₦airaland Forum

@ aurenclani, maybe you should check out the recruitment policy of the military ever since the end of military rule, from the officer cadre to the rank-and-file. Last time I checked, the military recruited EQUALLY from each state. Even the promotion exams are based strictly on performance.
By the way, the north isn't the only place it has its armoury. You do know that there's a big army ordnance base in Yaba, LAGOS, abi. You also do know that the north has only two army divisions (1st Mechanized and 3rd Armoured Divisions) while the south has two mechanized divions (2nd and 81st divisions) and one composite division (the elite 82nd Division in Enugu). I assume you knew all that abi?

And did some one mentioned that those canoe riding militants have more arms than the Nigerian Army? The very army that is seasoned and seen combat in 2 world wars, and other external and internal military Ops till date? An army that scared even the dreaded RUF shitless, and hunted down those ND militants like pack of swamp rats? Mehn, I laugh in annang .

Well said, Gen. Ihejirika. Well said. To the so-called seccessionists and tribal-chairborne-firstclass "warriors", I'll like to see you guys take on the Nigerian Armed Forces. Abi una want biafra, etc?

Afang soup+fufu+fresh palm wine = Heaven

@ Beaf, it's no news that the NPF's a mess now. I also have family members who have been victims of their excesses. Still, the very same police force is full of suprises. Though filled with a number of educated illiterates, the force equally boasts of well trained officers, inspectors, and rank-and-file men ready to do their duty, from Ops and Intel gathering and analysis to the support services (I.e. Bomb disposal, Signals, Air-wing, etc).

@ Beaf

Well, according to you I watch too much of Jack Bauer. Funny thing is I'm not much of a fan of 24. I don't claim to be a security consultant, but hey maybe you know I don't. Pls do feel free to enlighten me.

@ A-ZeD, forget Hollywood. What I mentioned in my previous post can be achieved. The Isrealis have done it with success. Even the then Russian KGB did it with success when their diplomat was kidnapped in Lebanon during the civil war in the 1980s (dismembered parts of the kidnappers' family members were mailed to them in response to the ransome demanded; no one told them fools to release the diplomat immediately, and NO Russian diplomat was ever kidnapped in Lebanon again). The problem we face is the strong will to think outside the box when it comes to intelligence gathering and counter-terror Ops. It's high time that changes.

It is imperative that Senator Ndume is protected while in custody as he may be a key intelligence asset against BH. The boys from the SSS protection detail will have to step up their game.

It is also time that the SSS and the JTF start thinking outside the box in resolving this security issue once and for all. Identify safe house and send out the army's special forces group or the police Anti-Terror Squadron to find and hunt them down with extreme prejudice. The SSS and NIA could also employ targeted assassinations in identifying and terminating local and foreign backers of BH. Send a message to BH that we are DONE pussy-footing around. Hit them and hit them HARD.

Kudos to the Enugu state govt. Well done.

Tubaba, well done.

The governor of Abia state had better invest more in the state's civil infrastructures. The whole state is just one big mess.

Not suprised.

@ debowsky, I assume you're refering to the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) program. Well, I must admit that I didn't take note. With the life extension gotten, the phrase "way too old" may be too much. Anyway, it is a "free" gift.

@ Texazzpete

You are wrong. The current flagship NNS Aradu alone has far more (and way better) firepower than the new NNS Thunder. Even our smaller corvettes/Fast Attack Boats are heavily armed with SSMs. The one weapon on the NNS Thunder i.e the PHALANX AA Gun, was removed.

@ Beaf, the ship may have fought in the Vietnam war. But that doesn't change the fact that it's way too old. This is basically a repeat of what happened last time when we were given a WW2 Cutter (the current NNS Nwamba). Oh well, at least it's "free".

@ Wallie, no one is concerned about normal consumer goods, but rather a possible asset that will affect the nation's national security. We're talking about a ship that will be deployed to protect the nations territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

The Brazilians had a similar issue. Early 2000, they sought for an integrated system that will enable them monitor the vast amazon jungle for drug smugglers, illegal loggers, and possible incursions into the country's territory. This integrated system of course involved UAVs, ballons fixed with cameras, AWAC aircrafts, a number of other communication suits for a central Command Communication Intelligence and Control (CCIC) centre, a number of observation satellites, and of course the human element (army, navy and airforce units). Now the most of the elemnts of the system could be easily sourced with the country, particularly from Embrear (Brazilian manufacturer of aircrafts), and the military. But the one system that gave them a lot of concern were the satellites designed and Manufactured by Raytheon, one of the major US defense contractors. their concern stemmed not from the quality of the satellite systems requested, but rather that the US intelligence services, particularly the National Reconnaissance Office(NRO), the NSA, and the CIA, would illegal gain access to the system and spy on them (particularly Brazilian troop movement through the amazon). So you see, people's concern about this "gift" is justified.

Anyway, as the NNS Thunder returns to Nigeria, before any new weapon, ECM, or comms suits are installed, REALLY need to sweep that ship again and again for bugs.

What can bugging a ship do?hmmmmm, let's see. How about access to info on the ship, particularly from its CiC deck, from its electronic warfare suits, onboard weaponry, access to classified battle plans from the secure communication suits installed (satcom), and info on ship's location? You still think the gift is a great idea?

Anyway, I strongly suggest the navy sweeps the ship for bugs. Maybe call in the Chinese to help with that.

The boat is a high endurance cutter according to US designation, but would be classed a frigate like Aradu by other navies. Aradu is bigger, but I strongly doubt it has the capabilities of our new NNS Thunder. The US has done very well for us.

A 1960 Cutter more capable than a 1980 built MEKO Class Frigate (NNS Aradu) armed with the deadly Exocet/Otomat MK1 missiles? Yeah right.

First, it was the WW2 junk NNS Nwamba, now this. Oh well, maybe the Navy can convert for target practise.

@ Poster

DUMP THE GOLD DIGGER. She ain't worth it.

Liverpool

The SaharaReporter post is a BLOODY LIE and BS. First of all, the Special Forces is NOT part of the US Marine Corps. Rather the SF (or Green Berets/Operational Detachment Alpha-ODA) is an army unit. Second, the SF is based in Fort Bragg, not Carson or whatever. But if any unit of the ODA is going to be used, they'll deploy from Germany. Finally, being an ideal counter-insurgency (COIN) unit, the US may offer the services of the SF/green berets to the FG as they've done in the past, but they will never be directly employed to engage BH directly. Rather, they'll only offer training and serve as advisors to Nigerian Army units taking point the Ops against BH.

The Sahara Reporter post is a BLOODY LIE and BS. First of all, the Special Forces is NOT part of the US Marine Corps. Rather the SF (or Green Berets/Operational Detachment Alpha-ODA) is an army unit. Second, the SF is based in Fort Bragg, not Carson or whatever. But if any unit of the ODA is going to be used, they'll deploy from Germany. Finally, being an idea counter-insurgency (COIN) unit, the US may offer the services of the SF/green berets to the FG as they've done in the past, but they will never be directly employed to engage BH directly. Rather, they'll offer training and serve as advisors.

The Sahara Reporters need to do a bit more research.

I don't call her by any name. 'just give the silent treatment.

The military Ops was way overdue. Happy hunting boys.

@ poster

This is a great post. Though I strongly believe in Nigeria, I must admit that I may have also played a role in the tribal wars that rage on NL. And I'm sorry about that.

@ Torch1 or whatever you name is.

1) I am a very proud Annang man who hails from Etim Ekpo LGA of AKS.

2) The late Gen Phillip Effiong was an Ibibio man from Ibiono-Ibom LGA. So I suggest you do a little more research before you spew garbage on this thread. BTW, the General may have served under the Biafran flag, but at least he was wise enough to end that disastrous war, thus ending the suffering and bloodshed, while the main Igbo instigtor ran away. How brave.

3)You so called Biafrans tried to annex our lands forcefully. No wonder our able men then chose to serve gladly under the Federal flag, and serve you Biafrans a healthy dose of asswhooping .

4) the Annangs, Ibibioa, Efiks, Oron, and most minority groups (if not all) in the SS ARE NOT part of the SE or Eastern Nigeria, or whatever you call yourselves. So I'll appreciate it if you speak for yourselves. We share nothing in common.

@ PointB

Enough of the lies and BS. Annang, Ibibios, and Efiks your true friends?! Mehn, I laugh in Klingon. You seem to forget that you Ibos tried to coerce us into joining Biafra. Why the hell do you think our men enlisted in the Nigerian Army to kick your collective asses? Till that, Akwa Ibomites distrust you guys.

I've always believed in the nation's unity, and still do. But I'll like to comment on a few things.

First of all, I strongly believe that North will be able to stand alone. Keep in mind that apart from agriculture, the north is equally rich in untapped solid minerals.

One last thing. Will you guys stop bunching the SS with the SE? We have nothing in common. Keep in mind that during the civil war, we fought against Biafra. So please drop that pipe dream that we'll fight beside you. It aint gonna happen.

Na wa for NL members. Two states are in flames, yet you abuse the president and C-in-C for not attending a wedding? Are you guys nuts?

With regards to Governor Sylva, you guys really think the President is scared of him. You all do know that he commands ALL military, law enforcement, and intelligence units. Yet you all think he's scared of a simple cocaine snorting governor, abi? You guys really baffle me with your reasoning.

Apparently, you still don't get it. Yes all the security services have a share in the blame pie. But I placed more focus on the SSS because it plays a MAJOR ROLE in the fight against Boko Haram. The information they gather will be key in saving innocent lives.

Please read my previous posts again. The SSS is responsible for collecting intelligence overtly or covertly on DOMESTIC THREATS. I believe that Boko Haram qualifies as one, you know it being a domestic terror group. the SSS's role in neautralizing this threat is key as the are the one very intelligence service other operational units (from the military's Joint Task Force to the Police's elite Anti-Terror Squad) look up to for actionable intelligence to prevent further attacks and take down BH. Sadly, past events have shown that they've failed. Still, lessons could be learnt by the service.

The DSS/SSS is also responsible for counter-espionage.

Nigeria has 3 major intelligence services. They are:
1)NIA: the National Intelligence Agency is the most secretive of all 3, and is tasked with the collection of foreign intelligence. Like all foreign spy agencies eg mossad, mi6, CIA, Russian SVD, the NIA operates outside the shores of the Federal Republic.
DSS/SSS: this intelligence service is responsible for Nation's security through the collection of intelligence on domestic threats using both sigint and humint assets. They are the ones that infiltrate deadly groups like BH to identify key players, source of weapons and funds, activities. Actionable intelligence gathered by the DSS/SSS is then shared to other security services. The DSS/SSS is also responsible for the protection of key government officials, including the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They also guard key government facilities like all ports, INEC hq, NASS, Aso Rock, etc. The one foreign intelligence service that resembles the DSS/SSS (function wise) is the Isreali GSS/Shaback.
3)DIA: the last of the 3, the DIA is tasked with the collection of military related intelligence overtly or covertly.
Other intelligence units are NPF's Intelligence Bureau.

Intelligence gathered, and analysed are then collated by the Joint Intelligence Board under the office of the NSA. It's then brought forward and shared at the National Security Council chaired by the President. The DSS/SSS takes lead on domestic intelligence on possible domestic threats to National Security, and the NIA on foreign intelligence.