Nigerian Army and Terrorists' Deaths: 30 killed again but where is the Peace?

Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces is a crucial one especially in the war against the notorious and inhuman terrorists in the nomenclature of Boko Haram. After the state of emergency was declared, many logical Nigerians expected the army to perform reasonably well and within months the armed forces did not disappoint Nigerians. The armed forces were able to drastically reduce the acts and activities of the dreaded sect.

This became a real plus to the Nigerian Armed Forces coupled with the high level of professionalism in which the war was conducted though skeptics rained lots of issues based on human rights violations. However, the armed forces deserve their praises. What is now worrisome is the daily records of killings and deaths revealed by the army. The army which took over from the Joint Task Force is always quick to state it has killed numbers of Boko Haram members almost on a day to day basis.

This is really disturbing considering the kind of cloudy operation that occurred in Apo in Abuja in which some people believed and suspected to be Boko Haram members were killed amid doubt among the citizens. Despite these numerous records of deaths, Boko Haram continues to carry out its heinous acts. Though, it is understandable that a guerrilla warfare like that of the Boko Haram war is not an easy one but then, the army should be able to start thinking of better ways at arresting the situation as written in this article long ago.

The Nigerian Army reportedly killed more than 30 suspected terrorists during raids on Boko Haram camps and hideouts in Borno state. The military said the clampdown was aimed at frustrating planned attacks on Bama town by the members of the sect. According to press statement, they were killed in both air and ground attacks.

During the attack, five Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns conveying terrorists and one 18-seaters bus conveying the terrorists stores were destroyed. In a related development, troops of 7 Division pursued and engaged Boko Haram terrorists who fled Damboa town following encounter with security forces, resulting in the killing of 30 of the terrorists.

Army Public Relations Officer of 7 Division, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja informed the public that the division was currently conducting aggressive operations on terrorists' locations along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road. The highway is a bedrock of terror activities. He said: "This is in order to ensure safety of citizens not only within towns and villages but also those plying roads within the division's area of responsibility."

Announcing deaths everyday, even if it is to dampen the psychology of members of the sect, will be doing more harm than good. The army risks estranging itself from the people who should naturally be their confidants. To win this war perfectly, high level of intelligence is needed. The hearts of the people are needed. With numerous deaths being announced daily, the army will look more like killing agents than soldiers fighting its own citizens.

This is not an external war, the people can never be comfortable hearing of deaths everyday especially when the sect continues to appear indirectly defiantly strong. Recently, students were butchered in Yobe despite the state of emergency. All these successful invasions of Boko Haram risk casting a serious shadow on the triumphant records of the army. The army needs to begin the process of winning the hearts of the people for a long term victory not rushing to announce deaths which could get the people scared as the soldiers' activities cannot be verified factually.

Thinking the Recolonisation of Africa: US, UK Counter-terrorism Forces Storm Nigeria

A Nigerian news portal, 'Abusidiqu' once reported a wikileaks revelation on how an Algerian-based CIA-sponsored agency gave $40 million to members of the Boko Haram sect promising them more if they continue in their acts. This claim cannot be dismissed considering the act of the CIA in Syria too. The French military also was also financing the rebels in Mali before they grew out of hand. French forces also airlifted and dropped sophisticated weapons for rebels in Libya, especially in Misrata, during the no-fly-zone turned regime-change war. These weapons were unaccounted for but today as always and usual, terrorists roving West Africa are said to get their weapons from Gaddafi and as an aftermath of his fall. Boko Haram also began kidnapping after France paid it N500 million to free some French nationals held hostage.

Africa still continues to be their chessboard, a continent they can always penetrate when the need arises. United States has expanded its African-based forces in the name of AFRICOM. The rate at which terrorists are roaming the continent is giving the foreigners the desired outcome. Terrorism and foreign dominance in Africa seem to be working hand in hand. Kenya rushed to beckon on Israeli storm-troopers as well as American and British 'experts'. Terrorism is weakening and showing the weakness of Africa which the leaders have allowed and bolstering and strengthening those who led the continent to the state of torpidity and massive quagmire.

In what looks or appears more like a continuously established situation, the Nigerian Navy Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Babalola Ogunjimi disclosed that foreign Special Forces have arrived Nigeria for counter-terrorism operations which specifically will be for operations against the deadly and dreaded Boko Haram sect. This is coming after the United States raided Libya and Somalia to prove its reach, capacity and capability. the Nigerian Navy Chief stated that the Nigerian military, in conjunction with Special Forces from the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (US), Spain and Netherlands have begun a joint training to combat terrorism in the country.

He said 150 of them were drawn from units of the Nigerian Armed Forces-Army, Navy and Air Force- while 739 are from the foreign Special Forces. Ogunjimi said the training called "African Winds", began on October 3, and was expected to last for 14 days and would be followed by four days' exercise. He said the exercise would be conducted by Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) of the Special Forces in Lagos and Calabar, respectively.

"It is expected that the "African Winds" training and exercise will further improve the capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces to deal with numerous security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea", adding that some of the challenges include crude oil theft and attacks on merchant ships. Ogunjimi said the programme was in furtherance of the Chief of Defence Staff's drive to promote effective joint services operations among Nigerian Armed Forces and friendly military from other countries.

According to him, the exercise in Lagos will take place between October 15 and 18 at Ibeshe Beach and the Navy Ordinance Depot (NOD) Waterfront. The exercise that will be conducted in Lagos include Amphibious Raid, Maritime Counter Terrorism, Vessel Boarding Stop and Search in an opposed environment and Hydrographic survey," he said. He  further said the Calabar exercise would hold between October 21 and 24 at the Tinapa and Muddy Beach in the state and Oron Beach in Akwa Ibom State.

Ogunjimi further revealed that the exercises to be conducted in Calabar include Riverine and Jungle operations which would be carried out by a combined force from US., UK and the Netherlands marines. He said an amphibious raid exercise planned and executed by troops from the Army, Navy Special Boat Service and the NNS Jubilee, would be conducted at Oron Beach to end the exercise. "African Winds" is the nickname for a maritime capacity building training programmes for the Armed Forces of Nigeria in conjunction with the Netherland Maritime Forces under the US sponsored African Partnership Station. Other countries covered by the programme are Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Benin and Cameroon.

Under the programme, the Netherlands Maritime Forces is providing an amphibious logistic support ship, the HMNLS Rotherdam, to support the training and exercise," he said. He said the ship contained 688 troops, four helicopters and six special boats called Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP). He said  other facilities in the ship included Fast Raid Interception Special Forces Craft used in inserting small number of specially trained troops from sea to land, particularly in the creeks. Rather than build their military bodies and forces to a sophisticated level to be able to combat modern demands and challenges, African leaders prefer to be notoriously corrupt; dwindling their nations' wealth while genuflecting for aid from those who destroyed and continue to destroy the continent.

"African Winds" is really a perfect title considering how systemic and systematic the wind of recolonisation is blowing. It is blowing so fast and speedy that African leaders pretentiously act as if they are unaware of the rising trend. Spain is a country notable for its American colonies built by African slaves. The Netherlands too is another notorious country of slave raiders and traders. The United Kingdom did hers too and its even the most versed in the act which she transferred to the 'Almighty' United States of America today. Africa seems to have accepted its destiny to 'forever' be backward and relegated to the background always while feeding the highest percentage of those it kowtows for.

One begins to wonder when ignorant African leaders will begin to see the relationship between Western push into the continent and their financing of terrorism thereof. The situation is extremely appalling. Many Africans rush to accept the incursion on the ground that terrorists are perpetuating heinous crimes yet most of the weapons used are Western-manufactured. A pertinent question was once asked: 'Why has terrorists not attacked Israel on the scale they do elsewhere?' Al Qaeda was created during Soviet incursion into Afghanistan. Today, the US finances Saudi Arabia which automatically finances the radical Sunnis and Salafists. When they attack any country, America and the foreign powers will be the best for such a country.

Nigeria: Probe Apo Killings; Civil Rights Congress tells Federal Government

Security Reports on Friday revealed that the Joint Task Force in Abuja engaged some suspected Boko Haram militants in a gun duel at an uncompleted building around the National Assembly Quarters in Apo. The militants who sustained various injuries but survived the assault claimed they are not members of the dreaded sect. Officials of the State Security Service were said to have quizzed some of the victims on their hospital beds.

NAN reports that The Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to raise an independent judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the Friday killings at the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja. A statement issued by the President of the congress, Shehu Sani, on Monday in Kaduna, said the conflicting claims by security agents and survivors of the alleged attack raised ethical and professional questions.

According to the statement, the claims must be properly determined. It added that “discretion, accountability and responsibility in the use of lethal force is indispensable in a free and democratic state.” “The state has a moral and constitutional duty to combat violence and terror and restore peace but not at the price of the lives of innocent persons.”

“If we accept the extra judicial killing of ‘insurgents’ by security agents, we have logically issued a licence for impunity.” “Fighting insurgency should not be an excuse to kill innocent persons and commit heinous atrocities with the seal or stamp of the state.” The statement noted that ‘so much blood has been spilled’ and urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the matter and prosecute anyone found guilty.

Nigeria: More Investment Coming for Phones' Data Despite Insecurity and Erratic Power Supply

With recent moves in the adoption of rapid data-carrying smartphones, phone companies are planning to invest at least $5 billion in Nigeria. Nigeria is combating myriads of crises affecting mobile communications. The most central threat to the carriers comes from Islamist militants called Boko Haram as well as erratic power supply. The insurgents target phone company installations and well have killed thousands as well as destroyed massive properties.

The number of Nigerian smartphone users has been projected to increase to more than 35 million in 2017 from 5.6 million at the end of last year, according to researcher Informa. About 10 percent of Nigerian wireless subscribers use smartphones today. “Voice will remain the major chunk of revenue, but data is where the growth is,” Airtel’s Ogunsanya said. His company says its Nigerian business will expand at 10 percent or more this year.

The threat of bomb attacks is almost the biggest challenges facing wireless operators in Nigeria. Some days before Christmas in 2012, two suspected Islamist militants killed themselves in separate bombings that rocked offices of Airtel and MTN Group Ltd. (MTN) in northern Nigeria. MTN added 1,175 3G sites in Nigeria in 2012, almost triple its installations the previous year, while doubling capital expenditure in the country, according to the company. MTN also operates in Yemen, Iran and Afghanistan,

“It’s becoming increasingly challenging to operate” in areas where rebels are active, Segun Ogunsanya, CEO of Bharti Airtel Ltd. (BHARTI)’s Nigerian unit, said by phone. “We are not security experts,” he told Bloomberg. Nigeria remains Africa’s most populous country and is expected to grow by 7.2 percent this year, versus an average of 5.6 percent for sub-Saharan Africa, according to the International Monetary Fund. It is a major market in Africa with a population of about 160 million.

Nigeria's mobile market is also the continent’s biggest, at 114 million subscriptions. That will grow to more than 200 million subscriptions by 2017, researcher Informa Telecoms & Media predicts. The militants continue to threaten the existence of the service providers.

MTN, Nigeria’s biggest mobile-phone provider, in April said it secured a $3 billion loan to invest in the country. Globacom Ltd., the No. 2 carrier, is investing $1.25 billion to upgrade and expand its network in Nigeria. No. 3 Airtel has invested $1.2 billion in Nigeria since 2010. Emirates Telecommunications Corp. (ETISALAT), the fourth-largest carrier in the country, said its Nigerian unit has secured a $1.2 billion loan for expansion.

The numerous and fearsome attacks have drastically reduced since the declaration of the state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states but the Islamists did not give up though; this time, mainly targeting students. Phone services which were suspended to break the communication links of the insurgents have also been restored following improvement in the security situations of these states.

FG confiscates 1500 double barrel guns illegally imported by Zamfara State Governor

By Malik Shabbazz

FG has ordered the confiscation of 1500 double barrel guns illegally imported by Zamfara State Governor. Sources revealed that the Federal Government ordered the seizure of the guns based on the alleged contravention of firearms laws of the land.

The governor is said to harbour feelings of betrayal against the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, also an indigene of the state due to a soft approval given the governor by the IG which is now being trampled upon.

Sources revealed that there was an armed robbery crisis in the state in 2012, during which the governor sought and clinched approval from the state police commissioner on the formulation of a vigilante group. It is said to have been agreed that the group would be armed at which time, the governor then decided to import double-barrel guns.

A source said: “The governor ordered for 1,500 double-barrelled guns through a dealer in Kano who got supplies from Ukraine.’

However the federal government has ordered the repatriation of the guns to Abuja because there was no executive approval to import the arms.

Sources disclosed that the importation was executed to bypass the approval of the presidency because of the belief that individuals can buy double-barrel guns and apply for licence from police.

The source said, “Due to the brouhaha and outrage the issue generated and in order to avoid a presidential hammer, the police had to follow the rules and now the IG had ordered that the guns be taken to the Force Headquarters. They were being taken to Abuja right now.”

Vigilantes Fight Boko Haram Back in Borno; Assist Soldiers in Their Mission

Vigilantes in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri are setting up roadblocks and conducting house-to-house searches to aid the army’s fight against Islamist militants. These groups of young men are armed with only clubs and matchetes. While the military welcomes the public’s support in the battle against the Boko Haram Islamist group, human rights activists say vigilantes’ activities may worsen violence and lead to abuses against innocent civilians.

So far the vigilantes have seized more than 100 suspected insurgents in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital that has borne the brunt of Boko Haram’s violent campaign to impose Shariah law on Nigeria, according to Abubakar Malum, a leader in a group that calls itself the Civilian Joint Task Force.

“The activities of the vigilantes is a step in the right direction,” Mohammed Modu, a fish seller in the city of about 1 million, said on June 25. “They seem to be more effective in capturing Boko Haram members than the soldiers.”

Human rights activists say that since the vigilante groups have no legal standing, abuses may occur.
“Where vigilantes exist, they aren’t part of the legally established law enforcement order,” Clement Nwankwo, executive director of Abuja-based Policy and Legal Advocacy Center, said in a June 21 interview. “So the possibility of abuse, of people being targeted and victimized, is real.”

Vigilantes burned down the house of Alhaji Mala Othman, the Borno state chairman of the opposition All Nigeria People’s Party, Inuwa Bwala, the state commissioner of home affairs and information said. The arsonists, who accused Othman of supporting Boko Haram, torched his house after failing to catch him for the second time as security forces let him out through the back door, Bwala said.

“The incident is quite unfortunate; nobody has the right to take the law into their hands to the extent of burning down people’s houses,” Bwala said from the town of Gombe, the capital of neighboring Gombe state. Borno state governor Kassim Shettima is a member of the ANPP.

Though the military’s air and ground assaults since May forced many militants to flee, large numbers have since regrouped, killing 24 people last month in three attacks on schools in Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, about 130 kilometers (81 miles) southwest of Maiduguri. This is the reason while the vigilantes are particularly useful because they understand the terrain well. The military’s offensive has also hit civilians.

“As much as the youth are doing great work in fishing out the terrorists,” Majidadi said in an interview in Maiduguri, the security forces “must act fast before other youth abuse the good work currently going on.”

The combined military-police Joint Task Force in the area said in a June 30 statement that it was “monitoring, guiding and regulating the activities of the vigilant youths with a view to making them operate within the ambit of the law.”

Boko Haram has acknowledged that some residents are turning against them and has vowed to retaliate.

“We have established that youths in Borno and Yobe states are now against our cause,” a Boko Haram spokesman, who gave his name as Abu Zinnira, said in a statement e-mailed to reporters on June 18. “They have connived with security operatives and are actively supporting the government of Nigeria in its war against us. We have also resolved to fight back.”

Jailbreak in Nigeria; 175 Prisoners Freed

Gunmen have reportedly shot dead two civilians and then used explosives to free 175 inmates from a prison in Nigeria's southern town of Akure overnight, a prison official said on Sunday.

This is relatively uncommon in the Southwest of the country where the incident occurred though jailbreaks have been common in the country. The Islamic sect, Boko Haram has been behind most of the jailbreaks with some coming from the South and East like in Delta.

"The unknown gunmen numbering over 20 came at about midnight into the Olokuta prison through the main gate after using dynamite," Prison Comptroller Tunde Olayiwola told Reuters.

"The gunmen shot and killed two people while trying to get in ... Some of the escaped prisoners have been re-arrested," Olayiwola said, adding that some prison staff were injured in a gun battle and were receiving treatment.

Violence by Islamist groups is mostly confined to Nigeria's majority Muslim north but there have been attacks as far south as Kogi state, which borders Ondo. Kidnapping and robbery are the most common and prominent phenomena in the states bordering Ondo as west generally in the South.

Nigerian Army Allegedly Commit Atrocities in the Boko Haram War - Report

A Nigerian human rights watchdog released a report allegedly saying security forces are killing, torturing, illegally detaining and raping civilians in a fight to halt an Islamic uprising in northeast Nigeria that has killed nearly 2,000 people since 2010.

The report, put out by Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission on Sunday, said troops went on a rampage in the northeast of the country after a soldier was killed in April in the fishing village of Baga. Quoting police sources, the soldiers "started shooting indiscriminately at anybody in sight, including domestic animals.” the report said, as quoted by AP.

The retaliation left the homes of many villagers gutted and torched, with troops attempting to hide evidence of the carnage by disposing of bodies. "The Commission equally received several credibly attested allegations of gross violations by officials of the JTF (joint task force of police and military), including allegations of summary executions, torture, arbitrary detention amounting to internment and outrages against the dignity of civilians, as well as rape," it said.

Military officials said 36 people were killed, most of them “extremist fighters.” Witnesses told AP at the time that some 187 civilians were killed. The report revealed the killings came after Islamic militants had looted a weapons depot, with subsequent reports suggesting the militants were becoming better armed and "had become both more organized and emboldened by their apparent successes, despite the enhanced security presence."

That contradicted reports that the military had taken control of the region in an emergency operation canvassing thee states, or roughly one-sixth of the country. Instead, it appears government troops have pushed the Islamic insurgents into rocky territory where it is more difficult to locate them. It is from these caves and rugged hideouts that the extremists are attacking towns and villages with regularity.

The government commission issued an interim report saying it would determine when its investigators are able to visit the conflict zone, where soldiers have cut mobile phone and internet connections. Nigeria declared a state of emergency on May 14 when extremists from the Boko Haram terrorist group took control of some towns and villages.

The uprising poses the biggest threat in years to security in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, with 160 million citizens, and the continent's largest producer of oil. Village communities trapped between the Islamic militants and security forces "reportedly live in desperate fear and destitution," the commission said.

It warned of an imminent threat to public health, as well as food shortages since many farmers have been driven from their fields. Northeast Nigeria is the poorest region in the country, with government statistics showing 75 percent of the population lives on less than $1 a day.

All the reports concerning human rights abuses are however at best sketchy with no concrete evidences. They are taken from rough figures. The only reporter who has successfully seen Baga and interviewed army spokesman, Sagir Musa was Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege. She was shown the burial grounds and apparently revealed they were not mass burials.

The Arewa Consultative Forum who has decided to take up the responsibility of monitoring the activities of troops in the states under state of emergency; Borno, Yobe and Adamawa has not produced any report to nail the security forces to any human rights abuses. Ahmadu Jirgi, @jirgispeaks, a resident of Borno who took his time to conduct some reasonable researches revealed the people are happier and at best prefer the presence of the soldiers.

Reports also coming out each day reveal the activities of vigilante groups working hand in hand with the army to tackle and combat the men of Boko Haram.

2015, APC and PDP: Likely Continuation of Sectional Headache than National Cure

The stage is gradually being set for 2015 amid tribal fire and sectional storm among players that mattered most. The illumination of politics and politricks combined; all to cajole and coax some stakeholders including the voting public to either board the train of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) or come on board the ship of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The drumbeat towards the election year has been that of 'mild war' than politics.

There is no gainsaying the fact that PDP has led Nigeria over the years, spanning a period of 14 good and solid years, yet as at now the nation is more divided and still like a stagnant water with dissatisfaction from the citizens. Many seek the demise of the party because of the stagnancy in the polity or to put it better, forward retardation; because we are moving forward in years but going back in national aspirations, dreams and realities.

Well-meaning Nigerians are ready to support any opposition party that can oust the PDP on the proviso that it will forge the sense of oneness and positive advancement which is currently under disguised murdering mission. Despite the visibly naked quagmire, the opposition is somewhat or somehow trying to commit a faux pas in semblance with the moribund politics of the PDP.

The opposition has known today takes delight in condemning, castigating and insulting the snail-like President rather than cause national debates on our morass which had begun since 1960, roll out programmes and manifestoes for untoward discussion among the populace and start reaching out to disenchanted and disillusioned ones who are hell-bent on chaos and divisive missions.

Prominent figures of the opposition rather than stretch forth the hand of unity have assumed a notoriously precarious position, fanning the ember of tribalism and religious bigotry, almost at par with the regime that is becoming extremely directionless because of 2015. Muhammadu Buhari is almost a leading figure or maybe the most pronounced figure in the opposition with his 'untainted image' as his power base yet he remains the most nauseously controversial.

He is even not ready to learn that the nation is too divided and needs someone who can cause it to start thinking as one gradually than make it inebriated more on tribal-inclined speeches enclosed in religious dungeon. Muhammadu Buhari himself has also been associated with corrupt practices which are yet to be denied.

Whenever tweets are seen from El Rufai, they are mostly antagonising President Jonathan than discuss issues of national importance. One begins to wonder what Nigerians will be voting for in 2015? Antagonists of a personality? OR a political party who by now ought to have read the handwriting on the wall that we need radical discussions on unity. One expects them to start using the power of the media and social media positively to foster unity than sectionalism.

No matter how credible the candidate from APC is, it is most probable that Niger-Delta militants will not let it rest if he or she wins because of the ghost of Boko Haram. Nigeria needs those who will understand that the menace has gone beyond unemployment and breakdown of social facilities, the northern reactions to the Jonathan-led administration are creating a domino effect.

Nigeria needs no sectional statements and tribal-inclined speeches. The system is hot enough. Issues of national security is the business of all; either an opposition or in appurtenance with the regime. It is sacred; you do not politicise it. How can Buhari castigate the regime so much after the state of emergency which was long overdue was declared? Northern Elders Forum said he declared war on them. That is way too far.

If anyone has been to the northern part, he or she would have known how powerful these speeches are to those who are ready to do the violence. The almajiris and host of others. They respect the views of the elders and clerics and take them as certificate to act. The south-south elders too are not exempted. The 'our son' syndrome has blindfolded them on reality.

They find it hard to condemn Jonathan, even when his actions are despicable. I stand to be corrected, during Obasanjo's era, the people from the south, mostly the south-westerners were foremost in criticising him. The renowned lawyers and human rights activists, Femi Falana (SAN) and Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAM, SAN) were always at alert. Adams Oshiomole was not exempted. Olu Falae was there too.

How about Pastor Tunde Bakare? The fiery and fearless Man of God did wonderfully well. Tunde Bakare and his Save Nigeria Group were pertinently instrumental for the emergence of President Jonathan as President during the Yar'Adua debacle. Upon winning the election, the President suddenly forgot as a real ingrate would just the way he forgot Nigerians risked all to get him into office including the lives of corps members and gave subsidy removal as the new year's gift in 2012.

For a better Nigeria, the opposition will do well to start massive discussions on how to be a united entity first. We need to start seeing each other first as Nigerians. The youths are really disunited. They are the potential stakeholders who could make the cycle of sectional division continuous. Some Igbo youths stated that if Jonathan does not contest and get a second term in 2015, Nigeria is gone. This statement was the same as that of Dokubo.

The origin of this was the tripartite statements of Atiku Abubakar who said 'He who makes peaceful change impossible, makes violent change inevitable' all because of PDP zoning. Modu Sherrif also vowed that the regime of Jonathan will know no peace all because a northerner did not win. Buhari said 'If the election was not free and fair, monkeys and baboons will bath in blood'.

Though that of Buhari was and is understandable because you cannot continue to rig election and still stand to tell the people that you will rule for 50 years when it is glaring you are stealing their mandates, but the mere fact that he never accepted the election as free and fair spontaneously geared those who are always ready to do the violence to swiftly respond by displaying their cannibalistic acts.

Nigeria's problems are from 1960. Boko Haram is not an isolated event or occurrence; it had begun far back as the first crisis in 1956 which emanated after Enahoro and his colleagues sought independence and was opposed by Ahmadu Bello and his people. In other words, Boko Haram is the transfer of tribal and religious wars as always witnessed in Nigeria and which are always enshrouded in political agitations.

For as long as there are politicians who see their tribes as superiors and clerics who are always preaching hatred and are averse to peace, Boko Haram insurgency might not be decisively stamped out. Nigeria needs people who will bring the unity gradually not those who will advertise the already known downward spiral of the PDP and leave real, genuine and valid issues unattended to. No more beating around the bush.

Nigeria is a wonderful project worth salvaging. The break-up of Nigeria should not be anyone's interest. Nigeria is needed in Africa. It remains a veritable hope for the black race. 2015 is the year that could make or... Nigeria.

Nigeria: The bombshell on General Muhammadu Buhari

Larry Chukwuma Chime wrote:

I have now completely given up on the sanity of Muhammadu Buhari AND HIS SUPPORTERS. It is only in Nigeria that a man who embezzled N2.8 billion NNPC money while he was Federal Commissioner of Petroleum in 1978 will be cited as being better than others and have the effrontery to criticise other leaders. It is only in Nigeria that a man who led the criminal overthrow of a democratically elected government in 1984 would later wish to benefit from the same democracy. 

It is only in Nigeria that the man who, as Head of State, allowed 56 illegal suitcases of currency notes into the country through his ADC unchecked when there was currency change by his own government in the country at the time would be 'better than 100 Jonathans'. It is only in Nigeria that the man who enacted RETROACTIVE DECREES and used them to murder Lawal Ojuolape, Bartholomew Owoh and Bernard Ogedegbe would open his tribalistic mouth to criticise others. 

It is only in Nigeria that the man who enacted vindictive decrees which prescribed long jail terms for journalists for publishing stories which embarrassed government officials even if the stories were true resulting in the illegal jailing of Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor now wants to rule the country. It is only in Nigeria that the man who was overthrown in 1985 by Babangida and spontaneous jubilations erupted all over the country would have the guts to seek to replace people who are far better than he. 

It is only in Nigeria that the man who later accepted appointment as PTF Chairman under the MOST CORRUPT government ever in Nigeria's history and then commandeered more than 200 PTF vehicles for private use in his home in Kaduna would not be in jail today and would be described as being better than others. It is only in Nigeria that the man who embezzled billions of Naira of PTF funds through overinvoicing of contracts and the supply of fake drugs to hospitals, as sworn to in an affidavit by Group Captain Usman Jibrin, a board member of PTF, would be described as better than the man who is actually trying to clean up the rot that he and his other military despots created. 

Remember, he later said that Abacha did not loot anything from Nigeria! It is only in Nigeria that the man who lost election to only one Jonathan (not 100) and incited his supporters to violence which claimed the lives of innocent people including NYSC members has the nerve to still open his bigoted mouth and criticise actions designed to stop continued madness. It is only in Nigeria that a former Head of State would ask Muslims not to vote for Christians and, when he is criticised, would later lie on Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, that what he meant was that Muslims should vote for only those who can protect their religion. 

It is only in Nigeria that a former Head of State would refuse to condemn Boko Haram murderers in their evil activities including bombing innocent Christian worshippers in churches but is quick to support amnesty for the same murderers. It is only in Nigeria that a former Head of State will speak bitterly against a State of Emergency designed to root out monstrous criminals but turns around to advocate finishing off Ombatse cult members who have done exactly the same thing as Boko Haram. 

It is only in Nigeria that a former Head of State CANNOT speak or write simple and correct English and prefers to speak vernacular most of the time and then his supporters would insist that his meaning was lost in translation and he is better than a hundred Jonathans!. When this mad bigot overthrew Shagari in January 1984, he, out of crude tribalism, put President Shagari (who, according to late Saraki, presided over most of the shady NPN deals under his watch) under mere house arrest but clamped Vice President Ekwueme (who the tribunals later said was squeaky clean) into Kirikiri like a common criminal. 

Not done with this naked tribalism, Muhammadu Buhari sent soldiers to ransack Awolowo's residence in Ikenne and harass his household even though Awolowo was not a member of the government that was toppled. Believe me, any objective, dispassionate analysis of Buhari's activities must surely come to one conclusion and one conclusion only, namely: The only set of people whose IQ is lower than that of Muhammadu Buhari are his supporters.

United States Deploys Forces to Niger; Nigeria to host Drone Base

It is no longer a surprise that energy drove France to Mali because of Niger's Areva. Though France had an ulterior motive of her own to be in Mali, she however received massive accolades for the intervention. On getting to Mali, she deployed troops to Areva in Niger. Now, it is the US' turn.

The US military deployed about 100 troops in Niger to help coordinate intelligence sharing with the French, whose forces are currently fighting to seize Islamist-controlled territory in Mali, President Obama announced Friday.

The US forces are armed with “weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security,” Obama said in a letter to Congress, adding that Niger officials consented to their deployment. The president said the troops will operate out of Niger to help gather intelligence information about the conflict in Mali, but did not elaborate on any specific plans that will be assigned to them.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after the Nigerian Defence Ministry revealed their approval to host an airbase for unarmed American spy drones, which could be used in Mali to monitor Islamists.

Seven French nationals kidnapped in Cameroon; taken to Nigeria

Armed gunmen have again seized seven French citizens in the north of Cameroon on Tuesday and were heading to Nigeria, media reports say.

A spokeswoman at the French embassy in Cameroon confirmed there had been a kidnapping, Reuters reported.

The tourists were kidnapped in the morning in a small village about 10km from the Nigerian border. The kidnappings come amid a French-led intervention in Mali to oust Islamist rebels. Eight French citizens are being held in the Sahel region by Islamist groups.

This is coming after a new militant group, Ansaru, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of seven foreigners in Northern Nigeria.  The incessant kinapping cases are not unconnected with the promise of the al Qaeda-linked rebels in Mali to give France and Western nations a 'long war'.

APC of Nigeria: Theory of the Armoured Personnel Carrier

The battle began, for the survival of a nation at war with itself. Cloudburst sounds all over the sky. Citizens wail. At the battlefield, victory is being announced. A party in the war wins. Yes! Victory. Years gone, the war never ends, the opposing sides are fragmented. With maximum chutzpah, the victorious says it will stay on for 50 years. 50 what?! The citizens cry. Agonies and pains. All expect transformation, though not miraculous but in deed and in truth they wait to see. Disappointment speaks. The homeland of tears.

The divided oppositions try yearly to offset the balance and strength of the massive firepower employed by the victor. Though seemingly poorly trained in the art of statecraft, soldiers in the victorious wing understands the esoteric undertone of stirring the water to catch fishes. Divide and Rule; victory is assured. It sets up different tiny and minute groups within the opposition, funds them and deploy them as a veritable too of distraction.

The only alternative is the voice. The united voice of the oppositions. Though all animals are equal in crime and the anomalies combating the homeland but some are more reasonable than others. Soldiers trapped in the trench call out loud. They clamour for change over the loss on the battlefield. They echo the cries of the homeland. They are all culpable though for the destruction but some soldiers are better of. They have their Armoured Personnel Carrier packed in the thick jungle of war but cannot get there because they lack the voice.

Selfish and vainglorious interests impede change and charge. The only way to counter the trenches and 'formidable' fortress of the winning and victorious side is the deployment of the APC and its monumental missiles. The missiles of the people. The undaunting voice. The commanders of the different units have never agreed on any single line of action but the APC smiles from afar in wait of usage. Covered with dust, it seems the last option otherwise the entire homeland will blow up beyond repair. Critics and foreign rapists already pray for that.

Here comes the armoured personnel carrier, a dancing golden weapon of war. The stealth of fear and perplexity for the victorious party. A drone with a political mission. The soldiers are the same but the mission is of the people only if the people will look at the years of pains and inhumanity. They have to rise. The APC must shield all from the bullets of the ruling party. It must break the trenches of warfare already planned. All must be able to queue at its back for utmost protection. All the landmines of poverty must be uprooted.

The nation the APC is about to lead to battle is the trigger of Africa. Africa waits for Nigeria. If Nigeria divides, Africa falls. Neo-colonialism will assume an unprecedented dimension. The launchpad of the APC should not be personality attacks. The warheads should not be abuse and senseless unethical views. Arguments are for advancements. Arguments must occur but it must be for developments not who gets what, when and how. Arguments must be about Nigeria not Hausa, Igbo, Niger Delta or Yoruba.

The APC must be a guardian angel. Internal Democracy must be the prism through which all arguments and discussions shall be viewed. The people not only cry of the battle but also because their homeland lacks any concrete ideology. Programmes and course of actions must be explicit in the new theatre of political war. Being tired of the ruling and winning party is not the main headache, the main morass is being led without focus. The people are led blindly. We have indigenous acts before Europe, the dynamism of the APC on the battlefield will be the marriage of history and modernism.

The principle of soldiers in an APC is always 'All for One, One for All.' Soldiers in an APC fight together as one for surviaval and victory. None looks for personal glory. If one falls, others weep. Need and aspirations must be based on societal demands not personal aggrandizement. Soldiers in the APC must learn to SACRIFICE for the people not SACRIFICE the people like the Boko Haram and various unknown gunmen as well as militant events. The people must SPEAK through the APC.

Nigeria and her 190 Soldiers in Mali!!! A Mission of Jokes

Nigeria has decided to send 190 soldiers down to Mali after France has taken the initiative to combat the Islamists. What will be the effect of 190 soldiers in a vast land called Northern Mali?

Nigeria's act is at best laughable. The United Nations has given the West African body, ECOWAS the 'legal military framework' to tackle the insurgency but the body postponed any action all in the name of preparations. This is giving the Islamist rebels more time to get to Bamako.

Colonel Yerima said: “The degenerating crisis in the Republic of Mali compelled the decision of ECOWAS Heads of Government to intervene with a deployment of their military forces.

“Following this decision and in line with Nigeria’s acclaimed peacekeeping roles and in the spirit of African brotherhood, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has ordered the immediate deployment of Nigerian troops to Mali.

‘‘The President approved the deployment of a Battallion and in the next 24 hours, a Company of the Battalion [190] will be deployed. The remainder would be deployed later. Already, the Force Commander, Major General S U Abdulkadir, is on ground in Mali.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 of December 2012 approved the deployment of ECOWAS Security Force to assist Mali in reclaiming the northern part of the country from Islamic militants. Nigeria is still largely unable to address the Boko Haram hazard.

West Africa has proven that Africa will continue to depend on foreign actions to tackle her morass and menace. The colonel even said the EU remains in close touch with all international actors including the AU, ECOWAS and the UN. I wonder what actions the AU and ECOWAS have taken. 

Nigeria, Boko Haram and Mali

Nigerian authorities arrested Mohammed Zangina , one of the ideologists of the terrorist group Boko Haram, accused of killing hundreds of people, CNN reports. The military spokesman was captured in the city of Maiduguru in the northeast of the country.

The terrorist group has killed more than 2,800 people, according to Human Rights Watch. Boko Haram has repeatedly attacked Nigerian villages and Christian churches in a campaign to impose strict Islamic law on Muslims in Nigeria.

The issue is not the arrests. Numerous have been reported including that of high profile politicians but nothing has come out of it. Everything we have successfully heard and witnessed are people walking freely in the so-called prisons and even in the society. Boko Haram suspects use mobile phones, eat perfectly well and still live like kings in the prisons.

None of them can be taken to court. When Boko Haram sneezes, Nigeria catches cold. Officials in government circles and among prison workers revealed that the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom for Nigeria and the Jonathan administration.

With French involvement in Mali, more headache will be on for Nigeria because there could be a backlog of attacks. The insurgency can easily melt into Northern Nigeria and launch heinous attacks from there.

France and Mali: A Different Ball Game

It looks as if the war in Mali is not the kind of war France had hoped for. The Islamists appear fully trained and well-equipped according to French officials. The Libyan war has successfully created a  powerful loophole and vacuum for rebels and Islamists in West Africa with Nigeria currently having her shares through Boko Haram. France recently lost  a rescue mission in Somalia and cannot afford to come out of Mali with another failed mission. More.

Nigeria and the Lions: Death of Tourism

                                Photo Courtesy: allafrica.com

Report released in London indicated that various species of lions in Nigeria and other countries in West Africa face increasing decline and are most probably on the verge of extinction in few years if nothing is done to redress the ugly trend.

While countries in East Africa are waking up everyday to the benefits of  tourism and making all attempts to stop the extinction of lions and other wildlife animals.

West Africa is completely sleeping. Nigeria's tourism can earn her billions of naira in foreign exchange  but the easy oil cash which encourages corruption is preventing all investments in the sector.

 The Yankari Games Reserve is almost dead. With the Islamists in Mali now and Boko Haram in Nigeria, one wonders if any tourist sector will survive in West Africa because all the regions that these two operate in are the best for wildlife and tourism; Northern Nigeria and Northern Mali