Current service chiefs more mentally prepared to end Boko Haram insurgency - Security Expert.

By Dansu Peter 

The efforts of the Service Chiefs at ending insurgency in Nigeria have been commended by Philip Agbese, a Middlesex University London trained human rights lawyer and security expert. 

Phillip Agbese who is also the President of the pan-Nigerian group, Nigeria First,  spoke with select journalists on the sidelines of the occasion of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations in Lagos. He stated that Nigeria has indeed made substantial progress in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the country and contributed immensely to the global war against terrorism . 

" The 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day is indeed a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our soldiers in preserving the territorial integrity of the country, and there is no doubt that the Boko Haram insurgency has indeed brought to bear the invaluable role of the Armed Forces in keeping Nigeria safe and secured for all. " 

He further added that Nigeria had made substantial progress with the present crop of Service Chiefs' efforts in the country. 

"The efforts of the present Service Chiefs have been outstanding so far, and this is largely responsible for the numerous gains that have been recorded in the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the country." 

“I would like to mention that the Nigerian Army, which is at the forefront of the war against the Boko Haram insurgency, has displayed a great commitment which must be acknowledged by all well-meaning Nigerians.” 

The President, Nigeria First also noted that competence, character, credibility, and confidence remain the game-changer in the war against insurgency. 

"We must admit that there was a time where the Boko Haram insurgents ran riot and took over local government areas in parts of North-East Nigeria. That was also a period where the leadership of the Armed Forces was at its lowest." 

“That there is a turnaround in the fortunes of the country is not by accident, but rather a function of sound leadership provided and the Nigerian Army comes to focus under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai who led by example in addressing the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgents.” 

"Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai has no doubt redefined the rules of engagement through measures that emphasized competence, strength of character and confidence that indeed boosted the morale of the troops in the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the country." 

“As we all know, there is no Nigerian territory that is under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents, and we are all witness to the fact that the activities of the group have been restricted to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region." 

When asked if there is a need to rejig the operational strategy towards ending the Boko Haram war in the country, he stated that current Service Chiefs are mentally prepared to end Boko Haram insurgency.

“For those of us in the security sector,  we have followed with keen interest the operational strategies deployed by the Armed Forces and I dare say, it is top-notch and yielding the desired results. If this is not the case, I am sure the Boko Haram insurgents would have run over Nigeria going by the sophistication of their operations and the numerous external support they have been receiving locally and internationally.” 

"This is a function of leadership. Like I mentioned earlier, the Chief of Army Staff has indeed distinguished himself in this regard. His strength of character is infectious, and the confidence with which the Nigerian troops display in battle is also worthy of commendation. 

He further added that if the current tempo is sustained, the war against Boko Haram insurgency would be a thing of the past by December 2021. 

“I am of the considered opinion that the mental preparedness of the present crop of Service Chiefs in leading the war against insurgency is excellent. We should do well to analyze issues objectively. And not until we do that we would still be carried away by the mischievous narrative and propaganda been peddled by associates of the Boko Haram insurgents under various nomenclatures in the country.” 

“We must also have at the back of our minds that there are conspiracies against the efforts of the Armed Forces and despite this fact, successes have been recorded in ways too numerous to mention.” 

He advised Nigerians to extend their support to the Service Chiefs' efforts in the final push for the decimation of the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents. 

"We all have a role to play. We cannot afford to continue to join the bandwagon of those mischief makers against the country's interest. We must extend our support and see to the end of the Boko Haram insurgents in the country. As for the Service Chiefs' mental preparedness, I say that they are more than prepared in this regard and the end of Boko Haram Insurgency might be in sight. This is what Nigeria needs at this critical point of our existence.” 

It would be recalled that in some quarters they have been widespread criticism of the commitment and efforts of the Service Chief towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

LG POLL: APC Groups, petition APC National Chair CTC ...

Reject illegal imposition of candidates

By Ode Williams

The Coalition of APC Support Groups ( CASG ) under the Umbrella body of all the officially registered party support groups within the APC at the National Secretariat of the PARTY has petition the APC National chairman of the ruling part over illegal imposition of candidate in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State for the just concluded inclusive APC premaries

In a press statement issue by the National publicity secretary,Hon Sampson Oburu in respective of 

HON FRANK OSSAI from Delta State , who the National Coordinator of Niger Delta Development Forum and the National Vice Chairman South South of The Coalition of APC Support Groups (CASG) and an aspirant in the APC Local Government Area council , that," the primaries  conducted on 30th December 2020. He contested for the position of the APC flag bearer in Ugheli North LGA."and it has come to our notice that while the collation of results was taking place Hon Frank Ossai was in the lead from the results returned by the various Ward returning officers of over 75% of the LGA before the internal democratic process was hurriedly declared 'INCONCLUSIVE'."

" The CASG now observed that while the exercise was declared inconclusive the other contestant who was in second place was taken to Asaba the state capital and the Ticket was handed over to her in a clear case of manipulation of results the next day";

Mr Buru on behalf of the Coalition hereby called on The National CTC to please speedily look into this PETITION of electoral manipulation and hijack of an otherwise peaceful internal electoral democratic process. There is a saying " YOU CAN NOT ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL".

However , the following are the results duly signed by the various returning officers  showing clearly that Hon Frank Ossai  was in the leading in various DESIEC Wards Ughelli 5 wards

Frank 5, 105, 6, 70, 0.

ESE 263, 37, 11, 176, 6.,orogun 5 wards, frank 14, 941, 1534, 958, 892, ESE 187, 59, 25, 19, 4, in two wards in uwerhu, Frank scores 531,ESE 500, Ogor 2 wards

Frank 117, 169

ESE 14,4, Agbarho 3 wards

Frank 48, 47, 43

ESE 536, 647, 481,Ewreni

Frank 24, ESE 6 and two wards from Agbahra combined

Frank 7, ESE 53, meanwhile the total vote cas Frank -5,512 pulled the highest vote as the choice of the people while Ese – 3106, as such we know that our great party promised CHANGE ,, we therefore  should be seen to be transparent in our internal democratic processes to help in rebuilding the confidence of members across board and NIGERIANS. 

Adding that " Hon Frank Ossai is s seasoned grassroots politician, who has twice  contested for the Delta state house of Assembly  and he also contested for the position of National Deputy Secretary of the party in the last National Convention in 2018" . 

The Coalition of the APC Support Groups is poised  to mobilize and support the ethos and Manifesto of our great party by encouraging a level playing field at levels of internal democratic processes .

" We remain loyal to the goals and objectives of the party  and to H E Mai Mala Buni led CTC of the Party to use your office to ratified the impositioin of candidate in Ughelli North Local Government Area.He stated

Armed Forces Day : PMB Ushers In Salvation At Last, By Philip Agbese

By Philip Agbese 

Jesus Christ acquiesced to his challengers because he was on a divine mission. So, it was needless disrupting the course of its divine fulfilment.  Nigeria’s leadership by President Muhammadu Buhari aligns with the same tenor.

Like Christ, the President is on a messianic, redemptive and regenerative mission in Nigeria. He came with an unalloyed mind and spirit.  Therefore, he silently accepts senseless tantrums hurled at him; he accepts the hurtful banters with admirable mien; the criticisms, spleens, the meaningless blabs and painful persecutions from his adversaries and powermongers resiliently. He has never bulged.

I watched the horrors of the expired Year 2020 and wished it ebbed with the speed of a tornado for a fresh year. The resurgence of insecurities; lethal political combats by muscle-flexing politicians; the economic saboteurs; the inconveniences of the global pandemic Covid-19 and it’s induced economic catastrophes consistently animated my anger against a world and a destiny I deemed cruel.

Nigerians were mesmerized; the President was troubled and terrified at the rapidity of these occurrences which increasingly reinforced the sermons of life’s nothingness. We wrongly assumed the afflictions visited on us is the symbolic failure of President Buhari to offer genuine leadership to the nation.

But while we moaned, lamented and ferociously kicked at Mr. President, particularly on the touchy resurgent insecurities, he was busy working undercover to birth respite to us. I was thrilled when it started manifesting in relieving surges. And from mid- 2020 to this moment, our tormentors; evildoers, satanic agents, detractors, economic sabs, their conspirators and forces of darkness have been compelled to boil in their own pot of hot water.    

Mr. had President vowed never to allow the enemies cast Nigeria to the ravenous dogs and cartel of armed criminal gangs and their patrons for a feast. So, the Service Chiefs re- bounced back to assiduous work with a renewed presidential order on quelling insecurities.

Nicely, in the last months, and from Zamfara to Bayelsa ; from Damboa to Idiroko, it’s being incessant hell let loose on our tormentors by our resilient Army. Now, even without the aid of artificial lenses, I have sighted those who schemed furiously to snatch our peace and security. They are languishing in pains and the self-consuming fire they lighted on themselves. They can no longer breathe like America’s Donald Trump. They have lost the nerve, zeal and energy to tether us to the stalk of servile insecurities.  Our President is alive; our Armies are ever combat thirsty.

And President Buhari has continued to sustain the fires of organized armed gangs amassed against Nigeria. Even five days ago, in the Northeast region, I learnt troops of the newly launched “Operation Tura Takaibango” under the flagship of “Operation  Lafiya Dole” squeezed living juice out of over 28 rampaging Boko Haram criminals at Gujba LGA of Yobe state who assembled in the vicinity and plotted to ambush troops. But it backfired, as the insurgents were neutralized, others severely wounded and weapons, including Anti-Aircraft Guns were seized from the terrorists.    

Our troops of “Operation Sahel Sanity” are very impatient with armed bandits, kidnappers and cattle thieves in the Northwest region. I was excited to read news on last New Year day of the arrest of suspected armed bandits at Maraban Maigora in Faskari LGA who had planned to shatter the joy of our festivities. And some of those napped had criminal nexus with a notorious armed bandit leader in Madachi village in  Sabuwa LGA of the state. Soldiers are on his trail.

There are countless positive narratives of fruitful decapitations of armed bandits and kidnappers in the New Year.  We have assailed them on all fronts. Troops of “Operation Hadarin Daji” accosted the criminal gangs and rescued seven kidnapped victims at  Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages  in Zurmi LGA  of Zamfara state.

Likewise, on the eve of New Year, two women and a child kidnapped at Kimbisawa village of Batsari LGA  in the same state were rescued by our gallant troops who are always gallivanting the troubled areas. In the same New Year, troops encounter with armed bandits in Kuriya village of Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara state also sniffed life out of no fewer than 50 armed bandits in a single operation.

Our determined troops are working day and night to deny all criminal elements the opportunity to operate freely in any location in the Northwest. Zamfara state has regained her lost peace. Furthermore, our courageous troops of “Operation Accord,” descended a sledge hammer on armed bandits and rescued some kidnapped victims, also on New Year day at Tungar Ruwa village in Anka LGA  of Zamfara State; while  soldiers of the  “Operation Sahel  Sanity,” crushed an armed banditry gang at  at Garin Garus and recovered  assorted weapons.

And the dossier of victories speaks volumes about the professional competence of the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai. Also troops of “Operation Safe Heaven” apprehended suspected gunrunners at Kafanchan and at Ungwan Carpenter village in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna state as well as in  Fobur village in Jos East LGA of Plateau state this year.  What about the Kankara and Mahuta schoolchildren?

I was pained that since Nigerians loudly wailed about resurgent insecurities; critics had a field day in lampooning President Buhari and  scolding of the Service Chiefs as “expired” military officers; while the National Assembly distracted itself by suspending legislation and oversight functions to  resort to frequent passage of somewhat dubious resolutions against Mr. President and the  Service Chiefs. But it’s a different tale now. Incredible positive results on extinguishing the fires of resurrected insurgency and insurrections have condemned the vilifiers.    

Except some of us who are blind; or have chosen to be blind or veiled by partisan lenses, we can attest that in the last few months, Nigerian troops have neutralized over 2,403 terrorists and armed criminals throughout Nigeria. I believe it is a big blow on the human resources’ strength of these armed gangs.

And the good news is really troops’ rescue of over 864 of our brothers and sisters; whether adults or children from the claws of kidnappers in different locations in Nigeria. On the economic plane, troops have recovered a total of 9,684,797 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,000 litres of DPK from maritime specialized armed criminal gangs; 46,581.8 barrels of stolen crude oil and 22,881,257 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were recovered by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Southern Nigeria in these few months.   

And can we truly seek to obviate or beat the records of troops which shows that over 1,910 criminals have been arrested and large cache of arms, ammunitions and equipment are confiscated from them?  Who is not excited that our troops overpowered these satanic forces; conquered these terrorists and armed gangs at the point of unleashing their planned heist on us very destructively?

Therefore, when I reviewed the year just ended and the magnitude of successes of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in 2021, I was religiously humbled. I must be economical with the truth, if I fail to admit in all ramifications that the disparaged President Buhari and the Service Chiefs have ushered in the much desired and long-awaited salvation for our country. 

The enemies of Nigeria are now in pains. They have made up their minds to let us go; they have no alternative than to free us like the Biblical King Pharaoh who reluctantly released the Israelites’ from bondage by God’s divine command. 

Let me ask Nigerians in truth; If we have our ways to sack the Service Chiefs, as vigorously campaigned earlier, would anyone be courageous to agitate for it again for any genuine and patriotic reasons? The answer is obviously NO!  I can sense some quietness now. Those who wanted the Service Chiefs sacked have relapsed into what I can best describe as a state of amnesia.

Something pricks me fervently that if the Senate has any option today, they would rather demand that the current set of Service Chiefs be given another five more years to stay on board in order to thoroughly cleanse Nigeria of these conspiratorially armed gangs. This is nothing but the truth. But it’s rather unfortunate that the sack or sustained retention of the Service Chiefs is what only the Commander-In-Chief, President Buhari can determine.  And he is satisfied with their performance.

However, let us be human enough to confess that truth has finally prevailed. Our salvation has come. The end of insecurities has come. Our total resolve that a full kinetic approach be given to the resurgent violence and bloodshed is now paying off. I appreciate the Chief of Army Staff for bringing salvation to us.

I eulogize the Nigerian Military for our salvation; I thank President Buhari for being the symbol of our salvation and the  Nigerian Armed Forces for beating the drums of our liberation in loud symphonies and  gingering exciting dance gyrations.  Happy Armed Forces Day to all the citizens of our great country. 

Agbese is a publisher and patriot writing  from Agila, Benue State.