosperity for Nigerians. Mr. President and the military need our prayers and support to defeat and conquer the remnants of terrorist elements in our country and all citizens irrespective of religion or creed are invited to pray for our country.

As we pray for them we must also match our prayers with positive actions for the good of the land. I urge us all to erase our political divisions same way we are beginning to recognize the place of harmony across religious faiths so that we can collectively stand against that which is not right.

We must thus unite and with one voice denounce those that seek to terrorize us because violent extremism poses a great threat to both Islam and Christianity and only total submission to the Almighty God can rescue the nation.

We must therefore, similar to the way we evangelize to win converts to our faiths, begin to preach peace and win converts for the peace of Nigeria so that more and more Nigerians will understand the need to contribute to the defeat of terrorism and extremism.

I pray that the good things God is doing through the Nigerian Army and its leadership that are the instrument of restoring peace shall be permanent.
God bless Nigeria.

A United Kingdom based Human Rights Activist, Phillip Agbese has commended the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for taking a tough stance against violent-extremism in the country.

The Middlesex University trained human rights laws expert and publisher spoke with a group of journalists at the Murtalal Muhammad International Airport, Lagos on the state of affairs in the country.


Mr. Agbese stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed risen to the occasion by the introduction of policies and actions geared towards arresting the menace of violent extremism through coordinated positive actions by state actors.

“In Nigeria, it is a fact that various organizations hide under different nomenclature to promote violent extremism, and this has not done the country any good from time immemorial. The perpetrators of these acts know fully well that these are not only un-Islamic but also a crime against God and humanity.”

He further stated that the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration are indeed commendable. However, a lot more still needs to be done to nip completely in the bud the menace of violent extremism in the country.

According to him, violent extremism has nothing to do with any particular religion but evil by those that are not comfortable with the unity and peace of Nigeria and making efforts to destabilize the country.

“ The present administration has indeed displayed a high commitment to addressing violent-extremism in the country through several laudable initiatives, positive actions paramount of which is the sensitization that violent- extremism has no place in religion whether Islam or Christianity.”

Mr. Agbese also tasked the government to continue to do more to address decisively the menace of violent extremism in the country irrespective of political or ethnic affiliation of the perpetrators.

“The government should set up a mechanism that would expose those misguided elements that hide behind politics and religion to cause disaffection in the country. If this is not done, the government risk the possibility of been branded as promoters of violent extremism and other vices in the country for political reasons.”

He also heaped praises on the Nigerian Army for its commitment in the fight against terrorism and other militant acts in the country.

“The Nigerian Army has indeed displayed an extraordinary commitment to the fight against terrorism in the country. This much they have exhibited in the North-East, the North Central and other parts of the country where militant activities disrupted peace and tranquillity.”

"Those who initially thought they could frustrate the Army through negative propaganda and falsehood have been forced by the sterling leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY to give up their evil agenda for good of the country."

“That Nigeria is experiencing peace and stability is a function of the numerous sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in protecting the territorial integrity at all cost, even at great discomfort to the officers, soldiers and their families. I wholeheartedly commend the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the officers and soldiers that have continued to give their best to our fatherland day and night.”

Mr. Agbese also stated that the role of Nigeria in ensuring the security of lives in the West African sub-region could not be overemphasized, hence the need for all hands to be on deck at all times.

“The role of Nigeria in critical aspects in the West African sub-region is such that if anything goes wrong in Nigeria, other West African countries are also affected. And on the area of security, Nigeria has indeed played that big brother role, courtesy of the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.”

He added that “It is a matter of time before the remnants of Boko Haram would be routed out of the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.”

He added that the current state of affairs in the north east at the moment clearly shows that the Nigerian Army leadership shares in the vision of Mr. President to enthrone total peace and tranquillity across the country.

"Mr. President and the military leadership came at a point that it was impossible for International NGOs, troops and civilians to operate anywhere in the North-East. But that has changed positively as normalcy has been fully restored and life is at its peak same way Lagosians enjoy their day to day activities, " he added.

By Dan Abakpa

In September 2014, the Jonathan Presidency served a pyrrhic victory to Nigerians over claims that it has killed Boko Haram’s most vicious leader, Abubakar Shekau. The public statement excited Nigerians, but sadly turned out to be a ruse like previous such claims in July 2009 and another in late June 2013.

The then Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade told reporters in Abuja that the man posing as Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau was his moniker adopted by the sect. He insisted that Shekau had been killed earlier during a gun battle with troops. And the military played some videos to back up the fake claims.

To the military, it was another Islamist fighter, who was scoring the shots as replacement for Shekau. They identified him as Mohammed Bashir, claiming he posed as Shekau’s moniker and responsible for recent threats videos in the guise of the real Shekau , but was also killed in clashes at Konduga.

Olukolade said “Bashir had been acting or posing as the deceasedAbubakar Shekau…the eccentric character known as the leader of the group". But the Military could not explain convincingly how it killed Shekau. It was indisputably fake claims. Abubakar Shekau was alive, hale and hearty, providing leadership to insurgents.

Therefore, in early January 2015, Nigerians were scared stiff. Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, morphed into a berserk monster, threatening Nigerians and its government to prove he is alive and counter the military’s claims that he is dead. Shekau appeared in a 15-minute recorded video and pledged to disrupt the 2015 general elections scheduled for February 16, 2015 at “any cost.”

Shekau vowed in Hausa language in a message released through the sect’s Twitter account; “This election will not be held even if we are dead.” These potent threats from the leader of Boko Haram to disrupt the general elections, one of Nigeria’s most important national events caused stir and made the Jonathan Presidency apprehensive. The government was forced to postpone the elections by six weeks to enable troops dislodge insurgents from their strongholds in Northeastern Nigeria.

But the feeble action of government angered, rather than appease Shekau, who backed his threats by unleashing deadly attacks on communities in the Northeast. Twine suicide attacks on the same day, the video was released, sniffed life out of 38 persons. And the string of bombings continued as on February 15, 2015, as a female suicide bomberkilled at least 10 passersby in a local market in Borno.

It was the extent Shekau and Boko Haram terrorists held Nigeria hostage in braggadocio, mindless bloodletting and carnages. This was before President Muhammedu Buhari was elected the democratic leader of Nigeria. He also vowed to blight the fire of Shekau and his bloodsucking sect.

And keen observers of the operations of Abukakar Shekau would concede that the terrorists leader had a style of asserting his authority. He was in the habit of consistent video appearances to either raise fresh controversies, brag about his might and exploits/atrocities or convey his satanic messages.

Under Shekau’s command, Boko Haram was expansive and virile to the extent it annexed Nigerian territories; named Gwoza and Bama in Borno as headquarters and its subsidiary of the sect’s Caliphate respectively. Its atrocities and horrendous attacks drenched Nigerians in endless tears and sorrows.

However, under the Buhari Presidency, Boko Haram has been decimated and defeated. The COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and troops have been able to run Abubakar Shekau out of relevance. It is quite curious that in the last two years, Shekau nor any moniker has not appeared in any public video issuing threats or bragging or claiming responsibility about gruesome killing and abductions.

Pertinently, at the end of October 2019, a tragedy hit the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). Its leaderAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a US military operation in northwest Syria. Again, the ISIS spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir and a close aide to al-Baghdadi was also killed in a joint US operation with Kurdish forces in the northern Syrian city of Jarablus hours after al-Baghdadi's death.

Both US President Donald Trump and the ISIL's legislative and consultative body have confirmed the deaths of these two terror kingpins. It is a sad moment in the terrorists’ world globally, as humanity and governments rejoices.

In a public statement, via the group's media arm, al-Furqan, ISIL’s new spokesman, Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi, announced Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi as its new chief and replacement forAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The statement read in part; "We mourn you ... commander of the faithful…Do not rejoice America. The new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beholden ... and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet."

“The Islamic State shura council convened immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the elders of the holy warriors agreed on a replacement,” al-Qurayshi stated.

America has designated Boko Haram as a terrorists group. US also placed a $7 million reward for Shekau's capture as part of its rewards for Justice programme, after its designation of Shekau as a "global terrorist.”

Consequently, in the bid to shore-up his international standing, in March 2015 Shekau publicly pledged its allegiance to ISIL and its now murdered leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Thus, Boko Haram transmogrified into the "Islamic State's West Africa Province" (ISWAP) and Abubakar Shekau became its first “vali” (Governor).

Shekau had thundered in a video message; “We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims ... and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding that which there is a proof from Allah.”

Therefore, the tragedy which rocked ISIL, the global headquarters of terrorism, as manifest in the killing of two principal leaders, ought to have shuddered Shekau enough to release another video. He would have proudly staged out to express condolence to his martyred lords, threatening Nigerians with reprisals and upping the tempo of atrocities. Shekau has no strength to even congratulate his new terror chief, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Its abnormal that weeks after the incident Shekau or anybody acting at his behest has summoned the courage to mouth out in lashings or comments about the new order in ISIS.

No sign which has potently conveyed the fall of Boko Haram’s Abubakar Shekau more that the unusual silence over the deaths in ISIL’s headquarters. It is an incontrovertible admission of the final eclipse of Shekau and Boko Haram, a trajectory laid for them by Gen. Buratai.

Gen. Buratai’s reclamation of all the Nigerian territories annexed by Boko Haram in the Northeast; the incapacity of insurgents to retake the freed local government areas, including Gwoza and Bama and troops stoppage of recruitments of vulnerable youths into the sect’s fold as foot soldiers have been serious setbacks for Shekau and his incensed terrorists.

Furthermore, Gen. Buratai’s December 2016’s demystification of Sambisa forest, which provided protective shield for Shekau and his army of terrorists have been a great setback to the operations of Boko Haram and Shekau. As precursor to the final conquest of Sambisa forest, the Army had overran four Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa, where over 300 female hostages were freed in April 2016. The Army presented captured Sambisa forest as Christmas gift to Nigerians on December 24, 2016.

In addition, the overwhelming flooding of troops in the Northeast has been another weakening nightmare for insurgents and Shekau. The relentless and consistent pressures mounted on insurgents in the frontlines for months and years, coupled with eagle-eyed surveillance forced Shekau into an effeminate disappearance from the battle turf, dressed in hijab and disguised as a woman to evade arrest.

That last encounter with troops two years ago reportedly left Shekau fatally wounded, (if not dead) and fatigued. Months later, a Boko Haram commander, Abdullahi Bello (alias Abu Zainab), who was arrested by the Army in Bauchi revealed that Abubakar Shekau veiled himself and sneaked out of Nigeria on bush paths to Kolofata in neighbouring Cameroun. It was his historic fall, as Shekau is a new permanent guest of birds and reptiles in caves and mountains’ of Cameroun.

Shekau is forced to bow out of “active” service and the residues of his lieutenants still parading the fields have not found it easy either. Gen, Buratai and Nigerian troops are not giving them a chance to breath. Clearance operations is fetching out a lot of the remnants of terrorists from far-flung hideouts.

It is unthinkable that Shekau and Boko Haram insurgents would ever again have the chance to attack and massively massacre Nigerians in a manner reminiscence of the January 3-7, 2015, insurgents tragic invasion of Baga, where they slaughtered over 2,000 Nigerians. Shekau has become an inevitable history in Boko Haram terrorism, courtesy of President Buhari and the leader of counter-insurgency operations, the irrepressible Gen. Buratai.


Abakpa wrote this piece from Imperial College, London.

*Falana intoxicated with early wine, group chides Falana over accusation on PMB*

Pro-democracy group, National Democratic Front (NDF), believes Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana's recent attacks on President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of “intoxication with early wine".

In a recent scathing onslaught, among others, the self-acclaimed human rights lawyer had insinuated that President Buhari is contemplating a third-term agenda in 2023.

However, in reaction, the NDF rubbished such notion, describing it as “unfounded, baseless and senseless”.

In a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, Secretary-General, Dr Abdulakadir Bolaji, revealed that Mr Falana is nothing but a clout chaser, seeking prominence despite Buhari’s timely rebuttal that he has no intention of tenure elongation.

According to the group, the latest outing by the ex-chairman of National Conscience Party has “betrayed him as one of the many veiled forces working in cohorts with foreign interests against Nigeria”.

While reiterating that the president is a “Democrat” who respects the Constitution, the NDF advised Falana to emulate the hallowed path of late Gani Fawehinmi, the true “Senior Advocate of the Masses”.

Read full statement below:

We read with utmost dismay, shock and disappointment news on various media platforms credited to Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, aligning himself with the unfounded, baseless and senseless propagation of the incongruous notion that President Muhammadu Buhari is secretly plotting a third term agenda in 2023.

It is stumping that a lawyer of Falana’s status and exposure, who tags himself with the venerated epaulet of “human rights activist,” under the silk should condescend to lend his voice in giving credence to the flyers of desperate attention seekers, internet-based gossips and un-informed media commentaries trumpeting President Buhari’s tenure elongation.

Mr. Falana has decided to defame his character and lower his self-esteem, in spite of President Buhari’s timely rebuttal that he has no intention of tenure elongation, when the campaign began to gain currency on social media platforms and promoted by debased characters.

A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Garba Shehu eloquently disclaimed that “President Buhari is a democrat. He respects the Constitution. Any activity aimed at altering the two-term limit will not succeed and shall never have his time nor support.” This is articulate and lucid enough to everyone.

There should be honour in what an elder or senior citizen vomits in the public, even if he is intoxicated with early wine. We find it very reprehensible that Mr. Falana’s should attempt to seek attention like common political jobbers by cunningly imposing a third term plot, on the character disposition and personality of President Buhari. It does not blend with the persona of Buhari.

Elsewhere in the world, elders of Falana’s status are known for wisdom, sermons of unification of the people and their avid interest in teaching the younger generation the path of truth and dignity. It is unfortunate that the case of Falana seems to be slightly different and a negation of these cherished values with such illogical comments.

If today, Mr. Falana does not only feel content to dispute or contest the believability of the words from Mr. President on any issue, which is the leader’s personal decision, it is laughable. But it is more ludicrous that Falana should wear the toga of a village sorcerer, conjurer or soothsayer to dispute the President without valid reasons.

More surprisingly, Falana anchored his postulations on the third term plot and campaigns on nothingness, citing archaic trends which occurred under autocratic leaders of Nigeria. Let us reiterate again that President Buhari is a decent, respectable, law-abiding and selfless leader who is conscious of his international rating in the comity of leaders and protects his integrity unlike, Falana’s rapacious power monger and kinsman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who plotted third term with dollars.

Any Nigerian who has keenly followed the leadership proclivity of President Buhari would easily concede that there are no immediate or remote antecedents linked to the President. Nothing even in his body language suggests he is of the breed of power monks and might seek to perpetuate himself in power or elongate his constitutional two terms of eight years.

Falana mouthed that the actions of the President and his men were pointers to a secret plot for tenure extension ambition. It sounds like hallucinations. But the so-called actions cited by Mr. Falana are laughable and ridicules his entire personality.

The human rights lawyer so disingenuously claimed President Buhari’s administration is hounding into oblivion, opposition members and restricting free speech. He also claimed media crackdown and authoritarian moves in the areas of free trade and impunity in the conduct of state matters.

But President Buhari is a democratic leader who is subject to checkmating by the National Assembly. This is a President who allowed even federal government staff against his presidential ambition to connive with the opposition PDP elements unmolested or harassed before and after the general elections.

It is the same President who knew but never reacted to plots by the main opposition figure heads to scuttle his second-term swearing-in ceremony. So, how could any right thinking Nigerian claim Buhari is “driving opposition members underground?” Is Falana tacitly suggesting that President Buhari should slacken the pace of the war on corruption because most of those affected are opposition figures? We are sure Falana knows it is impossible.

President Buhari has no intention to curtail freedom of speech or muzzle the media. His government is only concerned with expression of this freedom responsibly in a manner which neither infringes on the rights of other Nigerians nor promote hate speech with its dire consequences of disaffection and disunity. This is even subject to legislation.

In Falana’s desperation to nail President Buhari on his crucifix, he brought up the issue of Messers Omoyele Sowore and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare facing treason and other charges at a Federal High Court, Abuja before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu . It is to stir public sentiments and sympathy into conferring credibility on his empty tales.

Falana who is a lead defence counsel in the case generously accused the Department of State Security Service (DSS) of refusal to release Sowore and his co-accused despite the court order to that effect. But Falana is aware that after Sowore perfected the bail conditions no one has presented himself to take them on bail, including Falana.

On Friday November 8, 2019, Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya explained in a public statement that the secret agency “has received the Court Order for the release of Omoyele Sowore. It is important that the public notes that since the receipt of the Order, no person has turned up at the DSS to take delivery of him.”

Has anyone or Mr. Falana approached the DSS office and is denied the release of the detainee? If there is anybody privy to this fact is Mr. Falana and it becomes suspect, why he has preferred to tongue-lash Mr. President over his own failings.

If the presiding judge feels it is necessary to restrict the movement of Sowore and Bakare to Abuja and Osun respectively, how is President Buhari linked to the court decision? Or is Falana indirectly insinuating that the judiciary is no longer independent of executive interference? Did he argue the restriction of moment before the trial judge?

But more interestingly, Falana’s latest outing has betrayed him as one of the many veiled forces working in cohorts with foreign interests against Nigeria. For Falana to qualify President Buhari’s closure of land borders to save local goods and service as impunity and an attempt to stifle free trade casts him as an unpatriotic Nigerian.

Mr. Falana should know better than anyone else that the Presidency has not nullified it free trade agreement with neighbouring African countries. It only took measures deemed expedient to stem smuggling, which cheats the local producer in Nigeria and the deprive the country of vital national revenues. For a Lawyer of Falana’s standing to openly and boldly side with smugglers against national interests suggests that he is a covert beneficiary of the activities of the smuggling cartel.

Candidly, we feel if Falana is idle, he should try his hands on something else. Flippancy becomes useless when what anyone utters cannot be discerned by anybody or is absolutely useless.

Falana should rise above such basal levels of guesswork and hallucinatory imaginations. He should crave to emulate the late Gani Fawehinmi, the true “Senior Advocate of the Masses” who fervently stood for the masses, but never betrayed his country or sided dubious characters against his nation.

Again, President Buhari has not; will not and has never nursed or contemplated any third term agenda. So, Falana should apply his sorcery elsewhere and desist from the disgraceful attempts to malign President Buhari, cause discord, disaffection, disunity and consequently overheat the polity. That’s not an enviable mark of a senior citizen in the mould of someone like Mr. Falana.

Nigeria Customs Service Directive to Halt Petroleum Products supply to Towns within 20 Kilometers to the National Borders not Well Thought -Out~~~~Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin

The world has gone beyond the crude mode of operations of Nigeria’s security architecture; its shortcoming is further being brought to the public glare by the directive of the Controller General of Nigerian Customs Service, Col (Rtd) Ali Hammed, to halt the supply of petroleum products within 20 kilometers of our national borders to prevent export to neighbouring countries.

The policy would be disastrous to the livelihood of those living and working in and around these areas, who also depend on petroleum products for survival.When has it become a crime to live around the borders?We can't behave as if they have forfeited their citizenship because they live around the borders.

The federal government must, as a matter of its primary responsibility of providing for the welfare of all its citizens direct the Nigerian Customs Service to rescind on such an anti-people policy and seek other forms of stopping smuggling.

The primary responsibility of the government shall be the enhancement and provision of welfare for its citizens. No one has the power to choose where he comes from or place of ancestral lineage. Some people have even over the years situated their daily means of livelihood in and around border towns. Nigeria is a member of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Charter of ECOWAS provides for free movement and cross-country movement within its neighbouring and member countries.
Fundamentally, there is a huge security lacuna in the mode of operations in Nigerian Security architecture and procedures. For instance, there are many non-South Western security personnel being posted and attached to our borders in the South West as against what is obtainable in the Northern region boarders where a chunk of the Northern Vigilante extraction of security personnel are posted and attached to such areas. Such action is not in national interest and it poses a great threat to our national cohesion, peace and progress.

America can go to war over just a citizen,it is amazing we take decisions that affect several thousands of our citizens without putting paliative measures in place.


Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin
President, Centre for Change.

Deep offshore and inland basin Bill; NANS Zone B Coordinator Etinyene lauds President Buhari.

The Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerians students (NANS) Zone B, Comrade Etinyene Offongekpe has on behalf of Nigerian Students in the zone, has commended President Mohammadu Buhari for signing the Deep offshore and inland basin production sharing contract (PSC) Amendment bill into law.

Comrade Offongekpe made this known while thanking the president for signing the bill, adding that this will go a long way in sustaining improving Nigeria's gain as an oil producing country, while also enabling government to invest more into the welfare of Nigerian students and the country at large.

In a statement issued in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, the NANS zonal leader said the signing of the bill, is a positive steps, towards salvaging the challenges in the oil sector and addressing the rising poverty in Nigeria. He also said the law, will bring rapid growth and development to the nation and it citizen at large.

The students leader also reminded Nigerians that NANS remains a pressure group and non-partisan.

He therefore prayed that God continue to protect President Buhari, as he continues his various reformation programmes, which are for the benefit of our the country.

*Positive Identification: Middle-Belt group lauds Buhari, Nigerian Army over operation to sanitize region*


The Middle Belt Conscience Guard (MBCG) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai over what it described as “timely" introduction of the ‘Operation Positive Identification’.

The group reckoned that the exercise is crucial to restore sanity in the region, especially at a time foreign criminal elements have infiltrated the country.

The MBCG made this known on Friday at a press conference in Abuja.

In a statement signed by its President, Prince Raymond Nero, the group revealed that the operation is a thoughtful security sanity and the final push to flush out remnants of terrorists.

Like previous operations, the Middle-Belt expressed confidence that OPI would be a massive success, filtering, identifying and apprehending hired foreign criminals.

The group, therefore, commended President Buhari and the Army leadership for coming up with such thoughtful and proactive measure.

Read full statement below:

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard’s (MBCG) is most delighted to warmly welcome you to this Press Conference. We are grateful to Almighty God for our robust lives and the steady progress of our nation in the#NextLevel.

We are encouraged to address the media and by implication the Nigerian public for two reasons. First, to once again drum attention of our compatriots to the commencement of the “Operation Positive Identification,” (OPI) today Friday, November 1, 2019 by the Nigerian Army.

It is an exercise that will cause an increased presence of soldiers on major highways and locations nationwide. And soldiers are expected to politely and courteously request travelers to identify themselves before proceeding on their journeys.

Secondly, MBCG is constrained to interact with Nigerians on OPI exercise to explain reasons the military civil operations have become expedient. And also, to canvass support from the civil populace for the Army throughout the three-week duration of the exercise.

To this end, we advise that during the Army’s outing on OPI, Nigerians in transit are expected to carry in their possession a valid and authentic means of identification such as national identity card, voter’s registration card, (PVC), driver’s license, international passport and or, other valid official identification document.

All civilians are expected to be cautious, conduct themselves responsibly and comply with official directives by security agents during this interface. The Army will not violate the human rights of any Nigerian in the course of this exercise.

The MBCG is excited with OPI because everyone will concede to us that most parts of Nigeria, especially the Middle Belt region have been plunged into meaningless and rampant crisis. It ranges from bloodletting and destructions, armed banditry and cattle rustling, terrorism, kidnappings and so forth, fueled by suspected foreign criminal gangs who have illegally migrated into the country.

Regrettably, it is the Middle Belt region that is very susceptible and the worst hit by the atrocities and criminal activities of these foreign criminal agents, killer mercenaries, terrorists, armed bandits, cattle rustlers and their ilk, who invade us from outside Nigeria. They are contracted, sponsored and imported into the country by satanically possessed political actors to destabilize our peace as a region and the nation.

It is only the vigilance and alertness of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army that have saved us from total doom and destruction by the invasion and toxic insecurity orchestrated by these suspected foreign criminals.

The MBCG profoundly salutes Mr. President and the leadership of the Nigerian Army for continually rising to the defence of Nigerians from the invasion by foreign criminal elements and their internal collaborators.

We are already in the yuletide season and it is the most auspicious time, which spurs the zeal of criminal elements to unleash assorted terrors and criminalities on innocent and law abiding citizens. Therefore, the OPI is crafted to checkmate the widespread insecurity occasioned by the exigencies of this celebrative season.

The MBCG consequently fully identifies with the FGN and the leadership of the Nigerian Army on OPI. We appreciate this laudable and proactive initiative on taming insecurity in the country in our region and the country.

The Nigerian Army particularly has been performing a wonderful and commendable job on Internal Security (IS). We recall the Army’s intervention with the “Operation Python Dance (I & II) for Nigerians domiciled in the Southeast to be extricated from the pangs of bloodshed, armed robberies, kidnappings and allied criminalities to enjoy a peaceful yuletide and New Year.

The Army instantly flushed out armed gangs and militias terrorizing the peace and security of the Southeast region. Similar military operations like “Operation Delta Safe” conducted by the Army also cleansed the South-South region, of armed militants, kidnappers, armed robbers, armed pirates and related criminalities. Many other parts of the country have benefitted from the solace of the Army’s soothing and reliving interventions on insecurity.

The OPI exercise is a thoughtful and proactive security measure, fashioned on a similar template. It is honed to identify and apprehend hired foreign criminals who invade our country and perpetrate all manner of atrocities. So, we have no doubt that the Army will do a clean, neat and commendable job with OPI for our enduring peace and security.

Once again, we assure all Nigerians that no Nigerian would have his human rights abused or violated by soldiers during OPI. We therefore, call on all citizens of Nigeria, especially, those domiciled in North Central states, which are intensely terrorized, to come out en masse in discharge of the obligation of moral encouragement and support to the Nigerian Army for a resounding success of the OPI.

Thank you all and happy new month, as we wish you journey mercies to your various destinations.

By Yakubu Mohammed

“Soldiers would marry the prettiest women, live in the best homes, eat the best food, wear the best cloth and drive the best cars because when war comes, they die first” ---Muhamadu Ribadu

I stumbled on this quote of Nigeria’s first Defence Minister after independence and a reputable Northern politician of his time, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu. He lived an eventful life between 1909 and 1965.

He was not a soldier, but knew exactly the pains of a soldier. So, I was fascinated at this catchy wisdom. In Ribadu’s time, Nigeria knew no war, but peace. However, it was clear to his mind that peace could only, but be ephemeral, as there would come a time to war, when only soldiers are the dutiful rescuers.

It has struck me strongly that Ribadu must have been gifted with a stunning clairvoyance. He correctly envisaged that an Army in Nigeria would one day face war. He had the power of prediction; he had prophetic wisdom. Ribadu never lived to see the fulfilment of his prophesy, as he answered the divine call on May 1st, 1965, the eve of the 1966 coup, which disrupted the politics of the first republic and the eventual three-year Nigerian civil war.

Like Ribadu predicted, scores of soldiers laid down their lives to break the cord of secessionists in Nigeria. These soldiers died so that we could live and for the nation to thrive in unity, peace and progress. The need to give soldiers absolute comfort in peace times was the strong message conveyed by the ditty of the cerebral Ribadu.

He was lucid that a soldier must be entitled to all the niceties and luxuries of life, hence in times of war, the soldier is the first to sacrifice his life for others to live.

Is there any justification for anyone to claim, a soldier does not value his life or entitled to the epicurean lifestyles of the rest of us? There is absolutely no reason.

So, as the then serving Minister of Defence, Ribadu ensured rapid expansion of the Nigerian Army and other arms of the military. In tandem with his mindset of welfare for the soldier, Ribadu established the Defence Industries Corporation and many other such initiatives designed for the comfort of soldiers.

It is the same philosophy, the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and ombudsman of the counter-insurgency war, Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai has imbibed in his leadership of the Nigerian Army. The Army Chief believes soldiers have signed a pact to die for us. They keep vigil for us to sleep in peace; they accept the bullets of the enemy for us to have life. The Army is a call only for the strong-hearted and soldiers deserve maximum comfort.

Naval war veteran and former US President, John F. Kennedy, fondly exhumes this pride in military service when he said; "Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.”

Gen. Buratai is a combatant soldier who is fired by the innate passion of service to humanity. He is an epitome of an ideal soldier anywhere in the world. My perception of him is that of an officer who embodies selflessness, patriotism, excellence and loyalty in leadership. Like Ribadu, he prioritizes the welfare of soldiers. Sun Tzu admonished military commanders to give every comfort to their soldiers and they can follow “you to the deepest valley.” Gen. Buratai is today fondly referred to as Sun Tzu of Africa by his patriots and mentees within the military for religiously upholding soldiers' welfare and comfort like a commandment.

Gen. Buratai’s adoption of this philosophy is responsible for the Army’s winning streaks in the anti-insurgency battles. What has propelled our Army officers and soldiers to fight unflinchingly and win the war on terrorism is rooted in the policy of Gen. Buratai’s fixation on the absolute comfort and niceties his administration is building for soldiers nationwide.

Famously, the Army Chief instituted the culture of prompt and timely payment of salaries and allowances of soldiers. He considers it an inviolable and sacrosanct obligation especially for soldiers in the frontlines. The era of soldiers grumbling for non-payment of legitimate entitlements is long gone with Gen. Buratai on board.

Furthermore, Gen. Buratai knows a soldier deserves a decent and habitable shelter for himself and family. In 2016, barely months after he assumed office, Gen. Buratai’s heart was drenched in sorrow as bemoaned the years of neglect of accommodation for the Army thus; “The soldiers are staying in a very bad accommodation, it is unfortunate!” Therefore, his administration embarked on massive renovation of Army Barracks and offices to provide both residential and office accommodation for soldiers.

Such imprints of Barracks renovations or constructions signposted very early in his administration as noticeable in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos; Obienu Barracks in Bauchi and Nigerian Army Barracks in Bama among others. Gen. Buratai has also made provision of portable water in Army Barracks a fundamental objective, where it is also extended to host communities.

A few examples like the Army Division in Enugu and its host community, Abakpa feels this impact; the Rukuba and Miango communities are also serviced by the Multi-Purpose Dam at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos. And it is replicated fairly in all Army Barracks across the nation.

The Army Chief has also initiated the building of new schools and refurbishment of old ones. He aggressively embarked on renovation and construction of new Army schools across Nigeria for children of Army officers and soldiers, starting from Abuja to elsewhere in the federation.

Access roads in Army Barracks are also rehabilitated, much like Army hospitals. Under Buratai’s leadership, soldiers enjoy a large dosage of comfort. He is aware that happy troops are the backbone to the success of any military expedition.

Its apparent that Gen. Buratai’s passion for the Army and service to his fatherland is innate. It can be gleaned from the background that in his time as a teenager, many of his peers naturally dreaded the Army. The military was perceived as a fearsome and hazardous vocation. Existing and working to die for others to live is a hard decision to adopt. But the young Buratai opted for it.

Himself the son of the World War II veteran, Mallam Yusuf Buratai who served under the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) from Nigeria, Gen. Buratai is a descendant of the lineage of chauvinists. So, he dreads no war and aims to conquer enemies of the state at all times.

Shortly before his demise two years back at the age of 106, the elder Buratai revealed that he never prodded his son to enlist in the Army, and that Gen. Buratai voluntarily opted for a military career. Pa Buratai said,“I did not ask him to join the army. He joined willingly. When he finished school here in Maiduguri, there was an advertisement urging young men to join the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He applied and was successful, so he voluntarily joined the army.”

Mallam Buratai believed that mankind must be freed from the excesses of demonically possessed souls and the only way to contribute his quota in enthroning global peace was the romance with the boots. He had a conviction that a soldier lives and dies for his country. He was infinitely sad with tales of soldiers these days, retreating from the battlefield in the face of enemy forces. That was his notion of the Army.

Therefore, Gen. Buratai has stood on these principles and perception of his father throughout his military career. It accounts for his superfluous performance as a soldier, crack combatant and leader for what his admirers have described as a rewarding military career to his nation.

As a leader of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai finds the wisdom of Gen. Colin Powell worthwhile. Powell proclaimed that "The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow."

Thus, under Gen. Buratai’s leadership, the Nigerian Army has been on a steady progressive match in excellence and performance in all ramifications because he is an ardent exemplar in official duties. Nigerians have seen a reformed and re-professionalized Army, which is loyal and patriotic. Soldiers are recording remarkable and uninterruptedsuccesses in the battles against Boko Haram and bile insurrections in the country.

Soldiers under Gen. Buratai’s guidance have stamped their dominion in all special assignments in Nigeria. Soldiers engaged on Internal Security (IS) observe the highest professional standards, maintain maximum respect for human rights of Nigerians as well as humbly sticking to the Rules of Engagement (ROE).

The Nigerian Army under Gen. Burataiis not only excelling in war, but expanding its base. From five Divisions of the NigerianArmy, which Gen. Buratai inherited in 2015, he has increased it to eight Army Divisions for ease of military operations. There are thousand Army Forward Bases stationed in crisis prone areas. Gen. Buratai has been able to establish an Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, the first Army varsity in Africa within theshort time of his leadership.

In Gen. Buratai’s prosecution of the counter-terrorism war in Nigeria, he is resolute and resilient. Like the British Field Marshal Sir Herold Alexander said, Gen. Buratai knows, “The knowledge of not only the enemy’s strength and disposition, but also how, when and where he intends to carry out his operations; brought a new dimension to the prosecution of the war”

When Gen. Burtai hops into the trenches against insurgents, in the words of the British Air Marshall ‘Bomber’ Harris, he steps out vengefully because “They sowed the seed, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind.”

In all the military engagements by Gen. Buratai and soldiers, they are exposed to grave dangers for no fault linked to them. Some have even paid the supreme price fighting to enthrone peace in a conflict they are oblivious of its causes. But they have remained loyal and patriotic to the entrenchment of peace. It now struck the wisdom of Ribadu in me, justifying why a soldier needs the best in peace times.

No doubt, Gen. Buratai has been inspired and guided by the advice his father offered him the first day he enlisted into the Army. Pa Buratai counselled the young officer Buratai to , “… be loyal to his superiors and constituted authority. I warned him to avoid any form of vice and I am grateful to God, he obeyed what I told him.”

It is the religious observance of this self-discipline or ethical code that has guided Gen. Buratai’s service elevation in the Army. This philosophy has always compelled Gen. Buratai to go the proverbial mile to seek comfort for soldiers. It explains why his leadership and administration of his office as COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria is a success story.


Mohammed, a public affairs commentator wrote this piece from Minna, Niger State.

Applauding the Giant Strides of Comrade Osadebe in Oshimili South Local Government; Towards Consolidating on Okowa's Prosperity for All Agenda.......by Okafor Uche



"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”---Ronald Reagan


Today in Delta state, it is no longer news, but visible reality, that the administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is like a house built upon a rock, which cannot be hidden. Since inception, Dr Okowa has in an unprecedented matter promoted unity, peace, justice, fairness, equal distribution of the commonwealth of the people of Delta through his administration's practice of all inclusiveness in governance.

What is rather remarkable is the replication of the above feats at the local government levels by some local council chairmen, in other to be at par with the state government’s commitment to ensure no part of the state is unfairly treated in the distribution of the state’s common patrimony.

Governor Okowa, whose sterling style of leadership has ensured security of lives and property of indigenes and residents of the state, has equally made Delta the envy of other states in the country, following his dedication to service and transformational leadership model in the state, which can be directly seen across the Local Government Areas in the state, as witnessed in the sterling qualities of the Oshimili South Local government Council Chairman, Comrade Uche Osadebe.

In Oshimili South local government, which coincidentally has her Headquaters in Asaba, the state capital, where Comrade Osadebe currently preside as the Chairman, governance has been completely returned to the people, an occurrence seen as a true manifestation of the definition of democracy, as defined as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Comrade Uche Osadebe since assumption of office, have completely broken down the walls, which often separate the citizens from their leaders, as his leadership of the local government today epitomizes the scene as a meek, simple and easily accessible servant leader.

Upon being sworn in as the Executive Chairman'l of the local government in January 2018, Comrade Osadebe and his team left no one in doubts about the determination, towards complementing the efforts of Governor Okowa, in his urban renewal projects. Without any delay, the local government moved out graders to do justice to many access roads to communities within the local government, many of whom have been denied of government attention and access in the past. This brought major relief to residents of this area, as they ease of getting to their business and residential premises with vehicles, became easier than it has ever been. In consolidating on this efforts, Governor Okowa also gave his nod for the construction and completion of several other roads in the metropolis, all with the intention to open a new vista of life for the people of the State.


On security, the Osadebe administration in Oshimili South has continued to work effectively with the various security agencies, in order to ensure sure an adequate security of lives and properties and maintenance of law and order, which is one fundamental responsibility of government to its citizens.

So, why are the people not applauding and celebrating these uncommon feats?

In the near two years, Comrade Osadebe leadership has been paying salaries without backlogs; he has even continuously serviced accumulated debts of the Local Goverment, inherited by his administration.

At present, there is no worker being owed either his salary or otherwise, following his Excellency’s directive that no government worker should be owed a dime as workers deserve their wages.

While there were unprepared interventions that went unreported while the Osadebe administration such as the resettlement effort for persons displaced as a result of the perennial rising and overflow of the Nigerian river into various communities in the local government.

This is simply because Comrade Uche Osadebe, a protege and thorough groomed Servant Leader, pro-democracy activist and dogged follower of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led people oriented governance is not just a simple, intellectually-driven and humble leader of the local government council, but typifies and embodies what one can best describe as ‘a leader who leads his people from within’; so as to ensure their pulse and heartbeats are inculcated into government projects.

His style of leadership in the local council, which is a direct influence of His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa purposeful and responsive administration in the state has no doubt, endeared the council boss to everyone within and outside the local government; thereby, ensuring and guaranteeing the present support being enjoyed by him, among his people, in order to ensure even development and further growth of the the local government.

However, the great and elated people of Oshimili south are hopeful that when the early days of January, 2020 comes, the two years memorable administration of Comrade Osadebe as council chairman of Oshimili South LGA will be written on the marbles of both history and posterity for men and women of good conscience to judge.

In the next few months the people will have more reasons to evaluate the scorecard of one of their best hands and one of its finest in Comrade Uche Osadebe, as other landmark projects currently being embarked upon by his administration, would have been completed. No doubt, the people of Oshimili South will come smooching and canoodling with the council head in appreciation for remaining true to genuine service delivery in the past two years.

At present, the headquarters secretariat of the local government, is about wearing a new look, as a total facelift is currently being undertaken by Osadebe administration. This is just among others such as the ultramodern Vocational Skill acquisition centre is nearing it's completion. Also in a radical move Comrade Osadebe is leading an unprecedented environmental operation, aimed at keeping Asaba consistently clean, as the state capital. This, he is doing by working closely with communities, markets, small and major business organisations within the local. He has dedicated himself and other officials of the LGA, to a daily advocacy and campaign, towards promoting environmental sanitation among his people, while also recommending sanctions for offenders.

Comrade Osadebe represents simplicity, humility, credibility and accountability. He has maintained a sustained commitment to youth development through creating job opportunities for a good number of young people in the local government.


His dedication is unwavering and no doubt, this vanguard of democracy and good governance, will continue to work tirelessly towards ensuring the realization of the prosperity for all Agenda, of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.


Oshimili South great days are ahead.



Okafor Uche is an Investment Banker and Public Commentator.
He sent in this piece from Asaba, Delta State.

NANS Zone B Coordinator Arrives Home State of Akwa Ibom amidst Warm Reception.


The Newly Elected Zonal coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Students NANS ZONE B, Comr. Etinyene Friday Offongekpe yesterday arrived Akwa Ibom to a warm embrace by Senior Stakeholders and other student' Leaders across the Zone.

Comr. Offongekpe emerged the winner and was declared duly elected by the Convention Chairman Comr. Ezekiel Sunday after a motion was moved and he nominated on the floor of the senate by the Senator representing Akwa Ibom state Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua and seconded by the SUG president of Ebonyi State University.

The Coordinating Coordinator of the largest Zone on touching down expressed optimism at such warm reception adding that such was a clear indication that his Leadership is appreciated.

He further thanked the over 1,000 aluta conscious Foot soldiers who amidst busy schedules oozed out time to receive him noting that The Glory has come to Akwa Ibom.

Shortly after his arrival, the NANS ZONE B COORDINATOR led the entourage on a Thank you Visit to the Dean, student's Affair of the Prestigious University of Uyo where he was warmly received.

As part of the concluding formalities, the Zonal Coordinator visited The Department of State Service, DSS where he briefed the agency on the outcome of the election.
The train later visited University Of Uyo, Annex where he paid solidarity to students of the JTF who logged horns in a friendly encounter at the Annex football field.

The train retired shortly after the delegation concluded the formalism on a spiritual note by visiting the Church in Thanksgiving to God.

Those on ground to receive him Included: Comr Mike Ibanga, Comr. Iberedem Eshiet, Comr. Nkereuwem Mendie, Comr. Emmanuel Aniedu, Comr. Edemumo Jr
Past and present NANS stakeholders, Worldwide Presidents, SUG presidents, Legislator of Student's Senate and other Student leaders.

BREAKING: NANS Zone B, Elect Friday Etinyene Offongekpe as new Coordinator.


The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS ‘Zone B' has at a convention held at the University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN), Enugu State, Elect new leadership, for the organization in the Zone.

According to reports by observers, Nigerian Students and the Chairman of the Convention, Comrade Ezekiel Nwankwo, the election had about 82 Senators who are Presidents of the Students' unions in their various institutions that cover 11 states of NANS Zone B. South South and South East.

The convention witnessed the Emergence of Comrade Etinyene FRIDAY Offongekpe of University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom state as the new Coordinator of NANS Zone B.


Meanwhile, the new leadership of the NANS in the Zone have appealed to the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU to reconsider its threat of an industrial action over issues bothering on the inclusion of Universities Academic staff members, on the Integrated Payroll Personnel System (IPPS).

Comrade Friday Etinyene Offongekpe said the nation currently requires the declaration of a state of emergency on its education, and any action due to be taken by stakeholders within the sector, particularly ASUU, must be thoroughly considered.

He further said the federal government must declare a state of emergency in the education sector in order to address the decay in infrastructure and increase funding for the sector.

The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress (PYYC) has hailed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, for preserving and promoting harmonious working relationship with the National Assembly.

The group made this known in a press conference tagged “NASS, Executive Interface: Good Synergy; Pregnable Results” on Sunday in Lagos.

In a statement signed by convener, Comrade Kola Salawu, the Yoruba Youth extoled the renewed synergy between the executive and the parliament, particularly, on the joint visit of the National Assembly (NASS) Committees on the Nigerian Army and the fair appraisal of the Boko Haram insurgency by both the Senate and House of Representatives.

The PYYC expressed satisfaction with the “ visionary, purposeful, focused and result-oriented leadership of the Nigerian Army which has flawlessly aligned in conformity with Mr. President's transparency and accountability in leadership”.

The group, therefore, called on other security agencies as well as MDAs to emulate Buratai's leadership style and quit unnecessary bickering with the legislature.

The Yoruba Youth, however, appealed to the parliament to increase budgetary votes for the military to finally extinguish the ghost of terrorism and insurrections in the country.

“ The Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress (PYYC) is persuaded by very caustic nationalistic reasons to identify and salute Mr. President. It is for his consistent running of a transparent government of Nigeria, where the legislature is uninhibited in any manner, whatsoever, to engage stakeholders legitimately in order to get the country perfectly working in the#NextLevel,” the group began.

“ This is yawningly clear from the recent visit of the Joint Committee of the NASS to the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja. This was after the national parliamentarians visited the Northeast region, where Nigerian troops are busy with final stages of Clearance Operations to rout out residues of Boko Haram terrorists from their remote hideouts.

“ PYYC is excited by the NASS Committees’ oversight functions visit to the Army, especially as the national legislators stretched to the frontlines and had mutual interactions with Nigerian troops face to face on the counter-insurgency operations.

“The legislators led by Senate Committee Chairman on Army, Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume and his House of Rep's counterpart, Abdulrazaq Namdas expressed satisfaction with troops' commitment to committing the Boko Haram war to a victorious end. We consider this a fair commentary on Nigeria’s success on the anti-terrorism campaigns under the Buhari Presidency.

“With this development, we are prodded to thank the leadership of the Nigerian Army, led by the resolute and unconquerable Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and emperor of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai for translucently administering the Army in a style that has flung its doors open for all stakeholders to be part of the transformation of our country in tandem with the vision and intendment of President Buhari.

“The Army Chief, Sir, we want to bring to your notice that the PYYC is impressed with your visionary, purposeful, focused and result-oriented leadership of the Nigerian Army which has flawlessly aligned in conformity with Mr. President's transparency and accountability in leadership. It shows both Mr. President and you have nothing to hide in the prosecution of the counter-terrorism campaigns.

“As a group, it is our unbending desire to see a fully regenerated and prosperous country in consonance with the authentic principles of selfless and patriotic leadership as articulated by President Buhari, ab initio from the kick of his administration years back. It gladdens our hearts to observe that leaders at lower rungs like Gen. Buratai are replicating the President’s exemplary leadership disposition and style in the public institutions they lead.

“Therefore, without any hesitance and in further appeals to the sensibilities of leaders at lesser levels and Heads of government agencies, we invite them to copiously emulate the Nigerian Army by ignoring unnecessary bickering with the National Assembly. The odyssey to the#NextLevel is our collective responsibility and everyone ought to play his part outstandingly.

“Permit us to seize this opportunity to appeal to our national parliament, especially, the Committees on the Nigerian Army in both Chambers of NASS to look into the pleas of the COAS, Gen. Buratai on the possibility of excluding the Nigerian Army from the subsisting envelope budgetary system.

“A review of the ceiling bar of budgetary votes for key agencies like the Army has become expedient in view of the ongoing reforms in the Nigerian Army and the resurgence of insurgency in the country, which indisputably requires additional funding to finally extinguish the ghost of terrorism and insurrections in our country.

“May we bring to the attention of NASS leadership and the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning that the Nigerian Army has embarked on ambitious and positive innovations in the institution designed to stimulate capacity-building, competence and effective discharge of their Constitutional responsibilities of preserving and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“PYYC is aware that the leadership of the Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai has embarked on innovations and structural changes such as the establishment of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Special Intelligence Command, Land Forces Simulation Centre, and Nigerian Army Aviation School among hordes of others.

“Therefore, an insufficient budget allocation and the sustenance of the prevailing envelope (ceiling) budget system for the Nigerian Army has the tendency to hamper the Army’s determination and capacity to meet commitments extended to it in the performance of these added responsibilities.

“In effect, the PYYC therefore, implores the parliament to use its powers to canvass for more votes for security agencies especially those directly involved in Boko Haram anti-insurgency operations and other Internal Security assignments in the collective synergy to propel the nation forward in the#NextLevel. We shall be pleased of this plea is heeded.”

By Philip Agbese

In my proud African-ness, I subscribe to the tradition of polygamy as inherited from my fore fathers. It is not because I am unmindful of the strains or sometimes, its near fatal consequences in a family. But only a polygamous man knows and can actually vouch on who among his wives is the best in whatever nuance.

I celebrate Nigerian politicians, activists and public affairs commentators and even antagonists for their consciousness in enlivening public discourse on Any Government in Power(AGIP). Straightforwardly, these revered personalities of different camps have tasted the previous administration in Nigeria and the current leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. And like the proverbial two wives, they know which one is better.

And I have read some refreshing consensus verdicts a long time ago, concluding that President Buhari is indeed, the better wife, if I am permitted to adopt this euphemism in my description of his leadership of the nation. The conclusion reminds me of its blend with an American writer, Elbert Hubbard who praised the concept of polygamy as “… An endeavor to get more out of life than, there is in it.”

Personally, I have no smidgeon of doubt about the steller leadership qualities of President Buhari and his impactful outings on Nigeria’s leadership rostrum in the near five years of his sojourn in Aso Rock. He has accomplished much and really made the difference in more ways than I ever imagined. But life and security of lives is everything in the existential struggle of nations and its leaders.

Therefore, I intend to appreciate and interrogate my write-up from the perspective of President Buhari’s courage and commitment in tackling insecurity, particularly, Boko Haram insurgency. I shall concentrate on popping up salient benefits Nigerians have derived from Buhari’s suppression of infectiously toxic Boko Haram terrorism in Nigerian and the compelling need to appreciate his Presidency in superlative thankfulness.

Firstly, no one can dispute that the national capital of any country in the world is its symbol and pride. It expresses all such a country embodies. But we are all witnesses to the destructive fangs of Boko Haram terrorism on Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before the Buhari Presidency. Bomb explosions and killings everyday submitted the country’s fate to boundless mourning.

Fear in Abuja residents replaced courage and the belief, even among ardent believers that God alone protects or that any Nigerian leader could eclipse this burden. But President Buhari has transcended this challenge, as Boko Haram bombs have ceased to explode anywhere in Abuja since he became leader of the nation. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

We should be glad that President Buhari has been able to curtail Boko Haram aggressive expansions, with bomb explosions in the ancient city of Kano and Kaduna among others, where the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as well as other top personalities, worship centers and other places were regular targets of insurgents attacks.

Mr. President deserves our collective panegyrics for enabling the release of nearly 20,000 Nigerians silently held in captivity, including almost all the abducted Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls by Boko Haram. More families under Buhari’s reign have had respite than sorrows after years of reunification with beloved ones severed by insurgency.

We should all be indebted to President Buhari for dislodging commercial Boko Haram agents and mercantile proxies, who invaded the forests and caves of Kogi state manufacturing Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other devices. It was their avowed determination to create an easy transit route to export terrorism to Southern Nigeria.

And I also think Nigerians should be grateful to the Buhari Presidency for ensuring religious and tradition leaders deposed from their fiefdoms at the peak of insurgency are back home today. They were forced to take refuge in alien lands and their domains occupied by insurgents. But these deposed leaders have been reinstated in their kingdoms.

The Shehu of Bama , Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi; his Dikwa Masa II counterpart, and many others were some victims of insurgency forced to desert their communities for asylum in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. But they have all returned to their domains because of the pervasive peace and security in the Northeast region. At the last Muslim feast of Eid-el-Kabir, the Shehu of Bama Kingdom confessed to elaborate celebration of the festival in his domain with his people, for the first time in five years.

I am also excited with President for asserting the supremacy of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the independent state of Nigeria. Under the Buhari Presidency, 18 LGAs coercively annexed and occupied by insurgents, who declared Gwoza as their “Islamic Caliphate’s” administrative headquarters have all been reclaimed by the Nigerian Army. No part of Nigeria is under Boko Haram annihilation now.

Hitherto, I observed that Boko Haram insurgents made it a favourite past time to inflict pains and sorrows on Nigerians at special festivities like Sallah, Christmas and New Year celebrations by freely visiting horrendous atrocities on celebrants. These seasons were full of apprehensions, anxieties and phobia in Nigerians. But President Buhari’s expert handling of insurgency through the Nigerian Military has vanished these tensions. For years running, insurgents have become impotent to violently disrupt such festivities with blood and tears anywhere in Nigeria.

The United Nations (UN) years back pegged the number of IDPs by insurgency at 2.4 million Nigerians. They were scattered in IDPs camps in Nigeria and neighbouring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroun, while the number kept multiplying. We have to be thankful to Buhari for creating the enabling secured environment for the massive return of IDP to deserted communities and villages in the Northeast. The returnees have not only settled down to eke a living, but are also picking up from the ruins and devastations caused by terrorism, as populations in IDPs camps depreciate thinner and thinner.

Buhari’s administration has been able to halt the trend of Boko Haram’s free recruitment of thousands of our youths who were hypnotized and consecrated into killers for the Boko Haram sect. They served as insurgents’ foot soldiers and provided the manpower for a thriving terrorism. But this phenomenon has been extinguished, thereby saving our youths susceptible to Boko Haram recruitment and an endangered life. Buhari deserve praises.

And closely related, everyone is aware hundreds of agile youths were already victims of Boko Haram’s charmed enlistment into the evil sect. They were trained by insurgents in the art of killings through bombs detonations and other murderous acts. But through the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai’s adoption of the “stick and carrot,” hundreds of these initiated Nigerian youths voluntarily denounced Boko Haram and surrendered to the Nigerian Army. Souls have been saved under this administration.

The Army has gone a step further to de-militarize and de-radicalize repentant insurgents after months in camps specified for the purpose. Therefore, the repentant insurgents have been re-absorbed into a sane society and reunited with estranged families. It’s worthy of appreciation to President Buhari that his government has rescued some of our youths who went astray, and reoriented them, something akin to poet John Milton’s rendition in “Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.”

It pained us that the Northeast region was completely ruined by the activities of Boko Haram insurgency. Aside gruesome killings, the quantum of destructions to public and private properties was awful. Schools, hospitals, roads, markets, banks, and offices were reduced to rubbles as Boko Harm held the Northeast region spellbound every day. But since Buhari has ensured the return of substantial peace and security, the destroyed public buildings are being rebuilt. Through the Northeast Development Commission and Presidential Initiative on the Northeast, the arrested development denied populations of the region by insurgency is gradually being restored.

I must appreciate President Buhari for ensuring the return of peace and security especially in the trilogy states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and with it, the animation of normal life in all spheres. Markets, banks, farms, nightlife and flocks of activities have resumed in these states, where Boko Haram was an everyday experience and surviving residents or natives recoiled into their shells for the fear of terrorists. Life is sweeter for a man physically and mentally free from any inhibition of fear.

Our people have every reason to sing acclamations to President Buhari for warming his path into the hearts of Governments of Western nations who have accepted to sell combat equipment to Nigeria for the combat of Boko Haram terrorism. These previously hesitant foreign nations have also consented to extend military technical assistance to the Government of Nigeria. Such western nations declined the requests in the past citing human rights abuses by the military in the prosecution of the counter-terrorism war, against extant laws international laws.

But President Buhari’s diligent prosecution of the terrorism, with the Chief anchor officer, Gen. Buratai, dispensed it in accordance with international best practices, sacred respect for the human rights of Nigerians and strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement (ROE) by the Army has vacated the ban on arms sale restriction to the FGN. Therefore, by 2020, America which was the first country to kick against sale of military equipment to Nigeria will supply 12 Tucano fighter jets to the Nigerian military to fight Boko Haram.

And a few days back, President Buhari signed a military deal with Russia at the just concluded Russia- African Summit in Sochi for the renewal of Nigeria-Russia Military Technical Agreement. The agreement will be a springboard of Nigeria’s efforts to purchase military hardware from Russia on government-to-government basis. It will also nose at Russia’s military training of Nigerian soldiers on terrorism. Precisely, Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed support of Nigeria with military equipment, Infrastructure and training facilities.

Its apt confirmation that as difficult as the asymmetrical counter- terrorism warfare appears, President Buhari has scaled international standards on human rights violations, without which the country would have been continued to suffer pariah status on military aid and deprived of the necessary military assistance to finally terminate Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria.

What has gladdened my heart more jubilantly in the prevailing peace in the troubled Northeast region is the temperate environment it has created for internal development initiatives. It raised the peaceful conditions for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to work for the discovery of oil and gas in the Northeastern part of the country in commercial quantities at the Gongola Basin.

NNPC’s Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Samson Makoji who broke the cheering news in a public statement said, the oil and gas discovered in Gongola Basin will attract foreign investments, generate employment and increase government revenues for Nigeria. Every Nigerian should thank Buhari for this novel accomplishment in Northern Nigeria.

Why won’t Nigerians be grateful to President Buhari when he has ensured children in schools in the Northeast displaced by Boko Haram have returned back to learning centers’, under a better and conducive atmosphere? It is a remarkable departure with the past, when a daring or vicious Boko Haram sent more and more school age children out of school into IDPs camps, thereby mortgaging their future and that of the country.

And quite surprisingly, most of us are not aware that Boko Haram has graduated from a small gang of armed political thugs to terrorists of international backing from the Republic of Iran. Boko Haram factional leaders, Abubakar Shekau and Musab Al-Barnewi have both professed affinities with Iranian-based and globally recognized terror groups in the Middle East.

These include ISIS, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda and many others who provide cash funding in foreign currencies and equipment supply to Boko Haram terrorists. It implies a strong and smoldering desire to takeover Nigeria at all cost. The desperation is palpable.

But President Buhari through the Nigerian military held have remained firm and assertive in combat of terrorism. With Gen. Buratai in the trenches, Boko Haram insurgents have spiritedly and fruitlessly attempted to retake territories reclaimed from them by the Nigerian Army, much less expansion. Nigerians should be excited with Buhari , without him Boko Haram would have overran Nigeria by now and so easily like floods.



There is no doubt in my mind that President Buhari is a leader, who knows where the nation aches deeper and how to apply the soothing balm for peace and security. He is my metaphor of a South African proverb which says, “ A clever king is the brother of peace,” or like the Ethiopians would say, “Even in the monastery, there is occasion for songs and merriments. Nigerians, let’s celebrate President Buhari, my iconic leader on counter-terrorism.

Agbese is a researcher in human rights laws and contributed this piece from the United Kingdom.

RE: CHIEF OKOI OBONO OBLA DECLARED WANTED BY THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES COMMISSION, ICPC


We are Solicitors to Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, and issue this Press Statement in that capacity.

Our attention was drawn to a widely circulated press release by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC wherein they declared Chief Okoi Obono Obla, the erstwhile Chairman of the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public property, wanted for failing to honour a purported invitation extended to him pursuant to an investigation they claim they are conducting.

Though it is obvious that the whole intent of the ICPC Press Statement declaring Our Client wanted is an unfortunate episode in a well oiled media trial orchestrated to ridicule and embarrass a man who spent the last two years of his life fighting corruption to its knees, let us put some record straight as succinctly as possible.

Chief Okoi Obono Obla was never ever invited by the ICPC for an interview or questioning. Rather, we read on social media and blogs that a purported invitation letter was left at the law office of Obono, Obono & Associates, a law firm which Our Client resigned from since 2015 to accept the appointment of President Mohammadu Buhari, first to serve as Special Assistant on Prosecution and then as Chairman of the Special Presidential Panel for the Recovery of Public Property. The ICPC knew this; for they should know that he was not combining private legal practice and public service.

An invitation of this nature must be done by personal service on the invitee, failure of which the proper legal steps should be taken to serve the invitee through substitute means. ICPC cannot just drop a purported invitation letter meant for a person anywhere and claim that they have invited such a person. So, we repeat, Chief Okoi Obono Obla has never been invited by the ICPC.

Secondly, a case has been filed by Our Client against the ICPC challenging the purported investigation on the grounds that the agency is already prejudiced against him. Our Client took this action after a full blown media trial was launched against him. It was/is crystal clear that the ICPC has already declared him guilty even before they started their investigation. No sane man will trust an investigative agency to be fair, just and decent when it is clear from their conduct and posturing that such an agency has already taken sides.

The ICPC has been served with court processes in the said suit, but they have refused to react to the suit but rather they have chosen to carry on as a law unto to themselves, ignoring the suit and going on with the media trial by declaring Our Client wanted without even first obtaining an order of court in that regard.

This is most unfortunate. The ICPC should obey the law and due process by first serving Our Client an invitation letter, joining issues with Our Client in court and when that is disposed off, one way or the other, justice can be said to have been done. To arrogantly ignore the case in court and carry on as they are doing cuts a riotous image of President Buhari’s administration. It paints the administration as one without adherence to the rule of law, one that sacrifices its anti-corruption crusaders for political expediency. It is most unfortunate.

Exploitation and Abuse of Children: Need to Create Awareness on Childs Rights-------Olajide Olanipekun Esq


Being the text of lecture delivered by Michael Olajide Olanipekun Esq., during the Annual One Day Lecture Organized by Oladele (Mogba) Foundation, Oyo, Oyo State on Thursday 24th October, 2019 at Oladele (Mogba) Foundation Secretariat, Beside Oyo West Local Government Secretariat Complex, Ojongbodu, Oyo, Oyo State



1.0 I will like to seize this opportunity to thank the organiser of this programme for finding me worthy as a resource person to deliver a lecture on the above stated topic. Creating awareness to prevent child abuse and exploitation becomes very important given the high level of ignorance of the Law concerning the Rights of a child and the attendant commission of crime which carries prison penalties and fine as punishments that may follow such exploitation and abuse of children.


1.1 Introduction
It is highly expedient to define and explain some key words that form part of this topic of discussion in order to put the discussion in proper perspective.


1.2 Exploitation: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines exploitation as a situation in which somebody treats somebody in an unfair way, especially in order to make money from their work; the fact of using a situation to get an advantage for yourself’

1.3 Abuse: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines abuse as unfair, cruel or violent treatment of somebody’


1.4 Awareness: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines awareness as Knowing something; knowing that something exists and is important; being interested in something.


1.5 Child (Children Plural): the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines a child as a young human being who is not yet an adult’;
Child Rights Laws of Oyo State 2006 defines a child as a person under the age of Eighteen years.


1.6 Right: the Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary of current English Sixth Edition defines right (in the context of this lecture) as ‘a moral or legal claim to have or get something or to behave in a particular way: the same dictionary goes ahead to define human Right (which put our discussion in an appropriate direction) as one of the basic rights that every one has to be treated fairly and not in a cruel way, especially by their government
Invariably, the discussion of today is about letting people know and interested in how to treat fairly, without molestation or taking undue advantage of a person under age of eighteen. We will also highlight the repercussions of not treating fairly any young human being by making it known, the punishment prescribed by Nigerian Law that is protecting children Rights.

2.0 Child Abuse and Exploitation In Nigeria.

It is not a gainsaying that child abuse occurs in Nigeria, it has however received little attention. This is largely due to the general assumption that in every African society the extended family system always provides love, care and protection to all children, yet there are traditional child raising practices which adversely affects children and against the modern trend of care for children which are protected by Legislations.


According to the United Nations, it is estimated that there are 15 million working Nigerian children under the age of 14. These children have been exposed on the street and forced into long hours of dangerous situations that are not developmentally appropriate as those children are at the risk of accident, violence, sexual exploitation and various disease due to these exposures have been reported.


In recent years the abuse and exploitation of children for political purposes in Nigeria has been on the increase, for example, on the night of 14-15 April 2014, the 276 Chibok girls that were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok, Chibok Local government Area of Borno State, North East Nigeria by the Boko Haram terrorist group while on the 19 February 2018 110 school girls between aged 11-19 were kidnapped by book haram terrorist group from the Government Girls science and Technical College (GGSTC, Dapchi, Bulabulin, Yunusari Local Government Area, Yobe State, North East of Nigeria. There is no higher exploitation for political purposes or any form of abuse that any young person could be exposed to as the girls were subjected to all kind of sexual, physical and psychological abuse and forced labour.


There is also the case of the domestic workers in which majority are girls. These domestic workers popularly known as House helps are denied education, forced to work long hours with little or no pay, usually underfed, forced to live in terrible conditions and are also vulnerable to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.


The vulnerability of children to various forms of abuse and exploitation in situations of conflict has increasingly been recognized as a major and serious protection issue.


There is considerable overlap between the terms abuse and exploitation. Abus eas earlier defined as the process of making bad or improper use, or violating or injuring, or to take bad advantage of, or maltreat, the person, while exploitation literally means using for ones own profit or for selfish purposes" clearly show the overlap
Child abuse includes the physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of a child, or the neglect of a child, in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power, resulting in actual or potential harm to the childs physical and emotional health, survival and development.


Physical abuse: the deliberate use of force on a childs body which may result in injury, e.g. hitting, burning, shaking, choking;
Sexual abuse: should be understood not only as violent sexual assault but also other sexual activities, including inappropriate touching, where the child does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared.
Emotional abuse: persistent attacks on a childs sense of self, e.g. constant belittling, taunting or humiliation, isolation and intimidation.


Neglect of a child may be based on repeated conduct or on a single incident or omission that results in, or should reasonably be expected to result in, serious physical or mental injury or a substantial risk of death to the child. Neglect can include, but is not limited to, the failure to provide sufficient food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision and medicine. It can also include the failure to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from abuse, exploitation or neglect by another person.


Exploitation of a child refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the benefit of others and to the detriment of the childs physical or mental health, development, and education. Exploitation includes, but is not limited to, child labor and child prostitution. Both terms, however, indicate that advantage is being taken of the childs lack of power and status.


The term child labour also presents some ambiguities because of its very negative connotations. Does domestic work within the family constitute child labour? Not all childrens work should be considered as exploitative, and in some situations may be regarded as beneficial to the child to make him/her have a robust and full development in domestic house chores which will enhance a balance adulthood when of age.


In many societies, almost all children undertake work, for example within the home or on the familys land. Many consider that work within certain limits contributes to childrens development and education, especially if that work can be combined with education. In some situations, the family can only afford school fees if the child works. On the other hand, certain types of work are unquestionably exploitative - e.g. bonded labour and work which is harmful to the childs health or wellbeing.
In determining whether childrens work in a particular context should be considered as exploitative, it is important to examine the totality of the childrens situation. It will be important to consider such factors as;
the age of the child;
the hours spent working each day;
the level of physical or psychosocial stress work creates;
the conditions of work;
the amount of pay;
the level of responsibility;
whether the child attends school;
the level of dignity/self-esteem children maintain;
Whether work contributes to or harms the childs psychosocial and physical development.


3.0 Rights of a Child in Nigeria and Penalties for failure to protect Such Right
Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees certain rights for all Nigerian citizens children inclusive.
3.1 The following are the fundamental Rights enshrined with chapter IV of the 1999 constitution:
Right to life Section 33 of the constitution.

Right to Dignity of Human person Section 34 of the constitution.
Right to personal liberty section 35 of the constitution.

Right to fair hearing section 36 of the constitution.

Right to private and family life section 37 of the constitution.
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion section 38 of the constitution.

Right to freedom of expression and press section 39 of the constitution.

Right to peaceful assembly and association section 40 of the constitution.

Right to freedom of movement section 41 of the constitution.
Right to freedom from discrimination section 42 of the constitution.

Right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria section 43 of the constitution.

Right to compensation for any property government acquired compulsorily section 44 of the constitution.


Section 45 & 46 f the Constitution provided for procedure for enforcement of those above mentioned rights if any of them is trampled upon. The provisions of Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 are very clear on which court to approach to seek redress.

3.2 All the above stated right are subsumed and made part of child Rights taking into consideration of peculiar and special need of a child.


The child Rights Laws of Oyo State 2006 made copious provisions in section 5 (1) to cater for the provisions of the Chapter IV of the constitution stated above.
Other beneficial Child Rights provided for in 2006 Oyo State Laws which are largely unknown to the general populace are as follows:

Right to a name (Section 17) and compulsory registration of such name at birth pursuant to compulsory Registration Act of 1992.


Right to Leisure, recreation and Cultural activities (section 14).
Right to health Services every child is entitled to enjoy best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health [section 15 (1)]. Under this, the Oyo state Government is under obligation [section 15(3)]
to reduce infant mortality rate
ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care services to all children with emphasis on the development of Primary health care
ensure the provision of adequate nutrition and safe drinking water
ensure provision of good hygiene and environmental sanitation
combat disease and malnutrition within the frame work of primary health care through the application of appropriate technology
ensure appropriate health care for expectant and nursing mother
support through technical and financial means, the mobilization of the state and local community resources in the development of primary health care for children
Parents and Guardian Role: Every Parent and guardian or person having care and custody of a child under the age of two years shall ensure that the child is provided with full immunization [section 15(4).


Failure to ensure immunization, the parent, guardian or person having the care of such child has committed an offence and is liable to (a) a first offence, to a fine of not exceeding Five Thousand naira, and (b) a second or subsequent offence, whether in respect of that child or any other child, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month
Right to Parental Care and protection: No child should be separated from his parents against the wish of a child except (a) for the purpose of his education and welfare or (b) in exercise of a judicial determination in accordance with provision of the Law (section 16)


Right to Free and Compulsory Education: Every Child has right to free, compulsory and universal basic Education and it shall be the duty of the Government of Oyo state to provide such Education [Section 17 (1)]


Every Parent or guardian shall ensure that his child or ward attends and complete (a) Primary School Education; and (b) junior Secondary education
after completion of the basic education, parent or guardian should endeavour to send the child to a senior secondary school or make him to learn appropriate trade and the employer of the child shall provide the necessaries for the trade.


A female Child who becomes pregnant before completing her education shall be given the opportunity, after delivery, to continue with her Education.
Failure to ensure the above by parent/guardian, such person commits an offence and is liable:


(a) on first conviction to be reprimanded and ordered to undertake community service (b) on second conviction to a fine of Two Thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or both fine and imprisonment (c)on any subsequent conviction to a fine of not exceeding Five Thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two moths or both fine and imprisonment
Right of a child in need of special


Protection Measure (section 18): The are children with physical or mental challenges
Right of Unborn Child (section 19): A child may bring action for damages against a person for harm or injury caused to the child willfully, recklessly, negligently or through neglect before, during or after birth of that child.

An unborn child is entitled to the estate of his late father that died intestate an unborn child is entitled to the estate of his late mother that died intestate.


Prohibition of Child marriage(sections 23, 24 and 25): No person under the age 18 is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly, amarriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect
No parent or guardian or any other person shall betroth a child to any person.

Such betrothal is null and void
a person that marries a child or to whom a child is betrothed or who promotes marriage of a child commits an offence is liable to conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of Five years or to both imprisonment and fine.

Prohibition of Female Genital mutilation (section 26): No female Child should be subjected to genital mutilation.


Any person who subject a female child to genital mutilation is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of Twenty thousand naira of for a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or both fine and imprisonment.


Prohibition of Tattoo or Skin Mark (section 27): No person shall tattoo or make skin mark or cause any tattoo or skin mark to be made on a child.


A person who tattoos or makes skin mark on a child commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira or imprisonment for a term not exceeding One month or to both imprisonment and fine
Prohibition of exposing a child to narcotics or usage of (section 28): any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to life imprisonment without fine.


Prohibition of usage of a child in commission of Criminal activities (section 29): any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to Fourteen years imprisonment without fine
Prohibition of Removal of a Child from the custody of his parents, guardian or any person having lawful care (section 30): any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to Fifteen years imprisonment without fine (if the child is within oyo state or Twenty years imprisonment if the child was taken outside oyo State.


Prohibition of Child Labour (section 31): No Child shall be subjected to any forced or exploitative labour or as a domestic help outside his own home or family environment.
any one that does that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding Fifty thousand Naira or Five years imprisonment or to both fine and imprisonment.

If the offender is a corporate body it is liable on conviction to a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty thousand naira.


Prohibition of having sexual intercourse with a child ( section 34): any one that does that commits an offence of Rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life without fine
where a person is charged with an offence of child rape, it is immaterial if the offender believed the Child to be above 18 years or the sexual intercourse was with consent of such child.


Prohibition of other sexual Abuse of a child (section 35): a person who sexually abuses or sexually exploits a child in any manner apart from rape commits an offence and is liable on conviction to Fourteen years imprisonment without fine
Prohibition of Harmful publication that may be injurious to a child (section 37 and 38): any one that imports harmful publication commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of Thirty thousand Naira or a term of Three years imprisonment or both
- any one that print, publishes, sells or let on hire any harmful publication that commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of fifty thousand naira or Five years imprisonment or both.

4.0 Recommendation

It is crystal clear that exploitation and abuse of children have serious legal implications under our law with far reaching consequences in term of punishment attached to the offences as a result of child abuse and exploitation.


It is quite unfortunate that we the full weight of the Law has not been felt by those that abuse and exploit our children largely because parents or guardian of those victims are mostly guilty of the offences or refuse to report to the Law enforcement agencies under the disguise of protecting the victim.

Consequent to non reportage of such offences, Child abuse and exploitation is on the increase.


I wish to humbly urge parents and guardians to make sure that report any such abuse and exploitation to the Law enforcement agencies through Non governmental Organization Like Oladele (Mogba) Foundation that will ensure that the needful is done to get justice and also protect the identity of such victim.


Also, I wish to recommend to Oyo state government to provide the manpower that will allow to function adequately the Family Court that will take care of the adjudication of such cases in the best interest of such child. Also, the Government should ensure that Childs right committee both at State and Local government Levels are constituted because they necessary for implementation of Child Rights Law 2016 of Oyo State.

5 Conclusion

I want to conclude that to have a community that will be free of Child abuse and exploitation, all hands must be on deck to promote our age long traditional values that recognise the usefulness of children as pride of the society and its future.


I once again thanked Oladele (Mogba) Foundation for inviting me to share my thoughts with you and also commend the Foundation for living up to its objectives with this awareness on Child rights and other laudable programs it has been carrying out since inception. I also thanked the audience for your rapt attention.

By David Onmeje

Africa by conception is designed by God Himself to be a great continent. But very often, Africans privileged to mount leadership positions on the continent are devoid of the essential ingredients which empowers a leader towards success in the nations they rule.

The phenomenon became widespread after most African states kissed the romance of independence from colonial masters. The aspiration to leadership and the zeal to succeed while on the leadership podium requires courage. A leader in the truest sense is a carrier of the destiny or fate of millions of people. So, to succeed itself demands a consistent dosage of courage or else, frustrations easily beckons a leader to the path of failures.

Unfortunately, Today, purveyors of leadership history only mention a few African leaders (past and present) who have conquered this standards of leadership. There are really very few African leaders qualified for citation in exemplary leadership courage that should lead to success.

Great African leaders whose names often pops up under such leadership interrogations include Ghana’s Kweme Nkurmah; Burkina Faso’s Captain Thomas Sankara; South Africa’s Nelson Mandela; Ethiopia’s Halie Selassie, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and of course, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria among a few others.

But there is an indubitable sense in arguments by those who think what is Africa’s heaviest burden is lack of leadership courage. Most African leaders know the right thing to do, but are barren of the courage to dare it or what is commonly referred to as the “political will,” because of the ungodly allures and fascinations of leadership. It explains why there are few of such individuals and personalities across Africa.

Nonetheless, the incumbent President of Nigeria, a reputable retired Army officer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari stands out tall in leadership courage. President Buhari has twice been on Nigeria’s leadership saddle. He first came as a military Head of State in 1984 and in 2015, he returned as a democratic President. To say, he is one of Nigeria’s finest leaders of all times, for all the times he has mounted the leadership mantle is to emphasize the obvious.

What is inseparable with his persona is that in all instances, President Buhari has demonstrated leadership courage to succeed and leave landmark legacies for his country. Nigeria is a very difficult country to govern; but President Buhari has persistently manifested the courage to wither the storm to success by confronting the nation’s teething problems unflinchingly and boldly.

John Maxwell once said; “ A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” President Buhari is a replica of this reconstruction of the thoughts of a leader. Therefore, Buhari does not flinch in taking the right leadership decisions insofar as it leads to light at the end of the tunnel. He steps on toes and wade off the lobbying shadows of even close political associates once he is bent on doing the right thing.

Every Nigerian is aware of the severity and toughness of the problems which engulfed Nigeria when the Buhari Presidency was inaugurated. It was more intensified on insecurity as signposted by Boko Haram insurgency and other crumbling insurrections around the country.

President Buhari knew he had to urgently tackle the Boko Haram menace. And it required courage to make the right decisions on the rightful, competent and trusted military officers to lead the battle against insurgency. And President Buhari has not left anyone disillusioned in the manner he has handled insurgencies and insurrections. He has demonstrated rare courage; unbelievable courage and uncommon courage to explore the fields in anti-terrorism combats where his predecessors dreaded.

Mr. President astounded Nigerians when he assembled his team of Security Chiefs. He opted to appoint serving military officers whom he has never met before. But he had reason to trust their capacity and competence to perform the task as certified by their worthy profiles.

In the Nigerian Army, President Buhari spotted Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and anointed him the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Further justifying his explicit confidence in Gen. Buratai, he crowned him leader of the counter-insurgency operations.

What many Nigerians failed to decode in Mr. President’s choice of Gen. Buratai was the desire to have a COAS and helmsman of counter-terrorism in Nigeria in the personality of an officer who could personally go to the trenches, comb the caves, forests and mountains of the Northeast in search of insurgents hideous camps. He wanted a leader of counter-insurgency who will take the war to insurgents’ doorsteps.

And Gen. Buratai’s antecedents fitted into President Buhari’s ideal leader of the war. And the Army Chief has neither failed the President nor Nigerians, as he is doing it without fear or favour. The Army Chief is also delivering on this mandate and meeting his targets in the frontlines’ rewardingly.

Thus, in Gen. Buratai presence on the turf in combating Boko Haram terrorism, one is assailed with the courage of Mr. President’s decision to anoint him leader of this battle, which Nigeria is poised to win at all cost. It is President Buhari’s courage in the appointment of Gen. Buratai that has ensured the reclamation of all the 18 local governments in the Northeast under the captivity of insurgents.

The courage of the President’s decision is mirrored in Gen. Buratai’s leading of troops to halt the spread of Boko Haram terrorism to all parts of Northern Nigeria and its aggressive attempts to extend tentacles to Southern Nigeria.

Nigerians can see and feel the courage of the Presidential decision in the freedom of about 20, 000 Nigerians held hostage in Boko Haram gulags in the Northeast. And the same courage has emboldened Gen. Buratai to demystify the dreaded Sambisa forest, Boko Haram’s formerly untouchable haven.

The same Presidential courage in leadership decision has propelled Gen. Buratai to confine Boko Haram operations in a few far-flung areas in the Northeast and the Lake Chad Basin. The resultant effect has been the desertion of IDPs camps and the corresponding return of internally displaced persons to abandoned villages and communities in the region. The development is made possible because there is palpable peace and security in a sizable proportion of the devastated Northeast.

Gen. Buratai is again ennobled by the presidential courage in appointing him leader of counter-insurgency operations by ensuring the rehabilitation and rebuilding process of communities ruined by insurgency in the Northeast are progressing seamlessly to resettle a once pauperized and distressed villagers’.

So, whatever positive changes or bliss Nigerians have experienced in the country’s Boko Haram combats are plausible testimonies of the outcomes of that rare leadership courage. It is the incredible and uncommon courage exhibited by President Buhari by appointing a trusted and competent Army General like Buratai to lead the battle against insurgency.

This presidential courage has harvested for Nigerians unbeatable gains in the combat of Boko Haram terrorism. It is a remarkable departure from the tradition of the past, when excuses reigned and insurgency expanded unimaginably in helpless indignation of the nation’s military.

President Buhari’s courageous actions has aligned with the preachments of Alan Cohen, who said; “It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”

Onmeje wrote this piece from the United Kingdom.

By Abraham Yomi

Senator Ali Ndume is a lucky man. But that luck has become torture for him so he is desperate to undo it in the hope that he can point to whatever sufferings follows as proof that karma has dealt him punishment for the bad things he has done against the land, against the rest of us. He is hooked on seeking redemption through penance for being among the leading financial backers and strategic supporters of Boko Haram terrorist group, more like the major godfather that allowed it grow from an irritant band of extremists into the bloodthirsty machine that requires the army to destroy.

The court of law might have acquitted Ndume of sponsoring Boko Haram but the real court, the court presided over by conscience has not allowed him rest. He knows that minus the technicalities that sometimes allow hardened criminals to evade justice, the arrest of the spokesman of the terrorist sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, also known Al-Zawahiri, in his house is a crime that is intolerable. It is understandable if this has sent him into a manic-depressive spin.
That acquittal has damaged Ndume on two levels.

First is that he suffers the pain of not being able to satisfactorily pay for his sins, which makes him feel haunted by the sheer number of people that his associates have killed. It is this profound guilt that seems to take charge in the moments he tend to display a nationalistic zeal about crushing or defeating Boko Haram.

But on the dark side, escaping justice has made an unrepentant monster out of a man that has benefited so much from terrorism that not even a troubled conscience can make him kick the addiction of getting highs from the killings he paid for. His being re-elected as the Senator representing Borno South District has worsened his identity crisis as he now goes around with the notion that it matters not that his political empire is built out of human skeletons and watered by blood. He will have no incentives to halt his murderous pastime.


Unfortunately, irrespective of what remorse he feels in his human moment, the inordinate ambition in him has become set in using Boko Haram to haunt the rest of us. He has graduated from merely housing the spokesperson of the terrorist group to becoming its defacto mouthpiece. Why be seen with senior propaganda commanders of Boko Haram when he can himself run the propaganda while exploiting parliamentary immunity that ensures no one remembers to charge him to court as was the case when he was found out harbouring a terrorist.


That explains Ndume’s new tactics of hiding behind oversight visits and poor budgetary funding to continue the work he has being doing for Boko Haram terrorists, helping them to project the Nigerian military, indeed the entire Nigerian state in bad light. To get this job done, he quoted figures of military fatalities that strongly confirm that he got his own tallies from Boko Haram commanders, who definitely inflated figures to create the impression that they gave the Nigerian military as much bloodied nose as they have been given the present administration first came into office.

Ndume, who is handicapped enough to not know how to improve the lives of the people he claims to represents, was able to find graves and mass graves in a cemetery, making it sound as if cemeteries are meant to perform other functions other than holding human remains. Perhaps, his confusion arose from not seeing as many graves there as his boys had promised him he would find.


The Senator will never learn to the extent that the rest of us, particularly his constituents, have neglected to teach him the lessons he deserves to learn. His demotion from House Leader and rejection when he attempted to become the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were befitting outcomes that had already set him on the path of rehabilitation from his obsessive pursuit of power.

But some people later fell for his blackmail and made him the chairman of Senate Committee on Army; if the intention of those that did this was to ‘give the cat custody of the fish’ then it is not working. This cat does not possess the requisite capacity for remorse to know not to eat the fish in its custody. Giving Ndume oversight of the Army in Senate has not done much to dampen his murderous pursuits. If anything, he now sees an easier way to achieve ascendancy for Boko Haram in a way that is far more effective than when he was holding secret telephone conversations with the group’s commanders or when he was providing them accommodation.


On top of that, the position has now given him the platform to play the hand we have given him against the country. He is now baiting the country, taunting the rest of us with a supposed prowess of Boko Haram against an Army we assigned with keeping us safe. It is a situation we should all be worried about for the very reason that this same man that is openly supporting Boko Haram gets to decide what funding the Army gets as it continues its war against terrorists. To the extent that he has not given up his ways, affiliation and sympathies for the group then the military will not get the legislative support it requires to function effectively.


Logic dictates that the Senate leadership should drop Ndume from the current role that gave him oversight of the Army. But even if the Senate gets around to doing this, Ndume will remain a threat to national security so long as he remains in the Senate. A country that has a pressing need to defeat terrorism cannot afford to have even one pro-terrorist lawmaker in its parliament, even when it is one facing the emotional crisis of confronting his past and ongoing romance with terrorists.


Yomi is a security expert based in Lagos.

*Boko Haram: Group asks Senate to strip Ndume of Army Committee Chair over attempt to sow terror in the heart of citizens*

Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has called on the Senate leadership to strip Senator Ali Ndume of his role as Chairman Committee on Army over his recent flawed remarks aimed to plant terror in the heart of Nigerians.

The group said at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday that it is a “dangerous situation where a known terrorist supporter is now posturing as an expert in security matters”.

In a statement signed by National Coordinator, Comrade Gabriel Onoja, CATE revealed that the Borno South lawmaker is exploiting this sensitive position to the advantage of Boko Haram terrorists.

Mr Ndume, once linked to the radical Islamic sect, had claimed that 847 soldiers were killed by the group – a statement that has since backfired.

In order to avoid such gaffes in the future, CATE advised the Senate leadership to stop playing politics with the lives of innocent Nigerians as well as jeopardizing the amiable effort of the gallant troops on the frontline and replace Ndume.

Mr Onoja added that the lawmaker should be assigned any other committee in which he can't directly manipulate or offer tactical support to terrorists.

Read full statement below:

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has followed with interest the claims by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, as they pertain to the ongoing war against terrorism in the north-east of the country.

For us, it is a tragedy that Senator Ndume unfortunately seems to have locus to speak on the matter being the Senator representing Borno South senatorial district and even more worryingly is political horse trading that landed him oversight over an institution as sensitive and crucial to national security as the Nigerian Army. The combination of these factors have created a dangerous situation where a known terrorist supporter is now posturing as an expert in security matters.

Sadly for Nigeria and dangerously for the people of Borno state and the entire north-east, Senator Ndume appears to be exploiting this sensitive position to the advantage of Boko Haram terrorists. He has deployed his position of influence to sow terror in the hearts of the people by making claims that could only be intended to make Boko Haram terrorists appear like the superior side in the battle between the forces of good and evil.

It is on record that Ndume is yet to open up on his involvement in the kidnap of Chibok girls and Dapchi girls so that Nigerians can appreciate the full extent of his involvement. We have credible information that this Senator continue sponsor Boko Haram terrorist group and supports their activities.

This is why Senator Ndume could cook up his own statistics that claimed that 847 soldiers have died fighting Boko Haram. He even stooped to the low ebb of regurgitating the claims by pro-Boko Haram foreign NGOs and media circuits that had claimed that they saw unmarked graves and mass graves holding the remains of the military casualties that he had dreamt up.

Beyond speaking to advance the interests of Boko Haram terrorists, the other intents of the senator became apparent upon a deeper analysis of his recent showmanship. His claim that one percent military budget showed lack of seriousness to fight insurgency made him appeared as someone that has the interest of the people’s security at heart but the reverse is the case. Rather than seeing the plight of a people suffering the repercussions of his sponsorship of terrorism, what the senator sees is a business opportunity. Rather than genuinely canvassing for the army to be appropriately equipped, he is keen on lining his own pocket.

Senator Ndume’ interest in asking for improved funding for the Army is driven by an interest to get his cut of the money that would be so allocated for fighting terrorism, which he plans to achieve by leveraging his position as Senate Committee Chairman on Army. He is so desperate to do this that he did not mind lying about the military casualty from the operations against Boko Haram. He is so beclouded by greed that he gave no thought to how his utterances are helping the terrorists to sow fear in the land.

This did not however come as a surprise to us in CATE considering that he is currently on trial for sponsoring terrorism. We now know that not even this trial has done enough to discourage him from continuing to be the grand merchant of death by doing those very things that strengthen Boko Haram terrorists. This latest confirmation that he continues to work for these terrorists is unacceptable and we believe that it is something that the entire country must unite and rise up against.

For this we hold the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership of the Senate responsible for. It is the party that made the mistake of given him a position as sensitive as the Chairman Senate Committee on Army in a bid to pacify him for losing out on becoming the Senate President, a position he lost because the responsible ones among his peers know that no sane country makes a terrorist supporter its third most powerful citizen.

CATE is therefore demanding that the Senate leadership without delay removes Senator Ali Ndume as Chairman of the Committee on Army based on the reality that he is exploiting the position to the detriment of the nation. The Senate is welcome to assign him any other such committee that he cannot manipulate to offer tactical support to terrorists.

Even if the Senate leadership, out of political expediency, decides to leave Senator Ndume in this sensitive post, it is our expectation that he will find it in him to seek the honour that is not found among terrorist supporters by voluntarily recusing himself from leading the Senate Committee on Army and requesting an assignment that does not conflict with his extracurricular dalliance with terrorists and child kidnappers.

By Richard Murphy

I expect Nigerians to persistently and courageously interrogate their leaders who hold any mandate in public trust. This is a cliché resounded so many times to the point of boredom. But most of us ignore or prefer to overlook it for very selfish reasons.

May I not sound like a simpleton. But some of these politicians are the architects of our problems and they seek elevation to promote very personal interests, which are detrimental to us and public good. And It is not a healthy development either for the confined development of places where these leaders are anointed to lead or for the general good or progress of Nigeria.

Holding leaders accountable and answerable to us is a lawful duty, which is also flavored by religious sacredness. And sustaining the tempo of subjecting these leaders accountable for their past and present actions must not be preached before all of us understand its potency.

A nation with a complacent citizenry easily sounds its death knell irremediably! But the generality of Nigerians appears to be contented with the inglorious path of overlooking our leaders and whatever they do even in our collective degeneration.

How many of us have ever heard of Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume? He is a national parliamentarian who makes laws that govern all of us. Ali Ndume is qualified by every touchstone of assessment to be described as the doyen of lawmaking in Nigeria and a distinguished legislator. Since 2003, Ali Ndume has been on the corridors of the National Assembly (NASS) from the green to the red chambers now. He is from Borno and currently represents Borno South senatorial district in NASS.

But I doubt if he has added value to his constituents or home state of Borno or Nigeria. Though from a region which smokes with acerbic terrorism, his actions are overtly coloured with embroideries of a leader neither enthusiastic about peace nor the security of his people, even though occupying a vintage position of leadership. His utterances about counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast are “very discouraging,” if one borrows the phrase of popular comedian Gondons.

Sen. Ali Ndume appears like someone whose only preoccupation is how to work behind the mask and scenes to ensure Nigeria is eternally tethered to the strings of Boko Haram terrorism. Ndume and his minions seems to have covenanted with the devil in ensuring distressed populations and the people devastated by years of insurgency never find consolation on account of the overriding materialistic and political gains a prolonged insurgency war berths on their doorstep!

Most annoyingly, Sen. Ali Ndume and his league of evildoers think Nigerians are unaware of their political manipulation of the Boko Haram insurgency. And in furthering this sinister plot covertly, Ali Ndume, especially carelessly undermines the military's wakeful nights, scorching sun, unbearable downpours and sacrifices to anchor peace and security for his kith and kin. And politicians of his ilk are too many in the Northeast. There is every need for security agents to beam a search light on them before we are led to the Golgotha to the cheers and jeers of their apostates.

Despite President Buhari's endless struggles and commitment to end Boko Haram terrorism, they still find demonic methods to puncture it. It doesn’t matter to them if the entire Northeast region is engulfed in the flames of Boko Haram insurgency, insofar as political milestones and wealth accumulation interests are secured, the Machiavellian style.

Nigerians sitting on the fence; I mean the onlookers, engaging in idle talks about the inability of President Muhammdu Buhari to completely blight the fire of terrorism within timeframes, without probing the roles of politicians in the region or cautioning them are unpardonably worse enemies of this country. An African proverb says, a man whose house is on fire should not stand aloof while neighbours converge to help him put out the fire.

But in Borno state, the reverse is the case. While President Buhari and the Nigerian military are doing everything humanly possible to completely exterminate the fire of terrorism, Ndume and his soul mates, suspiciously retire into dark shadows to enliven the fire for repulsively selfish gains.

Most politicians in the Northeast, despite publicly feigning joy over decimated and defeated Boko Haram insurgents, but still giggle in exclusive places, eternal sadness that our troops led by the COAS and punch man of the counter-terrorism operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai has not allowed it to smoulder anymore. More and more villages and communities in the Northeast are experiencing peace. There is mass exodus of IDPs from camps back to previously ruined and deserted villages.

It goes to say, as forlorn villages swell with populations of returnees, IDPs camps in the Northeast have depleted considerably. So, the politicians are no longer ennobled to pressurize the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for emergency contracts on relief materials supply. It’s a punch below the belt, but stunningly expresses the odiousness of some politicians in Nigeria. While anguished people suffer all forms of deprivations, they regale in profiteering over their unfortunate fate.

Again, the years of insurgency in the Northeast have opened up the vaults of states anf local governments for plundering by politicians, who nicely help themselves to public commonwealth and retire account books as monies spent on security. It’s difficult to probe security expenditures and it is their fervent prayers that Boko Haram terrorism should never end. They prefer the Northeast to be overran by insurgents and should become a ghost region, while they smile to the banks every day to service their already fat personal bank accounts.

Furthermore, it is quite a “crazy” idea that President Buhari should put his foot on ground to ensure Boko Haram becomes history in Nigeria. To these reprehensible political sons and daughters of Jezebel, a festering Boko Haram, freely visiting awful and horrendous atrocities on Nigerians, spurring national and international outrages against the government of the day would cause Presidential invitation of some prominent politicians to anchor talks with the fanatical, religious dissidents and killers. Sponsorship of negotiations with leaders of insurgents by the government swallows sumptuous sums of taxpayers’ money from security votes.

And the monetary gains are amazing. Politicians have built mansions, business empires and acquired shares in national and global companies from the proceeds of this evil acts of negotiations with terrorists. So, the beneficiaries of such scams are finding it difficult to reconcile with the reality that insurgency is no longer viral to require government’s recruitment of their services to personally enrich themselves. Sen. Ali Ndume is a living testimony because under the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, he served on the committee that anchored talks with Boko Haram.

Though, the talks with Boko Haram were fruitless, but the members benefitted from the largesse of federal sponsorship of negotiations with terrorists. I challenge Ali Ndume to publicly state how much each member of the committee received in estacodes and allowances on this lawful “national duty.” We shall be shocked, if the figures are published.

Nonetheless, there has been a trend of perpetuation of elected leaders in the age and region of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. I can’t just imagine that Sen. Ali Ndume has been the best brain in Borno South axis and so since 2003, he has been in NASS. He moved from House of Reps to the Senate and has remained glued to date.

The reason is that the people he represents are already distraught, distressed and dehumanized by insurgency. Naturally such constituents are more obsessed with every day survival and how to get back to their forsaken homesteads, than the psychological and mental stability /co-ordination to pry into the quality or otherwise of those elected to represent them. Therefore, year in; year out, once the politicians pick reelection tickets on a political party’s platform, victory is assured seamlessly. Why would should politicians work for Boko Harm insurgency to end?

Closely related to it too is the subsisting atmosphere of insecurity in the region, which does not give room for a robust electioneering campaigns itinerary of potential leaders vying for elections. For the years Boko Haram raged in the Northeast, constituencies most hit by the scourge, have aspiring leaders campaigning at IDPs camps only. They take a few items to IDPs camps and reel out deceptive messages, which the traumatized people have neither the energy or mental comprehension to discern.

And on election day, agents of same politicians, some of whom would purchase IDPs Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and invade the camps with little cash as baits to sway their votes. It moderates campaign expenses. Why would such politicians want Boko Haram terrorism terminated as President Buhari and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Gen. Buratai struggles every day?

So, Sen. Ali Ndume and his irksome lot are allegedly principal beneficiaries of this skewed system. And much against reason, they are inherently afraid of peace in Borno State and plots subversion of anti-terrorism operations every day to keep the insurgency war ferociously and menacingly raging. They commune with Angels in the day time, kicking against terrorism, but wickedly relapse into the darkest chambers of Lucifer to promote it at nights. These are questions the governed should fearlessly and consistently be asking their leaders.

Murphy is a security expert and contributed this piece from Calabar.

Ali Ndume And His Crocodile Tears On Boko Haram

By Hassan Biu



When the expired 8th Session of the Senate under the leadership of the dictatorial, draconian and repressive former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki slammed a six-months suspension on Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, in March 2017, the action invoked empathy and condemnations from some of us.

We faulted the frivolous reasons the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges adduced for the suspension of Ali Ndume. But strongly, the 181 sitting legislative days he was barred from plenary were prolonged, ill-timed and absurd; much as it constituted unfair depravity of his constituents from parliamentary representation.

Ndume has been in the National Assembly since 2003 when he was first elected into the House of Representatives to represent Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency, where he served until 2011. He morphed into the Senate in 2011 as Senator representing Borno South Senatorial district and currently serving his third term in the upper chamber of the National Assembly (NASS).

By Ndume’s service records, it’s clear he was already a leader when Mohammed Yusuf the founder of Boko Haram formed the sect; its years of incubation and eventual explosion into a national insecurity problem, years later. Unarguably, Borno South Senatorial district remains one of the most ravaged and devastated part of the state by Boko Haram. Until now, Gwoza was once Boko Haram Caliphate headquarters.

And in spite of Sen. Ndume’s prime and privileged position as a parliamentarian whose jurisdictional enclave was directly affected by the heat of Boko Haram, his voice was rather muffled nor his actions ever felt as his contributions to ending insurgency. But most of us felt, he may have been hamstrung. Alas, his appointment by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan into a committee to anchor talks with Boko Haram was a golden opportunity to deepen dubious contacts with Boko Haram.

Then came the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari which channeled all energy and resources in quelling Boko Haram terrorism, with the glaring positive impacts under the leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai. I reasoned that Nigerians needed an insider like Ndume who would explain the imperative and nuances of the intermittent monetary demands on fighting Boko Haram as presented before the Senate for approvals and also, intimate the lawmakers about the plight of the people of Borno South worse hit by the menace of terrorism. So, to me, his suspension was against national interest.

But unknown to me and most Nigerians, Sen. Ali Ndume is a celebrated disappointment and a study in beastly values. In fact, his actions and inactions on the festering Boko Haram saga under the Jonathan Presidency betrayed him as a promoter and enabler of insurgency for political gains. It seems he has not dumped this habit.

Perhaps, it’s clear now that the Nigerian State Security Service's which accused Sen. Ali Ndume as having links with Boko Haram as confessed by an arrested and interrogated Boko Haram suspect and spokesman, Mallam Ali Konduga. Sen. Ali Ndume was merely lucky to escape the hook hence the exposure came at a time he was appointed into the Committee to negotiate with Boko Haram. I am convinced, he used it as a veil to escape justice.

His subsequent actions and utterances drapes with very serious suspicions that Ali Ndume might still be conducting clandestine “business” with Boko Haram terrorists to the detriment of his people and Nigeria. His excessive, senseless and near imbecilic mouthing and the quick resort to inciting sentiments on the anti-insurgency operations in the Northeast, which is incontestably at its lowest ebb have pricked me strongly that Sen. Ndume could be the reason remnants of insurgents still terrorize the people.

It is understandable that Ndume currently chairs the Senate Committee on Army. But I could neither reconcile nor discern the rationale propelling Ndume’s recent outbursts on the floor of the Senate that 840 Nigerian soldiers murdered by Boko Haram terrorists in the course of battle from 2013 till date are committed to mother earth in a military cemetery located in Maiduguri, Borno State; while a dozen others are buried in other military cemeteries scattered all over the Northeast region.

What immediately assailed my mind is what was Ali Ndume’s motivation for such disclosure, I asked myself rhetorically? What is the wisdom or logic in the revelation or would it in any way give verve to finally routing out Boko Haram terrorism from Nigeria? When soldiers die in battle, is the military cemetery not the right place for their burial with full military and national honors? Are they supposed to be buried in their respective villages by Ndume’s reckoning?

I immediately deciphered Ndume’s emphasis on this angle as a crafty and clever way of stoking sentiments and condemnations against the Federal Government of Nigeria and a subtle indictment of the military leadership. The unvoiced satanic intentions of Ali Ndume and his cahoots for embarking on this doomed voyage reverberated very loudly.

And any Nigerian who has monitored Ndume’s inactions on Boko Haram these years would have reasons to accede to my postulations. We all know Boko Haram derives its strength from the large pool of idle youths it freely recruits into its fold and consecrate to perpetrate atrocious acts and heinous crimes against humanity. Strangulating poverty, unemployment and idleness nourish and have sustained resurgence of Boko Haram terrorism in the Northeast.

I was excited when the incumbent Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum accurately dissected these problems are rendering a veritable platform for the resurgence of Boko Haram each time, the military suppresses it. Boko Haram bounces back because there is a sea of unemployed youths to be exploited and lured into the sect. Zulum’s focus now is how to arrest the mass poverty and underdevelopment of the state which has made it susceptible for the breeding of insurgents.

Leaders think positively and Gov. Zulum’s posture is positive thought. A leader has no business in stoking sentiments over very serious national security issues as Ali Ndume and conspirators are pleasured to do. And I find it strange; extremely strange that aside the political advantage Ali Ndume enjoys from exploiting the plight of his depressed people by cornering undeserved reelection victories into the parliament at every political dispensation, it is inexplicable.

What have the people done that the likes of Ndume cannot allow the ghost of terrorism to be permanently chained? Does Ali Ndume know the psychological impact on troops in the frontlines, when he churns out such unconfirmed and obviously inflated figures of military casualties in the anti-insurgency operations? It is a tacit instigation of revolt within the ranks of troops fighting for the peace and security of Nigerians. This is unpatriotic and uncharitable.

From 2003 to date, Ali Ndume has been in the NASS. What empowerment schemes has he launched for unemployed youths in his senatorial district with the billions of constituency allowances that have accrued to him in the span of over 16 years? Is there any concrete development he can pinpoint as a legacy for his representative sojourn? Why is Sen. Ali Ndume apparently uninterested in pairing up with Gov. Zulum to explore the problems that trigger terrorism and solve them?

Therefore, when a leader like Ali Ndume turns a blind eye to the rightful path and actions, but prefers to drum such inanities with insane embellishments, it beats me hollow. I challenge Ali Ndume to publicly swear with the Holy Quran that he doesn't know those behind Boko Haram or he has no affinity of any kind with insurgents.

I also challenge Ndume to tell Nigerians and the world what politicians like him derive from Boko Haram; why the war has not ended and why they don’t want it ended? I have noticed over time that Ali Ndume particularly is fond of making unguarded utterances on the state of the war against insurgency because he hates to see peace in Borno State, like a sadist cursed by the devil, who delights in bloodshed.

Initially, I doubted those who insinuated that Ndume’s sudden stupendous wealth hatched from politicking has allegedly thrown him into the ring of known drug addicts. With his ungodly actions and utterances on the Boko Haram counter-insurgency, I am tempted to believe every whiff of what is aligned to him.

Let me advise Ali Ndume and his clan of reprobates that they should never think of applying the same mindset to the issue of national security. Nigerians are aware that some politicians in Borno use their diplomatic immunity against the eagle eye of our security agencies to supply Boko Haram with food and hard drugs, because they have perceived an endless insurgency as personal protection and means of illicit wealth acquisition.

If Ndume doubts my assertions, let him be bold enough and shame us by telling the world that he doesn't know anything about these posers or he is not an accomplice in the obstinacy of the military’s zeal and determination to completely rout out Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast geopolitical zone. It’s better than shedding the crocodile tears in pretentious empathy for slain soldiers in the war.

Biu sent this piece from Maiduguri.

*Ali Ndume's tactics on Boko Haram aimed at diverting attention from his contributions to insurgency – NDF*

The National Democratic Front (NDF) believes Senator Ali Ndume's latest strategy on Boko Haram is aimed at diverting the world's attention from his dishonourable contribution to Boko Haram insurgency.

The group made this known at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja in reaction to the Borno South lawmaker's assertion about the Nigerian Armed Forces.

In a statement signed by Secretary General, Dr Bolaji Abdulkadir, the NDF reckoned it was time to address Senator Ndume's inglorious role in the Boko Haram conundrum.

According to the group, Mr Ndume, who was once heavily linked to the Islamic sect, genuinely knows about its activities and may be enjoying some benefits.

The Senator's recent claims that 847 soldiers were lost in the insurgency, the group stated, only confirms his ties with the group.

While the Nigerian Army has asked the former Senate Leader to substantiate his claim, the NDF asked Nigerians not to take him in a solemn manner, especially knowing his history of substance abuse.

The National Democratic Front, therefore, advised Senator Ndume to stop using Boko Haram as a political tool to impoverish his people.

The group further cautioned the lawmaker to desist from spreading falsehood in a bid to cover up for all the atrocities he has perpetrated in Borno.

Read full press statement below:

The National Democratic Front is constrained to convene this Press Conference in light of the shameful and dishonorable statement credited to Senator Ali Ndume, the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District of Borno State, wherein he mischievously stated that over 847 soldiers had been killed by Boko Haram and buried in Borno cemetery.

The National Democratic Front wishes to state that the statement credited to Senator Ali Ndume is not only mischievous, it is indeed a testament to the fact that he genuinely knows more about the activities of Boko Haram and probably benefiting from it.

The National Democratic Front wishes to inform members of the general public that Senator Ali Ndume is not one whose perceived contribution to the national discourse should be taken seriously, not even with the fact that he is a Boko Haram sponsor despite the kangaroo judgment he secured from the courts when he was arraigned for terrorism related offences some time ago.

Senator Ali Ndume has a long history of substance abuse and we are constrained to believe that his recent utterances might be as a result of the same substance overdose and as such his views on national issues should be viewed with a pinch of salt.

The National Democratic Front views his utterances as insensitive, and an affront to the sensibilities of those whose families and relatives have been affected in one way or the other by the Boko Haram crisis.

It is also an affront on the constituted authorities, especially the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who have toiled day and night in the past ten years to bring the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorist to an end.

Senator Ali Ndume by his action of bandying false figures on the casualties suffered by our Armed Forces indicates that he is in bed with the Boko Haram terrorist group, else how can one explains how an individual that is not and has never been to the theatre of operations know the exact number of casualties.

The National Democratic Front also frowns at the assertion by Senator Ali Ndume that North-East Nigeria is a no-go zone. This assertion is at best uncharitable and an indication that there might be a sinister motive which in our opinion, might be aimed at diverting the attention of stakeholders on how some politicians, including him, have exploited the people on whose mandate they rose to prominence.

The National Democratic Front is also appalled that a supposed Senator from Borno state is not aware that scores of Civil Society Organisations have been visiting North-East Nigeria on assessment tours and issued reports on how the politicians have been exploiting the people and festering the crisis so they can continue to smile to the bank.

It is also instructive to state that Southern Borno, where Senator Ali Ndume represents in the National Assembly, is the worst hit in terms of how politicians have manipulated and deprived the people while enriching themselves by diverting resources meant for the provision of basic amenities to private pockets.

The National Democratic Front wishes to advise Senator Ali Ndume to stop using Boko Haram as a political tool to impoverish his people whose only crime was voting him into power. This is on the heels that since his foray at the National Assembly, there is no evidence of any constituency project initiated and executed by Senator Ali Ndume in Southern Borno Senatorial District of Borno State. The likes of Senator Ali Ndume have succeeded in causing untold hardship to his people, and that accounts for why he is hardly seen in Borno State because of his nefarious activities.

The National Democratic Front wishes to charge the various security agencies to watch the likes of Senator Ali Ndume carefully because he has a history that is laced with suspicion, especially with the propagation of the activities of the Boko Haram group.

This is so because we strongly believe that Senator Ali Ndume is yet to tell the country his role in the kidnap of the Chibok girls. The activities of Senator Ali Ndume must be scrutinised by the security agencies with a view to solving the Boko Haram conundrum.

The National Democratic Front consequently wishes to advise the unsuspecting members of the general public to disregard henceforth anything coming from Senator Ali Ndume until he tells us what he knows about the Boko Haram group and how he has been secretly funding its nefarious activities all in the name of politics.

The National Democratic Front, in the same vein, wishes to advise Senator Ali Ndume to desist from spreading fake news in a bid to cover up for all the atrocities he has perpetrated against the people of Borno State.

He should, as a matter of urgency, seek forgiveness from his people and henceforth desist from commenting on national issues because he lacks the moral authority to do so.

By Peter Bitrus



Loud wailings of a distressed populations, devastated by years of Boko Haram insurgency pierced the serenity of Aso Rock, the seat of Nigeria’s Presidency. Nigerians displaced by the fire of insurgents beseeched Heavens in piteous supplications. The Armies stood in defenselessness, untrained, unarmed and dodgy in battling the menacing and consuming outrage of Boko Haram terrorists.

A dumbfounded Presidency was horrified by the sheer magnitude of insurgents’ mass killings, abductions, arsons and the servile treatment of Nigerians held in captivity, after horrendous mayhems on vulnerable communities. Neither the Presidency nor the military of the time had workable solutions to the irksome and ravaging insurgency.

Almost all Nigerians resigned to fate, as Boko Haramists exercised unchallenged might on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria. It was one of the most embarrassing problems inherited by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. It begged for a quick fix and the Buhari Presidency understood it clearly much in unspoken feelings than the lamentations of Nigerians ever conveyed.

So, President Buhari instantaneously rejigged the Military leadership and infused it with fresh, vibrant and tested warmongers. The President gave the new crop of Security Chiefs the single mandate of terminating the years of the evil and obnoxious reign of Boko Haram insurgency on Nigerians.

Among the Security Chiefs anointed to prosecute this war was a relatively unknown, but a no -nonsense combatant soldier, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai who was decorated as Chief of Army Staff (COAS). President Buhari also doubled his responsibility by appointing him the ombudsman of the counter-terrorism operations in the country.

To every discerning mind, Gen. Buratai had a herculean task on his hands. It was also clear, the Army boss was incapacitated by the army he met, which ought to have been the weapons of prosecuting a successful war against Boko Haram terrorism. The imperative of reforming and repositioning the army, at the same time, bringing succor to Nigerians trapped by insurgency, most especially in the Northeastern region had to be undertaken simultaneously.

Nevertheless, what those who knew the inside-out of the military career of Gen. Buratai was his incontestable competence and the zeal for excellence. He had performed flawlessly and splendidly in all previous military assignments and it triggered the optimism that even on Boko Haram, Gen. Buratai will replicate his habituated traits of excelling on any national assignment.

Gen. Buratai was disconcerted at the degeneration in the Nigerian Army, the strength of all arms of the military in any country in the world. The Nigerian Army which echoed resounding shadows on peacekeeping missions whether under the auspices of United Nations (UN) or African Union (AU) conveniently became a distastefully an effeminate force in the country, crawling and barking feebly in battles.

Nigerian Army was ridiculed, derided and dismissed as inconsequential. Gen. Buratai was pained within. And immediately, he defined a vision and a mission for his leadership of the Nigerian Army, crafted to retool the Army professionally to operate on the best crest of ethical excellence and performance.

Therefore, conspicuously desirous to make the difference, Gen. Buratai made the foremost policy statement as far back as 2015, articulating clearly that his vision is fixated on grooming a responsible and responsive Nigerian Army that would answer professionally to its Constitutional core mandate of protecting and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria in the discharge of its roles.

And in the last four years, it is evidently clear that Gen. Buratai and his team of underlings have walked the talk. To assert that Gen. Buratai has completely overhauled the Nigerian Army is an understatement. The Army Chief has meticulously implemented his vision on the Nigerian Army. Even doubting Thomases have conceded to him the splendor of Nigerian Army as one of the best Armies and a force to behold in the world now.

The Chinese military General, strategist, philosopher and inspirator in the Art of War, Sun Tzu once said; “The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”

Therefore, apparently inspired by the wisdom of Sun Tzu, Gen. Buratai sauntered on the anti-insurgency theatre with pride and gusto to make the difference and keep his promise of ending Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. And he is fighting the war on all fronts and untainted determination.

Today, it is attestable that Nigerian troops are no longer a fighting force that disappointingly bow before terrorists on the battlefield. Gen. Buratai has applied the Sun Tzu’s tactic which echoes that; “Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.” And Nigerian troops have achieved immensely in the counter-insurgency operations by the overt attestations of the natives of the Northeast for over four years now.

The Nigerian Army under Gen. Buratai has now regained its lost spirit as one of the best in global peace keeping operations around the globe. It is reaffirming its status as an Army which once thunderously won peace keeping medals in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, and other places under the banner of the UN. Gen. Buratai has returned the Army back to the glorious days when the likes of the then ebullient Major General Muhammadu Buhari and the Gen. Tunde Idiagbons held sway as Generals.

Interestingly too and aside perfecting the Nigerian Army in field combats, Gen. Buratai has also infused amazing innovations and reforms in the administration of the Nigerian Army. The high spirits of soldiers on the frontlines and the series of irrevocable victories against Boko Haram despite the thwarting efforts of sabs is propelled by Buratai’s transparency and accountability which he has tenaciously implemented.



Pleasantly in pursuit of transparency under Gen. Buratai, the Nigerian Army is pegged among the very first establishments to enforce Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Bank Verification Number (BVN); the Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (GIFMIS) and the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) as directed by the FGN to all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs).

The Army Chief has also established the Directorate of Procurement in line with Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act 2007, which is designed to ensure a robust procurement process, transparency and to sustain operational efficiency in equipment purchase for troops in the battlefield. These were non-existent structures within the Nigerian Army prior to Gen. Buratai’s emergence on its leadership plane.

Other innovations include his novel exercise of the Army’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in multiple sectors. Nigerians domiciled in Nigerian Army’s host communities now enjoy constructed roads, water supply, electricity, and free mobile medicare nationwide. Gen. Buratai recently upped the ante outstandingly, as the Army donated of tractors to farmers in Gudumbali in Borno state.

This was after the Army successively cleared the area of Boko Haram terrorists. Gen. Buratai was personally on ground to support the returnees to reoccupy abandoned farms. The Army Chief stretched it further by holding townhall meetings with the locals to intimate them on how to assist the military sustain the peace and security in their communities. These are rare manifestations which are only felt under a cerebral leader like Gen. Buratai.

And mindful of a global world, interconnected by ICT, Gen. Buratai reorganized and modernized the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), once headed by a communications expert, Brigadier General SK Usman (rtd), which instituted the culture of timely dissemination of information on Army operations.

It flung its doors open to media inquisitors 24/hours every day, a tradition still sustained by his successor excellently. Thus, the secrecy which hitherto shrouded Army operations and its concomitant speculations by the public, especially on Boko Haram and fueled cyberspace terrorism vanished silently.

And the functionality of the DAPR is not limited to media friends of the country alone, but even to hostile foreign journalists, who have deliberately refused to understand the age and time under which the Army is operating. Just a dial gets one hooked to Army’s publicists.



The reforms Gen Buratai has brought to bear on education and training in the Army are supersonic. He is able to establish the first Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB), the Nigerian Army Aviation School and the resuscitation of hordes of moribund Army training schools. Nigerian Army officers, soldiers and civilians are benefiting directly from his leadership which has placed training of soldiers as topmost priority with motivations and under conducive atmospheres.

It is generally applauded by even ardent critics of Gen. Buratai that his open door policy, friendly mien and unquenchable humility are unbeatable. It is therefore unsurprising that the Nigerian Army is soaring on all facets under his watch, as he can hardly be faulted on any issue, least of all, described by anybody as a visionless leader. Nigerians are now witnesses to their dream Army General, as exemplified by Gen. Buratai. He promised to make the difference from the outset on assumption of duty and has lived his words.

In effect, Gen. Buratai is a perfect embodiment of Sun Tzu’s description of a military leader, epitomizing, “The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”


Bitrus is a forensic psychologist based in Bauchi.

Following a thorough tour of liberated communities in the North-East, the Coalition for Human Rights and Rights Monitoring Group has praised the Nigerian Army for restoring peace to the region.

The group, consisting of 10 civil society organisations revealed in a press conference on Monday that it undertook a 10-day assessment to gather first-hand information on the state of affairs in the region.

In a statement signed by President Gabriel Agidi, the Coalition reckoned that the country has made tremendous progress in the fight against terrorism.

As part of it its numerous observations, the civil rights group hailed the introduction of the Super Camp Strategy, describing it as “a massive success”.

The group further acknowledged that the gallant troops are in high spirits at various locations, welcomed by cheering locals.

The group, however, noted that a lot still needs to be done urgently to ensure that life returns to these liberated areas.

Read full statement below:

As you all may be aware, a total of 10 civil society organisations undertook a 10-day assessment tour of liberated communities in North-East Nigeria under the auspices of the Coalition for Human Rights and Rights Monitoring Group to gather first-hand information on the state of affairs in the region as well as to understand the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian troops in the theatre of operations.

I must quickly add that the assessment tour was at the behest of the Coalition for Human Rights and Rights Monitoring Group, which became imperative in the light of the avalanche of information making headlines as regards the takeover of some Nigerian territories by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the 10-day assessment tour can be best described as eventful and as well as an eye-opener on critical issues ongoing in North-East Nigeria in the sense that we were confronted with facts that either by commission or omission have not been reported in the various news platforms in the country.

For example, it was such a heart-breaking realization that there is a high population of people still living in IDP camps scattered all over North-East Nigeria due to lack of shelter, and these camps are also lacking in food and essential drugs.

There was also a near-complete breakdown of basic infrastructures in these communities, and it somewhat made access such a herculean task for our team. Nonetheless, we were able to navigate our way through the steep terrain in furtherance of our objective.

I must also add that a lot still has to be done urgently to ensure that life returns to these liberated communities in the shortest of times as if this is not done, there is a tendency for the locals to constitute themselves into a security threat just out of frustration.

This, in our considered opinion could account for how and why some of the International NGOs in operation in these communities could easily lure the locals with monetary incentives to state what it’s not on camera and video just in return for a plate of porridge.

We were also confronted with the realization that one of the strategies deployed by the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group is to pose as IDPs and infiltrate these camps to gather information and also recruit fighters with a promise of a better life outside the camps.

As difficult and sad as this might sound, there is a high tendency that some of the International NGOs in operation in North-East Nigeria, also serve as recruitment agents for the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group. This is one area we strongly feel the relevant authorities must act fast if its desirous of bringing to an end the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis in North-East Nigeria.

It was also observed that the Nigerian troops in battle remained committed and focused on bringing to an end the war in the region, we gathered this much upon interaction with military commanders, lieutenants, and soldiers. As a fact, they all exhibited an infectious loyalty to the country.

This in our considered opinion buttresses the point that in a matter of time, the Boko Haram/ISWAP menace would be a thing of the past, but only if this momentum is maintained vis-à-vis increased and improved welfare packages for those in the battlefield.

We believe that this aspect is very crucial, given the fact that the relevant authorities would not want a situation where soldiers are offered monetary incentives in return for strategic information on military operations.

Nonetheless, we encountered troops in high spirits at various locations as we transverse the nook and crannies of liberated communities in North-East, Nigeria. To our amazement, we were welcomed with songs and comical military displays. There was no sign of fatigue. The atmosphere was joyous, and the morale high. Whatever it is that the military authorities are doing to keep the confidence of the troops high must be continued and improved upon.

We must not also shy away from stating that fact there were also some challenges as evident on periodic ambushes, which according to information gathered, is a result of locals and some unscrupulous NGOs selling out sensitive information to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist.

This is despite the existence of the Super Camp Strategy as introduced recently, which in our opinion, is a massive success as it has to a large extent, restricted and limited the Boko Haram/ISWAP offensive. We commend this initiative and encourage the military authorities to do all within its powers to strengthen and consolidate on the continued implementation of the Super Camp Strategy.

At this juncture, we must add that the Coalition for Human Rights and Rights Monitoring Group, in the course of our tour indeed scheduled a meeting with top commanders that the theatre command in our bid to proffer suggestions on ways the military authorities could address the frosty relations it has with some international NGOs. However, this was not possible due to the sensitivity of their operations, as well as a busy schedule at the time of our visit.

We are, therefore, duty-bound to impress it that the efforts of the Nigerian military in operation in North-East Nigeria is nothing but tremendous. They have stayed awake day and night to ensure that Nigeria is free from the clutches of a ragtag group of individuals whose motive for embracing violence is not only senseless but also despicable.

With what we saw on the ground as regards the efforts of the military, we are more than convinced that North-East Nigeria would in no distant time experience peace and sustainable development.

On behalf of the members of the 10 Civil Society Organisations under the umbrella of Coalition for Human Rights and Rights Monitoring Group that participated in the tour of the liberated communities, we extend our sincere apologies to the Nigerian troops over the despicable activities of some international NGOs and, as well as some local NGOs in operation in the North East.

On this note, we say it’s not Uhuru yet as there is still much work to be done by the relevant authorities towards bringing to an end the menace posed by Boko Haram/ISWAP in Nigeria.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*Revealed: Troops uncover France-based NGO linked to Boko Haram, kill terrorists with ID card*

A France-based non-governmental organisation, Première Urgence Internationale, working alongside Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists has been uncovered by Nigerian troops.

With headquarters in Asnieres-sur-Seine on the suburbs of Paris, Première prides itself as an “international NGO which helps civilians who are marginalised or excluded as a result of natural disasters, war and economic collapse.”

The self-acclaimed humanitarian group first gained access to Nigeria in 2016, setting up activities in various complementary domains in order to respond to the vulnerable populations’ needs in the north-east.

However, a recent revelation by the gallant troops has suggested otherwise as the group has only succeeded in fuelling insurgency in the region.

Like many other foreign NGOs, instead of providing aid to the returning inhabitants following massive clearout by the resilient troops on the frontline, Première acted as a rehab centre for the utterly wounded and defeated fighters.

A Boko Haram terrorist, with an identification card belonging to Première, was on Sunday night killed by the troops in Gubio, Borno State.

Adam Idris Kubo, as displayed on his ID, works with the French NGO as a Pharmacist.

This has somewhat vindicated the Nigerian Army's decision to shut down two foreign groups – Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps and justified the call by some local civil society organisations to ban these international NGOs.

The remnants of Boko Haram terrorists and other forms of insurgency will be crushed in less than no time if the Nigerian Army is provided the necessary gadgets according to Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole.

The military chief disclosed that lack of Army Aviation was responsible for its inability to defeat the insurgents.

He made the revelation while receiving the National Assembly joint committee on Army in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday.


Adeniyi said Boko Haram has never been a “formidable force” as they are perceived to be.


He said: “The only thing that needs to be given to the army now is Nigeria Army Aviation with it's own helicopters.


“There is a way you solve a problem that will change the game. The army needs combat helicopters to end the Boko Haram war. If we have it, it will not be deployed like air force assets, air force jets which are for bigger strategic goals.


“These helicopters will sleep with us in the trenches, they will be with us in the frontline. These helicopters and the rifles are dispatched together.


“I know this has been on the table for years. When this is done, Nigeria can forget about Boko Haram.


“Let me say Boko Haram is not a formidable force, Boko Haram is not strong; Boko Haram cannot sustain 15 minutes of intensive firing. I personally exchange with Boko Haram in Marte, in Delta, in Gubio as deputy theatre commander and as theatre commander.


“Please go and tell Abuja that Boko Haram is not a formidable force that the military cannot defeat.”

The Nigerian Army has pointed out its major hindrance in defeating Boko Haram insurgents in the North East, boasting that it can defeat the insurgents in 15 minutes if they are provided the necessary logistics.


Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole disclosed that lack of Army Aviation was responsible for its inability to defeat the insurgents.


He made the disclosure while receiving the National Assembly joint committee on Army in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday.


Adeniyi said Boko Haram has never been a “formidable force” as they are perceived to be.


He said: “The only thing that needs to be given to the army now is Nigeria Army Aviation.


“There is a way you solve a problem that will change the game. The army needs combat helicopters to end the Boko Haram war. If we have it, it will not be deployed like air force assets, air force jets which are for bigger strategic goals.


“These helicopters will sleep with us in the trenches, they will be with us in the frontline. These helicopters and the rifles are dispatched together.


“I know this has been on the table for years. When this is done, Nigeria can forget about Boko Haram.


“Let me say Boko Haram is not a formidable force, Boko Haram is not strong; Boko Haram cannot sustain 15 minutes of intensive firing. I personally exchange with Boko Haram in Marte, in Delta, in Gubio as deputy theatre commander and as theatre commander.


“Please go and tell Abuja that Boko Haram is not a formidable force that the military cannot defeat.”

By Paul Smith

“I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor food; I offer only hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles, and death. Let him who loves his country with his heart, and not merely with his lips, follow me.” – Giuseppe Garibaldi



The urge to serve one’s fatherland is innate and springs from an inner motivation to give all of what a leader embodies in life without reservation as expressed in the wit of Giuseppe Garibaldi. Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and henchman of the counter-insurgency operations, Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is a stunning depiction of a quintessential, selfless, patriotic, committed and talented leader.

Over the years, Gen. Buratai has proven that he was not goaded into military career, but he voluntarily opted for it to faithfully serve his nation at any cost. So, while leading the battle against insurgencies and insurrections’ in Nigeria, Nigerians were astounded with his consistency, honesty, dedication to all assignments and his zeal to succeed against all odds.

In future when Nigeria’s history on Boko Haram terrorism is retold, Gen. Buratai will be fondly remembered as an Army General who made the difference in the fight against terrorism. He will be remembered as the messiah and nemesis of Boko Haram insurgents. Gen. Buratai will feature as the liberator of trapped communities or villages in the Northeast and rescuer of the oppressed victims of insurgency in the region and Nigeria.

When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gen. Buratai to spearhead the national assignment of ending Boko Haram insurgency in the country, it was a mandate many thought was not executable on account of the many hurdles on his path. Many also thought with the tough and raging Boko Haram insurgency war on Nigeria laced in asymmetrical warfare, the Army Chief and his troops would make no impact, just like his predecessors.

But Gen. Buratai has proved his skeptics wrong. Widely reputed as a warmonger and expert combatant of the finest breed, Gen. Buratai assumed it a personal challenge, if Boko Haram terrorism thrives in Nigeria under his reign as leader of anti-insurgency operations in the country.

The Army Chief started with personal rebranding of conduct, outlook and approach to the counter-insurgency operations. He sipped extensively from the wisdom of America’s most coveted war expert and diplomat, General Colin Powell who said that; “The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow.”

Therefore, Gen. Buratai was no longer an Abuja leader of the counter-insurgency operations, confined to the coziness and cushioned chairs of his office at the Army Headquarters’ (AHQs) Abuja. He did not only relocate the Command Theatre to Maiduguri, the hub of terrorism, but also remained in the region, crisscrossing from community to community and personally led troops in assaults on terrorists in many instances. Sometimes, Gen. Buratai would dust his COAS garbs and play the role of field instructor to Special Strike Teams.

In simplest terms, Gen. Buratai led by example and therefore, subordinate Commanders and troops who were hesitant to battle insurgents on the frontlines under the malicious conviction that their superiors “sat in Abuja and sent them out to be slaughtered” by Boko Haram replicated Buratai’s example after sighting their boss in the trenches.

A renowned German, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel once punched that a good military leader must; “Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself and let your troops see that you don’t in your endurance of fatigue and privation. Always be tactful and well-mannered. Avoid excessive sharpness or harshness of voice, which usually indicates the man who has shortcomings of his own to hide.”

In effect, Gen. Buratai’s presence and conduct on the battlefield in the midst of troops gingered enthusiasm, loyalty, endurance, patriotism and boosted their morale. Famed as a war strategist and tactician, he was handy to give orders in difficult scenarios’ in the course of battle.

Thus, in no time, the asymmetrical war strategy adopted by terrorists, which was their greatest strength and weapon in terrorizing Nigerians was dismantled. The development saw the gradual weakening of the prowess of insurgents and a drastic drop in frequency of siege on communities.



And similarly, insurgent’s atrocious acts of abductions, horrendous killings and arsons waned and gradually eclipsed. Gen. Buratai effectively proved to insurgents that he is a better General in asymmetrical warfare.

Much more, Gen. Buratai’s strength of character is disarming, his integrity enviable. Being the ombudsman of counter-terrorism in Nigeria, he is susceptible to inducements from the Iranian based ISWAP terrorists kingpins who are desperate to conquer Nigeria. But Gen. Buratai is a major stumbling block to this devilish ambition and it explains why their agents back home hide under feigned patriotism to campaign for Buratai’s removal from office.

ISWAP is appalled that Gen. Buratai has been able to decimate and defeat Boko Haram, recapture all the 18 LGAs in the Northeast under Boko Haram hegemony; neutralized insurgents from their Caliphate headquarters in Gwoza and freed nearly 20,000 Nigerian hostages. The adversaries of Nigeria are sad that Gen. Buratai has also conveniently confined insurgents operations to remote areas in Borno and the Lake Chad Basin. ISWAP can offer gold to any leader of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria to soft-pedal in order to allow them ingress into the country to torment the people.

But they have met a regrettable bulwark in Gen. Buratai who is committed to fulfilling his pledge of complexly routing out Boko Haram and delivering back to Nigerians, a country extricated from the fangs of terrorism for national peace and security. Therefore, even in strength of character and public conduct, Gen. Buratai remains a towering and irrepressible General.

And those amazed at the streaks of victories Gen. Buratai has recorded against Boko Haram may need to have a peep into his administrative and organizational ingenuity which he brought to bear on the Nigerian Army. He inherited an obviously defective army which shirked in battles before enemies of Nigeria.

But he proved his mettle as an administrative General, as he zealously stepped out to reposition the Nigerian Army. He effortlessly achieved his target of grooming a responsible and responsive army, adequately armed in training, professionalism and discipline in the performance of their constitutionally assigned roles as defenders of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Focused on this objective, Gen. Buratai launched rare reforms and instituted innovations which have repositioned the Army. It is now rated as the best fighting force in Africa, thus, reclaiming its lost glory on the continent.

Even in policy and planning, Gen. Buratai has demonstrated that he is a versatile Army General. He has ensured that the personnel of the Nigerian Army maintain an apolitical posture and neutrality in all their interactions with the civil populace. The Army Chief has strengthened the cord between Military and civil relations in manner hitherto unknown in the history of the Nigerian Army.

In all Army formations, the cordiality and civility in interfacing with Nigerians is exhibited by soldiers; while he does not hesitate to punish erring personnel who violate the ethical creeds. He rewards excellence of soldiers, but punishes indolence and recalcitrance. The Civil/ Military relationship is further cemented with generous and soothing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects to Army’s host communities in a range of sectors.

Interestingly, in the last four years. Gen. Buratai has ordered a dozen operations on Internal Security (IS). And each operation is carefully planned and code-named, as well as targeted to achieve a particular purpose in constant appraisal of his assignment on the insecurity threats assailing the nation. Nigerians have seen Army operations like “Operation Harbin Kunama” I, II & III, “Operation Python Dance” I & II, “Operation Crocodile Smile,” “Operation Lafia Dole,” “Operation Gaman Aiki,” “Operation Whirl Stroke,” and “Operation Deep Punch” among others.

And Gen. Buratai has never failed to fully consummate the motive of each of the field operations. Pleasantly too, troops have in all instances strictly adhered to professional best practices and Rules of Engagement (ROE) as violations attracts stiff punitive measures on the violator in accordance with military tradition.

The ongoing “Clearance Operations” and its retooling with the “Super Camp Strategy in the Northeast region are the multiple ways Gen. Buratai has demonstrated to Nigerians and the world his ingenuity on counter-terrorism. He is indeed, an exceptional Army General.



The dexterity of the Army boss as an all-round General is also manifest in his concern and handling of issues of human rights violations and abuses. Deployment of soldiers for Internal Security (IS) as circumstances have demanded in Nigeria, with the presence of soldiers in virtually all the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja is quite a delicate assignment. There is a high possibility of bruises between soldiers and civilians.

However, Gen. Buratai has positioned the Army to maximally respect the human rights of Nigerians when on IS national assignments throughout the country. And as a foresighted Army General, he envisaged occasional breaches and moved proactively to protect Nigerians by establishing the first Human Rights Desk at the AHQs, and also domiciled it in all Army Divisions to tackle issues relating to alleged violations of the human rights of Nigerians by soldiers.



Gen. Buratai is indeed, one General among many Generals. The COAS is truly what this anonymous military analyst said; “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles… they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.”


Smith is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya.

By David Onmeje


When recently, I heard a member of the Nigerian Senate asking what the Service Chiefs have done these years on ending Boko Haram,  I knew immediately that there is another set of people that have been ignored in our hall of fame. It became clear to me, our politicians will stop at nothing to glorify themselves over nothing,  but excitedly spite others. 


The Senator who asked the rhetorical question amazed me infinitely. If today, and under President Muhammadu Buhari, any Nigerian can claim even in satiric excitement or in mocking ambience not to understand or feel the impact of the Service Chiefs on insurgencies, it only exposes our hypocritical selves.


And when I hear such obscenities from politicians, it baffles me on why these same persons have found themselves in leadership positions. A friend of mine, once told me   that when our politicains tell you to stand, make sure you sit down immediately. They are hostile to truth, but worship falsehood with reverence.  This is the extent Nigerians perceive the dishonesty in our politicians.


Therefore, spreading mischief and malicious interpretations of our problems by these politicians would not obliterate the reality. We all know, truth is constant and sacrosanct. Only lies mutate in character severally within a day.


The same Senator, I have no reason to doubt his dementia has forgotten that in the Three Arms Zone in Abuja where he attends parliamentary sessions, insurgents bombs exploded at Eagle Square when former President Goodluck Jonathan was the chief landlord of Aso Rock.


And even the Louis Edet House, which houses the Nigerian Police Headquarters also felt the heat of Boko Haram bombs. The bomb explosions at Nyanya bus station; Barnex Shopping Mall, the UN Building and hordes of other places within the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) undeniably expressed our national tragedy.


That a serving Senator today does not know that no bomb has exploded anywhere in Abuja under the Buhari Presidency and deridingly questions what the Service Chiefs have done would not plunge me into a nightmare. He is merely voicing out his foolery, in a demeaning fashion.


If we are held back by sentiment not to commend the Service Chiefs for taming insurgencies and insurrections in Nigeria,  we should rather be mute. But polluting the air with such malicious condemnations of the sacrifices they are making to give us peace and security is the height of idiocy. 


I feel the current Service Chiefs, especially the Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) and helmsman of the anti-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai deserve national recognition with national honours. The Brazilian Government was not foolish to have conferred the highest military honour on Gen. Buratai for his contributions in decimating / defeating Boko Haram terrorism and therefore, scaling up world peace!



 I know some Nigerians as people who are never proud of hard working, selfless and patriotic leaders like Gen. Buratai and the others are just victims of a disfigured national pysche.


So, for the records, and to those who are likely to be misled by the dishonest views of my Senator- friend, I wish to reply briefly by replaying the impact of Service Chiefs appointed in 2015 which he deliberately feigns ignorance.


I want to be specific and would x-ray just the war against terrorism. Before the Buhari Presidency,  18 local governments in the Northeast were under the full control of Boko Haram. The terror gang also had partial control of seven others. Terrorists deposed traditional and religious leaders, foisted their Jihadi flags and governed conquered territories on the dictates of Boko Haram's weird doctrines, with headquarters in Gwoza.


But Gen. Buratai ingeniously and courageously led Nigerian troops to reclaim all seized territories of the Nigerian state within one year! Nigerians only knew of Boko Haram's abduction of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls. However, over 20, 000 Nigerians were held hostage in Boko Haram's secret camps in the Northeast. The Army Chief led the assault which has freed over 17, 000 Boko Haram hostages in the last four years.


Today, we are not under the phobia of a dreaded Sambisa forest. We are pleasantly talking about a demystified and dismantled Sambisa forest, an enclave now sprawling with games and hunting . I am still thinking of who some debased politicians in the country think has accomplished these feats, if not the Service Chiefs, with Gen. Buratai as the Chief Armour Bearer.


Nigerians are no longer under the nightmare of the spell of Boko Haram, constantly visiting atrocities and horrendous attacks,  so recklessly on any part of the country as obtainable in the past. Of course, I won't say, Boko Haram insurgency has completely ended, but it has been severely degraded and decapitated, to the extent that now insurgents only strike at obscure locations.  But our gallant soldiers are still on their trail in Clearance Operations. We cannot be this blind to reality! 


We can only appreciate Gen. Buratai if we know that he has been able to stop the massive recruitment of our sons and daughters into Boko Haram as footsoldiers.  It's a difficult task, but he has done it. It means Gen. Buratai has confronted insurgency on all fronts- battlefield, cyberspace,  pyschological and ideological warfares.


I am not wise, but I know when someone attempts to fool me. If at this point, some Nigerians still doubt what the incumbent Service Chiefs have done in combating terrorism, they could even query the day of their birth. Had other Service Chiefs did half of what current batch are doing now in finally routing out Boko Haram terrorism, Nigeria would have been a free nation by today.


I feel these Service Chiefs deserve national honors. It's the only way we can convince an inquisitive world about appreciating their service and sacrifices to our fatherland in quelling terrorism.


Onmeje wrote this piece from Bromley, London..

By Esther Okpabi

The security architecture in Nigeria is such that it revolves around the operations of the Nigerian Army. I say this for the simple fact that since 2015, and with the advent of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army has indeed risen to the occasion in times too numerous to mention with innovations and operations that have always restored peace around the country.

I am one of those in the school of thought that posits that, but for the present commitment of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as well as the Chief of Army Staff, Nigeria would have disintegrated in line with the doomsday predictions of 2015. But the sheer commitment of these individuals altered the equation, and Nigeria is united today.

I must add that in the annals of the country, there hasn't been a time that the Nigerian Army has been stretched thin like this period, with operations running simultaneously across the country, including the Boko Haram/ISWAP conflict in North-East Nigeria. The truth is that one wonders how the Nigerian Army has been able to combine all of these operations of protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria without fail.

It is, therefore, my considered opinion that one of the early gifts that President Muhammadu gave Nigerians was the choice of Service Chiefs who were mandated to hit the ground running in ensuring that the various security challenges facing the country are addressed. This is also on the heels that Nigeria was on the brinks and with a military that had been overwhelmed by the myriad of challenges confronting it, which was occasioned by the selfish and lackadaisical attitude of the then political and military authorities towards the unity of Nigeria.

That period was indeed free for all endeavours that saw the misappropriation of funds meant for critical military operations as well as the welfare of the fighting troops in North-East Nigeria. So the consequent result was an upsurge in the activities of Boko Haram terrorists till they took control of over 16 local government areas in North-East Nigeria.

We must agree that since the coming of the present administration and the operational strategies deployed by the various services of the Armed Forces, the security architecture in Nigeria indeed experienced a considerable facelift. Worthy of mention is the exploits of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who has been described in various quarters as the war legend of our time due to the way and manner he has led the fighting troops in confronting the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist and other militant groups in Nigeria.

It is indeed not an understatement to state that but for the efforts of the Nigerian Army, militant groups such as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would have caused maximum damage to the sovereignty of Nigeria. But again, the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was able to nip in the bud their nefarious activities.

The exploits of the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has never been in short supply. This also explains the encomium that has been showered on him from home and abroad for exemplary leadership in the operations of the Nigerian Army in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. For example, the Nigerian Army was honoured with the Certificate of Professionalism by the International Human Rights Commission Geneva, Switzerland, jointly with the Committee of Foreign Observers, for its efforts at protecting Human Rights during the just concluded 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

Again, sometime in 2017, the Chief of Army Staff was given the Presidential Award for Excellence for his determined war against the Boko Haram insurgents by the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Reading a citation at the award ceremony, the NIM stated that "In less than two years of Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai becoming the Army Chief of Staff, the tide has changed to much safer northeast and thereby restoring confidence in the Nigerian Army as a reliable agent for National Security."

"Many of the captured and deserted cities and towns were recovered and normalcy gradually restored. This rare feat could not have been possible without the intervention of Lt. Gen. Buratai, who, upon the assumption of duty, swiftly demonstrated his leadership skills and military prowess coupled with patriotic zeal, to tackle headlong, the nefarious activities of the insurgents, which threatened our national cohesion."

You must agree with me that the above citation aptly describes the level of life the Chief of Army Staff has been able to inject in the operations of the Nigerian Army since he assumed leadership. Would you consequently have been surprised by the fact that also, the Chief of Army Staff, was conferred with the highest military award in Brazil?

The Brazilian military order of merit award, which is the highest military honour in the country, is awarded to military officers, who had distinguished themselves in various military endeavours. According to citation at the occasion, the award was in recognition of Buratia’s exemplary and world's recognized leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army's effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. And this is no fluke.

The Nigerian Army has indeed risen to the occasion in the fight against terrorism. As such, it behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to give it that support in its quest towards defeating the last evil standing, which is the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

I can go on non-stop on the exemplary leadership of the Nigerian Army in protecting the sovereignty of Nigeria. And in all of these, one thing stands out; the rare display of an unflinching commitment by the Chief of Army Staff towards protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria has been the magic wand. And if the truth must be told, if this has been the case before the advent of the present administration, the Boko Haram crisis would have been long over.

Be that as it may, the leadership of the Nigerian Army has been able to reclaim the lost glory of the Nigerian Army and indeed sent many merchants of death hovering over Nigeria out of business. Those whose stock in trade is to cause ethnic and religious division in the country have also been sent out of business with the renewed commitment of the Nigerian Army in protecting the sovereignty of Nigeria.

This is indeed commendable, and it consequently behoves on those holding sensitive positions of authority in Nigeria to take a cue from the exemplary leadership as exhibited by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. Nigeria shall be indeed great again.


Okpabi wrote from the New Nile University, Abuja.

By Daniel Ochonu

The situation in North-East Nigeria calls for concern from all well-meaning Nigerians. This is given the wanton of destruction that has occasioned the war against Boko Haram terrorism since 2009. In some quarters it has been speculated that there is more to the activities of Boko Haram in North-East Nigeria than meets the eye.

The reasons might not be far-fetched. Some people are behind their nefarious activities, and there is also another grouping that benefits from the crisis to smile to the bank. These are called the political haram members, and those behind the Borno Conundrum.

That the Boko Haram crisis continues to fester is suspicious because all that is required to be done by the relevant authorities have been done. The morale of the military has been boosted. The operational capacity of the fighting troops has been upgraded, and yet we are still somewhat battling with remnants of the terrorist group, mainly operating from the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin Region.

It must be noted that the Boko Haram terrorists are not spirts and invincible. They live within us and gather as much information that they can get. They also have sympathizers almost everywhere that gives them financial, moral, and logistics support. These sympathizers are in government offices and religious organizations. They are holding top government positions of authorities, and they are also in the organized private sector with access to vast amounts of monies at their disposal. Interestingly, as sad as this might sound, the media is also culpable.

They give nocturnal support to the Boko Haram fighters. And during the day, they hold press conferences to condemn their activities. So much so that they organize conferences speaking against the activities of Boko Haram. This is the unfortunate situation we have found ourselves as a country in the fight against terrorism.

The case of Borno state provides that clear example of how the political haram members have aided the Boko Haram terrorist in their pursuit of evil against Nigeria. This is indeed a shame on how and why such is happening in the annals of our country. Most times, I wonder how we descended to the unenviable height. I also wonder how some people can sell their conscience so easily for a plate of porridge-like they are going to live forever.

I stand to be corrected; what they have failed to remember is the fact that our decisions in life somehow come around to haunt us. For them to think that they would get away with the evil been perpetuated is a mistake because the blood of the innocent would serve justice in the appropriate time.

Some reading this piece might be wondering what it is I am driving at. The answer is simple. There are some underlying factors responsible for the Boko Haram terrorist activities, and those behind it knows that should the war come to an end, it means the butter on their bread would cease, and as such, everything must be done to ensure that all efforts of the Nigerian government fail.
In my opinion, this is made possible as a result of the quantum of monies at their disposal, which was ill-gotten. I think this is where the relevant authorities in Nigeria failed to address all the while; instead, they concentrated on Boko Haram members and not realizing that the bigger problem is the activities of the political haram members.

I recall some time ago in the life of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2012 precisely, the former president stated that Boko Haram members had infiltrated his government. And as usual, he was abused and mocked. Little did we know that he was referring to the political haram members in high places.

The former president stated that he believed Boko Haram had sympathizers in government, national assembly, and even security agencies. Did we believe him? Now fast forward to 2019 and with a government in place that has demonstrated a strong political will by giving tremendous support to the Armed Forces in all areas necessary, and yet we are still confronted with the same debacle.

This is the stark reality on the ground as it stands, and my heart goes out to all that have in one way or the other fallen victims to these political haram members. In the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan, "some continue to dip their hands and eat with you, and you won't even know the person who will point a gun at you or plant a bomb behind your house,"

I can't but agree with former President Goodluck Jonathan, hence this piece. This is one reality we must come to terms with especially in Borno state. The Borno conundrum aptly fits into the political haram narrative. It is indeed a sad tale that a state once known as the home of peace is now a shadow of itself. And to think that these individuals have no qualms with what they are doing makes it all ironic. But guess what? In the fullness of time they shall be exposed in their numbers.

Ochonu wrote this piece from Bauchi.