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Tag: boko haram

  • Insurgency: Rep Kamale’s wild and misguided utterances

    Insurgency: Rep Kamale’s wild and misguided utterances

    The inherent mischief in some Nigerians has no limits. Those propelled by discernible forces of evil, constantly scheme to malign leaderships at other levels. But they pitiably forget their own status as leaders in the lower rungs, who have failed to play complementary roles to assist those they seek to rubbish, even though unconvincingly.
    Our current House of Representatives member, Hon. Adamu Dau Usman Kamale (PDP, Adamawa), representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency in Adamawa state strikes like one of such leaders with self-glorifying instincts and high capacity for mischief. Perhaps, Nigerians are reading his comments on the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and specifically, in his home state of Adamawa for the first time.
    But Kamale, this apparent backbencher in the Green Chambers sought visibility, not in sponsorship of any active legislation for national development, but weird comments on Boko Haram insurgency in our constituency. He fruitlessly attempted to diminish the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) under President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) and the Nigerian military in the counter-insurgency campaigns by quoting imagined figures of deaths and properties destroyed by Boko Haram terrorists in the two local governments he represents at the National Assembly (NASS).
    Kamale was quoted as saying, “In the past few days, over 10 lives and over 200 houses have been lost again.” And referring to PMB, he said, “The security reports he gets on these two local governments are not detailed…The situation here is worse than the reports he gets from the military.” The true situation is that our representative has abandoned us.
    President Buhari has consistently maintained that the life of every Nigerian is important and worth protecting anywhere he is domiciled in the country. Therefore, Rep Kamale’s concern that 10 persons have been killed in his constituency could be appreciated from this prism. But what rubbishes his misguided utterances is the glaring inaccuracy with figures and the veiled intent to glorify and overblow the atrocities of the insurgents who are products of his neglect and lack of empowerment for our youths in Adamawa State.
    It is unbelievable to think or even agree that if Boko Haram terrorists have the capacity to destroy over 200 inhabited houses, the insurgents would  not have killed merely over 10 persons “in the last few days,” as claimed by this Rep.  How few are the days is another problem for Rep Kamale. It means he has lost touch with his constituency and is being breast fed with distorted information by a cortege of political hangers-on.
    At least a serious minded representative of his people should have devoted time to gather time-tested and credible statistics, to enable him raise a motion in plenary on the plight of his people from renewed Boko Haram terrorists attacks.  No! it is not in the thinking of Rep Kamale. On this score too, the Rep member has failed woefully.
    Nonetheless, Kamale should know that he cannot block the ears of Nigerians with his incensed hallucinations about an imagined festering of Boko Haram terrorism. To further scold the military and brand them as liars by claiming they are exaggerating or twisting the facts on the counter-insurgency campaigns smacks of self-indictment.
    Falsehood cannot replace truth and factuality; no matter the extent it is embellished. One is tempted to believe even a primary school pupil in Adamawa state, one of the three states embroiled in outrageous terrorism, before President Buhari’s soothing balm, would defeat Hon. Kamale to a debate. He will tutor his Rep Kamale that if terrorists can overrun 200 houses in a “few” days, the death toll would not just be10 lives.
    The kid will educate Hon. Kamale and his likes that the psychology  of terrorists is no longer a hidden secret. Boko Haram terrorists’ main targets are human beings; they cannot run or waste their arms and ammunitions on empty buildings or thatched huts. The calculation admits itself that even if terrorists killed just one person in each of the 200 houses, the number of the dead would have been at least 200 persons, as against Kamale’s 10 persons. That is the extent fabricated lies dumps someone naked in the marketplace.
    But Hon. Kamale failed to reason beyond his nose. And probably pushed by the forces of a re-election ambition, he decided to foul the air with figures he imagined or cooked from the pit of hell, in the bid to create an impression of effective representation of his people. But he ended up badly as an artificial voice of the voiceless constituents in Michika and Madagali.
    There is no disgrace any leader at any level should wrought upon self this consciously as done by Kamale. Imaginations have limits. When a man does not know such limits, he is doomed forever.
    The Nigerian military which is battling insurgency in the country can be excused for Kamale’s shortcomings; hence he also accused them of incompetence about the anti-terrorism campaigns. It is not expected that Hon. Kamale would have approached them to verify the figures he sat in his cozy house in Abuja and guessed.
    But his conjured news has refused to fly because traditionally, the military  does not conceal the figures of casualty from any incident of Boko Haram terrorists attacks. The Nigerian Military which leads the anti-terrorism campaigns is always plain, frank and honest with figures of casualties.
    And even where they make mistakes by wrongly quoting casualty figures, they retract the statements with apologies to the Nigerian public and update the figures. The recent incident is the Boko Haram terrorists’ ambush of geologists, NNPC officials and Civilian JTF members on research mission in the Lake Chad area attests to it.
    Therefore, if not operating from a predetermined mindset to smear the image of the Nigerian military and belittle their efforts in the counter-insurgency operations, a clear-headed Kamale would have attempted to verify the figures of the so called casualty of victims of terrorists in a “few” days from the police, civil defence, DSS or even the state government. Assuming he has dreadful enemies in all these security agencies, reaching out to the office of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) located in Abuja, where he resides and claims representation of a constituency far removed from his psyche and binoculars would have assisted.
    Certainly, this is disreputable conduct from a supposedly honourable member. But Nigerians regale in the mentality of freedom of speech and say anything that their warped minds contrive, paying little or no attention to the harm to society or the public. But a freedom of expression irresponsibly exercised as done by Hon. Kamale most times boomerangs. It stains the reputation of the person and taints his image. It exposes him to ridicule in the eyes of sane minds.
    There is no verisimilitude between what Kamale has said and the reality in his constituency. He may be visiting home for the first time since 2015, after his election to NASS. But to turn the Nigerian military and the FGN to scapegoats because he is seeking for another mandate is disheartening. He is indeed aware that we are not happy with him but it is not the right strategy to placate us ahead of 2019.
    Kamale should ask himself, before the Buhari Presidency, would Boko Haram raids affecting 200 houses have posted just 10 deaths? Even if one is tempted to align with his submissions and accepts it as reality; is this not an appreciable level of improvement?
    Mouthing in a manner that gives Boko Haram terrorists, sponsors and agents the illusion that they are indeed waxing stronger is disservice not only to his people, but humanity in general. If Yobe and Borno States have no such gory tales from terrorism, where has Kamale invented his tales? Or is it to unmask himself to Nigerians, as a Boko Haram sympathizer and agent?
    Hon. Kamale should know that the issue of security is not for the military alone; it is not for the FGN alone either. It is not the headache of the state governor solely. It is for everybody, particularly those in its furnace like him. Let Hon. Kamale unfold his scorecard on intervention measures to assist and encourage the counter-insurgency campaigns in the last two years in his state. Can he boast of any?
    Haske, a political scientist writes from the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State.
  • Boko Haram destroyed 75% water, sanitation infrastructure in Northeast – UNICEF

    Boko Haram destroyed 75% water, sanitation infrastructure in Northeast – UNICEF

    UNICEF said on Wednesday that Boko Haram terrorists have destroyed 75 per cent of the water infrastructure in the Northeast Nigeria.

    Mr Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF’s Global Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, who stated this at the beginning of the World Water Week, said 3.6 million people lacked water in northeast.

    Wijesekera: “in conflict-affected areas in northeast Nigeria, 75 per cent of water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leaving 3.6 million people without even basic water services.

    “In far too many cases, water and sanitation systems have been attacked, damaged or left in disrepair to the point of collapse.

    “When children have no safe water to drink, and when health systems are left in ruins, malnutrition and potentially fatal diseases like cholera will inevitably follow.

    “In famine-threatened north-east Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, nearly 30 million people, including 14.6 million children, are in urgent need of safe water.

    “More than five million children are estimated to be malnourished this year, with 1.4 million severely so.”

    He added that in South Sudan, where fighting has raged for over three years, almost half the water points across the country have been damaged or completely destroyed.

    He said in countries beset by violence, displacement, conflict and instability, children’s most basic means of survival, water must be a priority.

    Wijesekera warned that children living in fragile situations were four times more likely to lack access to drinking water.

    “Children’s access to safe water and sanitation, especially in conflicts and emergencies, is a right, not a privilege” Wijesekera said.

    According to the UNICEF official, more than 180 million people in crisis-torn countries have no access to drinking water.

    UNICEF said that in Yemen, a country reeling from the impact of over two years of conflict, water supply networks that serve the country’s largest cities are at imminent risk of collapse due to war-inflicted damage and disrepair.

    The UN agency around 15 million people in the country have been cut off from regular access to water and sanitation.

    UNICEF said Somalia was suffering from the largest outbreak of cholera in the last five years, with nearly 77,000 cases of suspected cholera/acute watery diarrhoea.

    Similarly, in South Sudan, the cholera outbreak was the most severe the country has ever experienced, with more than 19,000 cases since June 2016, according to UNICEF.

  • U.S to help Nigeria defeat Boko Haram

    U.S to help Nigeria defeat Boko Haram

    The U.S. on Tuesday reiterated its readiness to support the Nigerian Government to accomplish its mission of defeating the Boko Haram insurgency and restore normalcy in the North-East.

    Sen. Christopher Coons, Head of the U.S. Congress Delegation, stated this during an assessment visit to the Theatre Command of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in Maiduguri.

    Coons said that the visit was designed to appraise the performance of the military and to enable him to understand the challenges facing the Armed Forces in accomplishing its mission to defeat the insurgents.

    “I am pleased to head the Delegation of the U.S. Congress; three Senators and three House members to come and hear about the hard work of the military in the Northeast of Nigeria.

    “The US is strongly supporting the hard work of the military in combating terrorism and we are glad for the opportunity to know how we can support Nigeria in combating terrorism,”he said.

    Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said the visit would strengthen the relationship between the Nigerian government and the U.S.

    Attahiru said that the delegation was at the Army Command and Control Centre to appraise its performance and on how they can support the military to accomplish the counter insurgency operation.

    “The U.S. promised that it will soon equip the military with fighter jets and other State-of-the-Art combat equipment to enable us to root out Boko Haram in their enclaves once and for all,” he said.

    Members of the U.S. Congress delegation are: Senators Gary Peters, Michael Bennet and Representatives Lisa Rochester, Terri Sewel, Charlie Dent, Barbara Lee, Fedrica Wilson, among others.

     

  • Oh Nigeria! Where are we heading to?

    Oh Nigeria! Where are we heading to?

    Oh our dear country, desire of all nations and the pride of all! There is a pervasive belief that Nigeria is the giant of Africa; but an overweight giant becomes a burden on itself. With an overwhelming population of at least 170 million people, it is a shame that we haven’t harnessed and utilized the humongous resources at our disposal. Going back to historical antecedents, Nigeria was the darling of the world – economically, politically, culturally etc., however, in the words of Dare Art Alade – she has become a shadow of herself.

    Nigeria as we knew it, didn’t experience grotesque and gruesome situations like Boko Haram, Badoo (assassin group), kidnapping, and other similar vices; also, Nigeria was not as corrupt as it is today. Nigeria enjoyed relative peace, unity, and to a reasonable extent, reduced discrimination and malfeasance.

    The situation that Nigeria is facing today emanated from the foundation, that is – self. The situation is like having intellectuals in a bus and giving a mad man the keys to drive; it is definitely headed for the brick wall. We neglected our collective responsibilities, and like a popular saying goes – “if the foundation be destroyed what shall the righteous do?”

    It is not until you are made a king before you begin to act like one. Everyone is a leader; therefore, a pertinent question that comes to mind is – HOW DO YOU LEAD? Do you lead with the interest of people in mind or you apply a nonchalant style of leadership.

    The derailing leadership situation in Nigeria makes me to ask the salient question – Where is Nigeria headed to? Fourteen years and counting, Nigeria still ranks high in the corruption index of the world – according to Forbes. Nigeria is blessed with a good number of competent and experienced individuals who can improve the overall aesthetics of the country. This crop of individuals would be ready to fight for the interests of the people and make us great again; other nations will see Nigeria as a perfect example to follow.

    The utmost concern for the writer of this piece is in the religious sector – churches and mosques. Most of these churches and mosques are profit oriented rather than focusing on its raison d’etre (its purpose for existence). Churches and Mosques are meant to build us up, get us prepared and enriched with important leadership qualities we will need to be able impart and change our world. It has rather morphed into a den of thieves and rapacious individuals who are more concerned with their self-serving agendas rather than our collective patrimony – they are LADDERS and not leaders.

    Where is Nigeria headed to? This is a question that will continue to linger until our extant social, economic, and political policies are strengthened and implemented.

  • Boko Haram: Escapee recounts orderal in Sambisa forest

    Boko Haram: Escapee recounts orderal in Sambisa forest

    A 25-YEAR-OLD housewife and mother of five, Aisha Bukar yesterday recounted her ordeal in the hands of Boko-Haram insurgents, saying she, her husband, mother-in-law and children, fed on ‘weeds’ to survive.

    Mrs. Bukar, one of the captives of the insurgents, escaped from their enclave after a military war plane bombed their hideout in Sambisa Forest recently.

    She told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she escaped from the camp with her husband, mother in-law and the five children.

    She said members of her family were incarcerated for about three years by the insurgents in the Sambisa Forest.

    She recalled that the insurgents abducted them while working in a farm at Talala, a village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.

    Mrs. Bukar added that they had denied them food and drugs, following her husband’s refusal to fight for their group.

    She said: “We were working in the farm when the insurgents abducted me, my husband, children and mother in-law. They took us deep into Sambisa Forest, where we stayed for about three years.

    “They asked my husband to take up arms and fight for them, a request he declined; they became infuriated and labeled him as stubborn; to break his will, they denied us food and drugs.

    “We barely survived on leaves and weeds; we also relied on herbs when sick; they distributed food only to their fighters and those who submit to their demands.”

    Mrs. Bukar lamented that the insurgents meted out inhuman treatments and abuses on women and children under their captivity.

    The escapee revealed that the insurgents compelled captives, including women and children, to be attending preaching and lecture sessions.

    She said: “My husband was flogged on many occasions over his persistent absenteeism at the lecture sessions. His back is covered with ugly scars of injuries sustained from merciless beating by the insurgents.”

  • Countering Boko Haram propaganda

    SIR: While the resilience, gallantry and supreme sacrifices of the Nigerian military and the civilian JTF in combating the scourge of Boko Haram is commendable, an alternative measure that has not been sufficiently explored is the power of communication through the instrumentality of Community Radio. Boko Haram appears to have succeeded in propaganda more than the nation itself if the rate at which innocent people falls prey to their antics is anything to go by. Perhaps this may have been partly facilitated by their radio station, which according to the VOA Hausa Service, is being received on the 96.8FM signal in Tolkomari village, Northern Cameroun.

    Radio has been recognized as an effective means to transmit propaganda since the World War II. The Economist in one of its 2010 edition wrote that “Community radio has the ability to provide news tailored to a smaller population, reporting on local issues that would not make international headlines”. Also Farm Radio International, (a charitable organization which supports rural radio broadcasters in 39 African countries) affirmed that “…radio remains one of the best communication tools for the rural poor. It is ideal for low-income populations and sparsely-populated areas since radios are affordable and broadcasts can reach a wide audience. In countries where access to the internet is limited and illiteracy rates are high, radio stations play a major role in sharing news and educational information.”

    Interestingly the northern part of the country is reputed to have the highest radio audience throughout the country and this explains the spread of several foreign radio services such as BBC   and VOA Hausa services in the region. It is noteworthy that the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) launched its own Radio Station known as Dandal Kura Radio covering the entire Lake Chad region in August 2016.  The radio station which aired in both Kanuri and Kanembu languages on FM and Short Wave is said to be the first of its kind in Africa. This is quite commendable.  However, it is difficult to say that this has made the required impacts because we have witnessed intensification of Boko Haram terrorist activities. Perhaps this could be attributed to the coverage and contents of the radio station and not because of the initiative per se. Certainly there is need for more than one of such radio stations and the contents must be designed to suit the purpose for which it was created.

    The Community Radio initiative should be replicated across the region- North-east, parts of North-west and North-central since the spread of Boko Haram terrorism is not localized to Borno State alone.  As regards the contents, anti-terrorism contents should be constantly aired on the radio stations.  This must speak to the machinations which predispose the people to becoming a willing tool in the hands of the terrorists.

    Boko Haram strategies have been reported to include manipulation of children, brainwashing and hypnotizing of adults with a view to coercing them to suicide missions or to join as foot soldiers. It is alleged that they offer loan to the poverty-stricken community dwellers and in the likely event of failure to repay the loan the beneficiaries or their dependents are compelled to join the terrorists. Therefore the advocacy on the radios should be a disincentive to would-be terrorists. It should be able to disabuse the minds of parents and guardians from offering their children as cannon fodder to Boko Haram. Therefore the services of well trained and ideologically balanced clerics should be engaged to render educative contents on the radio contrary to the evil and satanic rhetoric of Boko Haram.

    The surest way to win this war is to counter the terrorists with propaganda.

     

    • Muftau B.Tijani,

    University of Lagos.

  • Army ‎officer echoes call to save Nigerian languages from extinction

    Army ‎officer echoes call to save Nigerian languages from extinction

    A Major General in the Nigerian Army, Lucky Irabor, has echoed the growing call for urgent concerted efforts to save the country’s indigenous languages from extinction.

    Irabor spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the closing ceremony of the maiden summer class of Onu-Kokome Ika Academy in Abuja.

    Irabor is the immediate past Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Army unit leading the war against Boko Haram in the North-East.

    The army officer who chaired the occasion, said government and parents had a critical role to play to avert the impending death of 6,000 Nigerian languages as predicted by UNESCO in 2012.

    “Government and other stakeholders need to do something very fast to preserve our languages and culture before they go extinct.

    “Interestingly, we have the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture that superintends issues of this nature, and I know that policies are being formulated in this regard.

    Other stakeholders, especially parents, should play their part by communicating with their children in local languages in addition to giving them socio-cultural orientation.”

    Irabor commended Onu-Kokome, a socio-cultural group in Ika land of Delta, for setting up the academy, which focuses on the Ika language.

    The Ika indigene, whose children were among participants in the summer school, described the initiative as fantastic, saying it was the way to go for other sub-nationalities.

    The President of Onu-Kokome, Mr Ndidi Efan, also told NAN that the academy was one of several initiatives of the body to salvage the dwindling Ika language and culture.

    Efan said the idea was inspired by the UNESCO prediction, which indicated that the affected languages including Igbo would become extinct in the next 50 years except urgent interventions were made.

    He listed the other initiatives to include an Ika language radio programme running on Bronze FM, Benin, and Raypower, Abuja; floating of a magazine titled `Odinali’, and production of the first Ika dictionary in history.

    According to him, 55 primary and secondary school students of Ika origin participated free of charge in the maiden summer class of the academy hosted by Deo-Gratia School, Abuja.

    The ceremony featured goodwill messages by different guests and advice to the children to take pride in their language and culture.

    Its high point was the presentation of awards to the two best students, Chidimma Eze of Government Secondary School (GSS), Kuje, and Uche Paul of GSS, Lugbe, both of whom recited a poem in Ika Language.

    Six-year-old Victoria Okwudili of Hillside School, Gwarimpa, emerged the best pupil in the junior category. For the first time, she counted from one to 40 in the language.

    The obviously excited children thanked Onu-Kokome for the opportunity with a promise to pass the knowledge to their ones at home.

  • Buratai: An Iconic Army General And The Nigerian Award

    Buratai: An Iconic Army General And The Nigerian Award

    By Ayodeji  Abiola
    History tells a story of time past, but first, shapes the story in time present. But it never lies. It truthfully romances men and women of exceptional endowments and preserves them to inspire today’s generation. It provides today’s stamina for the anointed to excel and exceed the accomplishments of yesterday’s historical heroes.
    Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is certainly an iconic African Army General of Nigerian descent. When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him the COAS and consecrated him to lead the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria, the clarity of his irresistible choice never dawned on many country men and women until now.
    But Gen. Buratai unmistakably knew of the dauntingly sacred and delicate task entrusted in his hands. His briefs were clear and understood, as defeating and terminating the reign of terrorism in Nigeria and in specific terms, the Northeast region, where it ferociously raged uncontrollably.
    A lot has happened positively in this direction. And this day in history, at the City of Westminster in London, The Nigerian, an online news portal, compellingly toed the path of scores of other revered institutions and governments around the world in celebrating Gen. Buratai with a unique award as the “2017 The Nigerian Man of the Year.”
    Nigerians and the world converged on the famous City of Westminster, housing the Buckingham Palace to again celebrate Gen. Buratai. He is one Nigerian Army General who has proved his mettle as conqueror of terrorists, beyond conjecture in tandem with the famous words of famed English playwright, William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar; as he came, he saw and he conquered terrorists en masse in Nigeria.
    He was anointed on a rescue mission of Nigeria manacled by terrifying and soulless, bloodsucking terrorists. Boko Haram terrorists had gone berserk for years and defied all efforts of the then military to repress it for succour and peace to berth in Nigerian communities and cities.
    Tales of sorrows and pains; torrents of tears and wailings from fathers, mothers, wives, husbands, men, women, school boys and girls, parents, relations, friends, aunties, uncles, Nigerians of all persuasions, the international community gazed into the skies artificially darkened each time Boko Haram terrorists detonated mass bombs at targets. The agonies and anxiety of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) intensified and confusion replaced reason, as insurgents freely and boastfully multiplied heinous atrocities against Nigerians.
    But the ombudsman cap on the head of Gen. Buratai perceived it as a difficult task, no doubt; but not beyond his professional competence in leading Nigerian troops to wipe away the sorrows and pains at break of dawn. He has fulfilled every word of promise to Nigerians in the counter-terrorism campaigns to the amazement cum excitement of all Nigerians and the international community.
    He has proven himself a soldier of the strong breed who does not issue empty promises; Nigerians know his credentials as a warmonger with bags of unbeatable tactics and strategies. They know him as a soldier who perceived his designation as leading the rescue of Nigeria as a patriotic, sacred vow and therefore, inexcusable to fail.
    Gen. Buratai reminds us of the war exploits of the legendary French war hero and later, Leader of the French Government, Gen. Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970). Memories of his liberation of France in circumstances similar to Gen. Buratai’s emancipation of Nigeria from terrorists have refused to fade in the people’s psyche nearly a century after his demise.
    The French Resistance Army was subdued by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi forces in World War II, and Germany captured and took over Paris. Native French soldiers were hesitant to enlist into the crucial battle to regain the freedom of French Government.
    Gen. de Gaulle patriotically picked up the gauntlet by reaching out to French colonial territories in Africa and recruited thousands of fighters of African descent into the French Army. Thus, fortified, Gen. de Gaulle launched an epic battle against Hitler’s forces that chased away the German forces that conquered the French Empire and reclaimed Paris from the invaders.
    In this historically brave act of Gen. de Gaulle, one sights the portrait, shadows, patriotism and commitment of Gen. Buratai in courageously leading Nigerian troops to decimate and defeat Boko Haram terrorists. Gen. Buratai and his men are being appreciated because they made a lot of sacrifices to come this far in breaking the chains of terrorism servitude on Nigerians.
    So, it is rare to find any conscionable Nigerian, who has restrained an applause for Gen. Buratai or any reasonable platform in Nigeria that has not celebrated or intend to uniquely celebrate his remarkable feat on Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Nigerians and the international community are not just elated with Buratai’s milestones in extinguishing the venom of the Islamic extremists; Boko Haram sect, but the Army Chief’s splendid eradication of other evolving internal acts of terrorism in Nigeria.
    Gen. Buratai led troops to also quench terrorism in the guise of dreary armed bandits and cattle rustlers in parts of Nigeria’s Northwest and North central regions; he rescued Nigeria from criminally violent separatism campaigners in the Southeast and eclipsed the lethal militancy in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region.
    Many today stand on the podium to loudly bash Gen. Buratai with edifying sobriquets like “Hero of Heroes”, “Boko Haram nemesis”, and “The Peoples General”, among others. As the Army Chief regales in the celebration of his success; millions of men of conscience have also conscripted into the celebration with him and they do it with elations.
    And with this reality Gen. Buratai feels an aura of a fulfilled man. Mr. Howard Schultz, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Starbucks, a multi-billion dollar company, one of the largest and successful coffee companies on earth said; “Success is empty if you arrive at the finish line alone. The best reward is to get there surrounded by winners”. Therefore the victories and successes of Gen. Buratai in the counter-terrorism war are celebrated with him by hundreds of millions around the world as exemplified with the latest in Westminster.
    And like most heroic figures of his ilk, Gen. Buratai has been able to etch his memory on the psyche of the world for his discipline, hard work and dedication to all duties. His uncommon transparency, accountability, humility, knack for excellence and purposeful leadership of the Nigerian Army, laced in the constant overriding concern of patriotism for Nigeria were the pillars that sauntered him on the ladder of successes and victories over terrorism.
    These are no doubt a wide range of qualities and virtues, quite difficult to find in sufficient measures in a single leader. But Gen. Buratai exhilaratingly epitomizes all of them, which unconsciously stands him out tall among equals.
    But briefly, Gen. Buratai’s timeline as leader of the counter-insurgency campaigns in Nigeria exposes that he promised to substantially decimate Boko Haram insurgents by December 2015, after he assumed office in July of the same year. He wasted no time in setting the machinery in motion.
    The Army Chief met troops whose morale in the battlefield was dampened by poor or lack of arms and ammunitions to battle insurgency; a condition further worsened by poor welfare packages of troops in the battlefront; arrears of unpaid salaries and allowances of army personnel and zero initiative on incentives to fighting troops. He toured Army formations and heard from the horses mouth and instantly corrected the wrongs to stabilize the psyche of troops.
    A man of his words, as Gen. Buratai promised, by December 2015, Nigerian troops had decimated Boko Haram terrorists and by early 2016, Buratai’s troops had reclaimed the 16 local government areas in the Northeast annexed by terrorists and returned them to Nigeria. By mid-2016, insurgents had been pushed back incredibly and confined to few areas of sporadic bomb attacks in the Northeast, a feat acknowledged by former US President Barack Obama and later, the United Nations (UN) former Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
    The victory streaks against insurgents intensified as in December 2016, Gen. Buratai pleasantly astounded Nigerians with an unexpected New Year gift; the Nigerian troops’ demystification and invasion of the dreaded Sambisa forest to Camp Zero.
    Sambisa forest is reputed as terrorists’ most secured fortress of recuperation and plotting venue for atrocities on Nigeria. The feat marked the defeat of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as IDPs returned to deserted homes and
    The feat marked the defeat of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as IDPs returned to deserted homes and life in the Northeast advertised incredible normalcy. And with the restoration of respite and peace, the rebuilding process in the Northeast is also progressing steadily.
    Beyond it, the Nigerian troops led by Gen. Buratai have been instrumental to the voluntary surrender of Boko Haram top commanders and thousands of adherents who have renounced terrorism, de-radicalised and re-integrated into the society as sane beings. Actions of troops in the last two years served as a springboard for the rescue of over 20, 000 persons abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, including the released Chibok schoolgirls.
    Gen. Buratal is in the last phase, by leading the battle for the final termination of Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, as he has issued a directive for the capture of Boko Haram sect’s factional leader Abubakar Shekau “dead or live; Himself and other colleagues have relocated to Maiduguri in compliance with Presidential directive to end the recurrent suicide bomb attacks on soft targets in the region; a mission that has started yielding fruitful results.
    His transparent and accountable leadership of the Nigerian Army has earned him uncontested loyalty from Army officers and personnel, which has fostered unity of purpose, mutual interactions with the civil populace, respect for human rights, patriotism and the passion of love for their country, Nigeria, as evident in the sacrifices to free Nigeria from terrorism.
    Suffice it to say, President Buhari is a blessed leader and father of modern Nigeria, privileged to see the crop of decent and disciplined officers and soldiers that God gave him the foresight to nurture with the appointment of Gen. Buratai as Nigerian Army’s helmsman. Congratulations, Gen. Buartai, “The Peoples General” for adding another feather to your cap with this well-deserved award.

    Ayodeji, is a columnist at THE NIGERIAN.

    He writes from 199 Watford Way, London, United Kingdom.

  • Boko Haram ‘commander’: I led Chibok schoolgirls kidnap

    Boko Haram ‘commander’: I led Chibok schoolgirls kidnap

    ‘Sect’s factions ready for talks with Fed Govt on how to get Shekau’

    A member of the Boko Haram, Auwal Ismaeela, has confessed to leading the kidnap of 276 schoolgirls from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State on April 15, 2014.

    The ‘commander’  confessed to the act in an interview with PRNigeria, a news agency.

    More than 100 of the girls are still being held by the insurgents after many of them were released in talks with the Federal Government.

    Ismaeela, who has surrendered to the military, also told the news agency that he led other major operations and said he regretted his actions.

    The PRNigeria report said: “Ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid-Kabir coming up by the weekend, a top Boko Haram commander who played a major role in the abduction of Chibok girls and killing of youths in Madagali has surrendered and confessed to several acts of bloodletting on innocent people and destruction of properties across the length and breadth of the North-eastern part of the country.

    “In an interview with PRNigeria at a military facility for the repentant and surrendered Boko Haram members in the Northeast, the ex-terrorist leader said he regretted the atrocities he was forced to commit against humanity.

    “The commander, Auwal Ismaeela, is currently cooperating with the Nigerian military with useful information on locations and hideouts of other top commanders of the deadly sect. He regretted his actions which, according to him, run counter to several Islamic injunctions.

    “Mr. Ismaeela encouraged other top commanders of the sect to surrender to the military.

    “Myself and Abu Hafsat, a Boko Haram commander, led other squads to abduct the Chibok girls. We led the operations to invade Gwoza, Bama, Limankara mobile barracks, Bita, Bosso, Madagali, Chibok, Pulka, Firgi, and Mubi.

    “In Madagali, which is my home town, myself, Adam Vitiri, Abu Adam and Habu Kudama, some high-ranking Boko Haram commanders, led an operation in 2014 where we killed some students and youths at the Central Secondary School in Sabon Garin Madagali.

    “In one of the operations, I abducted my wife named Maryam who had two kids for me in Sambisa Forest. It is unfortunate that I was brainwashed and misled not only on some abductions but in the killings of my own people that were innocent. I wholeheartedly regret my actions.

    “During a battle in Konduga where myself and other Boko Haram commanders led the operations, I lost my right leg and was almost got burnt. Even at that, I did not stop fighting for the course. Sheikh Shekau ordered that I should be given a tricycle which I continued to use for various operations before I eventually surrendered.”

    He was reported to have given several reasons for his decision to voluntarily surrender to the troops after realising the misleading sermons, barbaric indoctrination of the sect leaders and atrocities being committed in some of the Boko Haram camps.

    Ismaeela said: “I willingly surrendered to the military because I was tired of the senseless killing and fight. I realised that our people had resorted to stealing and all sort of atrocities contrary to the teaching and practice of Islam.

    “Women were being raped, sometimes publicly. Children died from malnutrition and diseases as the living condition became harsher. As there was no food in the camp, people died every day because of hunger.

    “I will continue to cooperate with the security agencies in providing useful information on our mode of operations and to disclose top-secret hideouts of our commanders.”

    More than 100 Boko Haram fighters and some ‘commanders’ had in the recent past surrendered to the military, knowing full well that their actions had become inimical to the overall interest and well-being of the nation and the surrounding countries of Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

     

    ‘Boko Haram factions ready for talks with govt’

    Two factions of the Boko Haram insurgency group may be ready for talks with the Federal Government, Abdulkadir Abubakar, a former ‘commander’ of the group has claimed.

    Abubakar, also known as Abu Muhammad, was the chief intelligence officer of the Boko Haram group and one of its top commanders, until his arrest in June by the military in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    Abubakar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his cell in Maiduguri that Albarnawi and Mamman Nur factions were willing to cooperate with the government to defeat the most visible leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau.

    According to him, Shekau, whose capture, dead or alive, the military high command has ordered, has been the major obstacle to peace, since the insurgency began in 2009.

    He was quoted as saying: “Shekau is not willing to surrender due to his high handedness. Unfortunately, the government and military authorities accorded priority on dealing with Shekau, who is blood thirsty.

    “Albarnawi has indicated interest to dialogue with the government to end insurgency and provide a lasting solution to the crisis. Albarnawi discusses this with members of his circle. And I can assure the government that he would cooperate to achieve peace.

    “The two factions are willing to cooperate with Nigerian Government to defeat Shekau.”

    Abubakar’s claim about the readiness of the factions to dialogue with the authorities could not be verified as he had been incarcerated since June. But he insisted that the groups were predisposed to a peaceful resolution of the eight year-old crisis.

    Abubakar claimed to have undertaken various espionage missions and provided intelligence to the insurgents, which enabled them to hit a long list of targets, among which were the abduction of 276 students at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok and the massacre of students at the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi.

    Over 20 students were murdered at Buni Yadi.

    He also claimed to have been involved in other attacks on schools in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Postikum and Mamudo.

    He said: “Shekau has left his enclave in Sambisa and moved deep into Mandara Mountain.

    “The intensified military offensive has weakened Shekau’s position and that of the other groups.”

    Abubakar claimed  that the Albarnawi and Mamman Nur factions were opposed to Shekau’s leadership style.

    Abubakar said: “During the early days of the insurgency we fought for what we thought was a just cause, to establish a caliphate where human beings are valued, cherished and respected.

    “After annexing vast territories, Shekau began to demonstrate his cruelty and atrocities against humanity.

    “In view of the high level atrocities committed by the group,some of the top commanders, including myself, Albarnawi and Mamman Nur, challenged Shekau, demanding an immediate end to the ugly saga.

    “Thereafter, Albarnawi and Mamman Nur parted ways, and formed their groups. Shekau is responsible for suicide bombings and attack on soft targets in the Northeast.

    “The Albarnawi and Mamman Nur groups never attacked schools, religious places of worship, markets, women and children. Our fight was strictly with security forces. Even the kidnapped oil workers would not be killed by the group.

    He said: “Shekau is fond of using the girls and other abducted women as sex toys, and suicide bombers. He kills on the pretence of punishing for lies, theft and rebellion. Shekau kills without justification.

    “Shekau arrogated to himself the powers to accuse, prosecute, convict and punish in total contradiction to Islamic teachings. Children and women also starved to death in Sambisa due to Shekau’s cruelty.”

  • How we abducted Chibok girls, killed students-Former Boko Haram Commander

    How we abducted Chibok girls, killed students-Former Boko Haram Commander

    A top Commander of the Boko Haram insurgent group has surrendered himself to the military following intensive campaigns by the military against the activities of terrorists in the northeast of the country.
    Auwal Ismaeela who surrendered himself to the authorities also admitted he played a major role in the abduction of Chibok Girls  in Borno state and killing of youths in Madagali, Adamawa state.
    According to a publication by PRNigeria, Ismaeela “confessed to several acts of bloodletting on innocent people and destruction of properties across the length and breadth of the North-eastern part of the country.”
    Ismaeela who was interviewed by a team of the online publication (PRNigeria) at a military facility for the repentant and surrendered Boko Haram members in the North-East, was quoted to have expressed regrets for the atrocities he committed against humanity.
    The publication reads: “The Commander, Auwal Ismaeela is currently cooperating with the Nigerian Military with useful information on locations and hideouts of other top Commanders of the deadly sect. He regretted his actions as according to him, run counter to several Islamic injunctions.”
    Ismaeela encouraged other top commanders of the sect to give up and surrender to the military.
    The -Ex-Commander said: “My self and Abu Hafsat a Boko Haram commander led other squads to abduct the Chibok girls.
    “We led the operations to invade Gwoza, Bama, Limankara mobile barrack, Bita, Bosso, Madagali, Chibok, Pulka, Firgi, and Mubi.
    “In Madagali which was my home town, myself, Adam Vitiri, Abu Adam and Habu Kudama, some high ranking Boko Haram Commander led an operation in 2014 where we killed some students and youths at the Central Secondary School in Sabon Garin Madagali.
    “In one of the operations, I abducted my wife named Maryam who had two kids for me in Sambisa Forest.
    “It is unfortunate that I was brainwashed and misled not only on some abductions, but in the killings of my own people that were innocent. I wholeheartedly regret my actions.
    “During a battle in Konduga where myself and other Boko Haram commanders led the operations, I lost my right leg and was almost got burnt. Even at that, I did not stop fighting for the cause. Sheikh Shekau ordered that I should be given a tricycle which I continued to use for various operations before I eventually surrendered.”
    He gave several reasons for his decision to voluntarily surrender to the Nigerian troops after realising the misleading sermons, barbaric indoctrination of the sect leaders and atrocities being committed in some of the Boko Haram camps.
    He said: “I willingly surrendered to the military because I was tired of the senseless killing and fight. I realised that our people have resort to stealing and all sort of atrocity contrary to the teaching and practice of Islam.
    “Women were being raped, sometimes publicly. Children died from malnutrition and disease as the living condition became harsher. As there was no food in the camp, people died every day because of hunger.
    “I will continue to cooperate with the security agencies in providing useful information on our mode of operations and to disclose top-secret hideouts of our commanders.”