Boko Haram Now Confined To Fringes of North-East Nigeria - Pres. Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan says his government has reduced the Boko Haram insurgency in the country to the Northeast alone, down from about 12 States.

President Jonathan said this on Thursday in remarks made by a special adviser, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

Okupe was reacting to the comments made by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who had criticized the government during a lecture marking the 50th birthday of former Governor Timpriye Sylva.

Okupe said Mr. Jonathan did not lie to Nigerians concerning the insurgency, stressing that terrorism is a global phenomenon which has only recently plagued the country.

"At its peak, it ravaged some 12 States in the North including Abuja. Today, because of the courage, resilience and capability of our armed forces and security agencies, we have pushed them to the fringes of the North Eastern parts of the country.”

He admitted that there are still obvious challenges but that the government is giving them the best attention and considerations possible.

"Recently, Foreign Allies including Britain, USA, France, Israel, China and Australia have arrived Nigeria soil and are co-operating with our military to resolve especially the issue of the kidnap of the Chibok girls,” Okupe said.

"These are the best global players and they have been with us for about six weeks. If the releasing of the girls was a tea-party, definitely, it should have been over by now. We have said it before and we will say it again, “yes, we know where the girls are but our approach at releasing them must be carefully weighed against their overall safety.

"It is a matter of national disgrace and shame that highly placed, and highly net worth individuals in the country will continue to politicise the nation’s misfortunes and challenges not minding the deleterious and untoward demoralising effects this attitude have on our military especially, the widows and innocent children of our military heroes who die daily on the fields, defending their country”.

SR

Boko Haram Abducts, Conscripts 100 Young Men in Borno

The deadly Boko Haram sect may have forcefully conscripted 100 persons in Doron Baga, a Borno community.

It was gathered that about 100 persons were abducted during a Sunday attack on the lowly village where over 10 persons were allegedly killed.

A source, who spoke to journalists in Maiduguri, said the insurgents attacked the lowly town on Sunday evening and took away some boys and young men.

It was gathered that 10 were killed by the insurgents.

Some of those that fled the area that were sighted in Maiduguri on Thursday, said they had to flee the area because of the constant attacks by the insurgents.

One of the displaced persons, Halima Alhaji Adamu, said six members of Hadejia community in Doron Baga were killed and about 100 young men were abducted on Sunday when the members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram launched an attack on their community displacing thousands who are now seeking refuge in some parts of Borno and Yobe states.

She lamented that she also lost her husband in the attack. She claimed that the insurgents are believed to have abducted the young men in order to forcefully conscript them.

According to her, several other communities within Doron Baga and around have also lost many as well as others who were abducted by the insurgents.

She said, “The attack was on Sunday, in my family they killed six people, I don’t know about the other families but the Hadaijawa community which I belong also had 100 of the abducted by the insurgents.”

Speaking on why she and the rest of her family could not take advantage of the refugee camps established in Maiduguri, she said “we are going to our family members in Gashua.”

“I think it is better to go and live with family members than opting for camps. We lost everything we have worked for, and I don’t think the camp will be a better place for us. With family members, we can have the courage to face life again but the camp will continue to make us reflect on our predicament because there is no care as such no focus for one to engage himself or herself into doing something meaningful,” She added.

Source:
Punch Newspaper

Nigerian Military Well-Equipped, Motivated To Dislodge Boko Haram Terrorists In Gwosa

The Armed Forces is working to set Gwoza town in Borno state free of terrorist elements and will leave no
portion of the country for terrorist occupation Defence spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade said
yesterday.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday at an event organised by the I-Nigerian Initiative, a non-governmental organization working to change the negative perception of Nigerians, Olukolade said “all we can say is that we are still working and we are not leaving that community or any part of Nigeria for terrorist to occupy.”

He said: “No portion of this country is available for terrorist to occupy, if they appear to be doing so, it’s just a joke and with respect to these locations, everything is being done to ensure that everywhere in Nigeria is secured enough.”

General Olukolade dismissed allegations that the Nigeria military is not motivated or equipped to fight the insurgents.
“The Nigerian military is well trained for the kind of war that it is presently engaged. Even before the advent of
terrorism, our training doctrine has factored in counter terrorism right from the beginning.”

On military weapons and equipment, the defense spokesman said: “Be sure that it is incremental but you would see them when they are in action,” while denying allegations of corruption in the military. He noted that such claims only demoralizes the military.

Speaking on reports of the operational capabilities of the insurgents, the Defence spokesman said, “It is not likely that the level of freedom of action attributed to these guys is as potent as it is made to believe,” adding that, “the whole of the current recent trouble is that they are being attacked where they thought they could settle.”

He also said the probe over the Amnesty International report alleging extra judicial killings by soldiers is
ongoing.

General Olukolade explained that soldiers complaining about rotation from posting in the northeastern part of the country are being mischievous, noting that the military has no place for troop rotation when posted within the country.

“If you are in foreign mission yes there is rotation, and let me tell you the same people making this complains, when they go on foreign missions and they say it is time for rotation they will be asking for extension because they are looking for dollars,” he said.

Source:
DailyTrust

Divisional Police Officer (DPO) In Anambra Resigns Over Posting To Crises-torn Chibok

Confusion and tension ensued in the Anambra State command of the Nigeria Police on Wednesday, as some policemen from the Command were transferred to the crisis-torn North-East.

Police officers who were transferred to Borno and Adamawa threatened resignation, while a Dvisional Police Officer (DPO) from Anaku Division, in Ayemelum Local Government Area (names withheld), resigned.

The DPO was said to be due for retirement February 2015, but was posted to Chibok in Borno State as DPO and was heard saying it would be better for him to go home in peace than in pieces since his retirement was at hand.

The move shocked the state police command, as many who were transferred to Sokoto and Bauchi states  were considering the option of resignation.

All efforts to speak with the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Gwarry was not successful and the Police Pubic Relations Officer (PPRO), who would have spoken on his behalf was said to have been transferred to Sokoto and was running around.

Tribune Newspaper

Massive Shake-Up, Redeployment In The Nigerian Air Force

THE Nigerian Air Force has effected a massive shake up and redeployment of some of its senior officers.

In the shake-up, some of the air officers exchanged commands with their colleagues.

Amongst them are  Air Vice Marshal MC Ilonyosi, former Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command is the new Air Officer Commanding Tactical Command, while his predecessor, Air Vice Marshal U.A. Omeiza moves to Mobility Command as the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal O.T. Oguntoyinbo takes charge as the new Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, while Air Vice Marshal A.O. Odunlade takes charge as the Chief of Training and Operations at the headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

In a statement signed by the Air Force Director of Public Relations, Air Commodore D.J. Alonge, Air Vice Marshal I. Umar is the new Chief of Aircraft Engineering, headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, while Air Vice Marshal E.N. Nzokala moves to Air Warfare Centre as the Commandant. Air Vice Marshals EC Akogu, S.A. Dambo and T.L. Danbaki are posted as Senior Air Staff Officers at Mobility Command, Tactical Air Command and Training Command, while Air Vice Marshal M.A. Muhhammed is the chairman of Air Exposition/International and Liaison.

Also affected are Air Vice Marshals E.E. Agwungu, R.A. Ojuawo and S.I. Onuh take charge of Directorates of Policy, Operations and Nigerian Air Force Transformation, while Air Commodore J.B. Adigun is the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Air Commodore J.N. Igboneme is the new Commander 33 Logistics Group.

Other newly appointed directors at the Air Force Headquarters include Air Commodore E.A. Johnson, C.O. Usoh, N.A. Kolofo, S Naiya, S.O. Akpassa and E.O. Akinbayo, who are to take charge of Directorates of Air Traffic Service, Production, Materials and System Management, Education, Plans and Administration.

The posting also includes Air Commodore I. Bukar is the new Hanger Director Aeronautical Technical Service Limited, while Air Commodore O.O. Akinsanya is the Air Provost Marshal.

Some of the newly appointed commanders include Air Commodore H.E.O. Eze, Commander 401 Aircraft Maintenance Depot, Air Commodore A.M. Sadique, Commander 407 Equipment Supply Depot, Air Commodore L.U. Mshelia, Commander Quick Response Force, Air Commodore E.F. Golit, Commander 335 Base Services Group and Group, Captain M.C. Nnaji, Commander 403 Electronics Maintenance Depot.

According to force spokesperson, the posting and appointments which were approved by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu are with immediate effect in line with the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Tribune Newspaper

Insurgency Has Become Big Business in Nigeria – Ubani

Excerpts of an interview that Barrister Monday     Onyekachi Ubani granted Daily Independent Newspaper

How would you assess Nigeria's journey of nationhood in over 53 years?

Monday Onyekachi Ubani:
The journey has been very rough; it has not been very smooth. The fact that it is not smooth stems from the fact that we have had leadership that has not been very favourable to the citizenry. We have not had it right with our leadership. It started a bit well in the 60's , we had a little problem here and there. The leadership couldn't’ manage it well and before we knew it the military came and messed up everything, destroyed everything , that it will take nothing less than 100 years to rebuild this country, given the
destruction that was carried out by the military.

They sowed seed of discord, disunity and mismanaged the resources. There is nothing they put right. The census was manipulated. The creation of states and local governments was manipulated by the military. They did more damage and the politicians also came back; they
did not depart from the path of destruction set by the military. They almost followed the same path and have not been able to rise above some of the mediocrities in order to really entrench good governance and set Nigeria on the right path of development. It has been one step forward, several steps backward. Obasanjo had the greatest opportunity: he had the muscle, he had the capacity, he had everything going for him to right the wrong and put Nigeria on the right direction just like it happened in some of the Asian countries like Singapore. In our ethics on democracy, sometimes you’d step on toes in order to put Nigeria on the right path.

You said the rot created by the military will take almost 100 years to clear. Is that the reason why the ruling party in Nigeria has been unable to deliver the gains of democracy since 1999?

Yes. This is because the system is defective. Even if somebody that is righteous comes in, with the way that Nigeria is structured, he may not even make effective change. He may not effect very sufficient changes . President Jonathan may want to do certain good things , but there are contending forces . There are people that come with many things and tell him not to go ahead, even if they know that this the right way. Now look at the appointment of the IGP , look at the reason they advance for his selection , and they had the upper hand. So , even if you know that that is the wrong thing but because of those sentiments and because of the fact that he too knew that he could not retain power if this people are not supporting him, because if these people are against you, you will lose power and you want to remain in power. So , sometimes you go against the interest of the country for your own selfish interest. That is the kind of argument that goes on in our country. Look at what took place in the confab , where some people said ‘ no, we will not allow any region to go higher than us or advance higher than us, every region must advance at the same stage, even if we are going backward, all regions must go backward and wait for everyone to catch up. That doesn't happen anywhere and that is an argument someone was putting up, that if you allow the regions to start developing independently, especially with natural resources that are within their geographical entity, they will just one day wake up and say they are no longer part of Nigeria, because of that, we must all stay together and every resource must be put together and shared. The beneficiaries must come cap in hand, begging for what comes from their land then you now make them remain underdeveloped until all of us catch up. That is the argument
they were putting up and they feel that the argument is very, very sound.

Funny enough, all the regions all the states they have several quantities of mineral resources that if they allow
listen to what those who have foresight are saying , everyone will be a beneficiary because whatever comes from your land, you will now begin to enjoy the competition and will want to add to your own . All those things that have hitherto remained untapped because of oil you are depending upon, you now forget them and begin to act.

In fact, the Americans say that
Nigeria's economy is not dependent on oil, that Nigeria’s economy is depending on agriculture and other mineral resources that are planted all over the land. There are some states in Nigeria that have up to 15 minerals under their soil, that if they explore, they will be one of the richest states in Africa, if not in the world. But because of their short- sightedness , they have resolved to depend on oil.

Is it possible for us to have such a leader like you have mentioned who is ready to step on toes and be decisive so that Nigeria can return to the path of greatness?

It is possible but that person will have to be brutal. If you want to achieve , you come in and tell everyone irrespective of their status in the society that ‘ this is the way to go and you know that this is the way to go for everyone, both for the Hausa , the Yoruba , the Igbo and for all the minorities, and that is if you want to better the lot of everyone. And somebody wants to say, no for their own selfish interest, you have to hit and when you clear them, you have to step on toes and if possible render them irrelevant. When people now begin to see the result, they will align with you. And also, you must be genuine, because if they are thinking you are a thief, a corrupt person , and you don’t have the locus , they will not respect you. And everyone must see you as somebody that is very genuine, that you are not after your selfish interest but national interest. I did it during my tenure as Chairman of Ikeja branch and the result is there for everyone to see. Nigeria is such a complex country that if you don't do it that way, Nigeria will be tattered.

We are scattered, we don’t know what is ideal, what we glorify are those things that are animalistic, that are devilish, we don’t have morality, national ethos. So somebody like that must be a perfectionist, urbane, righteous and straightforward. Someone that is a nationalistic leader that has a vision. He must not even be interested in his national life and have a time frame to achieve his goals. We have such leaders in abundance in this country but for them to emerge, it involves the hand of God.

Some of the recommendations at the ongoing national conference has been hailed by many Nigerians , like the one on part -time legislature, do you think these decisions will be implemented at the end of the day?

The problem is that the Jonathan administration did not set out with a clear- cut understanding of what the confab should stand for. There must
have been an enabling law in the first place that will set up the modalities , the membership and the outcome , that we should go for plebiscite, that people should vote for; rather, he left it
inchoate. You are now planning to take all those resolutions that were reached at the confab to the national assembly and most of the decisions you have taken affect them , so they will not agree with you. They (the resolutions) will be thrown out. Already, the northern region is saying there won’t be creation of any additional state in the East and the confab has agreed that states should be created . And then you are now taking it back to them; definitely, they won’t accept that.

The President recently requested for $1bn to fight insurgency. Don’t you think some people are benefiting from this insecurity situation in the country?

Insurgency has become a big business in Nigeria. Anything that Nigerians see – that is lucrative –they would create a myth around it in order to elongate it; to create more money for them. If we say we are rich and have money, why are we going to borrow one billion? The ones you have spent 3 trillion on, what have you achieved with it? I think they are looking for money for their personal interest and to prosecute the election and also to enrich their pockets .

Source:
Daily Independent

Another 'Islamic State' In The Making? Boko Haram Appoints Emir, Imposes Strict Islamic Laws in Captured Gwoza Emirate

Probably emboldened by the successes of 'Caliph' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's led Islamic State (ISIS) which was carved out of parts of Iraq and Syria, it appears Boko Haram is inching closer to it's dream of creating, foisting it's own 'Islamic State' on parts of northern Nigeria.

Basking on the euphoria of controlling swathes of land in Gwoza and having taken over the the residence of the Emir of Gwoza as well as captured a Government lodge in the town, Boko Haram Islamic Sect is said to have now appointed a replacement for the town’s fleeing Emir.

Sources say Boko Haram’s black flags have been hoisted at different locations in the town as a mark of the sect’s authority. It is also reported that the sect had introduced strict Islamic laws in the seized emirate.

In a related development, with most of their menfolk killed or on the run, women in the town of Gwoza, Borno State, have taken on the grim task of burying dozens of residents massacred in last week’s assault by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic Sect.

In telephone interviews, two sources in the town said the women of Gwoza were burying men, women and children who lost their lives when a vicious band of Boko Haram fighters descended on the town last week in an orgy of death and destruction.

“We are very fatigued,” one of the women said. She added, “We are almost resigned to fate in our tedious and unusual work of burying scores of dead bodies that still litter our town.”

Another female source said it became necessary for them to bury the dead because “the men in our town and surrounding towns have either been slaughtered or have fled for fear of being killed.”

The source said the town was now peopled by trapped women, little children and the elderly who were spared by the Boko Haram fighters.

A soldier involved in a counter-insurgency operation corroborated the accounts of the situation in Gwoza. He said some women and youths who arrived in Madagali, Adamawa State, after fleeing Gwoza and traveling through the rough terrain of hills painted terrifying portraits for military officials who interviewed them.

A senior military officer told SaharaReporters that the Nigerian Army was drawing up a strategic plan to execute “a multi-dimensional offensive in a bid to dislodge Boko Haram from Gwoza and surrounding villages.”

Source:
SR

Clash Between Fulani Herdsmen and Cattle Rustlers Leaves 22 Dead, 80 Injured In Zamfara

Gusau—Few days after the visit of the National President of the Cattle Rearers Association to Zamfara State, to reconcile the warning farmers/fulanis clans, no fewer than 23 were reported to have lost their lives in Hura Girke village of Wonaka district of Gusau Local Government Area of the state.

About 80 are also currently receiving medical treatment at Mada Hospital as a result of injuries they sustained
while escaping.
It was gathered that people suspected to be Fulani cattle rustlers stormed the village in the late hours of Sunday and gunned down a number of people at the entrance of the village before entering into their property.

After they succeeded in entering the property, they started shooting indiscriminately. The gunmen numbering about 60 and armed with different dangerous weapons, including AK 47 rifles, arrived the community on motorcycles.

Source close to the area said the gunmen made several attempts to expand the attack, but for the intervention of security operatives, who repelled them.
“Their mission was a reprisal one,” added the source.

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of the state while condoling with the families of the victims, expressed sadness over
the situation and assure the people of his government’s readiness to bring those involved to the book.

Yari who was represented by his Commissioner of Special duties, Alhaji Sani Gusau, said arrangements will soon be made for their assistance and appealed to the people of the state to stop taking laws into their hands.

Source:
Vanguard Newspaper

Boko Haram: Female Suicide Bombers' Trainer Nabbed Along Side 16 Girls Undergoing Training

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kano has arrested a man suspected to be the master trainer of Boko Haram female suicide bombers with 16 females who were reportedly being trained for suicide operations, Daily Trust, gathered from security sources.

It was gathered that the man identified as Ibrahim Ibrahim was arrested in Dala LGA of Kano during a raid by the Joint Task Force Thursday.
Daily Trust gathered that the females were being trained to carry out suicide bombings when the JTF raided their training ground and arrested them and their trainer.

The just concluded Sallah celebration was marred in the state as female suicide bombers struck at five different locations. About 30 persons lost their lives to the female suicide bombers who were believed to be less than 20 years old.

A security source told our correspondent that the plan of the insurgents was to continue using the female suicide bombers to unleash terror on people of the state. The source added that when interrogated, the suspect disclosed that he brought the bombers from Sambisa forest in Borno State.

“He is still being held and interrogated by the JTF  and he is cooperating with the force by divulging vital information about their new strategy of using teenage girls for suicide bombings. I don’t know the exact number of the girls because one of my colleagues who participated in the operation said 13 while the other one said 16,” he said.

A top security source confirmed the arrest but added, “You know we have carried out many recent successful operations recent. I will not like to say much on this latest operation.”

Spokesperson of the JTF in Kano, Captain Ikechukwu Eze, confirmed an operation in Dala local government area.
“There was an operation in Dala where one Ibrahim Ibrahim was arrested alongside some persons. Investigation is still on,” he said in a phone interview.

DailyTrust

Nigerians in Chicago Rally Against Boko Haram Insurgency, Terrorism in Nigeria

Nigerian professionals belonging to the First Nigeria Organisation (FNO), have concluded their rally  in Chicago, aimed at drawing global attention to the atrocities of the murderous terrorist group, Boko Haram.

The rally was a continuation of a series of rallies organised by the same group across major cities in the United States during the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan who was in the US to participate in the just-concluded African Leadership Summit hosted by President Barack Obama from August 4-6 in Washington, D.C.

The rally took place from 11am to 1pm at the historic Tribune Towers on Michigan Avenue in Downtown Chicago featured many seasoned participants including the Clerk of Cook County, Dorothy Brown, Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, renowned American Civil Rights Activist and Senior Adviser to Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Snr., Dr. Ewa Ewa, Dr. Christian Akiwowo, Pa David Olupitan, Mr. Anthony Cole, Sir Tony Ochiabutor, Hon Uba Light, Joy Oshodi and others.

According to the participants, who carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Boko Haram Stop Killing Nigerians”, “Support President Jonathan to fight Boko-Haram”, “Bring Back Our Girls” and others, the rally was a conclusion of the Washington and New York rallies aimed at telling Boko Haram the world can no longer tolerate their inhuman and murderous tendencies to Nigerians with emphasis on the Chibok girls.

The Coordinator of the Nigeria First Organisation, Linda Oyewopo condemned the wicked acts of the Boko Haram sect imploring everybody to stand up to the murderous instincts of this deadly group.
Dorothy Brown, the Clerk of Cook County denounced Boko Haram for the abduction of the Chibok School Girls calling on the terrorists to release the girls soonest. She thanked the American Government for offering help to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram and urged Americans to unite and stand with Nigerians so as to send a strong message that the world was united against Boko Haram.

Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson stated that terrorism has no colours and as such all hands – whites, blacks, Hispanics, browns, etc. should be on deck to bring the atrocities of Boko Haram to an end in Nigeria. She condemned the kidnappings of the Chibok school girls and called for their immediate release to their families.

Dr. Ewa Ewa thanked Nigerians and their American counterparts in Chicago for making out time out of their busy schedules to rally with Nigerians for the release of the abducted school girls leaving the assurance that Nigerians all over Chicago would continue to rally against the dreaded terrorist group until they release the kidnapped school girls and an end is put to the murderous activities of the group in Nigeria.

Dr. Christian Akiwowo denounced the terrorist activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria and urged Chicagoans and the global community to continue to support the ongoing efforts of the Nigerian government to bring an end to the activities of the terrorist group. He specially prayed that God should open the eyes of the Boko Haram militants so that they can understand the pains and sufferings they are inflicting on their innocent and law-abiding Nigerian victims and turn away from their evil ways.

Pa David Olupitan called on Nigerians and Americans to unite in the fight against Boko Haram because it was the right thing to do. He stressed that terrorism had no place in Nigeria and as such Boko Haram must be defeated.

In her remarks, Mrs. Joy Oshodi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Chicago highlighted the accomplishments of the Jonathan Administration. She emphasized that although the Boko Haram insurgency dominates the headlines, that President Goodluck Jonathan remains of the most seasoned leaders Nigeria has ever produced and called on Nigerians of all ethnicities and the American public to continue to support the government of Nigeria in its efforts in putting an end to the activities of the terrorist group.

In their remarks, the organizers – the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) organizer in the United States, Linda Oloyepo, Otunba Badejo and Anslem John-Miller thanked all Nigerian professionals in attendance for making out time out of their busy schedules to rally in support of the abducted school girls and the efforts of the Nigerian Government to rescue the girls safely. They assured Nigerians that they would leave no stone unturned in their international mobilization to ensure that the Nigerian Government gets all the support she needs in order to rescue the abducted Chibok girls and defeat Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Source:
MetroWatchOnline

How The United States Created 'Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi', The ISIS Leader

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi

BAGHDAD — When American forces raided a home near Falluja during the turbulent 2004 offensive against the Iraqi Sunni insurgency, they got the hard-core militants they had been looking for. They also picked up an apparent hanger-on, an Iraqi man in his early 30s whom they knew nothing about.

Between Boko Haram Terrorism and The Biafra war

FOR once, President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are on the same page: Boko Haram is the worst security situation that has bedevilled this country. That is their opinion, not mine. I will tell you mine shortly.

The president made his view known when he played host to a delegation of bishops of the African Church in
the Presidential Villa, Abuja way back in June. He said Boko Haram was worse than the civil war waged against the people of Eastern Nigeria because unlike the Biafra war where “enemies and their territories” were known, the Boko Haram, the faceless insurgents, live among the people.

On the other hand, Atiku in his recent interview with the Voice of America (VOA)was quoted as saying: “the
security situation in the country, I must admit, is appalling. I have never seen it this bad, not even during the civil war did we have this sense of insecurity all over the country”.

I am not surprised that these two arch political foes are sharing this candid view. But as far as I am concerned,
Boko Haram is a child’s play compared to the Biafra war. It is a classic hyperbole to compare both. It is like comparing the common cold, (which is brought on by a viral infection) with the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD, which is vectored by meaner class of virus).

When it comes to the Nigerian civil war, let us always bear in mind that there were two sides to the conflict: the Federals, and the Biafrans.

Jonathan and Atiku spoke based on the experience of the Federals – the pan-Nigerian coalition that came together with their powerful foreign backers, to stop the former Biafrans – the people of the defunct Eastern Region (especially the Igbos) – from pulling out of a wicked, murderous, unjust, poorly governed, disunited, corrupt and internally colonised Nigerian federation.

Jonathan is correct to say that while the war raged, the two sides knew who their enemies were, because it was a conventional warfare fought across clearly drawn battle lines. It became very convenient (though not easy) for the hugely advantaged side – the Federals –to eventually overcome the Biafrans.

The mighty Nigerian armed forces have found it difficult to cope with Boko Haram for so many reasons. During the Biafra war, the Federal Military Government under General Yakubu Gowon, buoyed by the onset of the oil boom, was able to raise the fighting forces from about 30,000 to above 400,000 and buy all the war machines he needed from world powers falling over one another to be on their side.
On the Biafran side, events went in the other direction.

Resources rapidly dwindled due to massive desertions by some ethnic enclaves from the secession bid, and
worsened by the sea blockades that starved the Biafrans of food and fighting equipment. That the war lasted all of thirty months was due to ingenuous improvisations, the gallant fighting spirit and patriotic zeal of the Biafrans.

Unlike the ex-Biafrans (yours sincerely inclusive) who experienced it raw, Nigerians who were on the Federal
side during the civil war never lived under such fear of insecurity, as Atiku rightly observed. Some only read
about the war in the papers and heard it on radio. Even members of the younger generation of the former Biafrans have never seen anything like it. The fear of Boko Haram has permeated the grassroots. A couple of weeks ago, we visited my hometown, Abiriba, and a woman who lives in the village told a story of how people returning from the farms scampered into the bush when they saw a helicopter landing in the
compound of a friend of mine, Abbott. “We thought it was Boko Haram people”, the woman said. My aged mother calls me almost every day warning us to keep away from areas where Boko Haram is killing people.

This is the first time since the civil war that a security situation ravaging the far North is eliciting this kind of reaction even in the rural grassroots in faraway Eastern Nigeria.

The evil of Boko Haram passes all understanding. In Biafra the federal troops sometimes committed war
crimes, especially when the Northern elements felt like having a go at the hapless civilians and captured soldiers.

The Biafran troops weren’t exactly saints, either. I am unaware that Biafra kept prisoners of war. Perhaps, they couldn’t afford to, since they never had that luxury. Your guess is as good as mine as to what happened to those Federal soldiers they captured alive.
Yes, war crimes cannot be escaped in war situations, but there were equally many instances on both sides when humanity overcame mutual antagonism, especially towards the end of the Biafra war.

Boko Haram is devoid of sense, reason and logic. They kill everyone, behead their captives, and use women, children and homeless mendicants as purveyors of their suicide bombing raids. The war on terror is difficult because the enemy has his agents everywhere. The troops cannot effectively execute campaigns because Boko Haram agents among us tip off them to lie in ambush.

But to compare it to the Biafran war is an over-kill. Boko Haram is basically terrorism. It is a hit-and-run affair. It strikes fear in the hearts of the people, though the scale of devastation and human casualty is only a drop in the pan. Boko Haram has ravaged the North in three years, producing a combined official casualty figure of less than 12,000. The thirty-month Biafra war claimed about two million lives on both sides. The whole of Igboland was all but flattened, and every Igbo person came out of the bush in utter penury. This is unlike the
terror-stricken Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, where life is still going on, even though at “half-mast”.

Even before the Boko Haram is crushed the Federal Government has already raised billions of Naira to resettle the victims, unlike the former Biafrans who were simply abandoned to their fate. What did the Biafrans get, except twenty pounds per adult who could prove they had a bank account, irrespective of how much they left there?

The scale of devastation the Igbo man suffered from the Biafra war would have crippled them forever if they were not such hardy and un-put-down-able people. But glory be to God, they came out of it even stronger than most of their former adversaries.

The challenge before us, as Nigerians, is not to engage in unhelpful verbal hyperplasia. Boko Haram is a passing phase, a mere fly on our national scrotum. If we come together as one people, we will decimate these cowards. It is our internal division and sabotage that are sustaining them. When Boko Haram is beaten, we must realise that the causes of the Biafran war and the Boko Haram terror have a common root: they are the faults of the sectional imperialists who believe they were born to rule.

Atiku is an unapologetic born-to rule agent. I am surprised he is lamenting about Boko Haram. Perhaps, he has forgotten the threat that he, along with his disciples such as Prof. Ango Abdullahi and Alhaji Lawal Kaita issued in 2010, to make Nigeria ungovernable if Jonathan was elected president.

The masquerade he helped to dress up is now flogging him too.

Written by:
Ochereome Nnanna

Boko Haram: Nigerian Troops Kill 50 Insurgents, Lose Two Soldiers To Reclaim Damboa

Troops moved swiftly at the weekend to regain Borno State town Damboa from Boko Haram insurgents. In the process, troops killed 50 insurgents and lost two soldiers.

The troops survived five ambushes to reclaim the town which had been held by the insurgents for about one month.
The Special Forces and more troops have been deployed in Gwoza where more than 150 people had been killed by the insurgents, it was gathered.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki has said that the government had blocked all the source of fund for Boko Baram, thereby making it difficult for the sect to get funding for its nefarious activities.

The Defence Headquarters has also said neither soldiers nor their wives could reject deployment to Gwoza and the Sambisa Forest.

The protest in Maiduguri on Saturday by wives of some soldiers was being regarded as “indiscipline.”
According to a top military source, who gave insights into how Damboa was reclaimed, said: “The troops survived five deadly ambushes by the insurgents to recapture Damboa, Delwa, Mustafari, Manga, Wanga and secure all routes leading to these places.

“We have completed the mop up operation in Damboa and environs. So far, the troops succeeded in killing 50 insurgents and lost two of their colleagues.
“Many arms and ammunition were also recovered from the insurgents including vehicles and  anti – aircraft RPG.
“We are doing our best to restore normal life and business activities to these areas. The target is to clear the areas completely of insurgents and ward off further threats.”

On Gwoza where over 150 had been killed, the highly-placed source added: “Special Forces have been sent to the  Emirate, including surrounding hill tops.
“We will dislodge the insurgents from the town within the next one week. “The reality is that the insurgents had been taking advantage of the terrain in Gwoza to abduct, maim and kill innocent ones. The battle of Gwoza is expected to cover a lot of air strikes.”

There were indications yesterday that the Defence Headquarters has said that soldiers or their wives cannot reject posting to either Gwoza or Sambisa Forest.
Another military source said: “The soldiers or their wives cannot turn down deployment to Gwoza or Sambisa Forest or anywhere there is a security challenge.

“We are going to engage in massive deployment of troops to these places and other flashpoints in the country. Contrary to insinuations, our troops are well-kitted because we know that curtailing insurgency requires being sufficiently armed.

“What the wives of some of the soldiers did in Maiduguri at the weekend was strange to military ethics and orientation. Right from the time of enlistment, it is made clear that no soldier can reject posting.
“The so-called protest amounted to indiscipline in the Armed Forces., we will not condone such.

“Maybe some of the wives of these soldiers need more orientation and enlightenment. We will not hesitate to guide them accordingly.
The source added: “There is no Army General that has not paid his or her dues by serving in frontline zones or managing security challenges. All our Generals are tested.”

The National Security Adviser(NSA) said the nation’s educational system will be overhauled in the light of the security challenges facing the country.
He said the recent abduction of Chibok girls had compelled the government  to place the protection of schools high on national security agenda.

Dasuki made the submissions in a paper at the Nigeria Security Summit at Harvard University, Cambridge, in the United States.
He said: “When we started to deal with the Boko Haram threat, our laws were not so clear on a number of fundamentals. Through the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, significant progress has been made.
“It has allowed us to not only define terrorism, but block avenues of financing for their activities while putting in place structures to deal with our current threats. This has included the establishment of a Counter terrorism Centre and, working with key stakeholders, we have developed a National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST).

Dasuki said the nation’s educational system will be overhauled to serve our current security and economic interests.
He said: “Further to this, the threat that we face has drawn our attention to the need to overhaul our educational system. We are struggling with an educational system that does not currently serve our security, political and economic interests and as we revisit our national security policy, education has remained a top priority.

While we grapple with education reform to ensure the right kind of education is available for all, the recent abduction of girls from their school in Chibok has compelled us to place the protection of schools high on our national security agenda.
“Working with traditional institutions, community based organizations and the police, local governments must be proactive in building community resilience and good governance.

“It is time we leverage on our democratic processes to increase access to decision making for a majority of our citizens. Inclusive, non-discriminatory and participatory governance is more likely to detect discontent before it erupts.
“The goal of politics must be to lift our people out of poverty and provide them with the enabling environment to compete favorably.
“This may not eliminate the possibility of misguided individuals or groups rising up against the nation, but will address some of the underlying factors leading to recruitment into groups prone to violent extremism.
“We must also address environmental pressure from climate change that results in increased competition for limited natural resources, leading to increased herdsmen, farmer conflicts, inter-ethnic and communal clashes.
“The youth bulge is both a challenge and an opportunity which the federal government has recognized and initiated programs to increase job opportunities.

“Insurgents seek to force fundamental changes on society, operating with impunity; they violate all decent human values in an effort to draw a commensurate response from authorities. Terrorists win when states respond to their attacks in ways that are incompatible with their values.
The NSA assured that Nigeria will abide by international practices in curtailing the prevalent insurgency.
He said the Armed Forces had been undergoing a series of training on human rights.

The Nation

Boko Haram: Soldiers’ Children, Wives Protest Husbands’ Deployment To Gwoza

There is tension in the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, as angry wives of soldiers at the Giwa Barracks, blocked the entrance to the barracks, vowing not to allow their husbands to proceed to Bama as directed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), General Mohammed Ibrahim.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the enraged women got wind of the fact that their husbands had been directed to proceed to Bama, about 70km from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno
State.

It was gathered that the soldiers’ wives and their children came out in their numbers insisting that their husbands would not abandon them in the barracks to be killed by Boko Haram.

The women, it was gathered, rejected pleas by senior commanders, insisting to block the entrance to the barracks until the GOC reverse his directive.

A reliable military source who spoke with our reporter said that the commander of the barracks had already relocated to Bama and was waiting for his boys who should have joined him since morning for some clandestine operations.

“They blocked the road, all our weapons are now locked up inside and in case of emergency we do not have weapons to defend ourselves. The women are equally not armed but are very angry sitting down there with their children.
“They are not ignorant of what is going on. They live in the barracks with their husbands and are aware that there are over 40 of the insurgents locked up inside the dungeons of that barracks.

“Living them alone is clear suicide and there is no guarantee that they will not be attacked by the insurgents who are always bent on releasing their own regardless of where they are kept.
“You are aware of the fact that they tried releasing their people from the same Giwa barracks this year. It is by the grace of God that some of us are alive now.”

The source stated further that “some of us think the decision to move the soldiers is risky.
“This decision is due purely out of corruption because money is involved in their movement. If it is not corruption, why should they take such a decision when they know that the soldiers are protecting the city.”

Tribune Newspaper

Boko Haram Retake Four Towns In Yobe and Borno States

The Islamist terror group, Boko Haram, has routed Nigerian troops from four towns in Borno and Yobe states, both in Nigeria’s violence-plagued northeast that is the epicenter of the group’s activities.

Six days ago, insurgents belonging to Boko Haram took over the town of Gwoza after overwhelming Nigerian troops guarding the town. The Islamist sect’s fighters invaded the town in the middle of last week, massacring more than 100 residents, including a brother of the Emir of Gwoza as well as the chief imam of the town’s major mosque.

Security sources disclosed that the sect also killed or wounded numerous Nigerian soldiers during their initial assault and, days later, in a counter-offensive mounted by the Nigerian Army to try to wrest the town back from the stranglehold of the Islamists.

A top security source disclosed that Boko Haram had successfully beaten back three separate columns of Nigerian troops from Gwoza. “The most recent was a team of soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Agwu of the former Special Operations Battalion (SOB) now 234 Battalion,” the source told our correspondent.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Colonel Agwu was missing in action after his column made a hasty retreat in the face of an onslaught by a group of heavily armed insurgents. But our military source disclosed that Colonel Agwu was able to escape and to make it back alive to Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri. “I understand he had to disguise as a woman to escape from the militants,” our security source revealed.

Apart from Gwoza, Boko Haram militants have also seized three towns in Yobe State, according to other security sources. Insurgents belonging to the sect have reportedly taken control of the towns of Buni Yadi, Buni Gari and Goniri, all in Gujba local government area of Yobe State.

Several of the militants have occupied camps abandoned by Nigerian troops as they fled from a series of fierce battles with insurgents, our security sources said.
Members of the sect have bombed Katako Bridge that links Buni Yadi with Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

One source said the Nigerian Army was planning a broad strategy to mount a major military campaign to retake the towns recently seized by Boko Haram. “Our Cameroonian counterparts have been able to take back towns from Boko Haram. We’re planning seriously to do the same thing,” said the army officer. “We have the manpower, training and weapons to defeat Boko Haram,” he added.

SR