The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boko haram

Chibok girls: We have negotiated thrice with Boko Haram – FG

…Minister opens up on how talks with Boko Haram broke down
The Federal Government Friday admitted that it has negotiated thrice with Boko Haram on how to swap the abducted 215 Chibok girls with some commanders of the insurgents.

The three negotiations were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari between July and December 2015.

The government however said the talks broke down because of cracks within Boko Haram and some difficult demands made by the sect.

He said the demands of Boko Haram included the release of their fighters arrested, especially some involved in major terrorist actions, resulting in several fatalities, and others who were experts in manufacture of locally assembled explosives.

But the government said it has not foreclosed negotiation in order to secure the release of the Chibok girls.

The Minister of Information, Alh. Lai Mohammed gave insights into what the government has done at a special briefing in Abuja.

He said because of competing interests and unnecessary rivalries, nothing was achieved by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan before the 2015 handover date.

He said following leads from some international bodies and countries relevant security agencies were able to strike a chord which made the Buhari administration to open talks with Boko Haram.

He was however silent on the leaders of Boko Haram who the Federal Government discussed with in order “not to jeopardize negotiation.”

But he said the efforts were coordinated by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) in conjunction with other intelligence agencies.

Mohammed said: “Precisely on 17th July, 2015, the DSS opened negotiations process with the group holding the Chibok girls. However, in return for the release of some of these girls, the group also made some demands.

“These included the release of some of their fighters arrested including some involved in major terrorist actions, resulting in several fatalities, and others who were experts in manufacture of locally assembled explosives.

“This was difficult to accept, but appropriate security agencies had to again inform Mr. President of these demands, and its viewed implications. Again Mr. President gave his assent believing that the overall release of these girls remains paramount and sacrosanct.

“Meanwhile, following the above development, Government and the security agencies had sufficient leverage to work out the modalities of the swap.

“These included creating the safe haven, or necessary place of swap and working out the logistic details. Based on this, the DSS availed other critical sister agencies of this new situation. Immediately, the Nigerian Army and the Air Force sent some specialists to commence a detailed arrangement for the swap. This was during the last week of July 2015 and 1st week of August 2015.

“The officers representing the various agencies worked out the logistic details, such as the number of persons to be swapped i.e. number of girls and detainees to be exchanged, the vehicles and aircraft, as well as safeguards, i.e. safety of the persons, including the location of the swap.

“When it was finally agreed by all parties, Mr. President was again informed that the preparations were concluded, and the first step for the swap would commence on 1st August, 2015. Mr. President robustly gave his approval.

“On 4th August, 2015, the persons who were to be part of the swap arrangements and all others involved in the operation were transported to Maiduguri, Borno State. This team, with the lead facilitator, continued the contact with the group holding the Chibok girls.

“The Service was able to further prove to the group its sincerity, as it established communication contact between it and its detained members. All things were in place for the swap which was mutually agreed. Expectations were high.

“Unfortunately, after more than two (2) weeks of negotiation and bargains, the group, just at the dying moments, issued new set of demands, never bargained for or discussed by the group before the movement to Maiduguri. All this while, the security agencies waited patiently. This development stalled what would have been the first release process of the Chibok girls.

“It may be important to note that in spite of this setback, the government and the security agencies have not relented in the bid to ensure that the Chibok girls are released safely.

“By the month of November, precisely 13th November, 2015, another fresh negotiation process with the group was initiated. This time, there was the need to discuss a fresh component in other to avoid issues that had stalled the former arrangement.
“There were however some problems that many may not discern, but should be expected in this kind of situation. Some critical persons within the group, who played such vital role in August, 2015 were discovered to be dead during combat action or as a result of the emerging rift amongst members of the group then. These two factors delayed the process. In spite of these, negotiation continued on new modalities.

“By 30th November, 2015 it was becoming glaring that the division amongst the group was more profound. This affected the swap process.

“By 10th December, 2015, another negotiation process was in place, but this failed to achieve results because of the varying demands by the group.”

Mohammed said the Federal Government has not given up on the release of the girls.

He added: “Gentlemen of the press, the security agencies since the beginning of 2016 have not only remained committed but have also taken the lead to resolve the Chibok girls’ issue.

“In spite of the current division amongst members of the terrorist group, which has seriously affected efforts to release the girls, renewed efforts have commenced using our trusted assets and facilitators. However, this job requires diligence and ability to deal with a group that can easily change its demands without notice.

“Officers and men have sacrificed their time and energy, and some have already paid the supreme price since the abduction of the Chibok girls, fighting for the safe release of the girls.

“Many friendly countries and organizations have equally been very forthcoming in providing their human and technological resources to assist in the process. They are still doing so. We cannot as a nation ignore these sacrifices.

“The Government and its security agencies remain committed to ensuring that the Chibok girls are safely released in fulfillment of the Presidential mandate.”

The Minister appealed to the parents of the Chibok girls and Nigerians to have trust in the government on its ability to secure their release.

He added: “Let me emphasize that Government appreciates the resilience of Nigerians in the fight against insurgency and terrorism, and will continue to call on fellow Nigerians to hold that much is ahead and therefore support Mr. President’s resolve on this matter.

“I cannot end this without appealing to the parents and relatives of the Chibok girls. We are with you; we feel your pains and shall not relent until we succeed in bringing home our girls and every other citizen abducted by the group. It is important to appeal to all those who have shown concern in resolving this matter to continue to trust the efforts of Government to deal with the situation.”

September 16, 2016
Military hands over 566 orphans, widows to Borno state

Another set of 566 Boko Haram orphans and widows have again been released to Borno State by the military in Maiduguri, making it the fourth time the army have carried out such exercise.

Governor Kashim Shettima who received them on Friday explained that Borno State under his leadership will continue to cater for the children and families of the insurgents in order to break the Boko Haram cycle of violence as a way of securing the future of the state.

A breakdown of the number shows 355 breastfeeding children babies, 149 breastfeeding mothers and 62 under-aged evacuated by the Nigerian Army from camps operated by Boko Haram insurgents in different parts of Borno State.

The Nation gathered that a substantial percentage of the number is believed to be families of the insurgents saved after the military took over the camps during operations.

While handing over was done by the General Officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu at a rehabilitation and reintegration center ‎newly opened by the Borno State Government in Maiduguri to give medical care, education and cater for the welfare of the families.

Shettima during his address said; “‎What is of importance we should all know, is that an average male member of the Boko Haram has one great wish and that wish is for his son or daughter to inherit his doctrine of violence. The insurgents seriously take to child bearing as a strategy of not only multiplying their numbers but also producing children they hope, will continue from where their fathers stop in violent killings as their own form of worship.

“The goal of Boko Haram fathers is that even if they are killed by our armed forces, they want to bequeath to us, a future of violence in Borno State, a future of violence in the northeast and a violent future for our country. Our ultimate aim in taking custody of families of insurgents is to cut the cycle of violence so as to secure the future of Borno State. Our aim is to give education to the children of the insurgents so that these children will grow to despise the values and doctrines their parents lived and preached.

“The children will not be trained with any element of hate for their parents, they won’t even be told about the ways of their parents so that they don’t grow with deflated self-esteem. These children will be raised like every other child, they will be raised to love and not to hate like their parents wished for them. They will be trained to save lives and contribute to building and growing communities not to take lives and destroy communities like their parents would wish. This is why we are determined to take care of these children.

“I am speaking in English knowing that they don’t hear what I am saying because we don’t want them to have low self-esteem. We will train them to have big dreams and to pursue their dreams of becoming productive citizens. Some of these children will be future leaders, many will be doctors, Engineers, lawyers and some may even grow to join the military if they choose to. They will insha Allah, contribute to nation building and part of the future of Borno State. We must love and care for each other. We have witnessed so much hatred and violence. Our hearts have been too consumed by agony. We must use the remaining space in our hearts to love and to share love and brotherhood,” Shettima said

The Governor also explained that majority of the family members have been found to be innocent of the violence of the Boko Haram insurgents contrary to the wish of some members of the public who want the sins of insurgents meted on their families.

“There are some part of our citizens that may be raising eye brows whenever we are seen taking custody, loving and caring for families of members of the Boko Haram insurgents whether their widows or their children. I have seen some people criticise us on the social media but I think whoever criticizes what we are doing should be forgiven for making expression out of ignorance on the basis of what we are doing.

In our societies, a lot of women neither know what their husbands do nor do they have control over their husbands. Our security forces do thorough investigation in ensuring that anyone freed is proven innocent of violent activities. As for the children, there are innocent little souls who have got absolutely nothing to do with the sins of their fathers. They didn’t determine their parents, they were brought to life without any prior knowledge of the violence their parents perpetuate,” Shettima said

September 16, 2016
How we battered Boko Haram, by Buratai

CHIEF of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has addressed top United States (U.S.) defence officials and policy leaders on the efforts being made by the military in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that Buratai spoke at the Africa Center of the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, U.S.).

Usman said the presentation was titled: “Nigerian Army Challenges and Priorities in the Ongoing Operations against Boko Haram Terrorists and Other Threats to Peace and Security.”

He said the presentation at the centre was part of the Army chief’s programme on his official visit to the US.

Usman said Buratai emphasised the fact that the fight against terrorism was one that concerned the entire global community and not only the countries.

He said the chief of army staff talked about addressing the issues of insecurity in Nigeria at the strategic, tactical and operational levels as well as the challenges in tackling the threat of terrorism.

Usman said the Army chief applauded the strategic leadership provided by President Buhari in the reinvigorated fight against Boko Haram.

“Buratai enumerated the Presidential strategic directive of relocating the Military Command and Control Centre from Abuja to Maiduguri, which was followed by the directive of defeating the insurgents by the end of December 2015.

“He spoke about the involvement of neighbouring countries, as well as provision of necessary arms and logistics, assisted in the defeat of the terrorists.

“Buratai maintained his stand to undertake and sustain the current level of operations to ensure complete defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.

“The aim is in ensuring the safety and freedom for all abducted persons and creation of favourable environment that would permit the return of all refugees and internally displaced persons to their original home,’’ he said.

Buratai , Usman noted, also informed his audience of the Army’s commitment to developing capacity through local training and international collaboration in the provision for equipment, training support, equipment maintenance, intelligence and respect for human rights.

He said Buratai sought the support and understanding among all cooperating agencies and international partners for a collective action against Boko Haram terrorists.

September 16, 2016
Boko Haram video: Army tells sect members to surrender

The Army yesterday asked the remaining members of theBoko Haram sect to surrender immediately for their own good.

It also said its reaction to Boko Haram’s new video is to effectively decimate the group completely.

The sect on Wednesday released another video in which it threatens to ‘capture’ President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

The video also shows a large of men praying inside what looks like a forest.

Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar said the military would not engage the sect in war of words. he described the threat as a “ranting.”

Gen. Abubakar described the video as a complete show of weakness and diversionary, calling it a “desperate attempt by the dying sect to remain relevant.

“While our operation will continue as planned with many terrorists already surrendering and may captives rescued, we advise all the remaining surviving Boko Haram terrorists to surrender now for their own good. We urge Nigerians not to bother about the antics of the degraded sect. Meeting their waterloo is surely imminent.

“The military believes so much in making statement through its action as evidenced in its past achievements rather than making noise in propaganda gimmick as exhibited by the Boko Haram elements in its recent video clip,” Abubakar said.

The military high command also said it will not be deterred by the

“photoshop assemblage of worshippers at the supposed Eid-El Kabir prayer which is a replica of the video clip released by the sect in 2014. “

The video, it said has cast aspersion to the credibility of the clip and therefore should be disregarded. The Defence spokesperson also said the military is committed to making lives unbearable to the enemies of Nigeria wherever they are and would do all that is required within its rules of engagement to ensure that no part of Nigerian territory is conducive and habitable for insurgents to operate.

Gen. Abubakar also dismissed the threat against the President and the army chief. “ All threat to leadership of our nation, military and citizens, should be discountenanced in its entirety as military is capable of further decimating the insurgents and providing security for all.

Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have carried out a clearance operation of Boko Haram terrorists around Jororo and

Tombaeji villages in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

A fighting patrol team came into contact with Boko Haram terrorists elements around Gajire village during which there was a firefight that lasted for about 15 minutes. The troops overpowered the terrorists killing four and capturing one alive.

The troops also recovered 2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GMPG), 2 AK-47 Rifles and 144 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition from the terrorists and recovered 2 KASEA branded motorcycles.

September 16, 2016
Four Chibok girls among AUN matriculated students

Four of the 24 Chibok girls who escaped from Boko Haram in 2014 were among the new students formally accepted by the American University of Nigeria (AUN), the institution has said.

Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs of the institution, Daniel Okereke, in a statement in Abuja, said the girls joined other students to take participate in the AUN’s convocation and pledge ceremony.

Mr. Okereke, explained in the statement that the 24 girls who escaped from the hands of Boko Haram had been on AUN’s scholarship studying under a special preparatory program.

The statement reads: “Also among the new students were those accepted from assorted applications for the maiden class of AUN’s new School of Law that kicked off thissemester.The AUN Law program uniquely offers concentrations in Humanitarian, Gender and Environmental Laws.

“Others who took part in the ceremony were university graduates pursuing various postgraduate programs; among whom were18 winners of the 67 competitive AUN scholarships on offer, while several intakes were transferring from other universities in Ghana, Lebanon, Egypt, the United States and some European countries.

“Apart from the novelty of admitting her first class of law students, the American University of Nigeria admitted the largest number of undergraduates in a semester in the past three years, signaling a return to pre-insurgency admission figures, even as commercial and other activities peak in Yola and other parts of Adamawa State.”

AUN President, President Margee Ensign, who addressed the new students at the inside the Commencement Hall of the institution, explained that the type of education the new students would receive at AUN would ensure that students become leaders in their chosen fields.

“This kind of education will train you to look at problems from varying perspectives.”

President Ensign reminded them that they are being trained to be the leaders of the continent who, upon graduation, will be ready to solve the challenges that confront them, their community, their country, and their continent.

“All universities identify new problems, come up with new ideas. They discover new truths and some change society. At AUN, Africa’s first Development University, this is what we are trying to accomplish.”

“Whether those problems are poverty, literacy, inequality, injustice, or violence, AUN students deal with such problems during their time at university, asking questions about them, and finding solutions that improve the lives of their fellow human beings.

“We not only provide you with a different sort of education, we provide you with the intellectual tools to become the future leaders of Africa,” she said.

September 15, 2016
‘Buhari happy with NAF personnel fighting Boko Haram’

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has told the Nigerian Air Force personnel involved in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast that President Muhammadu Buhari is very happy and appreciates their efforts.

Abubakar said this during an Eid El Kabir celebration lunch with Air Force troops at Yola Air Force Base on Tuesday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The NAF chief was represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF headquarters, AVM James Abubakar.

Abubakar said Buhari was full of appreciation for the troops and urged them to sustain the efforts toward bringing peace to the Northeast and Nigeria.

“The good work you are doing is appreciated by the commander-in-chief, he is sending his greetings to you at this festive time,” NAN quoted Air Marshal Abubakar as saying the troops.

“He commended your efforts and urged you to sustain your commitment to peace in the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole.

“We also want to use this opportunity to thank the commander-in-chief for his support to the Nigerian Air Force,’’ Abubakar said.

He said NAF was also happy with the troops’ performance and would continue to ensure their welfare and those of their families.

September 13, 2016
After Boko Haram, Nigerians return to devastated homes – UN

Hundreds of Nigerians who fled Boko Haram in Borno State have returned to devastated towns and villages in recent days after the army seized back the militant group’s last remaining strongholds, said the United Nations.

Families will return to find their homes and farmland destroyed, basic services wiped out and will live under the persistent threat of attacks by the jihadist group, Leo Dobbs, spokesman for the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

“Many of the areas they are going back to have been completely devastated,” said Dobbs.

Homes and healthcare, agriculture, and security services are in ruin after around two years of Boko Haram rule, he added.

Despite the Nigerian army’s success in driving Boko Haram out of occupied territory that 18 months ago was the size of Belgium, the militants still manage to stage regular suicide bombings in Nigeria and neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon, Reuters reported.

Since 2009, more than 15,000 people have been killed, 2.3 million displaced and the local economy decimated.

September 10, 2016
DSS releases ‘wanted journalist’ Salkida

Detained journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who was declared wanted by Nigerian Army over alleged links to Boko Haram has regained his freedom.

Although officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force jointly briefed journalists at the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday about plans to shift the Edo State governorship polls, no comment on Salkida or any other issue was entertained.

However, the BBC Hausa language service reported that Salkida who was detained upon arrival from Dubai on Monday had sent a text message that he was released without conditions within 24 hours of being detained.

“I landed and I was not intercepted on the ‘plane,” the BBC Hausa service quoted the journalist as saying in his text message.

Salkida also said he had been given a “pre-arranged lift” by the authorities, whom he said misunderstood the role of journalists in reporting conflict.

However, the Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, has insisted that the journalist and two others “have links with Boko Haram terrorists and have contacts with them.”

September 7, 2016
4.5m dying of starvation in Nigeria’s northeast – UN

United Nations on Tuesday said more than 4.5 million people are starving and in dire need of food aid in the Boko Haram plagued Northeast Nigeria.

Reports by various UN agencies including the World Food Program revealed that this figure continues to double.

“All indications point to an extremely grave situation,” said Abdou Dieng, the UN agency’s Regional Director for West Africa.

“As the rains set in and the lean season deepens, and more areas are opened up to access humanitarian aid, the full scale of hunger and devastation is likely to come to light,” he added.

According to reports, the number of people struggling with severe food shortage in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, has risen fourfold since March to exceed one million.

It is also estimated that at least 65,000 newly liberated people in inaccessible areas of Borno and Yobe are facing “famine-like” conditions.

While some Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are returning to their natural homes, they find them uninhabitable. Therefore, they’re forced to stay in urban areas, again as IDPs.

These families have to beg, get in debts or skip meals to survive. Many now eat only once a day.

Also, if the Nigeria’s economy continues to sink, this could push the number of people in need of food assistance in the northeast by another million by September.

WFP in another food assessment has warned of soaring prices in areas affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

September 6, 2016
“Ours is to liberate Nigeria from criminal gangs and religious extremists”

Since he assumed leadership at the Nigerian Army 1 Division with headquarters in Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade has been in the news for various reasons, most famously after the Nigerian Army soldiers under his command clashed with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in December 2015. But is this all there is to the General? Assistant Editor, Seun Akioye met him at his divisional headquarters and he has this to share…

On Friday, August 12, 2016, members and executives of the Human Rights Relief Organisation led by its Executive Director, Mr. Sanni Muhammed Idris paid a visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade in Kaduna State Nigeria.

The visitors wore a businesslike look so also were the officers and men of the Division who had come to join in the meeting. And when Major General Oyebade walked into the room, he did in the prevailing mood of the gathering, that is businesslike. His entry was smooth and fast, almost noiseless. And as he went around the table shaking hands with the visitors, he did not betray any emotions.

Idris and his men had come to encourage and appreciate the GOC and the Division for helping to fight Boko Haram insurgency and providing security in the region especially in the last one year. He also made specific mention of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and the fatal clash with the men and officers of the Division, which has led to a Judicial Panel of Enquiry. The group later presented awards to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Burutai and to Oyebade which he dedicated to his men.

The GOC is not one to call a spade by another name. He told his visitors his mandate and that of his men is to provide security for Nigerians and the army would not stand idle while extremists take the country down. He was proud of the support his command had received from “millions of Nigerians” as his men served under all conditions to restore peace to his Area Of Responsibility (AOR).

“We shy away from joining issues with those who make irresponsible comments, but what is clear is that we cannot afford to have any extremist religious or criminal gang anywhere in Nigeria. We stand firm and strong, we will not be shaken,” he said.

Such strong and confident word is to be expected from a General who has paid his dues through the ranks of officer’s cadre since he joined the army in 1985.

Oyebade’s military decorations have come on leaps and bounds. Granted Presidential Commission as a combat infantry officer in June 1985, coincidentally by President Buhari, he has since been appointed Commander 1 Division Garrison and also 82 Division Garrison.

He was Commander, 9 Brigade Lagos, Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies National Defence College.

The awards have poured in. He won the Chief of Army Staff Prize for best research paper on Land operations at National Defence College in 2010. Also the Chief of Army staff Commendation Award in 2016 for professionalism in conduct of operations in 1 Division Area of Responsibility.

But the clash with the Islamic sect would not go away just yet. It has been the cause of a judicial panel of enquiry. Oyebade avoided the temptation of speaking on an issue still under judicial enquiry, but he would not allow certain impressions go unchallenged. So is he sorry for the loss of life in that encounter?

“I don’t want to comment so much on that, but I will tell you squarely, there is nothing to be sorry about. It is like saying you are sorry for ridden our country of insurgents and terrorists. But I am sorry in the sense that those who want to destabilize our country have found a foothold. I can’t be sorry for ensuring that the national security of this country is intact.

“The government in the course of time will also make its position known, it is not about General Oyebade or 1Division. It

Oyebade with COAS Burutai

is about the national security of this country, it is about the millions of people of this country to live peacefully, the job that we do is to ensure there is peace and stability in Nigeria. We do that with our sister service, the Navy and Air force, the Police, Department of State Security and other critical stakeholders and state governors.

“Whatever we do is under the direction of the Federal government, there is nothing personal about it, it could be anybody tomorrow and they will still do what they had to do as they have been ordered to do to ensure the security and stability of the country, he said.”

But he is painfully aware too the negative backlash the incident has caused his Division and the blames have been piled squarely at his doorsteps. There may be genuine misinformed commentators who yearn for understanding, but Oyebade also pointed a finger at some fifth columnists who are committed to bringing down the army and undermining national security.

“We also know that there are some people who don’t like our faces or what we do who quickly go to the media to make allegations. We can’t start responding to all sorts of allegations, but I can tell you even within the military, we have very strong laws that guard our actions. Nothing we do that we don’t have authorization to do within the framework of military assistance to civil power.”

If I can ask God for one thing…

This is perhaps not the most fun time to be appointed the GOC of the Premier Division of the Nigerian Army, which has the largest AOR spanning about 267,000 square kilometres and consisting of a sizeable proportion of Nigeria. Oyebade probably resumed to a hail of bullets from retreating Boko Haram insurgents from the North East to the West and the rampaging cattle rustlers who had unleashed maximum terror in the region.

But he was prepared for it.” The military is such that for each appointment you hold, you get trained for it, you develop the mindset and the professionalism to be able to address the challenges. GOC 1 Division is not something I found very tough because the army has adequately prepared me to get to this level, If I don’t have the capability, the confidence and the level of professionalism, I won’t be appointed to this office,” the General said without blinking an eye.

The General was lavish in his praise of his men, after all what is a General without his “very competent staff and officers” and together “ we have been able to forge ahead strongly and efficiently to discharge our duties exemplary and we have received commendations from all over, state governors, chief of army staff, from all quarters.”

The work of the soldiers is tough and life threatening, often it is the duty of Generals like Oyebade to send their men into harm’s way. When such orders are given, it was a hope that all the men would return, many times they don’t.

“In the course of our work, we have lost hundreds of our men, but we have also saved millions of Nigerians, Last week, we paid the supreme price when 12 of my men were killed, including an officer who just passed out of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) less than a year ago. You have heard how three others were killed in Nembe.

“It is not an easy task doing these things, but that is our job, some people may not like what we do because they have some axe to grind, whether with the government of the day or the army, but we do what we have to do the other option is to have a Somalia or Sudan in our hands. If it gets to that place, it is the same military or police that will be asked to restore stability,” the General said.

So how does he feel, when his men die in the course of duty? The General was silent, but just for a fraction of a minute, recovered himself and said: “When I went to Minna to commiserate with the families of my men who were killed in their efforts to recover am arms cache in Bosso LG, I had the responsibility to talk to the wives and the women generally, they were angry which is expected, I had to talk to them, to let them understand that I feel their pain because of the losses, it is painful.

“I told the women that if God asks me to ask for a wish, I would ask God to give me the power to give life and use the power to bring them back to life so these women will stop crying, but God doesn’t give such powers,” he said resigning himself to mortality.

General Oyebade is also not one to sit and mourn forever, his belief in the mandate of the military to provide security and secure lives is so overwhelming and infections. The military, he said, will not be shaken or shift ground to criminal gangs holding the country hostage. He is so averse to any group becoming a threat to national security, “They will have the army to deal with,” he said.

He has strong words for agitators who instead of following the constitutional means already provided resort to violent agitations. “If you want to carry placards, it is fine, go to the National Assembly, put in your petition, there is nothing wrong with clamor, there is nothing wrong with agitations if you do it within the framework of the laws provided, we will give you protection, but if it is against the law we will stop you.

“For us to stand by is that millions of lives will be lost, so what is the essence of the military, no military will condone that, no government will condone that, that is what we want our people to understand, there will always be conflict as long as there are human beings, you can sit down to resolve it or you can blow each other, when you fight you still come back to the table.”

We work with civilians

Oyebade and his men on the round table at the 1 Division Headquarters in Kaduna believe that civil/ military relationship is important for sustained security and unity. To this end, the Division has embarked on various programmes that will give the army a human face and win the trust of the people.

“We take civil /military relations very seriously and I said the support we get from the people is as a result of what we do. We go the extra mile in reaching out with medical outreaches to support government, we provide water in some communities that have no drinking water, we are still doing more, the people are happy,” he said to a general approval of his men.

Recently, prompted by a report in The Nation about the plight of the people of the Unguwar Kanti village, west of Rigasa, Oyebade drafted his men to the scene and donated a borehole to the community. It was perhaps one of the finest moments for this general as he rent his heart to the people he serves.

Oyebade told the people: “I read recently in The Nation Newspaper, about your community. According to the report, your major problem is lack of portable drinking water. I told myself that my heart will not be at peace until I give you water. So, I asked one of my officers to locate this place, so that I can give you borehole.

The Army is not just about fighting wars, we also assist the civil populace, because the Army under the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Buratai is very friendly with the civil populace.”

Such unusual acts have endeared him to the populace in his AOR and helped foster peace, while the General was shy in giving himself the credit he deserves he said he was happy life has returned to normalcy in his AOR.

“We work day and night to bring stability but the job that we do is not a reality TV show, the way we know we are doing well is that to a large extent, economic activities are going on and the people are doing their businesses.

“ Go on the street and find out, to a large extent, the whole of the Northwest is stable and our operations run all over, operation against kidnapping and cattle rustling is going on. We have arrested so many terrorists who have infiltrated from the Northeast to the Northwest and we provide aide to civil power. The government and Chief of Army Staff have given us the support to succeed,” he said.

Only a strong woman can marry a soldier

Behind every soldier is a strong woman and Mrs. Edeoghene Oyebade is one of them, being the wife of a top military officer has its different shades, but mental strength is pertinent. “Any woman who is not strong cannot marry a military man. When I was a junior officer as a Major and I was in Liberia for two and half years and I came home only once. That once I spent one and half weeks, imagine your wife not seeing you for two years and your children are still behaving normally, you have to doff your hat to the woman of the house,” Oyebade said of his wife.

The woman also regarded him as her hero, describing him as a father, brother and friend. “If I come back to the world, I will marry him all over again,” she told The Nation.

The General has a counsel for Nigerians. “Nigerian people must support the government of the day, if you want the government to succeed you must support it. Let’s go the constitutional way, if you have any clamour, meet your representatives. Nobody and I emphasize that strongly can resort to the use of violence and go scot-free in this country, it will not happen.”

September 5, 2016