I was at Kaduna Airport today trying to board a flight, and behold, I saw large number of troops boarding the army transport plane I suspect to be Hercules C130. I interacted with some of them and they said they were going to Borno State. They were in high spirits. I encouraged them, wished them well and prayed to God to see them through in the battle against terrorism. I also saw movement of heavy ammunition towards Borno State. I realized it might be in fulfillment of the total war the President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) has already ordered. Rather than speak disparagingly against the Army, let us encourage them. It is not easy to fight monsters; suicide bombers that are ready to die. While you mourn the innocent ones killed, they only calculate home many people died with them in the anesthesia of prosecuting a holy war. This time calls for Nigeria to become united like antibodies gathering to attack an infection.
Visiting Red Devils of Congo really showed ‘devilish’ performance today at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, by defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeriain 3 goals to two in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Many Nigerian football lovers had described the Eagles outing, long after their ouster in the World Cup competition in Brazil early this year as a heart-breaking start. The visitors had come to Nigeria as under-dogs, considering the superlative performance of the Eagles in their World Cup tournament outing in Brazil, but Eagles, who are currently the African champions, proved the book makers utterly wrong. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has received with shock, the sad news of the death of the Vice Chairman of the Sun Newspapers, Mr. Dimgba Igwe. In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan believed that the late Mr. Igwe will be remembered as a hardworking and dependable professional, who, through his various writings as columnist, author and public speaker, demonstrated a special ability to convey the truth and his convictions in lucid, compelling prose, and in a style that was shorn of cant and foppery. He enjoined Mr. Igwe’s family, friends and associates to be consoled by the knowledge that he put his God-given abilities to the best possible use in a very purposeful life that was wholly devoted to the defence of truth and the public interest, as well as the promotion of the highest standards of his chosen profession of journalism. President Jonathan commiserated with the publishers of the Sun newspapers, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and all friends and associates of Mr. Igwe, for whom his unexpected death must be exceedingly painful. The President prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of the very forthright journalist and media administrator, and also grant his soul, peaceful repose. [myad]
“As Governor of Borno State, I am un-forgetfully aware that for every life that is lost in Borno State, I will account before Allah on the Day of Judgment if that life is lost on the basis of deliberate failures on my part, to do what I have the powers, resources and influence to do.”
These were the remarks of governor of the troubled Borno state, Alhaji Kashi Settima when he broadcast to the people of the state yesterday.
He said admitted that the number one duty of Government is to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry.
He said that however laudable policies and programmes of Government could be, no matter the beauty of infrastructures put in place, they would all amount to less than nothing if human lives are not secured.
Governor Shettima admitted further that as Government, “we are more than mindful of this constitutional, moral and spiritual obligation. As Governor, I feel a sense of not just responsibility but an even personal loss whenever any attack is recorded no matter what part of the State is affected and who is or are involved. We are in this together.”
Text of the full broadcast is reproduced here:
Fellow, and dear citizens of Borno State,
In recent days and weeks, we have come under renewed and augmented attacks, waged against all of us, by an armed minority that seeks to impose on us, a doctrine that is completely at variance with the religion of Islam which they claim to promote; a doctrine that negates the dignity and existence of humanity on earth, despite Allah’s decree in the glorious Quran, that He has dignified the human creature, prohibited unjust killings and made the religion of Islam that which does not sanction compulsion in a multi-faith society like ours.
Several innocent communities in Gwoza, Damboa, Askira/Uba, Marte, Chibok, Konduga, Dikwa and the most recent, Bama, have had young and old, amongst them children, weak old men and women, killed in cold blood, their homes destroyed and thousands forced to flee, with some trekking over hurtful distances to become refugees within and outside Borno State. Our Capital City of Maiduguri is today facing a heavy influx of refugees from the local government areas in Borno. Borno citizens have been forced to take refuge in parts of Gombe and Adamawa States mainly on account of man’s inhumanity to fellow man in the gratuitous name of religion. These acts are absolutely condemnable in the strongest of terms.
Let me use this opportunity to once again, extend my deepest sympathy to the families of all those who lost their lives in these serial massacres that are designed to send Borno and its people into oblivion, but which will not succeed insha Allah. I also express my very deep sympathy to all victims who either lost property or are taking refuge. Our heart as Government is fully with each and every one of you and we will do everything humanly possible to support you, reclaim your communities, rebuild them and give all of you a new lease of life insha Allah. We will be supporting you as a matter obligation to you as good citizens. You have a right to be supported in distress. You have even more fundamental right to be protected from fear and attack in the first place.
The number one duty of Government is to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry. However laudable policies and programmes of Government could be, no matter the beauty of infrastructures put in place, they would all amount to less than nothing if human lives are not secured. As Government, we are more than mindful of this constitutional, moral and spiritual obligation. As Governor of Borno State, I am un-forgetfully aware that for every life that is lost in Borno State, I will account before Allah on the Day of Judgment if that life is lost on the basis of deliberate failures on my part, to do what I have the powers, resources and influence to do. This administration has never and insha Allah will never abdicate from its obligations to citizens. We have done, and still doing everything within the limits of our powers and resources, to complement the duty of the Federal Government to safeguard lives and property.
Immaterial as it may sound, we have through combined efforts with the Military, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security; our youth volunteers called the civilian JTF and other para-military organizations averted so many planned attacks. However, this assertion will hardly make sense to most citizens, in a situation where many attacks have been successfully carried out with elevated mass killings and destructions in the past and in very recent days and weeks. Citizens have very legitimate reasons to be aggrieved by the current situation in Borno State. We are pained as your Government. We are in this together. As Governor, I feel a sense of not just responsibility but an even personal loss whenever any attack is recorded no matter what part of the State is affected and who is or are involved. We are in this together.
Borno state has been facing this Boko Haram challenge since the four day war of July 2009 in Maiduguri when the Boko Haram waged its major war on Borno’s soil. Haven been defeated by our determined armed forces, insurgents resorted to Guerrilla warfare that has been raging on for the last four years. At least one third of our local government areas have been affected by their attacks with different degrees of intensity and periodic occupation.
In the history of Borno since 19th century, this is however not the first threat to our existence as a people. We had faced and survived threats in years past and we shall survive this insha Allah. We are confident of victory through a reinforcement of our armed forces and the collective will of all of us, citizens, who are committed to defeating the Boko Haram scourge. Collectively as a people, we have exhibited great determination. Our youth volunteers have made us proud. We are all in this, fellow citizens. We all have roles to play. One of these roles is the devoted offer of prayers and ceaseless appeal to the Almighty to make us victorious.
In the past, our armed forces have proven their mettle even in global warfare where they were in foreign terrain in the Second World War, in the Congo, in Liberia, in Sierra Leon, in the Sudan and elsewhere. Our armed forces have also, during the Civil War, successfully saved our country from dismemberment. Our armed forces that have outstandingly proven their capability in such difficult times can by the grace Allah defeat the Boko Haram insurgency with overwhelming federal reinforcement in all areas of their needs. We strongly appeal to the federal government to redouble its present efforts so that the nation will be a historic witness to speedy containment of the Boko Haram insurgency. The Borno State Government will continue to do whatever it can to compliment the constitutional roles of the Federal Government in this battle of ours.
Let me reassure the good people of Borno State that measures have been taken by the Federal Government based on information available to us as Government. With these steps and our combined efforts as State Government and resilient people, we shall overcome this tribulation. We must be very forth coming with useful information on what we hear or see because our safety start with what we tell not what we keep or bury. Hiding information that threatens us never helps us or others. We must be very vigilant in all our communities. We must take copious note of anyone or anything strange around us but without raising false alarm or spreading any form of rumour that will cause panic. Let us try to reach out to those in position of authority to verify information concerning public safety or related matters.
The Borno State Radio and Television is directed to immediately come up with a Television and Radio programme designed with public telephone lines that can be reached by citizens for enquiries on public issues in relation to security, help in orientation and mobilisation of victims, as well as helping them in locating missing loved ones and friends where there are such matters and keeping citizens regularly updated on matters affecting security, victims support and their comfort. I appeal to other media houses to kindly assist in this effort.
The Ministries concerned with Home Affairs and Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs are directed to immediately make available public lines that can be reached by any victim from any affected local government area.
Similarly, the Ministry of Health is directed to put in place an immediate Mobile Task Force on Insurgency Victims Health that should be moving round Maiduguri and environs to source for and attend to the health needs of victims on both emergency and lesser cases; ensure the existence of clinics in all victims camps and coordinate the efficiency of the clinics to guarantee the availability of health personnel at all times, drugs, ambulances and other required materials. The Ministry has my express permission to commit Government in the event of any critical medical need involving ascertained victim of this unfortunate insurgency from any affected community. Government is not unaware of the multi-facet effects of insurgent attacks on other spheres of human lives in affected communities in terms of food security, means of livelihood and access to education among others.
Already, the State Government has taken measures to acquire food stuffs for free distribution to affected citizens. Government has purchased thousands of bags of food stuffs and more is being acquired. On the issue of means of livelihood, the Secretary to the State Government is to chair a High level and Enlarged Victims Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Support Team that will soon meet and work with stakeholders in affected communities to assist victims on a permanent measure.
On access to education, Government has observed a high scale requirement of admissions into primary and secondary school especially from guardians who seek slots at orphanage schools in Maiduguri and Biu in particular, for orphans whose parents were killed as a result of the insurgency.
Consequently, a team of respected academics, school administrators and educationists will be inaugurated by me next week, with the mandate of coming up with State Primary and Secondary Schools for Special Citizens to be cited in Maiduguri and Biu for the time being. The schools are to be designed to accommodate high capacity of pupils with modern boarding facilities. Every child admitted into that school is to be on full Government scholarship from basic to University Education. Members of the public willing to make donations will be entertained to a ‘Adoption of child Education Programme’ though which kind citizens can adopt the education of a child, two or more, through well organised system that can be monitored by every sponsor who must be entitled to all academic and attitudinal record of an adoptee. While the team is to fine tune this idea, the Ministry of Education is directed to identify and enrol affected children into temporary public schools in Maiduguri and Biu or in the alternative, create temporary special school sites for affected children to start having immediate access to education soon as schools open.
Fellow citizens, Fellow citizens, we shall at all times be responsive to our duties as Government. We are very much committed to doing just everything that we can do. Borno State has been in the eye of the storm; we have suffered deaths, destruction and hardships on scales never witnessed in the annals of our long and glorious history. We have experienced unprecedented sorrow, tears and blood. We must all work for peace. To work for peace is to covet and protect it. In seeking peace, those of us who mean well for this State, must not only remain united, we must strive to consolidate this unity. Defeating the insurgency is a collective task that must be done, we must not be distracted. We must remain united, focused and vigilant. I will particularly like to direct this appeal to our heroes, the galant and courageous youth volunteers, the Civilian JTF. They must remain united and focused more than ever before.
The Civilian JTF must at all times have at the back of their minds that Allah (SWT) in his infinite wisdom and mercy is using them to support security agencies to rescue our state from the advocates of hate and destruction. The people of Borno are very grateful to them for their undying love and sacrifices. As Government which is holding the sacred mandate of the people, we will remain supportive of the civilian JTF as we have been. Our support for the military, police and other security agencies is that of a shared battle against the forces of darkness. We shall accelerate our focus on jobs creation to discourage idleness and criminality. We shall speed up ongoing infrastructures to deliver on our promises to make Borno a better place, a remodeled State, a great home we will all be proud of. Borno is our home. This is why I returned home amidst rumored fears held by some residents on possible attacks on Maiduguri. I cut short my official trip and returned home so we can be together as we have always been in trying to overcome the threat before us. I am confident that together we can overcome this challenge. Our condition cannot be permanent, no condition, ever was. We can overcome this problem with the right attitude from the top to the bottom. Indeed we can.
May Allah give us the fortitude to bear the loss of those killed in this crisis, May He grant us peace and guide those of us in leadership, to work selflessly for Borno to become a better place for all of us, and for our children. Long live Borno State! Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria! I thank you very profoundly for your tremendous support and for listening to me today as you always did in the past. [myad]
Vice-Chairman of Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe has been reported dead after being knocked down by a vehicle while jogging around his residence in Lagos. The incidence occurred in the early hours of today in the Okota area of Lagos.
The Chairman of the Sun Publishing Limited, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu described the incident as the darkest day in the history of the organization.
A statement from the management of Sun newspaper said: “Mr. Igwe sustained a fatal injury and was immediately taken to the hospital where he underwent surgical emergency.
“The Chairman of the Sun Publishing Limited Dr Orji Uzor Kalu was shocked by the incident and described the day as the darkest day in the history of the organisation.”
Aged 58, Dimgba Igwe was a co-founder of The Sun and served as Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief to his bosom friend, Mike Awoyinfa, who fondly called him his twin even though they hailed from different ethnic groups.
Upon their retirement from The Sun, Igwe and Awoyinfa founded Entertainment Express in collaboration with some other media colleagues and continued to write their weekly columns in the popular Nigerian tabloid in addition to pursuing their other passion – interviewing and writing on successful business and political leaders. [myad]
September started with an ominous bang for this country. Boko Haram insurgents over ran a town called Bama, in Borno State. As usual, the administration is trying to put a brave face on this alarming development, forgetting that this is the Information Technology Age, with diverse news sources available to the citizenry. There has been a spate of denials about the loss of Bama. The official line is that insurgents suffered heavy casualties and the assault was successfully countered by the military. Yet the fact that in the wake of the attack a curfew was suddenly imposed on Maiduguri, gives a strong indication that something is gravely amiss. Even the contradictory explanations are enough indication that the situation in Bama is not the way it is being presented to the public.
To highlight the gravity of what is unfolding, it is important to state that Bama is approximately 40 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Once known as the “Home of Peace”, it had a population of over one million before the recent influx of persons displaced from surrounding areas by the insurgents. In the same way that Boko Haram evolved from a bunch of religious zealots into a rag-tag guerilla group, and eventually a deadly force of insurgents, so has its overall strategy metamorphosed at an alarming rate. Currently it appears to be at that phase where controlling territory has become paramount on its agenda. Hitherto the group seemed content with violent raids on villages, and attacks against the military in classic guerrilla style. The emphasis at this point seems to be one of occupation with Damboa, Gwoza and other towns in Borno being taken over. The same tactical acquisition is playing out in Yobe and Adamawa States.
Should Bama be fully under the control of Boko Haram, it would mean that the only major towns in Borno left under government control are Biu, Kukawa and Maiduguri. One glance at a map of Nigeria would vividly reveal what is happening to the country’s territorial integrity within the North East. It does appear that the one thing government has done consistently since the emergence of Boko Haram’s terror campaign, is to grossly underestimate the insurgency and the major objective of the insurgents. Boko Haram has never hidden its desire to establish its own brand of Shari’a in the country. No doubt it sounds like some hallucination that a bunch of zealots cum rag-tag insurgents would think it is possible to take over a country the size of Nigeria. But the people behind Boko Haram are not mere wishful thinkers. Over and over again they have demonstrated that they are intelligent, skillful and operating from a carefully plotted template. The image they publicly project of being illiterate serves as an effective façade for underestimation. Behind that deceptive mask though, the story is totally different. The state they seek to create is a throwback to the pre-colonial period when a different regime of territorial configurations existed, especially in that region. It is no coincidence that Boko Haram has its tentacles in Cameroon, Niger and Chad. A bit of history should be exquisitely handy at this point.
There was once a Kanem-Borno Empire covering territory in today’s Chad and Nigeria, and extending into parts of modern Southern Libya, Eastern Niger and Northern Cameroon. As a polity, its dominance lasted between the 11th and 18th centuries. While theories of its origin are diverse, its interplay with Islam is more specific especially during the reign of Idris Aloma. Borno’s decline, and the emergence of the Sokoto Caliphate, made it a marginalised state. The exclusion soon led to the adoption of the “more violent Mahdism as it spread westward from Sudanic Africa. A strand of Islam that encouraged militancy and opposition to authority, this ‘menace’ school of thought preached that the Mahdi (‘saviour’) would reappear in times of difficulty. Muslims would be rid of oppression, the unfaithful killed and Islam would triumph over evil, with equity, peace and riches for all to ensure.” The message has continued to reverberate with sections of the populace from that time, through Colonial rule and to the present dispensation.
It is a historical context that strongly influenced those behind Boko Haram. The creation of a new constituency that evokes a seeming Gold Age is a major driving force. It is no mistake that the established key players in the conglomeration called Boko Haram (The Jamaa’atu Ahlis-Sunnah Lid-Da’wati Wal-Jihaad of Abubakar Shekau, Jamaa’atu Ahlis-Sunnah Ahlis-Sunnah Lid-Da’wati Wal-Jihaad of Sheikh Bukar Al-Barnawi, Ansorul-Muslimiina Fii Bilaadis-Sudan led by Abu Usamah Al-Ansori, and Haraktul-Muhajiriina wal-Mujahidiin led by Khalid Al-Barnawi) are a representation of the parts of the ancient Kanem-Borno Empire. The recruitment of fighters has focused on the same areas namely Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria. Chad’s long history of instability has ensured that there is a ready pool of experienced battle-hardened conscripts. The underdevelopment in Niger, parts of Nigeria and Cameroon, also offer fertile recruitment grounds. The recruitment drive in both Niger and Cameroon is only coming to light because of the increased cross-border attacks. Boko Haram’s sophistication became evident on March 14, this year when it attacked the Giwa Military Barracks in Maiduguri. It had given an indication of its new capabilities in an earlier attack on the Maiduguri-based Composite Group Air Force base on December, 2013.
Bewildered, like most Nigerians by the audacity of both attacks and posting the visuals on the internet, Abiodun Ladepo took the pains to analyse both video recordings. He raised questions which he demanded President Jonathan should address to his National Security Team. He observed thus: “The Giwa Barracks attack is the single most humiliating incident for the previously dreaded Nigerian Army. I will forever be befuddled by the fact that for 24 whole minutes, the terrorists did not receive in-coming, defensive fire from the army. In this video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgP6aYbtwto), you will not see the terrorists scampering for cover to avoid incoming grenades or heavy machine gun fire. It is as if they are attacking a compound occupied by enfeebled Octogenarians. It is a monumental embarrassment for our army.”
The embarrassment has continued with orchestrated denials, including the “tactical manouevre” justification of the Ngala-Gambarou incident which security analyst Bridget Johnson described as a historical first for Nigeria. Despite the official position about Bama, an independent source has described in graphic military language how the insurgents used artillery and armoured vehicles (including a BTR and several Otokar APCs and ARVs) to launch a dawn attack, eventually forcing over 300 soldiers to break through insurgent lines and retreat to Maiduguri. Most of the equipment are Nigerian Army supplies which the insurgents had taken from armouries that had been over run in previous attacks.
Whether Bama has fallen or not, there is an imminent danger which can no longer be masked with spin. What the insurgents have done in the past few months is a tactical encirclement of Maiduguri. An exercise that has included sacking communities to stock up supplies, blowing up bridges and even disrupting electricity supply to Maiduguri. Steadily a noose of siege is being created around the city. There is a method to the seeming madness of the insurgents. The fall of Maiduguri will not only witness a horrendous carnage, but will mark the beginning of something ominous for the country. One Intelligence source even claims that the insurgents’ code-name for the current phase of their attack is Al-Bidayah or The Beginning. What is playing out is eerily reminiscent of how ISIS gained territory and found a platform to expand its horrendous quest. Learning from the setback of Al-Shabaab and the gains of ISIS, Boko Haram may succeed in sucking Nigeria into a “Forever War”, with the insurgents having the capabilities, including looting and kidnapping, to survive for a long time as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) is doing in Uganda.
Even if Bama keeps changing hands, Gwoza provides an ideal spot for gaining foothold in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. It is no coincidence that Shekau made that chilling declaration some weeks ago in Gwoza, which has provided a suitable training complex for the insurgents. Something needs to done, drastically and urgently, before Maiduguri falls. [myad]
Minister of the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has said that no matter the level of provocative statements and sentiment by some Nigerians and leaders from different parts of the country, President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his team would never been disturbed. The administration of President Jonathan, he added, will continue to show restraint, tolerance and accommodation. Speaking at the weekend when the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara led members of the Commission to pay him a courtesy call at his Area 11 office in Abuja, the Minister said that the government would not mind the antics of some leaders who fan the embers of sentiment. According to him, President Jonathan has demonstrated that he is a leader for all Nigeria and that he would continue to shun sentiment but give opportunity to Nigerians of all ethnic and religious backgrounds to thrive. “We will continue to exercise restraint so that we don’t join issues that would put us apart. Rather we will continue to tolerate and accommodate so that Nigeria will be a better place for everybody. “With our humility and modesty, we don’t join issues with leaders but sometimes we are really put aback to see statements and insinuations coming out from leaders who have benefited from this country; who have benefited from the peace and tranquility of this country doing or saying things that will put us on a collision course; exacerbating the mistrust and suspicion within the polity is very unfortunate.” The Minister urged Nigerians to shun sentiments of religion and tribe so that the country could move forward and overcome her challenges. [myad]
Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state has said that he is ever ready to fight back any attempt by members of the state House of Assembly to impeach him. “I have done it before and I am ready to do it again if they still have the mind to impeach me.” Governor Al-Makura spoke today when he answered questions from newsmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after he had a close door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. The governor regarded the alleged fresh move by the state Assembly to impeach him as a mere rumour which he would not take seriously. “I don’t respond to rumour. I am waiting; we will sill cross the river when we get there.” Governor Al-Makura said that he was in the Villa to give President Jonathan updates of the security situation in his state, adding that it has improved greatly. He disclosed that his government has started implementing the recommendations of various panels set up in the past to look into crises in the state. “We are implementing the administrative side of the white paper on the reports while the police are investigating the criminal side of the reports.” Al-Makura said that whoever is indicted from the police investigations would be prosecuted appropriately. [myad]
Nigerian Government has denied hiring Australia’s Stephen Davis as a Boko Haram negotiator. The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who disclosed government’s position on the issue in Abuja today, said that the government has no plan of prosecuting any Nigerian for now following the allegations made by the Australian.
Davis has insisted that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors. He also mentioned an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria and an Egypt-based man as those funding the sect. Davis, who refused to disclose the identity of the CBN official, said his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders. But Omeri insisted that government has not hired anybody to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram.
Omeri made it clear that nobody has been hired by the government to negotiate on its behalf with Boko Haram, adding: “Anytime the government decides to do so, it will make it known to the public. “The government is still investigating the allegations made by the alleged negotiator. However, the government has no plan to question anybody because of those allegations made by the Australian.” [myad]
The chairman of Nigeria Bar Association in Borno state,Abdulwasiu Alfa, has said that 50 lawyers have threatened to drag the former chief of army staff, Lt Gen. Azubuke Iheijerika and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff before International Criminal Court at the Hague, if Nigeria’s government fails to investigate the allegations of Boko haram financing levied against them by Mr. Stephen Davis. This is even as 12,000 Civilian Volunteers asked the government to allow tham to join in the battle against Boko Haram.
Alfa told members of the association that at least 50 private lawyers had committed to prosecuting the case at the ICC, adding: “the Federal Government should act now. If it fails, we shall after 21 days from today. Give effect to our undertaking to initiate criminal proceedings before the office of the chief prosecutor of ICC to investigate these allegations. We strongly believe only a court can declare a person innocent or guilty. This can only be done when such person is properly investigated and possibly arraigned before a court.”
Alfa also insisted that no Nigerian should be given an impression that he or she is above the law and added: “if anything, the revelation by Dr. Davies has confirmed the long conclusion by Nigerians about the involvements of Ali Modu Sheriff and Rt. Gen. Azubuke Ihejirika as sponsor, faciltator and masterminds of Boko haram sect.
“If the Nigeria Government fails to thoroughly investigate the duo of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and retired general Ihejirika Azubuke, we shall mobilize our knowledge, skills and resources to initiate or commence criminal proceedings before the ICC for the heinous crimes committed against humanity by the sect and their sponsor.”
And With military officials and the government of Borno State quietly backing away from claims that the strategic town of Bama was still in the control of Nigerian soldiers, at least 12,000 volunteers gathered today in Maiduguri to offer their services in the war against the Is Boko Haram. The volunteers, who gathered at the Maiduguri palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Ibn- Garbai Elkanemi, urged the Nigerian government to accept their services in the war against terror.
Thousands of ex-service men, hunters, and youths said they were ready to become part of the increasingly critical war against Boko Haram, which recently has captured several towns in Borno and Yobe States and killed more than 2,000 civilians in the first half of 2014, according to Human Rights Watch.
Some of the ex-servicemen, who had served in the military, the police, and with the SSS, said today that they wished to join youths in the civilian joint task force (JTF) to stop Boko Haram’s incessant attacks and recent string of triumphs over demoralized Nigerian soldiers based in the violence-ravaged northeast of Nigeria.
The prospective volunteers trooped today to the palace of the Shehu of Borno to seek his support and cooperation in their desire to combat the seemingly energized and increasingly more brutal Islamist insurgents. Some of the vigilante volunteers vowed to enter Sambisa forest and other hideouts to hunt down Boko Haram militants and bring an end to the ongoing insurgency.
Over the last three weeks, Boko Haram insurgents launched a series of attacks on several towns in Borno and neighboring states, including Damboa, Gamboru Ngala, Bama and Banki. The terrorists have seized numerous towns and engaged in widespread slaughter of civilians. Thousands of people have been displaced, some of them taking refuge in neighboring west African countries.
Some of the volunteers said their goal was to resist Boko Haram’s reign of terror and to reverse the insurgent group’s seizure of important towns.
Ex-staff sergeant Yahaya Suleiman, who fought in Nigeria’s civil war, urged the Nigerian government to accept the offer from him and others. “We are fully ready to join the military in fighting against terrorism. Enough is enough. All we need is support from the federal government to stop this madness.”
The dramatic gathering came a day after the Shehu of Borno suggested that people of different faiths observe three days of alms, prayers and fasting in order to restore peace to the state and the country at large.
The Shehu also called on members of the vigilante youth, popularly known as ‘Civilian JTF,’ to always abide by the rule of law while discharging their civic responsibilities.
Addressing the volunteers, the traditional ruler commended the effort of the civilian JTF in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency. He urged them to always follow the directives of the military and other security agencies. He added that the civilian JTF had helped to dislodge the sect from Maiduguri and surrounding areas. He encouraged other besieged towns and communities to set up their own volunteers to help fight terrorism.
“I want to thank you for this visit and the effort you are collectively and voluntarily making in order to fight Boko Haram who are bent in not only destroying our social and economic structures, but also killing innocent lives. I want to also appeal to you that you should desist from politics, religious or ethnic considerations while discharging your duties.”
The Borno State coordinator of the civilian JTF, Abba Aji, said the residents of the beleaguered states had suffered enough at the hands of Boko Haram. He said he and other volunteers were determined to go after the insurgents “even if we are not well armed. We are optimistic that, with our sticks, Dane guns and other local arms, we will raid all terrorist hideouts and kill them when given permission by the federal government.”
Aji added that members of the civilian JTF were now more motivated with the support and assurance they received from retired military men, local hunters and other patriotic citizens who have expressed their willingness join the group to end the madness perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists.
The passion displayed by the volunteers came as US authorities tacitly confirmed that the insurgents had indeed seized the town of Bama, contrary to earlier denials by the Nigerian military and Borno State officials. Bama is less than 45 miles from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Its capture by Boko Haram raised fears that the group might try to seize Maiduguri as well.
A top US official announced plans to offer a border security initiative designed to help Nigeria and other threatened West African countries to contain the Islamists.
Speaking in Abuja, Assistant Secretary of State Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described the situation on the ground in Nigeria as “worsening.” Noting that attacks by Boko Haram insurgents had “grown more acute,” Ms. Thomas-Greenfield added, “This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for denial and pride.”
The official stated that the US was “very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri.” [myad]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
I was at Kaduna Airport today trying to board a flight, and behold, I saw large number of troops boarding the army transport plane I suspect to be Hercules C130.
Visiting Red Devils of Congo really showed ‘devilish’ performance today at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, by defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeriain 3 goals to two in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
“As Governor of Borno State, I am un-forgetfully aware that for every life that is lost in Borno State, I will account before Allah on the Day of Judgment if that life is lost on the basis of deliberate failures on my part, to do what I have the powers, resources and influence to do.”
