Hardball
Demoralised soldiers who expressed their feelings in a viral video showed that there is something wrong with the Nigerian Army’s counter-insurgency strategy. The soldiers had been ambushed by Boko Haram terrorists.
According to the military headquarters, two soldiers were killed and three others were injured in the surprise attack that happened “eight kilometres ahead of Buni-Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State on May 18, 2020.” A recovery truck and a water tanker that ran into Improvised Explosive Devices (EID) were destroyed.
The viral video showed the reaction of the ambushed soldiers. A report said: “In disjointed Pidgin English that has been correctly translated… for the benefit of readers not conversant with such language, the angry soldiers said, “It shall not be well with the army (authorities), army has sold all of us. Look at the way the army (authorities) are suffering us, it shall not be well with them.
“Boko Haram ambushed us, what type of nonsense is this? Army (authorities) has suffered us. They sent jets to us after Boko Haram had finished us.
“Buratai, it shall not be well with you for life. Buratai, you shall not know peace anymore.”
The reference to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai reflected the degree of their demoralisation. But the army authorities glossed over the development, tweeting that “due to mental snap/distress occasioned by fog of war, two of the soldiers who escaped the IED and terrorists’ ambush recorded the incident with uncomplimentary remarks, about the Nigerian Army and her leadership, which was released on the social media.”
“Although this kind of outburst is expected in war, the soldiers involved have been identified and would undergo observation and counseling,” the tweets said, adding that the military “will remain unwavering in its quest to end the terrorism and will do everything possible to ensure there is no repeat of this kind of traumatic incident/outburst.”
When Lt Gen Buratai publicised his relocation to the Northeast theatre of war in April, he gave the impression that his move to physically and actively lead the war against Boko Haram would make a big difference. But his presence in the theatre of operations has not given the Nigerian troops an advantage over Boko Haram. The counter –insurgency effort remains an effort, after more than a decade.
Not only the soldiers whose outburst attracted public attention need to be examined; the military authorities also need to be examined.
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