Litmus:


Perhaps with Afghanistan on the verge, finances are needed elsewhere or are the tucano aircrafts already strafing ?

There is still heavy clashes ongoing between them and ISWAP. Their unholy alliance is still shaky.

Wishful thinking

Covert1:
African Special Forces Review

Covert1

There are salient points I consider studying recent Spec Ops deployment across board. Which of these have shown anything comparable in terms of combat, doctrine, operational equipments and funding to any foreign power with expertise in the field of Special Forces Operations on land, sea and air.

Generally when we look at Special Operations Forces the first thing to make them anything effective would be funding especially for training and then weapons and equipment. If we look at sub-saharan Africa and take the regional economic and political centers of power though nascent in development I'd say each have horned their own combatant specialties but have they earned their stars.

There are other active spots of CT/COIN operations like Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Egypt and elsewhere with some decent Special Forces Operators, some small and effective while others would take years to reach the status of those being studied here. The focus here is the three rich economic powers of sub-saharan Africa and their response to existential terrorist threats.

Of the three economic centers of power all evidence points to the Nigerian Armed Forces Special Forces community and the Kenyan Special Forces to be actively engaged in CT or COIN operations. Of the two nations the Nigerians are the most engaged currently in desert warfare special forces operations and also seaborne anti-piracy operations. The Kenyans in the Horn of Africa operations. The South Africans have only now come into the game in Mozambique but we have no proof yet of any contact with the enemy.

I had anticipated more information on the South Africans however whatever sources I have shows clearly prior to now and I mean since the advent of democracy in South Africa the Special Forces community had been on the decline when compared with what obtained in the SADF. The deployments in Bangui, CAR and the DRC which did not exactly end very well both politically and in military terms showed all of these limitations some of which I clearly blame on the nigh incompetent military command hierarchy appointed based on ANC Party solidarity. There appear to be efforts to resuscitate those capabilities but again as we saw elsewhere there is not the full compliment of assets needed for a Special Forces unit to be very effective in specialized operations.

There are many things that beg the question in the current deployment especially CAS and ISR platforms. I have submitted any experienced SF operator can fire and hit bulls eye without optical scopes but even things like that are compliments you find with most SF units worldwide to make certain target acquisition. The question again would be the tactical and operational engagement in which the current units in Mozambique are to be employed: Urban Warfare, Close Quarter Combat, Recce, HVT kill or capture and or clearance operations. What is their doctrine of combat that might help explain why they deploy AKM rifles without optical sights. I haven't seen an RPG in sight though they are well armed. I don't want to believe funding is the problem as President Cyril Ramaphosa has released almost a billion Rand for this mission. The current deployment in Mozambique however seems to want to prove a point to redeem credibility.

I have always had a high regard for the Kenyan military as a professional military organization. In East Africa based on their economy they should adequately hold their own against any adversary both state and non-state actors in the region. The Kenyan military Special Forces have proven lethal and successful in the last decade and with more funding can acquire and maintain even more specialized skills.

This is not biased but clearly in my estimation the Special Forces Community spread across the three arms of Nigeria's armed forces the Army, Navy and Air Force are the best in sub-saharan Africa. A combination of factors make that possible especially the main one funding. These guys are lavished with the best equipments money can buy and they train with the best of the best. They also have under their belt the most SF experience and success and are the most active duty Special Forces Operators in combat anywhere in Africa.

The purpose of this piece is to provoke critical intelligent military thought and analysis for the good of our militaries and not for name calling or insults. Strength and honor to the warriors.

Toju200:
Another set of terrorist surrender today
What's happening
SamuelAnyawu

From My sources most JAS guys ain’t okay with the Unholy alliance with ISWAP. More are still coming out from what I heard.

I Pity any ISWAP that’ll be deployed to my axis cos I’m definitely sure Most JAS guys surrendering to the Military will give lots of information.

My Town has the highest number of JAS fighters and Commanders.

I think soonest peace will return towards Borno South and some part of Central.

The real challenge remains the Lake Chad Basin

arantess:

LOL
No vex oo but what would you have done about it?
God keep you safe bro

He will start singing
Dorime Dorime, ponkele ponkele

Off topic
https://www.rt.com/russia/531427-afghanistan-border-military-drills/


It's always wonderful seeing Russian Specs ops train,
Making sure US's mess do not affect their Allies.

Govt Sues For Calm • ‘My Husband Was Burnt To Ashes By Our Assailants’

In the last few weeks, thousands of villagers in Zangon Kataf and Kauru local councils, in Southern Kaduna attacked by militias have fled the area to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and other places where they can find refuge.

Several villagers trooped to Kagoro, Kafanchan, neighbouring Jos in Plateau State, Kujama and Kaduna metropolis to avoid further attacks by the armed men.

The spokesman of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Luka Binniyat, while reacting to the exodus of the people, yesterday, lamented the attitude of the state government towards the humanitarian crises perpetrated by armed Fulani herdsmen.

According to him: “Shockingly, the humanitarian crises generated by this crime against humanity seems in the least to have bothered Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State.

“Since the siege on Atyap land started last year, with that of Chawai that has been dragging on for over six years now, Governor el-Rufai has never visited any of the scenes of the violence and has never offered any form of assistance to the victims,” he said.

Binniyat noted that, “in the last one week, atrocities have been committed in two local government areas; that is Kauru and Zangon Kataf, where 32 people were killed and four villages sacked. Unfortunately, the government has not shown any concern to victims of the attacks by the herdsmen.”

Narrating her ordeal, one of the victims, 45-year-old Mbiya Christiana Augustine, from Matyei Village in Atyap Chiefdom, said that she was sleeping at night when barking of restless dogs woke her up as armed herdsmen invaded the village.

Speaking with The Guardian at the ECWA Widows Training School, Samaru Kataf, Zangon Kataf Local Council, which was converted into an IDP camp in July, Madam Augustine said: “My husband was shouting outside that we should all come out and run. We heeded the instruction without delay. We ran into the dark through fields of growing corn. We ran as far as we could and hid in the bush. From there we could see the fire and the smoke coming from our village as houses were being burnt.”

Continuing, she said: “In the morning, we returned home and there were many other women and children coming from the bush as we walked with fear of the unknown to our village. As we got near, I could hear the voices of wailing women from Matyei, meaning that terrible things must have happened.”

As she walked on with her children, she discovered that every compound they passed by had been burnt completely. In trepidation, they hurried to their home to find it completely burnt. A small crowd had gathered.

“I asked about my husband. No one answered me. A woman came and held me and started crying. Then I heard one of my children screaming and calling the name of her father. She rushed into his room and I followed her in fear of the worst that could have happen to him,” she said in tears,

“He was nothing but a pile of ashes,” she said. “They shot him after he exhausted his bullets. Then they brought him inside and burnt him with the whole compound. We only buried his ashes,” she lamented.

Her husband, Augustine Arege, 50, was one of eight casualties recorded in the Matyei and the Abuyab attacks, which took place in Atyap Chiefdom that night.

Binniyat disclosed that there is now a new pattern of attack by the militia, adding, “there are attacks on farmers in their farms, just as one happened at a village called Machudu, close to Zangon Kataf on Thursday.

“The assailants are still lurking in bushes and preying on people who are isolated. So, the violence is not over. People in their communities are now fleeing in droves for refuge in IDP camps or staying with relatives in all parts of the state and even outside Kaduna.”

Meanwhile, when The Guardian contacted the Police Spokesman in the state, ASP Mohammed Jalige on phone for his reaction on the exodus of villagers from communities in Southern Kaduna to IDP Camps, and general insecurity in the area, he said “please let me contact the DPO in the area, I will get back to you.”

However, the Kaduna State government has renewed appeals to citizens to end the recurring violence following reports from security agencies that five people were killed in another series of attacks within Zangon Kataf Local Council.

A statement by the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said following the disturbing cycle of violence, the Kaduna State government has appealed to all residents to embrace recourse to the law, and break the brutal cycle of killing and reprisal, to adequately support government’s peace-building efforts in the area.


https://guardian.ng/news/thousands-flee-zangon-kataf-kauru-as-herdsmen-sustain-massacres/

X

#JUST_IN: Newly Tucano Attacker Hits Bandits Stronghold After Successfully Carrying Out Intensive Airstrikes On DanSadau Kwiabana Forest in Zamfara State. In 10 Minutes Over 90 Bandits Were Elim!nated And Their Camps Set On Fire.

More Details Later...

COAS VISITS NIGERIAN ARMY FITNESS CENTRE IN FALGORE FOREST ...Assess Ongoing 81 Regular Recruit Intake Exercise

In continuation of his Operational tour, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya today 7 August 2021 visited the Nigerian Army Fitness Camp in Falgore Camp, Kano, where potential 81 Regular Recruits Intake into the Nigerian Army (NA) are currently undergoing screening.

The exercise which is part of the NA's effort to shore up the manpower of thr Army is being conducted in the NA Fitness Centre Falgore to give the potential recruits an early exposure to the realism of terrain and weather conditions that they would be confronted with during their training and in the course of their military career.

This strategy gives credence to the COAS' Pillars of Command, which hinge on Professionalism, Readiness, Administration and Cooperation.

While addressing officers and personnel conducting the exercise, the COAS urged them to carry out their tasks with diligence and professionalism He insisted that personnel must be fair and firm in the conduct of the exercise. He further assured them of Army Headquarters' support in providing them with logistics and other infrastructure necessary for the successful conduct of the ongoing recruitment screening.

The COAS also stated that the NA is working in cooperation with the Kano State Government to improve infrastructure in the Army Fitness Centre and expressed appreciation to the government and people of Kano state for their support.

Gen Yahaya took time out to inspect ongoing construction works and the Medical Centre in the training facility.

In an effort to motivate the potential recruits, the COAS went round to interact with them. He encouraged and commended them for their determination and zeal to serve in the Nigerian Army in defence of their fatherland.

The visit which served as a huge morale booster to the potential recruits, saw most of them singing and rejoicing as they relished the COAS' visit.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
7 Aug 21

Breaking…

Borno Governor Receives Surrendered Chibok Schoolgirl, Reunites Her with Family

… Finding Ruth Keeps Hope Alive, Says Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday in Maiduguri, received Ruth Ngladar Pogu, one of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted seven years ago at a Government Secondary School in Chibok.

Boko Haram had attacked the school towards midnight on April 14, 2014, and abducted them.

Ruth, alongside someone she was said to have married during her captivity, surrendered themselves to the Nigerian military on July 28, 2021, at a location in Bama.

Under Zulum’s supervision, security and government officials kept the development secret and used the last 10 days to contact her parents and the association of parents of the missing schoolgirls in order to ascertain her identity.

Zulum’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, said the governor received the Chibok girl at the Government House in the presence of overwhelmed parents who reunited with her.

An excited Governor Zulum said reuniting with Ruth was a boost to keeping the hopes of parents, other family members and Borno State government alive in the optimism that all others, still in captivity, will be safely found and in good health.

Zulum said the government, in collaboration with Ruth and her parents, will undertake a rehabilitation and reintegration programme that will focus on her health, psychosocial wellbeing and her chosen path to a productive future, all of which will be determined by her.

The Governor commiserated with families of those still in captivity and urged them to remain optimistic prayerful and cooperative with security agencies should they be required for any measure.

"I am extremely excited both as Borno’s Governor and father of all sons and daughters of the state, and also as a father to daughters. I know the feeling of families of those still under captivity but we have to remain hopeful especially with today’s development”

Chairman of the Chibok Girls Movement, an association of all affected parents, Yakubu Keki, expressed joy over the return of Ruth Nglari Apagu. He said, the people of Chibok appreciate the efforts of security establishments and the concern and support regularly shown by Governor Zulum on the plight of parents whose daughters are still missing.

FEAR-STRICKEN BOKO HARAM/ISWAP TERRORISTS RESORT TO VIDEO PROPAGANDA

Faced with the obvious reality of defeat and inability to carry out attacks that have hitherto been the strategy to assert relevance in the eyes of the public, Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) have resorted to cheap propaganda in order to seek relevance. This of course, was as a result of the sustained and well coordinated military bombardments from both Land and Air Components of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).

This sustained operation has exerted so much pressure on the terrorists and their sympathizers, whose only available weapon now, is cheap and uncoordinated propaganda.

In recent times, a good number of these terrorists have surrendered to troops in different locations across the theatre, a trend that indicates that they are loosing the capacity to remain in the fight. Apparently, there are indications that their fighting capability has been severely encumbered by devastating depletion, with their remnants deserting various enclaves, leaving behind a few diehards that will undoubtedly be eliminated by the highly spirited troops of OPHK in no distant future.

In a bid to replenish their fast depleting fighting force and clandestinely conscript unsuspecting individuals to join their fold, BHT embarked on a subtle recruitment drive using the said propaganda video to portray a lavish lifestyle in their so-called fortress; a psychological strategy desperately deployed to attract impressionable youths and unsuspecting individuals.

A cursory look at the video revealed an amateur work of doctored old clips and images from different backgrounds, skewed with blurred imageries that are incoherent and illogical. The incontrovertible reality is that the group is facing imminent destruction and extinction. Contrary to the false impression they attempt to project, of a blissful live in their enclaves, the true situation in their evil enclave is one of hunger, disease, brutality, high level of immorality and the constant fear of military offensives. This is largely responsible for the terrorists' turning in their arms in droves as the gallant troops of OPHK are rendering their enclaves uninhabitable with fierce offensives. What the terrorists did not tell their target audience is that their fighters and family members are currently surrendering to the troops in multitudes, laying down their arms and renouncing their membership of the evil organisation and that they were misled in joining in the first place.

As a matter of fact, most of the terrorists who surrendered to the troops lamented that the condition in their enclaves have become too harsh and completely unbearable that they had no option than to give themselves up to troops. This is the reality of the situation that confronts every BHT member, contrary to the make-belief and propaganda they conjured up in the video.

The Nigerian Army (NA) being a professional force, adheres to extant laws and international best practices, particularly the provisions that relate to a situation when an adversary surrenders. This informed the acceptance of some BHT members who laid down their arms and willfully denounced violent campaigns. The NA will however not hesitate to subdue unrepentant BHTs who are still fanning the embers of violence in the North East.

While carrying out its constitutional mandate, the NA will continue to safeguard the territorial integrity of Nigeria in furtherance of peace and stability in the West African Sub-region. Therefore, individuals or groups who have fallen to the antics of BHTs' clandestine recruitment drive, projected through the propaganda video are advised to surrender themselves and their weapons to the nearest military or security forces outfit or risk testing the might of the ongoing counter insurgency operations.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
6 August 2021

HAS BOKO HARAM BEEN BOXED INTO CUL-DE-SAC?

By Chidi Omeje

Something is happening in the north east. The counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations which the Nigerian military is prosecuting in that region is gathering steam and the steam is obviously becoming too hot for the adversary. In what appears to be an anticlimax in their bloody campaign, Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have been boxed into a cul-de-sac, courtesy of the unrelenting offensive operations of the Nigerian troops; a predictable fate that offers the notoriously vicious terror group only one option: waving of the olive branch! And olive branch they have been frantically waving of late, the bloodied terrorists.

Almost on daily basis in the past one month, scores after scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters have been surrendering to troops in the theatre. As I write, about 300 Commanders and foot-soldiers of the group along with their families have so far laid down their arms, denounced violence and renounced membership of the evil organisation. This is the result of aggressive deployment of intelligence, kinetic and no-kinetic onslaught by the Nigerian Armed Forces which have led to the death of many of the terrorists and obliteration of their enclaves.

Many more of the fighters have also given up their arms following intense hunger in their camps and frequent outbreak of diseases and the near impossibility of accessing drugs or feeding on normal food. As narrated by one of the fighters who recently surrendered to the troops, the stark reality in their enclaves is one of hunger, disease, brutality, high level of immorality and the constant fear of military offensives. He gave details of how much terrified they were in their locations and that is why most of them came out with their wives and children.

The truth is that the sustained airstrikes and heavy artillery bombardments by the troops on the enclaves of the terrorists in Sambisa forest and environ have exerted so much pressure on the fighters and totally disoriented them, prompting the frantic waving of the proverbial olive branch. Apparently, their fighting capability has depleted seriously with remnants deserting various camps, leaving behind a few diehards who stand no chance of not being eliminated by the highly spirited Nigerian troops.

But the current devastating form of the Nigerian troops –both on land and air - did not come per chance. It is the result of clear-headed strategic decisions, well-executed tactical plans and well co-ordinated operations of the Nigerian military. Strategic decision to strengthen the synergy of action between the land and air forces on one and hand and the integration of both the intelligence assets and logistics support of other security agencies have proved very effective in the operations.

It bears reiterating that the greatest magic bullet employed by the military authorities which has enabled the current desirable result so far, aside from the high moral and fighting spirit of the troops, is the new found synergy between the services. In effect, the unhealthy inter-service rivalry which robbed off negatively on the professional and operational relationship between the ground troops and air component before the current dispensation is now a thing of the past. No wonder they (the military) hit the bull’s eye and leave the adversary with bloodied nose, operations after operations.

Of course, successful operations are usually the result of painstaking actionable intelligence provided by different sources, most effective of which is the human intelligence (HUMINT). It was gathered that acting on the directives from the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, massive engagement of intelligence tools were employed to gather actionable information on the locations, movements and arm stockpiles of BHTs / ISWAP. When he visited the theatre recently, he assured the troops that they will get whatever they need to be able to penetrate the BHTs / ISWAP bases both in the Sambisa forest and Lake Chad general areas.

Without doubt, the use of some discreet technologies has also assisted in gathering useful intelligence which has enabling troops to carry out several offensives into the so-called strongholds of the terrorists. It is the effective deployment of intelligence asset and well-guided bombardments by the military that forced many strategic commanders of Boko Haram to abandon their missions and surrender to troops.

As a professional force that adheres strictly to extant international laws of arms conflict particularly the provision that relate to adversaries surrendering, the Nigerian Army has promised to always accept Boko Haram members who laid their arms and willfully denounced violent campaigns. These kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations are really paying off as the professional manner in which they are handling the surrendered fighters within the ambit of international best practices have no doubt helped to convince others to come out too.

Feelers from the theaters are that the troops are upbeat about the current leadership of the military. They have in many occasions expressed their appreciation for the support they receive from their COAS and other Service Chiefs who have provided needed combat enablers and insisted in ‘jointness’ and the idea of taking the fight to the terrorists.

From what is going down in the theatre of operation in the north east, it is obvious that the troops are more than ever ready to conclude the war on terror as soon as possible but they will need serious support from all men and women of goodwill to finish off the job.

Chidi Omeje is the Editor-in-Chief, Nigeria Security Digest (www.securitydigestng.com)

bidexiii:
Breaking…

Borno Governor Receives Surrendered Chibok Schoolgirl, Reunites Her with Family

The lady is still wearing full hijab, strange.

Xbee007:

The lady is still wearing full hijab, strange.

Choke me O

August 5th, South African special forces on patrol in Pemba, Mozambique.

#More goddies

NIMASA also took delivery of 1 of 2 Cessna Cj3 SMA (NAF 957) equipped with a Leonardo seaspray AESA maritime surveillance radar and an electro optical sensor. The aircraft will provide actionable intelligence to the land and sea components to help combat piracy and sea robbery.

Sappers from 35 Engineer Regiment are currently delivering EOD Search and 'Train The Trainer' courses to Nigerian Army Engineers.

This training will enable the Nigerians to counter Violent Extremist Organisations in their country and beyond.

bidexiii:
August 5th, South African special forces on patrol in Pemba, Mozambique.

More photo Ops coming from Mozambique

Concl...

Xbee007:

The lady is still wearing full hijab, strange.

Converted already or probably married a member. It will take a while for her to readjust

#IS IED maker Abu Dardi and 20 others IED experts surrender to OPHK yesterday.

Seems like the UAV and the new jets as already giving this guys hell

bidexiii:
#IS IED maker Abu Dardi and 20 others IED experts surrender to OPHK yesterday.

Seems like the UAV and the new jets as already giving this guys hell

I hope they are capturing them in a database. It will be really stupid if they are not doing so.

At least 26 Chadian troops killed in suspected militant attack.


https://www.africanews.com/2021/08/06/at-least-26-chadian-troops-killed-in-suspected-militant-attack//

bidexiii:
#More goddies

NIMASA also took delivery of 1 of 2 Cessna Cj3 SMA (NAF 957) equipped with a Leonardo seaspray AESA maritime surveillance radar and an electro optical sensor. The aircraft will provide actionable intelligence to the land and sea components to help combat piracy and sea robbery.

both aircrafts are on ground

bidexiii:
At least 26 Chadian troops killed in suspected militant attack.


https://www.africanews.com/2021/08/06/at-least-26-chadian-troops-killed-in-suspected-militant-attack//

Were is Chadian air force in all this?

Xbee007:

Were is Chadian air force in all this?

Most of there aircrafts (both fixed wing & rotary) are not operational !

Training with our partners is what we do!

The U.S. Navy ship Hershel Woody Williams arrived in Lagos to participate in a three-day maritime training exercise with the Nigerian Navy.

#PartnershipsMatter
#US Navy
#Nigeria Navy

bidexiii:
#IS IED maker Abu Dardi and 20 others IED experts surrender to OPHK yesterday.

Seems like the UAV and the new jets as already giving this guys hell

Soldiers said they weren’t ordered to stop invaders from attacking Plateau communities – Monarch

Highness, The Bra Ngwe Irigwe, Rt Rev Ronku Aka, has lamented the tragedy that befell his people in the Bassa Local Government Area following the recent invasion of their communities by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

According to the monarch, some security operatives who were deployed in the communities during the attacks told the residents they had no instruction to repel the invaders.

The monarch stated this when the President of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, led other officials of the non-governmental organisation on a sympathy visit to his palace in Miango.

The group had earlier taken relief materials to internally displaced persons on Friday

The traditional ruler said the destruction that took place in his kingdom had further exposed the handicap of the governors and the council chairmen as chief security officers in their respective areas of jurisdiction in the country

Aku said, “I don’t blame the local government chairman in Bassa or the governor of the state over the calamity that has befallen my people.

“At peace meetings, the governor will give order but the security men will go and do a different thing.

“During the recent attacks in my communities, the soldiers and other security operatives were around. As the invaders were carrying out the attacks in Jebu Miango and advancing to other communities we expected them to confront the invaders and stop the destruction going on but that did not happen.

“When I enquired what was happening, some soldiers cried to me that they did not receive the order to repel the attackers on the communities.

“Some of them who expressed frustration over the situation wondered the essence of holding guns which they could not use and left the scene while the attackers continued with their destruction in the communities.

“If the security agents were deployed and allowed to do their job, may be, the attackers would not have succeeded with their evil plans and my people would not be suffering what they are experiencing at the moment.

“But we don’t want more deaths in the communities. I have told my people not to retaliate what was done to them but we need justice going forward.”

The President, Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Para-Mallam, while condemning the incident, said the violence in the communities must not be allowed to continue.

He called on the government to double its efforts towards protecting citizens’ lives and property.

The PUNCH had reported that gunmen last week invaded over 10 communities in the Bassa Local Government Area and set over 400 houses on fire.

Over 40 people were said to have been killed during the attacks which also left several people injured with 22,000 others displaced.

https://punchng.com/soldiers-said-they-werent-ordered-to-stop-invaders-from-attacking-plateau-communities-monarch/

bidexiii:
#More goddies

NIMASA also took delivery of 1 of 2 Cessna Cj3 SMA (NAF 957) equipped with a Leonardo seaspray AESA maritime surveillance radar and an electro optical sensor. The aircraft will provide actionable intelligence to the land and sea components to help combat piracy and sea robbery.

But I thought NIMASA is a separate Organisation, why is NAF branded on their own operational platform

Or it it operated by NAF??