Strategic Intelligence: How Nigeria’s Porous Borders, Proliferation of Arms Fuel Boko Haram Insurgency, Militancy

Preamble: Few days ago, Colonel Al-Amin Abubakar Garba who is the Commander, Division Intelligence Command (DIC) of the Nigerian Army 1^st Division, Kaduna, stated the obvious that, ’’porous borders and weak security system are routes through which Boko Haram and other criminal groups source arms. In his words, ‘’the porous Nigeria’s frontiers make it difficult to track movement of illegal arms and immigrants, hence the proliferation of weapons among criminal groups’’. Also speaking on the sporadic attacks attributed to herdsmen, the erstwhile Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase opined that most of the herdsmen that allegedly attack locals were foreigners who gained entrance into Nigeria due to border porosity. There’s no gainsaying the fact that persistent human trafficking and influx of illegal immigrants, weapons and ammunitions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and their raw materials through Nigeria’s ubiquitous porous borders and their far-reaching socio-economic and national security implications. That Boko Haram militants abducted and have in their custody,  a chunk of the over 276 Chibok school girls it seized over two years ago, underscores lax security and porosity of Nigeria’s extensive borders.

Niger Delta Militancy: Military Removes Operation Delta Safe Commander, Appoints Replacement

The Defence Headquarters has appointed a new commander for the Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta. He is Rear Admiral Apochi Ogabu Suleiman.

Niger Delta Avengers Bomb Shell, Agip Oando Export Trunk Lines

The Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, today, November 15, 2016, claims its ‘’Elite Strike Team 03’ bombed crude oil export trunk lines operated by oil majors Shell, Agip and Oando with a supply capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. This was made known in a press release by self-styled Brig. General Murdoch Agbinibo, the Spokesman of the militant group. Full text of the press release reads:

Avengers Issue Oil Firms 7 Days Ultimatum To Leave Niger Delta

Enraged by the alleged statement credited to the president of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese asking the Federal Government to engage the service of a security outfit managed by some ex-militants to guard oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, the Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA, yesterday issued a seven-day ultimatum to all multinationals to evacuate the area.

Niger Delta: Nigerian Govt Sets Up Committee To Recover Illegal Arms, Curtail Bombings And Pipeline Vandalization

The Federal Government of Nigeria has set up a special committee to recover illegal weapons and curtail the spate of pipeline vandalization, bombings and illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

Again, Niger Delta Militants Blast PPMC Crude Oil Pipeline

Suspected Niger Delta Militants on Tuesday reportedly bombed a state-run oil pipeline near the southern port city of Warri, the second attack within a week, a community leader and army officer said.

BREAKING: Hours After Stakeholders Meeting With President Buhari, Niger Delta Militants Bomb Trans Forcados Export Line

Suspected Niger Delta militants bombed a pipeline that only resumed operation at the weekend following repairs after a previous attack. The latest attack happened on November 1, just hours after the meeting of President Buhari with the leaders of Niger Delta to discuss how to end the persistent militancy attacks plaguing the region.

Nigerian Government To Halt Niger Delta Militancy With Elite Strike Force

As part of its 2017 target to ensure zero militancy and drastic reduction of violence in the Niger Delta, which affect Nigeria’s oil production, the federal government has indicated that it would set up a specialised petroleum force, comprising coastal patrol teams, Niger Delta subsidiary police, and other paramilitary set-ups.

Nigeria Lost N2 Trillion To Niger Delta Militancy, Pipeline Vandalism

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said from January 2016 till date, government lost $7bn, about N2.1tn, to the activities of Niger Delta militants and oil pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region.

How To End Niger Delta Militancy

A holistic approach as opposed to quick fixes will stem the tide of recurring agitation and militancy in the Niger Delta.

President Buhari Threatens Military Action If Pipeline Bombings In The Niger Delta Persists

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his government will resort to military action if the bombing of oil installations in the Niger Delta region persists.

Nigeria To End Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme in 2017

The Federal Government on Friday insisted that Presidential Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta ex-fighters will end in 2017.

Shell Nigeria Shuts Down 180,000 Barrels Crude Oil Export Pipeline

Shell Nigeria yesterday shut down the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), a key oil pipeline in Nigeria, which carries Bonny Light crude oil for export.

Another Niger Delta Community Issue 7 Day Ultimatum To Chevron

One of the host communities to Oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Benikrukru , Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area in Delta State, Wednesday, gave the company a seven-day ultimatum to address

Niger Delta Militants Are Taking Up Arms - Intel Report

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh on Friday revealed that intelligence reports available to the Armed Forces showed that the Youths from the Niger Delta region have started taking up arms and engaging in criminal activities along the creeks and the water ways of the region.

Air Mashal Alex Badeh, who made the revelation during the inauguration ceremony of the permanent complex of the Headquarters of the Joint Task Military Force, Operation Pulo Shield, along Igbogene/ Okolobiri road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the increase in illegal arms and ammunition possession by youths of the Region has led to an increase in cases of oil theft, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the region.

Badeh said though the Nigerian Armed Forces entered into an agreement with the Niger Delta youths and former militants to disarm and partner with the Federal Government on empowerment and development initiatives,the recent cases of criminality may force the military to review such agreement and turn its arsenal on the region.

According to Badeh, “Criminalities in the Niger Delta, we thought, have stopped but now they are on the rise again. But I know that our gallant men and women are equal to the task. We are after the bad men, we are good men and darkness can never overtake light. No nation can develop in the presence of so much criminality.”

Source:
Leadership Newspaper

Ijaw Youth Council Distances Itself From Asari Dokubo's Threat To Return To Militancy

The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) on Thursday announced that it was distancing itself from the recent threats made by an ex-militant, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari that Niger Delta militants might return to the creeks to protest against the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election.