₦airaland Forum

Ever since Nnamdi Kanu was unjustly sentenced by the inglorious injustice Omotosho on 20th November 2025, I've read a lot of posts made by many Nigerians here on Nairaland and other social platforms, supporting Omotosho's shameful judgement, calling Nnamdi Kanu a mass murderer and even going as far as saying that Omotosho was lenient to give Kanu life imprisonment that he deserved death penalty. Before I proceed further in this write up, I will want you readers to join me in exploring what is terrorism, the meaning of a terrorist and who is a terrorist sponsor/sympatiser. I can assure you that by the time we are done dissecting this and exploring a collection of past events, you will not just realize that Nnamdi Kanu is innocent, you will have no option but to apologize for accusing him of being a terrorist.

- What is Terrorism
Terrorism simply means the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. Take note of the highlighted word "violence"


- Who is a Terrorist
Terrorist is a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. Take note of the highlighted words "Use" and "Violence"

- Who is a Terrorist Sponsor
Terrorist Sponsor is a person or organization that pays for, supports or contributes to the use of unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. Take note of the terms "Support", "Pay For", "Contributes", "Use" and "Violence"

Now that we have a firm understanding of these terminologies, lets dive into the meat of the matter and explore the origins of terrorism in Nigeria

- The Foundation

Boko Haram the bedrock of Nigeria's terrorism, officially known as Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad (JAS) was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002 while Abubakar Shekau took over leadership from 2009 until his death in 2021. When the group was first formed, their main goal was to "purify", meaning to spread Sunni Islam, and destroy Shia Islam in northern Nigeria through jihad.

- The Radicalisation

After its founding in 2002, Boko Haram's increasing radicalisation led to the suppression operation by Nigerian military and the killing of its leader Mohammed Yusuf in July 2009. Its unexpected resurgence, following a mass prison break in September 2010 in Bauchi, was accompanied by increasingly sophisticated attacks, initially against soft targets, but progressing in 2011 to include suicide bombings of police buildings and the United Nations office in Abuja. The government's establishment of a state of emergency at the beginning of 2012, extended in the following year to cover the entire northeast of Nigeria, led to an increase in both security force abuses and militant attacks.

- The Bloodbath And Destruction

Of the 2.3 million people displaced as a result of the faceoff between Nigeria military and Boko Haram militant since May 2013, at least 250,000 fled to Cameroon, Chad or Niger. According to Wikipedia, Boko Haram was reported to have killed over 6,600 people in 2014 alone. Their well calculated attacked led to several bloody massacres including the killing by fire of 59 school boys in February 2014 and mass abductions including the kidnapping of over 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria, in April 2014. 

Now that we are familiar with the origins of terrorism in Nigeria, I will now proceed to share significant events that borders on exposing the real sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria. Remeber that we had already defined who is a terrorist sponsor earlier.

- Event 1

On 11th April 2025, a news publication was released by Foundation for investigative journalism (FIJ) titled "Nigerian Authorities Help 2,553 Terrorists Avoid Prosecution by Deeming Them ‘Repentant’". This report exposed how APC government of Buhari and Tinubu continue to sponsor and embolden terrorists through it's rehabilitation scheme in which deadly terrorists after killing hundreds instead of facing the law and jailed are released. Read it below.....

The Nigerian authorities have released 2,163 former Boko Haram terrorists in nine years, and 390 more insurgents will increase this number to 2,553 in April.

These thousands who have engaged in acts of terror have found a path, made by the government, through which they can escape prosecution.

Sometimes described as ‘repentant terrorists’, the federal and state governments put these captured terrorists through a six-month Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DRR) programme. Afterwards, the government certifies them repentant and release them into communities.

Media reports published on Thursday, some of which can be found here and here, disclosed Yobe State Government’s plans to receive and reintegrate 54 indigenes of the state who are part of a cohort of 390 former Boko Haram terrorists set to complete the deradicalisation programme between April 14 and 19.

FIJ understands that these repentant terrorists under the deradicalisation programme are able to evade prosecution because they ‘surrendered’ to the military.

The DRR programme is facilitated under the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC), which the federal government launched in 2016 in response to the activities of insurgents in the northeast, especially Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Further checks by FIJ showed that the initiative was designed to “encourage defection within the ranks of Boko Haram Islamic State of West Africa Province through the corridor of the opportunity offered by the DRR Programme as part of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s overall efforts to end the insurgency in the North East”.

The programme is a joint effort of stakeholders such as state governments, local leaders and the armed forces that offers a pathway for former insurgents and criminals, especially those who voluntarily defect, to be reintegrated into society.

In February, Brigadier General Yusuff Ali, the coordinator of OPSC, revealed that 2,190 repentant terrorists had been reintegrated through the initiative since its inception in 2016.

Of the 2,190 former terrorists, 2,163 were Nigerians and 27 were foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic reported to have been repatriated to their respective countries.

He noted that 789 ex-combatants were undergoing rehabilitation, with 381 expected to graduate in 2025. Similarly, 825 repentant terrorists, 14 of whom were foreigners from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, were transferred to the DRR Camp to commence training between July and November.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS HAVE SURRENDERED

As of 2023, 160,000 Boko Haram members have surrendered to the government and military.

General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defense Staff, also said that 129,417 Boko Haram terrorists and their family members surrendered to security forces between July 10 and December 9.

Of those who surrendered during that period, 30,426 were fighters, 36,774 were women and 62,265 were children.

https://fij.ng/article/nigerian-authorities-help-2553-terrorists-avoid-prosecution-by-deeming-them-repentant/

- Event 2

On 18 January 2012, BBC publish a report in which the current VP Kashim Shettima then Borno state governor was implicated of housing a deadly terrorist Kabiru Sokoto. Ever since this event occured till today, no security agency has interrogated Shettima or done a unbiased investigation. Read it below....

A key suspect in the Christmas Day bombing which killed more than 40 people in Nigeria has escaped from custody, police have admitted.

Kabiru Sokoto - believed to be a member of the Islamist sect Boko Haram - was arrested on Saturday in the capital Abuja after police trailed him.

But the very next day, he escaped as police attempted to search his house outside the capital.

A police commissioner has been arrested, police said in a statement.

It is a huge embarrassment for a nation struggling to contain an increasingly bloody campaign of violence blamed on Boko Haram, observers say.

'Pandemonium'

Authorities say Mr Sokoto planned the 25 December bombing of St Theresa Roman Catholic church in Madalla, just outside Abuja.

He was arrested on Saturday in Abuja at a lodge owned by the governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima.

A spokesman for the governor has said there is no question of collaboration between the governor and Boko Haram.

"What we've heard is that this man is in that lodge perhaps to even harm the governor. One cannot be in governance and be collaborating with people who threaten the peace of your own region," Inuwa Bwala, Borno's commissioner of information, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

"Our governor is completely insulated from any blame or from any type of relationship with these people."

The next day, the suspect was taken to his home just outside the capital, which police intended to search.

But youths surrounded the police cars and pandemonium broke out during which the suspect managed to escape, the BBC's Mark Lobel in Nigeria reports.

In a statement, police said Boko Haram members had attacked police escorting Mr Sokoto.

"The police view this development as a serious negligence on the part of the commissioner of police and have since queried and suspended him from duty," it added.

The commissioner was not identified.

This is either huge incompetence or worse on the part of the police, our correspondent says.

Mr Sokoto was the only major suspect to be arrested of late for involvement in the bloody attacks blamed on Boko Haram, which has stepped up its attacks over the last year.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-16607176

- Event 3

On September 10, 2014, Daily Post published a report exposing how Shettima sponsored and used terrorists to kill his political rivals in the north. Read it below....

Following the revelation by an Australian Negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davies, names of other alleged Boko Haram sponsors have emerged.

The latest said is the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima.

A magazine, “power Steering” which is being circulated, alleged that Governor Shettima is behind the killing of late Alhaji Awana Ngala, former ANPP chairman in Borno State, who was tipped to succeed former governor Ali Modu Sheriff as well as Engr. Modu Fannami Gubio, the gubernatorial candidate of the ANPP, who was killed barely one week after he was appointed to succeed Modu Sheriff in the 2011 general election.

DailyPost reports that this is coming even as Ahmad Salkida, the self-exiled Nigerian journalist, widely reported to have an unfettered access to Boko Haram, described as questionable, claims by Australian negotiator, Dr. Steven Davis, of having links with the insurgent group.

The Borno State-born journalist, who reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates over allegations that he was a Boko Haram sympathiser, stated that Davis should explain to Nigerians how he “came across” a member of the insurgent group who told him about the former Borno Governor and the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika.

The magazine, which claimed a secret conversation with a detained Boko Haram member, Mustapha Kolo revealed that there is an existing relationship between the group and the Borno State governor right from his time as a commissioner, where he served in five ministries before his election as Governor of Borno State.

Mustapha Kolo revealed that the governor had been giving them money to further their course and had been meeting with their leaders over targeted assassinations of prominent Borno citizens and politicians, who did not share his own political ideas.

Mustapha Kolo said, “When he (Shettima) was Commissioner, he used to give us plenty money. He even gave us money to kill Fannami Gubio, so he can become governor, but he did not complete his payment; we were following him, he didn’t give us again”.

https://dailypost.ng/2014/09/10/boko-haram-report-claims-governor-shettima-killed-gubio-ngala/

- Event 4

On August 2, 2022, BusinessDay published a report in which Kawu Baraje made a public confession on how him and other leaders of APC brought terrorists into Nigeria in 2015 in a bid to remove Jonathan. Till date no security agency has invited Baraje or investigated his claim, you can read what he said below.....

Revelations have started to be made on how Nigeria got itself into the current high level of insecurity in the country.

Abubakar Kawu Baraje, a former chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) on Monday traced the origin of the current insecurity in the country to the influx of Fulani from neighboring countries like Sierra Leone, Mali, Senegal, Niger and Chad brought into the country for election purposes in 2015.

Baraje, who once served as the party’s national secretary and chairman of the breakaway faction of PDP, said the Fulani men causing havoc in the country are not aboriginal to Nigeria.

“We are not asking the right question on how the same Fu­lani we have been living with suddenly turned out a menace.

“We also must ask how they had access to their guns,” the ex-party chairman asked.

Baraje said that the Fulani men wreaking havoc in the country are not the Nigerian Fulani.

“The security agencies have not been open about the nature of the problem.

“They have made arrests. Why haven’t they told the pub­lic who the terrorists are?” asked Baraje.

According to him, the Fu­lani causing security problems in the country were brought in to help facilitate victory in the 2015 election.

"After the election, the Fu­lani have refused to leave. I and other like minds wrote and warned those we started APC with that this was going to hap­pen but nobody listened,” he explained.

https://businessday.ng/news/article/how-we-brought-in-fulani-militias-from-mali-sierra-leone-senegal-others-to-win-2015-election-kawu-baraje/

- Event 5

On 14 July 2022, Daily Trust published a report regarding a strange photo that circulated online showing Kashim Shettima eating with alleged terrorists. Even though Daily Trust did an analysis of the photo, the real identities of the men in the photo was never ascertained till today. Read it below (I will add the photo as attachment due to inability insert photo into Nairaland post)

[A photo of the All Progressives Congress vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima allegedly eating with Boko Haram terrorists has been circulating online.

The picture shows the former governor of Borno State sitting and eating on a mat with five men whose appearance resembled that of Fulani herdsmen.

An analysis of the photo using Google reverse image search, showed that it has been on the internet since November 2017.

The picture has generated several reactions purporting that Shettima was dining with Boko Haram terrorists who have ravaged the Northeastern part of Nigeria, killing thousands of citizens.

Denial

Also in circulation is a statement by an alleged former aide to the Senator, I. A Ningi, explaining that the image was shot when the governor had a meeting with some nomadic (Mbororo) Fulani parents in Borno.

Backing Shettima, the former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani, said linking Shettima with Boko Haram was mischief.

“Those who are aggrieved over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling party have the constitutional right to express their objections.

“However, the remarks that trailed the ticket, including insinuations and allegations linking Shettima to the formation, growth and deadly destruction by the Boko Haram group is condemnable and mischievous,” Sani said in a statement.

Conclusion

Despite several reports and reactions, linking Shettima to the activities of Boko Haram while he was Borno State governor, none of the allegations has been proved.

Hence, there is no sufficient evidence to back the claim that the Senator was dining with alleged Boko Haram members as depicted in the viral photo.
https://dailytrust.com/fact-check-did-shettima-dine-with-boko-haram-terrorists/

Now that I've taken you down memory lane, let us recap. At the beginning of this post, we learnt who is a terrorist sponsor, we learnt that a Terrorist Sponsor is a person or organization (including government) that pays for, supports or contributes to the use of unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. After reading the events above, can you now see that the real sponsor of terrorism in Nigeria is not Nnamdi Kanu? Can you now see the double standards and the blatant injustice being done to Nnamdi Kanu? Can you see that terrorism will not end any time soon in Nigeria.


- South East Insurgency

Regarding IPOB and the violent insurgency that erupted in the south east, I see many ignorant comments that Nnamdi Kanu's broadcasts started the violence and killings, even when Kanu has not held a gun to shoot anyone.

For those who do not know, the insurgency in South East broke out as a result of Nigeria's military operations in the city of Orlu, Imo State on 16 January 2021, when the military moved forcefuly to crush the paramilitary wing of the IPOB, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Nigeria's military was never attacked by ESN before it launched the violent campaign. The conflict escalated after the ESN managed to repulse the initial attack by the Nigerian military, but IPOB ended the initial crisis by unilaterally withdrawing the ESN from Orlu. After a few weeks of quiet, Nigeria military launched another violent offensive in the area to destroy the ESN. This second attack was the final assault that caused a full blown war with ESN leading to the extrajudicial killing of over 100 people by the Nigerian military in the south east.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/08/nigeria-at-least-115-people-killed-by-security-forces-in-four-months-in-countrys-southeast/

Before the military violent attack on ESN, Nnamdi Kanu had on several of his broadcasts right from the day ESN was formed made it clear that their militant operations were mainly aimed at defending local communities from armed fulani herders and bandits and not to fight the Nigerian government. It was never ESN that started the violence in the south east so those spreading this lie and angry over the killings should direct such anger towards the APC government. Let the government take responsibility for it's violent campaigns against a peaceful movement, if justice must prevail then the generals in the military that ordered the extrajudicial killings must also face trial before you can point any accusing finger at Nnamdi Kanu.

Terrorism will never end in Nigeria unless the true sponsors who are in government are made to face the law.....Achieving this seem impossible now due to weak corrupt non-independent institutions. This is why Nigeria is doomed and it's inevitable end can not be stopped. Nigerians need to apologize to Nnamdi Kanu for accusing him of being a terrorist when it is glaring that the real terrorists and their sponsors are leading the nation....

As long as terrorism in Nigeria is concerned, Nnamdi Kanu is not Nigeria's problem....

On January 24, 2021 - Miyetti Allah Leader, Bodejo
declared "Fulani Own All Nigerian Lands, No One Can Remove Us From Ondo"

Bodejo stated this in an interview with The Sun, noting that all lands in the country belong to the Fulani.

The National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, has declared that nobody has the power to remove Fulani herdsmen from Ondo State’s forests.

Bodejo stated this in an interview with The Sun, noting that all lands in the country belong to the Fulani.

He also said only Fulani herdsmen could tackle the bandits kidnapping and killing people across the country. 

The Fulani leader stated this just as the seven-day ultimatum the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, issued to herdsmen to leave forest reserves in the state expired today, Sunday. 

He said, "The Ondo State governor doesn’t have any right to give such ultimatum to our people. People, including Fulani voted for him to be the governor; so he should be the governor of everybody in the state.

Fulani have been in the forests he is talking about even before he was born; they have been there for over 250 years. No matter how dangerous a forest may be, Fulani would go and settle there. 

"After staying there for a long time and their cow dung has made the place fertile, people would begin to come there to farm and settle and after then, they begin to make claims that our cattle are destroying their farms.

"We are suing the governor and seeking an injunction restraining him and others from carrying out his threat. But even at that, nobody, no power can send the herdsmen out of Ondo State.

"We are making consultations with our legal team. But before then, the governor and his people should stop embarrassing our people in the forests and all their businesses. No herdsman will obey the governor; the herdsmen will not step an inch out of Ondo forests; they are going nowhere."

The Miyetti Allah leader added that his group was also against the herdsmen kidnapping and robbing people while also operating from forests. 

"We are not in support of any form of criminality — armed robbery, kidnapping, gun running, etc. These crimes are the reasons why we have the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, and even the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps to nab perpetrators. And there are courts everywhere to try them and if found guilty, appropriate punishments should be meted out to them. 

"I have just concluded a meeting with my fellow Fulani and we have found out that some people will adorn Fulani attire to carry out various crimes. 

"How can a Fulani man living in the forest kidnap and ask people to pay ransoms ranging from N5 million to N10 million? What will he be doing with that kind of money inside the forest? If you pay herdsmen N20 million, N10 million, N5 million in the forest, where will he carry the money to and what will he be doing with such money?" he added.

They should have been charged to court instead of releasing them.

God bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

You can't make a defense out of whataboutism


Your original post is meant to highlight how more violent Boko Haram is when compared to ESN/BLA.

The bottom line is both ESN/BLA were an illegal security outfit not empowered by any law.

They are not a recognised policing or paramilitary force.

Both ESN and BLA have launched attacks on both Nigerian security outfits and civilians.

BLA specifically claimed they were not only fighting for Biafra liberation but also demanding for Kanu's release.

Kanu had severally issued orders via his radio Biafra to his foot soldiers specifically calling for attacks on Nigerian Security outfits in the SE and also to northerners in the zone.

This is undeniable.

The foot soldiers in both ESN/BLA see Kanu as their Supreme leader and commander.

Kanu has been photographed inspecting a '' Guards of Honour'' line up of ESN fighters.


The evidence linking Kanu to the terrorists as their leader and commander is insurmountable.

To deny that kanu was never involved directly with the killings is inexcusable.

As I said earlier, deflecting to BH and Fulani terrorists does not exonerate Kanu of his own crimes against the state.

Kanu was captured on video requesting for funds from a gathering of WIC in the US specifically to purchase weapons to wage war on the Nigerian state in his quest for Biafra independence.

Let's leave sentiments apart.

The original ruling by Justice Omotosho is readily available online.

Search for it and read it and see why Justice Omotosho agreed with the FG on all allegations tabled against Kanu.

Kanu's case is totally different. There is no amnesty for treason

This boy you don't live in the East, so you are free to spew rubbish as much as you like.

Most ESN boys terrorising Ihiala and some parts of imo state have been arrested . That side is enjoying ultimate peace. The people will be coming home to celebrate Xmas for the first time in years.

If you enjoy boko haram so much, go and join them and stop terrorising igbos here in the East.
The north can pamper their own terrorists, we in the East will not.

I thank Soludo for minding his business this time around.

As for you, I don't blame you at all, assuming you lost a love one to these EsN terrorists that did not harm a single Fulani but kept killing their brothers and sisters, you will stop posting and defending rubbish

The government is doing its best to end the insurgency while also addressing the humanitarian needs.

Based on information that is public knowledge on how the APC government continues to support fulani terrorists by releasing them as "repentant" after killing people, there is nothing to hide as Buhari, Tinubu, Shettima and APC government are grand patrons and sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria....

HgAkpobomeEr:
They should have been charged to court instead of releasing them.

The comment section is wild.

Adaisback:
This boy you don't live in the East, so you are free to spew rubbish as much as you like.

Most ESN boys terrorising Ihiala and some parts of imo state have been arrested . That side is enjoying ultimate peace. The people will be coming home to celebrate Xmas for the first time in years.

If you enjoy boko haram so much, go and join them and stop terrorising igbos here in the East.
The north can pamper their own terrorists, we in the East will not.

I thank Soludo for minding his business this time around.

As for you, I don't blame you at all, assuming you lost a love one to these EsN terrorists that did not harm a single Fulani but kept killing their brothers and sisters, you will stop posting and defending rubbish

Truthera gidgiddy see yourself?

truthera:
Based on information that is public knowlege on how the APC government continues to support fulani terrorists by releasing them as "repentant" after killing people, there is nothing go hide as Buhari, Tinubu, Shettima and APC government are grand patrons and sponsores of terrorism in Nigeria....

Na Onuman (Big Mouth) put that coward terrorist for big wahala.

Nonsense! provide evidence to back up your frivolous claims of "....ESN boys terrorising Ihiala...." you guys will create fake accounts with igbo names as this one calling itself "Adaisback" to post rubbish about Nnamdi Kanu. I shared evidence showing how Nigeria military orchestrated killings of over 100 people in it's offensive violent campaign against ESN but because you have a malicious agenda, you decided to not include that in your comment. I took out a part of my initial post to define who is a terorists so as to enlighten some of you who pretend to be ignorant. Adaisback who is a terrorist?

Terrorist is a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. Take note of the highlighted words "Use" and "Violence".... Nnamdi Kanu was accused of being a terrorist without any proof or evidence showing how he "used" (action) either by directly holding a gun to shoot someone or anyone he knows confessing in court that he killed someone because Nnamdi Kanu ordered him to kill or any real victim testifying in court that Nnamdi Kanu used a gun or through his broadcast to kill his/her family member... He was convicted based on what he said and not what he did.... So do you now see that if we go back to look at the actual definition of a Terrorist that Nnamdi Kanu is not one.

Regarding the empty accusations that you and so many others keeps making against ESN of being the unknown gunmen killing igbos without providing any shred of proof to back your claims either due to willful ignorance or laziness to seek out the truth. I will share links so that you can dissect and educate yourself to uncover those responsible behind the killings....

On January 17, 2022, Sahara Reporters published a news report in which IPOB revealed how cult members were been recruited by Nigeria government using Asari Dokubo to defame their group... You can read it using the link below....

https://saharareporters.com/2022/01/17/nigerian-government-hired-asari-dokubo-kill-biafra-agitators-ipob-alleges


On 3 July 2023, Daily Trust published a news report on Militant leader, Asari Dokubo, bragging about how President Muhammadu Buhari hired him, how he was used and particiated in what he termed a "war" in Plateau, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Rivers. You can read it using the link below....

https://dailytrust.com/buhari-hired-me-to-protect-abuja-kaduna-road-asari-dokubo-brags-in-new-video/

Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s Southeast region, the most peaceful at a time, suddenly exploded in a wave of inexplicable violence.

Prisons, police stations, court houses electoral commission offices and random public establishments were attacked by armed gangs and razed. Individuals were kidnapped, hacked to death or gunned down in broad daylight by hooded men who escaped without trace. Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of Late Prof Dora Akunyili, one-time Minister of Information and DG of NAFDAC, was gruesomely murdered by these men in an attack which had no obvious aim other than to instill public fear. Many went missing and were never found.

Gloom descended on the peoples of five states best known for their industry and enterprise.

For years, not a single one of those crimes was solved. Not a single culprit was successfully apprehended and prosecuted by law enforcement operatives.

Officially, fingers were promptly pointed at IPOB, for every incident – sometimes even before investigations formally opened. IPOB vehemently denied these accusations. But government propaganda was too strong. Many soon believed the government and joined to demonize IPOB for mindlessly turning the region into a war front. Gradually though, everyone began to realize that there was something fishy in the official position.

Federal and state authorities had all the means to nab the gangsters, but preferred to issue increasingly sterile press statements instead. It soon became clear that the armed forces, police and other official security agencies were either in cahoots with the criminals or consciously turning a blind eye to their activities. In villages across the Southeast and North Central regions, locals began to notice that whenever the Army and Police showed up for patrols, Unknown Gunmen or armed “herdsmen” followed shortly afterwards.

It was as if the patrols were surveillance missions for the bad guys. So, villagers took the hint and scampered for safety whenever those who were supposed to protect them reported for duty. It was even law enforcement officials who coined the moniker, “Unknown Gunmen”(UGM) to describe criminal elements they were paid to hunt down.

People with experience in security matters soon concluded that Nigeria was dealing with “false flag operations” – crimes deliberately committed (in this instance by secret agents of the state) to incriminate an innocent party in order to achieve some dark political objectives. The problem was: There was no concrete evidence or proof to show the world. Those who were supposed to gather evidence were busy covering the tracks of the criminals.

Well, that mystery lasted until Asari Dokubo, the voluptuous and loquacious Niger Delta warlord, visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja as a guest of the new Nigerian leader, Bola Tinubu. It was only two weeks after the latter’s inauguration. At the end of his visit, Dokubo addressed a press conference from one of the chambers of the villa, a rare privilege accorded only to close allies of an administration.

Unable to control his impulses whenever in front of cameras and microphones, Asari said several things which have since become subjects of controversy. One of the few which almost evaded public scrutiny holds the key to the mystery of the Unknown Gunmen. He said he was “in charge of security in six states of the federation” and his boys were responsible for some of the successes in the security situation of the country for which the Armed forces often get credit.

To add color to this sketchy claim, he recounted an actual operational experience in these words: “… my men and I discovered a camp in Imo with hundreds of vehicles. Where are the owners? If you want me to show you pictures, I will show you. We discovered their camp, kicked their asses, and sent them to where they belong.”

For the avoidance of doubt, Dokubo boasted: “I am a participant in this war, I fight on the side of the government of the Nigerian state; in Plateau, in Niger, in Anambra, in Imo, in Abia and in Rivers state and in Abuja. Today you’re traveling to Kaduna on this road, it’s not the army that makes it possible for you to travel to Abuja, or travel to Kaduna, vice versa. It is my men, employed by the government of the Nigerian state, stationed in Niger.” (https://dailytrust.com/buhari-hired-me-to-protect-abuja-kaduna-road-asari-dokubo-brags-in-new-video/)

In those words, Asari Dokubo blew his own cover. He owned up to working in an undercover capacity or as a non-state actor in a sector which belongs exclusively to the Federal Government. He owned up to extra-judicial killings. He mentioned specific theaters of operation – Imo State and the Abuja-Kaduna highway. He named those who hired and paid him – “the government of the Nigerian state.” It was like a painter framing his own masterpiece.

Three of those states named by Asari Dokubo (Anambra, Imo & Abia) are in the Southeast. Two others and the Federal Capital Territory (Niger, Plateau and Abuja) are in the Middle Belt. Another state (Rivers) is in the South-South. All named territories have one thing in common in the last few years – random, unsolved killings and attacks on members of the opposition, rural farming communities and government facilities. Anambra, Imo and Abia were the epicenter of unknown gunmen activities in the period leading up to the last elections. Niger and Plateau were the main theaters of operation for the so-called “Fulani herdsmen.” Kuje Prison within the FCT was attacked and inmates set free.

So, what exactly was Asari Dokubo’s “security brief” in a region (the Southeast) where Army and Police checkpoints adorn nearly every hundred meters of highway? What was he doing in a state (Imo) where a special military task force was assigned to “crush” separatist agitations? What was he paid to do for a country that boasts of about a dozen security agencies with hefty yearly federal appropriations? More still, what “contract” is Asari desperately lobbying to retain with the new administration of President Bola Tinubu for which reason he broke all protocols of civility to support the Tinubu candidacy and gain his attention before and during the last elections? Why has he been so vociferous with his anti-Igbo rhetoric in courting the Tinubu camp – knowing that Igbophobia is one of the favorite weapons of the APC in its struggle to retain power after the failed Buhari years?

If you read between the lines and fill in the blank spaces, all the fingers point in one direction – Asari Dokubo is the man behind the mask of Unknown Gunmen. He was recruited and paid by the Buhari Administration, working closely with the Imo State Governor (Hope Uzodimma), to help deal with the threat of Biafra in Southeast Nigeria by unconventional means. Asari Dokubo in turn recruited, coordinated and paid the men who carried out all those killings and criminal activities to blackmail IPOB and ESN. Plus at least some of the mysterious attacks on villagers and facilities in the Middle Belt region.

That’s what he meant when he boldly said, “I am a participant in this war.”

The trouble with people who talk too much is that they ultimately talk themselves into trouble. Asari Dokubo has now talked himself into deep trouble – beyond being broke. Not only has he antagonized the armed forces which he was recruited to “help”, he has also given away the identity of the evil masquerade terrorizing the neighborhood.

In trying so hard to corner the next “security contract” after squandering what he was earlier paid for hatchet jobs under President Buhari, Melford Asari Dokubo Goodhead  has given away his own secret position. He is like a drunken and unprofessional sniper who uses his weapon indiscriminately. His enemies can see clearly where the deadly shots are coming from. His position in the bushes is no longer a mystery. The sniper himself is now a sitting duck. It’s only a matter of time before he too is sniped. That’s the way the cooky crumbles.
(Culled from The Renaissance)

Adaisback, I await your robust reply with clear proof, including links showing how Nnamdi Kanu and ESN gunmen killed your family member, attacked your community/village or someone you know. I will appreciate that you include real names, real places and real testimonies with pictures or videos showing Nnamdi Kanu with gun leading ESN and IPOB identifiable members to raid villages and kill igbo people..... If you can not provide these or any real evidences then it is better to remain silent.....

Adaisback:
This boy you don't live in the East, so you are free to spew rubbish as much as you like.

Most ESN boys terrorising Ihiala and some parts of imo state have been arrested . That side is enjoying ultimate peace. The people will be coming home to celebrate Xmas for the first time in years.

If you enjoy boko haram so much, go and join them and stop terrorising igbos here in the East.
The north can pamper their own terrorists, we in the East will not.

I thank Soludo for minding his business this time around.

As for you, I don't blame you at all, assuming you lost a love one to these EsN terrorists that did not harm a single Fulani but kept killing their brothers and sisters, you will stop posting and defending rubbish

Really? Are you sure it is same Nigerian government sponsoring terrorists that you are referring?

Anither563:
The government is doing its best to end the insurgency while also addressing the humanitarian needs.

If Kanu had been released, they would have gone after him.

I've already addressed your concern in my reply to Adaisback. It is true that south east governors and federal government refused to legitmize ESN but it is a lie to say that the real ESN formed by Nnamdi Kanu was responsible for the killings in the south east. I challenge you to do a proper research and provide irrefutable evidences indicting Nnamdi Kanu and ESN of all these bogus claims you are making, instead of all these speculative analysis over Kanu's broadcasts and Youtube videos... Once you compile your links and real evidences then we can have a real conversation. Until then what you are doing now is nothing but empty gossips and wishful talk....

DomPerignon:
You can't make a defense out of whataboutism


Your original post is meant to highlight how more violent Boko Haram is when compared to ESN/BLA.

The bottom line is both ESN/BLA were an illegal security outfit not empowered by any law.

They are not a recognised policing or paramilitary force.

Both ESN and BLA have launched attacks on both Nigerian security outfits and civilians.

BLA specifically claimed they were not only fighting for Biafra liberation but also demanding for Kanu's release.

Kanu had severally issued orders via his radio Biafra to his foot soldiers specifically calling for attacks on Nigerian Security outfits in the SE and also to northerners in the zone.

This is undeniable.

The foot soldiers in both ESN/BLA see Kanu as their Supreme leader and commander.

Kanu has been photographed inspecting a '' Guards of Honour'' line up of ESN fighters.


The evidence linking Kanu to the terrorists as their leader and commander is insurmountable.

To deny that kanu was never involved directly with the killings is inexcusable.

As I said earlier, deflecting to BH and Fulani terrorists does not exonerate Kanu of his own crimes against the state.

Kanu was captured on video requesting for funds from a gathering of WIC in the US specifically to purchase weapons to wage war on the Nigerian state in his quest for Biafra independence.

Let's leave sentiments apart.

The original ruling by Justice Omotosho is readily available online.

Search for it and read it and see why Justice Omotosho agreed with the FG on all allegations tabled against Kanu.

Treason? Laughable comment from the usual suspects, emergency lovers of one Nigeria....

Salewa97:
Kanu's case is totally different. There is no amnesty for treason

truthera:
I've already addressed your concern in my reply to Adaisback. It is true that south east governors and federal government refused to legitmize ESN but it is a lie to say that the real ESN formed by Nnamdi Kanu was responsible for the killings in the south east. I challenge you to do a proper reseaech and provide irrefutable evidences indicting Nnamdi Kanu and ESN of all these bogus claims you are making, instead of all these speculative analysis over Kanu's broadcasts and Youtube videos... Once you compile your links and real evidences then we can have a real conversation. Until then what you are doing now is nothing but empty gossips and wishful talk....

On which authority did he then use to form his militia?

truthera:
Treason? Laughable comment from the usual suspects, emergency lovers of one Nigeria....

Projection.

Quick Questions:
1: Who was Ikonso ⁉️
2:Who did he work for⁉️
3: Why was he killed by FG ⁉️
4: What happened to all the trained Esn members,did they just disappear into thin air,did they disband and go home⁉️
5: Why can't we see pictures of them in military gears like prior 2020-2022⁉️


When you honestly answer these questions, maybe you'll realize how you are embarrassing yourself putting out these wack defense for Kanu.

Ndo ooh 😒

truthera:
I've already addressed your concern in my reply to Adaisback. It is true that south east governors and federal government refused to legitmize ESN but it is a lie to say that the real ESN formed by Nnamdi Kanu was responsible for the killings in the south east. I challenge you to do a proper reseaech and provide irrefutable evidences indicting Nnamdi Kanu and ESN of all these bogus claims you are making, instead of all these speculative analysis over Kanu's broadcasts and Youtube videos... Once you compile your links and real evidences then we can have a real conversation. Until then what you are doing now is nothing but empty gossips and wishful talk....

ESN was formed by Nnamdi Kanu out of a necessity to protect the right of Ndigbo to self-defense. When there is an imminent danger to one’s live, you do not need any one’s authority or permission to protect yourself. You may argue on the basis of the powers of constituted authority but the right to self-defense is a universally recognized principle in both international and domestic law. If a person commits a crime, violent or non-violent, for the purpose of defending himself (self-defense) and property, or to defend the lives of others, such act can be acceptable in law when done in certain circumstances. For example, reckless driving is usually against the law, but it can be justified if it was done to avoid a collision. Countries also exercise a right to self-defense in relation to their existence and independence.

Based on the analogy I’ve given above, Nnamdi Kanu forming ESN may be seen as a crime but can be justified in law when analyzed on basis of universally accepted principle of right to self-defense. Here is a link to an interesting interview by Emma Powerful regarding ESN…..

https://www.thebiafratimes.co/2020/12/esn-is-in-full-operation-and-will.html

DomPerignon:
On which authority did he then use to form his militia?

You are the ignorant person here because you choose to support injustice, lies and propaganda of your shameless government just to satisfy your hate for Nnamdi Kanu and igbos. Ikonso the ESN commander was attacked in his home and killed in cold blood by the government.

What was his crime?
The real reason he was killed was because he confronted and drove away some killer herdsmen that the security agencies did not want to confront. You can learn more about it here - https://saharareporters.com/2021/04/27/how-esn-commander-ikonso-was-killed-which-nigerian-government-lied-about%E2%80%94ipob

See how heartless you are, so happy and glutting over extrajudicial killings done by Nigerian government on ESN members who’s only crime was that they chose to defend their ancestral land from terrorists.

LottiOk:
Quick Questions:
1: Who was Ikonso ⁉️
2:Who did he work for⁉️
3: Why was he killed by FG ⁉️
4: What happened to all the trained Esn members,did they just disappear into thin air,did they disband and go home⁉️
5: Why can't we see pictures of them in military gears like prior 2020-2022⁉️


When you honestly answer these questions, maybe you'll realize how you are embarrassing yourself putting out these wack defense for Kanu.

Ndo ooh 😒

The fact that you found it convenient to insert BLA (Biafra Liberation Army) a different violent group formed by Simon Ekpa as part of Nnamdi Kanu's non-violent ESN just to deceive ignorant readers and justify the sham trial of Kanu makes your argument malicious and deceptive..... Nnamdi Kanu has always maintained that he does not support Simon Ekpa's violent campaigns in the south east. Here is a link below.....

https://punchng.com/kanu-says-nigerian-govt-sponsoring-ekpa-ipob-lawyer/

You've never in any of your submissions provided a shred of evidence or links, all you do is ride on sentiments to promote falsehood. I will once again challenge you and Adaisback to proof me wrong by providing links or attach documents to backup the claims you guys keep peddling on this thread. I am waiting to destroy the lies and propaganda.....

DomPerignon:
You can't make a defense out of whataboutism


Your original post is meant to highlight how more violent Boko Haram is when compared to ESN/BLA.

The bottom line is both ESN/BLA were an illegal security outfit not empowered by any law.

They are not a recognised policing or paramilitary force.

Both ESN and BLA have launched attacks on both Nigerian security outfits and civilians.

BLA specifically claimed they were not only fighting for Biafra liberation but also demanding for Kanu's release.

Kanu had severally issued orders via his radio Biafra to his foot soldiers specifically calling for attacks on Nigerian Security outfits in the SE and also to northerners in the zone.

This is undeniable.

The foot soldiers in both ESN/BLA see Kanu as their Supreme leader and commander.

Kanu has been photographed inspecting a '' Guards of Honour'' line up of ESN fighters.


The evidence linking Kanu to the terrorists as their leader and commander is insurmountable.

To deny that kanu was never involved directly with the killings is inexcusable.

As I said earlier, deflecting to BH and Fulani terrorists does not exonerate Kanu of his own crimes against the state.

Kanu was captured on video requesting for funds from a gathering of WIC in the US specifically to purchase weapons to wage war on the Nigerian state in his quest for Biafra independence.

Let's leave sentiments apart.

The original ruling by Justice Omotosho is readily available online.

Search for it and read it and see why Justice Omotosho agreed with the FG on all allegations tabled against Kanu.

truthera:
Nonsense! provide evidence to back up your frivolous claims of "....ESN boys terrorising Ihiala...."

Wonderful, you of all people telling others to provide evidence.

You that will repeatedly open threads and write long posts based on false conjecture actually have the effontery to request for evidence.

Na all of us dey craze for dis Nigeria.

Burob:
Na Onuman (Big Mouth) put that coward terrorist for big wahala.

How? By speaking truth to power.
Them go drink crude oyel and gas after putting Kalu to prison.

The post is absolutely correct and I agree with you on all

If they can surrender and be rehabilitated, the same should apply to every other group.

You will apologise only if you are a human, some children of wild animals live amongst us..

This is a commendable approach by the FG. If Boko Haram can surrender, then why can't IPOB do the same? I see no reason for Kanu to be held when he can easily embrace peace and come back home.