Boko Haram: What Nigerian Air Force did to insurgents in Borno

The ATF successfully carried out the operation through Operation GREEN SWEEP III which aimed to target some identified terrorists’ positions in the State.   The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has successfully destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHT) Command and Control Centre in Dusula, on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.      Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted on Friday, NAN reports.

Daramola said this was sequel to a renewed offensive aimed at further eliminating remnants of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province Terrorists (BHT/ISWAP) in the North-East of Nigeria,

”The operation was executed after series of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the identification of the Command Centre with its solar panels, communications equipment and other facilities.

”The three Alpha Jets dispatched by the ATF engaged the location in multiple passes, recording accurate hits on the target area.

“The structures housing the Command Centre were completely destroyed by the strikes while several of the terrorists were neutralised.

”The few surviving terrorists, who were seen attempting to flee the area, were taken out by follow on attacks,” he said.

Daramola further disclosed that the NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, would sustain its operations against terrorists in the North-East.

Court jails 26 over oil bunkery in Port Harcourt

The convicts including 24 individuals, one company and a vessel were slammed with various jail terms.     A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced 26 fraudsters for illegal dealing in petroleum products.        They were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office.

The anti-graft Spokesman, Tony Orilade disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said 12 of the convicts who got their jail terms on Friday are: Abubakar Lawal; Mustapha Babagana; Christian Nweke; Ikpaikpai Elvis; Abdullahi Bawa; Hamson Sadiq; John Owoicho; Elewa Roy; Areh Sunday; Nafiu Sani, Emeka Michael and Kingsely Ihuoma.

Orilade added that the rest 14 including 12 individuals, one company and a vessel were convicted and sentenced on Thursday, August 8, and they are: Kabiru Saidu; Saleh Muhammed; Yusuf Bala; Salisu Usman; Hamisu Sha’Ibu; Aliyu Muhammed; Umar Mohammed; Muhammed Aliya; Sunday Emmanuel Udo; Mallam Garba Abubakar, Ifeanyi Duru and Sani Haruna. The company and the vessel are: Solution Mark Nig.Ltd, and M.V. Chi-Ebubeh.

Further, it was learnt that the first set of convicts, 12 of them, were arraigned on Friday, August 9, by the EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, on a one-count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The count charges read: “That you Abubakar Lawal sometimes in April, 2018, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did distribute petroleum product (Automotive Gas Oil) with Daf with registration number AKD 893 XG without a licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act”.

But the defendants pleaded guilty to the count charge when it was read to them.

On this basis, prosecuting counsels Samuel Chime; M. T Iko; E. Abbiyesku; F. O Amama; Celestina Okorie and K. W Chukwuma-Eneh reportedly prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Also, Counsels to the defendants, Babatunde Opadola; J. C Okere; O. M Ofodili; A. D Ndaboye, C. O Odoemena, and M. M Suleiman did not oppose the prayers of the prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice A. T. Mohammed convicted and sentenced Lawal, Babagana and Nweke to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000.00 each while Elvis; Bawa; Sadiq; Owoicho; Roy; Sunday; Sani, Michael and Ihuoma were sentenced to a fine of N100.000 each respectively.

The Judge also ordered that the products conveyed in the various trucks be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Trouble started for the convicts, Orilade affirmed when they were intercepted by men and officers of the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, at different locations in Port Harcourt, for illegal dealing in petroleum products without necessary licenses.

The convicts were also arrested alongside trucks with registration numbers: AKD 893 XG; XA 452 NNR; PBT 525 XA; KHE 477 XA; RGG 183 XA; EPE 238 XN; ABN 948 YN; XW 775 FST; WMK 130 XA; XB 252 KMC, BGM 209 XA and APP 348 XM while distributing and storing illegally refined AGO and carrying out anti- bunkering operations.

The second set of convicts, 14 of them, were arraigned on Thursday, August 8, 2019 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, on one-count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum product.

The count charge read: “That you Kabiru Saidu, sometimes in 2017 at Abuloma, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did distribute Petroleum Product (AGO) conveyed in a Truck with registration number XL 985 KRD and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act”.

The defendants also pleaded guilty when the charge was read to them.

It was on this premise that prosecuting counsels: A. Osu, C. O Ugwu, Esin-Otu Ebipade, F. C Obinwa and M. T Iko prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

Counsels to the defendants: M. M. Suleiman, Babatunde Opadola and E. X Eboh did not oppose the prayer of the prosecution.

Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendants to a fine of N100,000 each, while Solution Mark Nig. Ltd, and M.V. Chi-Ebubeh were sentenced to a fine of N500,000 each for illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The judge also ordered that the products carried by the trucks and vessel should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

BIAFRA : APC sends message to Nigerians

The party urged all to imbibe the lessons of the important Islamic festival which exemplifies sacrifices and fulfillment of promise as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (RTA).       The All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed Nigerians especially Muslim faithful on the commemoration of Eid ul-Adha.       Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Saturday, said: “As we celebrate the Sallah feast with family, friends and loved ones, Muslim faithfuls and indeed all Nigerians are implored to show love to neighbours and cater for the less privileged around us.

“In our national life, Eid ul-Adha is a reminder for us to make our individual and collective sacrifices for the well-being, unity, peace and development of our dear country, Nigeria. We must, therefore, shun the disruptive and divisive utterances and actions emanating from some unpatriotic quarters lately.

“In our private capacity, official duties, wherever we find ourselves, we must all exhibit the pan-Nigerian spirit. We should embrace our country’s diversity and harness it for good. We must see every Nigerian as a brother. We should take advantage of his strength, help him with his weakness. That is the only way we can grow as a country.”

Expect nothing from Buhari, he’s failing woefully – Gen. Williams tells Nigerians

He claimed that Buhari has failed and has nothing to offer, adding that the promise of change made by the All Progressives Congress, APC, was nothing but a deceit.     Former Chairman, Transparency International, Nigeria chapter, Maj. Gen Ola Ishola Williams (retd) has told Nigerians that anyone putting hope on President Muhammadu Buhari was wasting his or her time.      Williams insisted that there was no hope of any meaningful change for Nigeria under Buhari, adding that the signs of the failure of the administration were visible for Nigerians to see.

“Obviously, Buhari is failing, he has not been inspiring, and any Nigerian who puts any hope in Buhari is wasting his time – the state governors are also a big burden to this nation,” he told Saturday Sun.

Asked about the promised change, he added, “That’s deceit. It is a deceit by APC, and Buhari’s supporters. There can’t be any change under Buhari. Those who are talking of next level are politicians deceiving Nigerians.

“There is no hope of any meaningful change for Nigeria under Buhari. It is not that I have anything against him. But all the signs of the failure of his administration are there, visible for Nigerians to see. Insecurity has become a big challenge. It is festering, and Buhari’s government appears clueless to tackle the problem.

“The Boko Haram insurgency is also there. Although top government officials will always pretend that all is well, it is not only Nigerians that know that the security situation in Nigeria is precarious; members of the international community are also aware. So, who is government deceiving?

“Look at the Apapa gridlock which has become a shame of a nation. For more than four years now, Buhari’s government has not been able to find a solution to it, and that is just a single problem; what about the power issue? Nigerians can’t be deceived even if Buhari and his apologists are deceiving themselves.”

Taraba Senator, Bwacha questions Army over killing of 3 policemen

The lawmaker, who represents Taraba South in the National Assembly revealed that eyewitnesses at the scene of the tragedy alleged that the bus conveying the detectives was chased by a private Sharon car and not that of the military.   Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Emmanuel Bwacha, has described the attack and killing of three policemen and a civilian by Nigeria Army as a “very embarrassing occurrence in the history of our country.”       He said this while calling for the setting up of an Independent Panel of Inquiry to probe the incident which happened on the Ibi-Jalingo highway in Taraba State.

Bwacha noted that this is a major allegation the panel of inquiry ought to investigate.

DAILY POST had reported that the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, had earlier issued a statement that the Police Operatives, led by ASP Felix Adolije of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) reportedly came under sudden attack by soldiers along Ibi–Jalingo Road.

In reaction, the army accepted responsibility for the killings, but, however, explained that the killings were done in error following a distress call that some suspected kidnappers who happened to be the police were on the run with their victim.

However, addressing reporters in Abuja about the ugly incident at the weekend, the lawmaker suggested that an independent body will be more effective in addressing all the issues so that nothing will escape scrutiny.

“This is a very embarrassing occurrence in the history of our country and must not be swept under the carpet. Nothing short of an independent panel of inquiry will unravel some of the mysteries surrounding this matter,” Bwacha said.

“Many questions are already being asked which only an independent body can do justice to between the police, the army and indeed the Nigerian people. And also the families of the victims who are also asking valid questions about this dastardly act.

“We are hearing that he is very influential and that he has compromised many people. An independent panel of inquiry needs to ascertain these claims. We need to know how this is so. Who has he been working with?

“Who are his backers? How did he get to the point where he can get freed by men of the nation’s armed forces? Is he supported by someone of high ranking status in or out of the military?

“A probe by an independent body must consider all these points in apprehending the situation.

“Why won’t the military use their vehicle to make the chase? If the eye witnesses account is accurate, there was no way the bus carrying the detectives would stop for a private Sharon pursuing them. This allegation by bystanders needs to be closely examined by the panel of inquiry.”

:Ohanaeze youths beg North for alliance, reveal those to succeed Buhari 2023

The youth organization, in a statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, its President General and made available to biafra news men on Saturday, also said that it was working towards ensuring a past Governor from the South East emerges as Nigeria’s first citizen.   Youth of apex Igbo social-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide on Saturday said it has taken the lead to build bridges across six geo-political zones to ensure the emergence of Igbo President come 2023.

Ohanaeze youth said an alliance of the Eastern Region with the North will produce one of the present Southeast Governors and one present Northern Governor as a running mate, or a former Vice President or former Governor or Senator, depending on the choice of the North.     Outlining its plans for the next presidential election, Ohanaeze youth noted that Igbos are marginalised in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement added, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has taken the lead in building bridges across the six geo-political zones, through aggressive persuasion on some aggrieved northern groups and leaders, who felt marginalised in the President Buhari regime or schemed out of relevance and importantly have viewed Southwest alliance with the North as a farce.

“We have concluded arrangement to play hosts first class traditional rulers, opinion leaders, prominent northern groups and Arewa youth leaders to re-align and build confidence ahead of 2023 Presidential election without any political affiliations or party.

“North has been the traditional partner in progress since 1960s with the old Eastern Region, until there was suspicion brewing between the years created by artificial barriers which this move and series of consultations will automatically restore.

“Hopefully will restore the North and Old Eastern Region alliances, then the insecurity in some quarters will be flush into the dustbin of history.

“Old Eastern Region alliance with the North through proper understanding and cooperation, will produce one of the present Southeast Governors and one present Northern Governor, or former Vice President or former Governor or Senator, depending the choice of the North, will pair ahead of 2023.

“We are extending hands of friendship with the Coalition of Northern Groups and Arewa Youth leaders, to build a united front and alliance that will hold the two regions together as partnership, as we had in 1960s.

“History will always repeat itself, as traditional partners in progress, a Nigeria President of Igbo stock will largely favour the North with huge dividends of democracy.”

BIAFRA : Nigerian, Bangladeshi Military Partner On Terror

 

commitment to the unity of Nigeria through the introduction of novel ideas in the operations of the Nigerian Army since 2015.  In Nigeria, the war against insurgency gathered momentum since the inception of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. In some quarters, it was stated that the appointment of Service Chiefs indeed contributed to the way and manner Nigeria was able to confront the Boko Haram Insurgents that occupied several swathes of land in North-East Nigeria and over 16 local government areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.    It has been stated in numerous forums that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Turkur Buratai has led the battle for the soul of Nigeria with the display of an unalloyed      The recent is the revelation that 223 officers of the Nigerian Army have so far received training in various military institutions in Bangladesh under the Nigeria/Bangladesh military partnership. 

It would be recalled that sometime in 2017, the Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Hug was in Nigeria where he met with key government officials to discuss bilateral issues relating to strengthening the relationship between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Bangladesh. He stated that “Nigeria sends many officers to train in Bangladesh in different training institutions like the National Defence College and Defence Chief of Staff College all in  Bangladesh.”     This strategic partnership has seen to the training of over 223 military officers from the Nigerian Army from the over 30 military training institutions in Bangladesh. This much was corroborated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who himself at some point in his military career attended a National Defence Course from the National Defence University in Bangladesh.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has stated that the training he received from the National Defence University in Bangladesh equipped him better for the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. “My sojourn in Nepal during the period exposed me to how efforts of the Bangladesh Defence forces combined to defeat the insurgents and criminals of the Chittagong Hills.”        It can be stated that the impact of the strategic military partnership between Nigeria and Bangladesh has yielded multiple gains for Nigeria, especially in the war against terrorism. This is on the heels that the lessons learned from the Bangladesh experience in dealing with insurgency have been valuable in Nigeria. Moreover, coupled with the fact that Bangladesh and Nigeria are strong military contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping operations and both countries seek for and work for peace and stability in the international community.

The Nigerian Army has indeed fared well concerning the fight against insurgency with the level of training its personnel have been subjected to. The training received by officers of the Nigerian Army in Bangladesh is an indication of the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai that is harped on dynamism, especially in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Prof Stephen Bature of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, opined that the strategic Military partnership between Nigerian and Bangladesh has yielded positives in the sense that the training the Nigerian Army has received from the military institutions in Bangladesh have been somewhat brought to bear in the fight against insurgency in Northeast Nigeria.   

The Chief of Army Staff stated this much when he received the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mr. Mohammad Shammeen Ashan during a courtesy visit at Army headquarters, He said that lessons he learned from Bangladesh as a student of the National Defence University in the art of counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism warfare contributed to the massive decapitation of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist in the North-East by the Nigerian Army.      As simple as the above might sound, it must be noted that when military units participate in bilateral exercises with other countries, the interaction increases interoperability between the militaries, provides for cultural exchange and understanding, and offers an opportunity to expand each nation’s capabilities while exercising potential contingencies.

This is what the Nigeria/Bangladesh military partnership has brought to the table for Nigeria and it must be noted that the foresight displayed by the Chief of Army Staff, in seeing to the sustainability of the military pact with Bangladesh must be commended.     In an interactive session by Defence Correspondents in North-East Nigeria, it was stated that the strategies employed by the Nigerian Army in recent times have been quite alien to the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters who have continued to suffer heavy casualties and retreating to the fringes around the Lake Chad Basin region.     “The operational strategy of the Nigerian Army in Northeast Nigeria is a blend exposure and the willingness to confront the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters headlong and this has paid off handsomely as it has been stated in numerous forums that the Nigerian Army under the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had made tremendous inroads in North-East Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria.”

It can be stated that some of the positives from the strategic military partnership between Nigeria and Bangladesh are evident in the setback experienced by Boko Haram/ISWAP whose ranks have been highly decimated. Thus it has been put forward that the tipping point between muddling through and moving toward victory in Nigeria was the election of leaders who translated bold vision into action since the beginning of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015. Consequently, Nigeria has been able to transform its Army from an ineffective, garrison-bound band into an aggressive force that has crippled Boko Haram/ISWAP and other militant organisations in the country.

The credit must go to the leadership of the Nigerian Army whose operational policies in ways too numerous to mention have brought about the much-needed bite in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. The Chief of Army Staff admitted that what he learned from his study in Bangladesh indeed prepared him for the task ahead. This is indeed a welcome development, especially with the fact that he has been able to avail officers of the Nigerian Army that opportunity to benefit from the same training he received.     The number 223 might not sound like a big deal, but the implication is that these officers would in turn pass on the knowledge to their various units and the consequent multiplier effect and boost on the morale of the troops in the battlefront.  Nigeria has indeed made substantial inroads in the fight against terrorism in the past four years, and this had been made possible through a combination of factors. Also, one of them is the strategic military partnership between Nigeria and Bangladesh. While Nigeria continues to bask in this partnership, it must be stated that the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff came out glaring.

Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is worthy of emulation by all and sundry. He recently disclosed that the Nigerian Army would continue to explore the available opportunity for further training of its officers and soldiers in the areas of tactics, staff duties, and intelligence among others.      This is indeed a welcome development and an indication that Nigeria needs more of such partnership in the future.

IPOB from London, United Kingdom.