One needs not re-enact the story of David and Saul in the Bible to find a modern day version in the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. As the holy book recounted it, after exceptional exploit at war, the people chanted ‘Saul has killed his thousands, but David has killed his tens of thousands!’. The people singing were certainly not intent on belittling the achievements of Saul, who was David’s boss (and later predecessor) at the time, the lyrics were borne out of the exhilaration of being released from occupation forces that had terrorised them continually prior to David’s exploits.

Nigerians were similarly terrorised by Boko Haram prior to the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed Buratai as Army Chief. The war on Boko Haram’s terrorism had seen significant tactical changes that have yielded positive results since the inception of the Buhari administration. From holding almost the whole of Borno state, Boko Haram has today been reduced to a band of fanatics using abducted schoolgirls as human shield and bargaining chips having been confined to Sambisa forest by sustained military campaign against their insurgency.

Resources meant for weapons are now being properly utilized for same, welfare of troops is now of paramount importance and we now boast of an Army Chief who stays in the battle field with his soldiers to do the battle. Everything about the campaign on terrorism has changed from the old order with both international and local commentators now acknowledging the achievements of our military. Same way Boko Haram fighters also acknowledge now that they dared a sovereign state with their insurgency so they dare not anymore take the fight to the Army and when the fight is taken to them they flee.


They still stage hit and run attacks on defenceless villages but they are no longer able to move around confidently with the kind of militarised convoys that once easily overran military and paramilitary barracks in the days of the Jonathan presidency. It was such convoy they were able to deploy with ease in capturing schoolgirls from Chibok. A repeat attempt of such depravity today will end badly for the terrorists as not one of them will return alive to whatever camp they mobilise from.

Nothing mirrors the finality of Boko Haram being in its death throes as the video they released of their captives, which security analysts have put down to the fighters making one last desperate push to halt further military attacks. They practically dangled the girls as their pawns in the face of us all. Who will think of a daughter in this harrowing situation and not immediately accede to the requests of even the devil? Of course the militants twisted the knife in the heart of parents by getting the girls to recount how some of their colleagues have died in ‘military raids’, which underscores the group’s desperation not to come under any further attacks.

A further change that has come since the change of baton in the Army leadership is that Boko Haram, whose spokespersons have that chronic reputation of taunting the entire nation, have altered course to no longer maintain that role within its ranks. The life expectancy of anyone occupying that position became so short that not much is heard about it anymore. Boko Haram has instead resorted to using outsourced spokespersons that use the cover of professionalism to distribute its messages on social media with the certainty that a section of the mainstream media will amplify their desire as they unknowingly compete to outdo each other in becoming the terror group’s mouth piece.

But even with this, the atrocities that the world has become aware of as people get to know more about the sick outrage Boko Haram fighters committed in areas they were driven from, social media platforms have blocked the accounts they use for promoting their evil.

So whether it is abducting innocent children and women or taunting the world about a supposed helplessness in stopping Boko Haram’s horror, the appointment of General Buratai has ended what initially gave birth to the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign. The hamstrung army under Jonathan, which lacked vision, tact and courage to confront the terrorists, is now history.

The Chibok Girls, who are symbolic of Boko Haram’s penchant for abductions, might not have been freed yet, but several others whose abduction did not make world headlines have been freed and reunited with their families – they number in their thousands.

These are realities that the present handlers of BBOG must appreciate and cooperate with the authorities towards defeating terror and rescuing the girls. There is nothing to be gained in metamorphosing into a willing tool for distracting the Army or the government since this is what its recent activities amounted to.

Even as BBOG begins to appreciate what has changed in the time the current order has been in place, it must also undertake a retrospection to see what has changed about it. To outsiders, many of those that were BBOG’s conscience and think tank have moved to other things even though they continue to make contributions from where they are now. This possibly explains a recent deviation that saw its convener, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, foray into recruitment issues simply so she can fire a salvo at the government.

Such trend of belligerence has made even the parents of the Chibok Girls to distance themselves from the latest BBOG march as revealed by the their leader, Yakubu Nkeki, who indicated that antagonising people is not the way to go about securing freedom for the girls. So BBOG and its leaders should begin to ask themselves why they are yet to change their approach and strategy if the girls’ return is what is genuinely driving their campaign and not some personal political agenda.

Nations develop when there is peace and peaceful coexistence. No nation ever develop and development will evade any nation that is not at peace. Therefore, peace is what everybody or all nations and its citizens should look for, because peace brings life. It stabilizes, brings hope and all the good things of life. We have come to realize that there is no substitute for peace. Undoubtedly, even if you go to war, God forbid, you will still need to come back to dialogue, discuss and negotiate for you to attain peace. Then why don't you imbibe peace from the beginning. Why bombing, killing and kidnapping. Why fighting why attacking innocent people for no just cause, taking into consideration that no religion preaches violence. All religions (Christianity and Islam) preaches peace and love and Nigeria is recognised as one of the most religious countries on earth. The group applauds the recent pronouncement by the avengers for considering a peaceful resolution of the ongoing problems in Niger Delta. Violence only adds hardship to innocent persons who doesn't know anything of that violence. The ceasefire as announced is a welcome development and we commend the mediators in achieving this feat. we also call on all and sundry to do what avengers did for the interest of all. we should always think positive and work for the betterment of our great country. As we don't have any other country except Nigeria. At this age, sentiments and other parochial consideration should be put aside and love ourselves as we used to do. Nigeria will surely come out more stronger, more united and more developed. We should be seen contributing on how to solve problems collectively not individually or regionally. Nigeria is one and we should maintain that oness because united we stand and divided we fall. we have seen what crisis and conflict have done to some Nations and this is a lesson to all. Therefore, we must imbibe peace in all we do and help our sons and daughters in uniform who sacrifice and continue to sacrifice their comfort for the service of this nation to do their job well. we must cooperate and encourage them to do more, as they are Nigerians like us working for our nation to regain its freedom from the hands of Boko Haram Terrorists and other rebel groups frustrating our peaceful coexistence. We are full of praises for all peace loving citizens.

The media is a collection of highly reputable educated entity or body who are in the front line of reporting information in Nigeria and beyond of activities in all sectors. Therefore they are a formidable force in checkmating and fostering unity, stability and peace. However, we read on daily basis very uncomfortable headlines which could not only cause harm to our dear country but expose its instability, rancour and discord affecting both the economy and National Development. More so if we don't speak well of our own country, who else do you think can do so.

Furthermore, the headlines mostly are sensational portraying a scenario that our gallant security men in uniform are not doing enough while projecting the activities of our enemies and belligerents such as Boko Haram terrorist group, Niger Delta Avengers and other groups that ordinarily ought to have suppressed from publicity. We should remind ourselves and other well meaning Nigerians, that Nigeria is the only country we can call our own. Therefore, we should do away with projecting the enemies and down grading the legitimate process. We should all team up to do our country proud by calling a spade a spade. This call is made against the backdrop of recent headlines from some national dailies. We should know that its only when there is peace, you can carry out your duties as journalist with ease.

Part of the media corporate social responsibility, is to project your country in good light, as even in developed Nations where freedom of press is prevalent, there are certain information that are hidden from citizens due to its sensitivity.

Nigeria Media is one of the most sophisticated in the world, therefore, it is important that professional journalism should be a standard and should not be compromised in any way. We are mindful of the fact that the media is out to make profit, but the nation should be put first, therefore we will keep drawing the media's attention and other stakeholders to be more patriotic in moving our country forward towards a more united prosperous nation devoid of any security challenge of any form. Let all Nigerians put aside sentiments and blame sharing and support the present effort of both the government and military in salvaging our nation.

God will continue to bless Nigeria and Nigerians and the forces of evil wherever they will surely crush.

We will continue to shed our views on national issues based on circumstances therein. We condemn in strongest term the attack on security agents in Nembe Community in Bayelsa State. This barbaric people can only be classified as terrorists who do not want their region and the country at large to be in peace.

Their action show how brutal and animalistic they are. These militants and their sponsors may want to exhaust the patience and perseverance of both PMB and our Nigerian process because the rate at which they go about their activities is questionable and action needs to be taken quickly to stop the Militants irrational and senseless activities in the Niger Delta region. it is clear to all that these group of rebellious sect does not know any other language apart from violence, unfortunately it seems the attacks of both government infrastructures and security agencies by them are done with the consent of high profile individuals in that region as none of their actions are condemned by the leaders and other stakeholders from that general area. This cannot continue.

Crisis and conflict do not in any way solve issues. There are better and more civilized ways of expressing grievances as the adage says, when bad wind blows, it does nobody any good. The militants should equally note that the countries that are in crisis never develop.

An end must come to this menace. The government cannot close her eyes and allow destruction and killing of security agents to continue. The government must maintain and secure the facilities and innocent citizens domiciled in this region. We request you to see reason and stop your wicked act.

We should desist from allowing history to repeat itself. A word is enough for the wise.