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CoS: Pro-Democracy group hails PMB over Gambari’s choice

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May 14, 2020

CoS: Pro-Democracy group hails PMB over Gambari’s choice

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as his new Chief of Staff.

According to the group, the president has once again demonstrated true patriotism hinged on love, strength and unity of purpose.

Gambari, a renowned academic and diplomat of international repute was confirmed as late Abba Kyari’s successor on Wednesday.

The appointment of the Kwara native has been widely accepted and NDF believes this is the right move by the president.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulkadir Bolaji, on Wednesday, the NDF said “Gambari’s appointment is a victory for democracy and the Nigerian people.”

The choice of Gambari, the group added, is well-deserved and merited owing to his “ rich knowledge and grasps of the issues at hand as a highly rated diplomat, political scientist and scholar that has left indelible footprints in governance at the highest level”.

While declaring total support for the new Chief of Staff as he settles down for the task at hand, the NDF, however, urged all Nigerians to do likewise.

Read full statement below:

The National Democratic Front lauds the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari in the critical point of our existence as a people and as a country.

It is our firm belief that Prof Ibrahim Gambari is coming on board with rich knowledge and grasps of the issues at hand been a highly rated diplomat, political scientist and scholar that has left indelible footprints in governance at the highest level.

The National Democratic Front views his appointment as a victory for democracy and the people of Nigeria because the ultimate beneficiary would be the Nigerian people that have yearned for the dividends of democracy over the years.

We wish to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his display of patriotism and foresight in carefully selecting a Chief of Staff that would assist in formulating developmental policies that would translate our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities.

President Muhammadu Buhari has once again demonstrated his unflinching commitment to the Nigerian cause by bringing on board an individual who has achieved tangible results in the international scene, and whose strength of character is hinged on selfless service to our dear country.

The National Democratic Front joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating this appointment for its merit and suitability in line with the cardinal objectives which the Muhammadu Buhari presidency was overwhelmingly voted for at the general elections.

It is our firm belief that Prof Ibrahim Gambari would in no small measures and in his dexterity avail the Muhammadu Buhari administration the required drive in its fight against insurgency and corruption for the betterment of Nigeria.

The National Democratic Front at this moment declares its support to the new Chief of Staff as he settles down for the task at hand. We have no doubt whatsoever on his ability to fine-tune government policies and lead the President and Commander-in-Chief in the right path in the governance of the country.

It is our hope that Nigerians will continue to support the Muhammadu Buhari led administration and continue to extend the needed courtesies to the new Chief of Staff in particular and members of the cabinet in general.

This is indeed a victory for democracy and the Nigerian people as we confront the various economic, political and social challenges in the country.

The National Democratic Front wishes to use this medium to congratulate the good people of Nigeria for this worthy appointment. We desire that Nigerians from all walks of life extends their support to Prof Ibrahim Gambari as he settles down to the task ahead.

It consequently behoves on all cabinet members to do well to extend their sincere courtesies to the new Chief of Staff in a bid to speed up issues that affect governance in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed demonstrated the pan-Nigerian spirit that is hinged on love, strength and unity of purpose.

The National Democratic Front herby charges all Nigerians regardless of their political affiliations to see the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to the President as a step in the right direction in our quest for a Nigeria of our dreams.

We state that the confidence reposed in Prof Ibrahim Gambari would not be betrayed because he has a rich resume and pedigree that speaks volume of capacity, competence and patriotism.

Nine Insurgents Killed as Troops Ambush Boko Haram Terrorists Along Mainok-Jakana in Borno State

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May 14, 2020

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Nine Insurgents Killed as Troops Ambush Boko Haram Terrorists Along Mainok-Jakana in Borno State

Nine insurgents have been killed as troops of Sector 1, Operation LAFIYA DOLE successfully staged an ambush at identified Boko Haram terrorists crossing point at Mainok-Jakana axis in kaga local government area of Borno State.

The ambush, the Army said took place at about 1830 hours on the 13th of May 2020.

In a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations Col Sagir Musa, Nine Boko Haram Terrorists lost their lives, while two gun trucks mounted with anti aircraft guns have been captured and exploitation is ongoing by the troops.

Col Musa added that two soldiers were slightly wounded in the operation.

Why Buratai cannot lose this war!

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May 14, 2020

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By Idris Abubakar

The narrative that the rambunctious and puffy leader of the Boko Haram terrorists group, Abubakar Shekau, has been devastated to the point that he has not only become sober but is pleading for mercy would have been unimaginable in the recent past.

Indeed when the audio tape of the Boko Haram leader was released by a major news medium, many did not believe it initially until it was confirmed by multiple sources.

Shekau, through media preps and hype has over the years succeeded in not only terrorising the minds of people, but has succeeded in creating a myth of invincibility about himself.

But it is true that the Boko Haram leader in a new audio, not only admitted being weakened but cried for mercy seeking protection against the firepower of the Nigerian military.

Shekau in the 1:22 seconds audio, cried that he and his men are facing difficulties due to what he called the devilish act and wickedness of the Nigerian military.

He said, “We deserted Izala people to practice Your true religion; we abandoned Tijjaniyya people to practice Your true religion; we deserted the Shiites to practice Your true religion; we forsook our parents, uncles and aunties to practice Your true religion.

“It is because of your religion that we placed knife on Your servants’ necks; but today, they are trying to change us from one thing to another. Oh Lord, have mercy upon under [the blessings] Ramadhan; Oh Lord, have mercy on under [the blessings] of Ramadhan,” he said while crying profusely.

The ululations of Shekau is not without basis.

Since March when Lt. Gen. TY Buratai moved to the theatre of war in Borno State, the fight against insurgency and terrorism took a new dimension with the Nigerian military giving the insurgents hell in each encounter.

The sustained offensive has recorded a series of successes against the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists fighting on the fringes of Lake Chad region.

In March, Nigerian troops eliminated not less than 20 top Boko Haram commanders including one Abu Usamah, and over 100 of their fighters who were hiding in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis as well as in Gorgi, Damboa local government of Borno State.

The troops followed up on that with the killing of 105 insurgents in Buni Gari and captured many weapons in April and on the heels of that in May, killed 134 of ISWAP and Boko Haram members and arrested 28 of their informants and overran their camps in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi near the Sambisa forest.

These appear too good to be true but all facts relating to the success have been fact checked and confirmed by security experts, the media and other independent bodies .

The question now is what has made it possible for these successes to be recorded within a short time and in the magnitude attained.

Hitherto, the killing of even tens of insurgents given the asymmetric nature of the fight and the lack of clear demarcation between the terrorists and civilian communities have been celebrated, but in less than two months, over 500 of the terrorists and not less than 40 of their top commanders and informants have been taken down bringing them to their knees and begging for mercy.

The secret has to do with the current leadership of the military and the experience of the person leading the assault on the insurgents at the Lake Chad region.

Buratai undoubtedly is one of the best war commanders and intelligent military tactician Nigeria and indeed Africa has ever had.

Since he began leading the Multinational Joint Task Force against insurgency the pressure tilted on the terrorists.

Pathetic stories of troops fleeing from battle fields in what was known as tactical withdrawal stopped completely.

Stories about soldiers opening fire on their commanders due to lack of trust or wives of soldiers protesting the deployment of their husbands to the battle front all stopped

Troops and their commanders who have worked directly under Buratai have described him as motivation personified.

Troops tell the story of one of his first appearances in the theatre of war after he was appointed chief of army staff. While addressing soldiers in their camps, shots, apparently from the insurgents were heard from the nearby bushes and the COAS was said to have given an order for the troops to follow him to take down the ‘irritants.’

Since confirming that the Army Chief is serious about winning the battle due to the zeal and courage he exhibits, troops no longer have cause to doubt the sincerity of their commanders and have been motivated to push harder.

Seeing that the new helmsman is not one that would hole himself up in a guest house partying while troops are in the battle field but one that is prepared to be in the battlefield with them, troops regained their confidence and moved with gusto.

The Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters must noticed the change in the fighting spirit of troops and must have been asking themselves if these were the same set of troops that were scared of confronting them that many of them were said to have even deserted the army out of fear.

The fact is, Buratai, thinks, eats and drinks battles. He sees military engagement and combat as every drill that should be expected by any serious soldier no matter the rank.

Those close to him say he devotes his time to study and planning war strategies and is meticulous and thorough in execution.

He is said to have studied all the strategies of war heroes like Chaka Zulu, Khalid ibn Walid, Hannibal, Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte and others.

War experts and security analysts maintain that given the depth of knowledge and experience Buratai has acquired over the years, that it would be an insult to expect anything less from the current war against insurgency given the nature of the enemy who are mere street urchins trained by a sprinkle of rebels from Chad who serve as their commanders.

The Army Chief’s latest innovation is said to be the strategy which involves moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents which has completely overwhelmed the terrorists.

President Muhammadu Buhari has indeed made the right choice as far as the military high command is concerned.

But it is not over until it is over.

Buratai and the troops deserve the prayer and support of all Nigerians as we can see that he and his troops are on the last lap of putting a final stop to Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism.

Abubakar is a security expert and wrote this piece from Shomolu, Lagos.

Centre commends Gambari’s appointment as victory for Nigerians

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May 13, 2020

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Centre commends Gambari’s appointment as victory for Nigerians

The Centre for Democracy, Development and Strategic Studies (CDDSS) has hailed the choice of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to the President, describing it as “victory for Nigerians”.

Prof. Gambari, a renowned scholar and diplomat was confirmed as late Abba Kyari’s successor at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

In a statement signed by Executive Director, Terrence Kuanum, CDDSS said that “President Muhammadu Buhari has once again proven that his actions and inactions are for the good of the country” with Prof. Gambari’s appointment.

The centre added that Gambari would bring his decades of experience garnered at the United Nations and in the academia in assisting the president resolve most of the development and global issues that confronts the country.

While applauding President Buhari for putting the country first once again, the centre urged all Nigerians to support the new CoS as he brings his wealth of knowledge for the good of the nation.

Read full statement below:

The Centre for Democracy, Development and Strategic Studies (CDDSS) received the news of the appointment of the erudite Prof Ibrahim Gambari as the Chief of Staff to the President with excitement.

The choice of Prof Ibrahim Gambari is by no means a great victory for Nigerians and the future of democracy in Nigeria given the rich resume of Prof Ibrahim Gambari and his services to Nigeria over the past years.

We wish to state that President Muhammadu Buhari has once again proven that his actions and inactions are for the good of the country and the overall interest of Nigerians.

The CDDSS sees the appointment of Prof Ibrahim Gambari as a display of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in steering the ship of Nigeria to greatness due to the wealth of experience that he would bring on board in democratic governance in Nigeria. His strength of character and contributions to the development of Nigeria are as well astounding.

There is no doubt that Prof Ibrahim Gambari would bring to bear his decades of experience garnered at the highest level of the United Nations and in the academia in assisting President Muhammadu Buhari in resolving most of the development and global issues that Nigerian is being faced with.

The CDDSS is also optimistic that Prof Ibrahim Gambari’s vast knowledge in international diplomacy and politics would be deployed in the interest of Nigeria in this critical point of our existence. The coming on board of Prof Ibrahim Gambari is indeed the needed tonic for Nigeria in our quest for sustainable growth and development.

The CDDSS wishes to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for putting the interest of the country at heart in the appointment of his Chief of Staff, as the choice of Prof Ibrahim Gambari is a case of a round square in a round hole.

We consequently support President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of his Chief of Staff and charge well-meaning Nigerians to extend their support to the newly appointed Chief of Staff as he settles down in service to Nigeria.

The CDDSS wishes to applaud other members of the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari and charge them to give in their best in the discharge of their duties.

The exigencies of time require a total commitment by all and sundry in the onerous task ahead.

The CDDSS also charges the cabinet members to extend their support to the new Chief of Staff in an attempt to assist him in settling down quickly to the task ahead.

Mama Buratai: Exit of a mother who gave her son to the nation

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May 13, 2020

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Mama Buratai: Exit of a mother who gave her son to the nation

By Abubakar Tsav

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Tuesday, lost his mother, Kakah Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf Buratai after a brief illness at her home in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The death of the Buratai matriarch, is coming two years after the patriarch of the Buratai family, Alhaji Yusuf Buratai, a veteran of World War II, who joined the West African Army in 1942, passed on in February 2018.

The Buratai family having lost two strong pillars in the past two years must indeed be grieved by the irretrievability of the losses and the sad reality their absence portends.

The death of Mama Buratai, though painful has however reminded us of the deep sacrifices and forfeiture of personal comfort the Nigerian military in the bid to secure our lands and ensure the rest of us stay safe pass through.

For at the time that Mama passed on peacefully, her son, Lt. Gen. Buratai was in the trenches fighting what has become like a cancer in the body of the country, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism.

Buratai is currently in his native Borno State overseeing military operations to defeat terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

He has been engaging the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists that have since 2009 taken up arms against the Nigerian state and whose activities have resulted in the death of thousands including women and children, displaced and scattered many families and destroyed property and basic infrastructure including hospitals and schools that are too numerous to be quantified in a fierce battle.

Buratai, to effectively decapitate this scourge, has since March this year, relocated to the theaters of war and has been leading the battle from the front.

His presence at the battlefield had spruced up the courage of the fighting troops spiking up the number of wins being recorded at the Lake Chad region.

Within the first week of his relocation to the Northeast, over a hundred of the insurgents were brought down and subsequent military operations have also brought out better results with over 500 of the terrorists liquidated in less than two months.

It is to the credit of the Chief of Army Staff that the insurgents for the first time since they declared war on Nigeria and other neighbouring African countries, began to cry for mercy and to send signals that they are considering the act of surrender.

As Nigerians and other lovers of peace the world over cheered to this news, many forgot that the soldiers in the field, whom many have derided in the past, also have their lives to live and that they also are responsible family men like many of us and would have preferred they are with their families.

But the need to secure the country and make life meaningful for the citizenry and to facilitate development has trumped all other desires and wishes.

The death of the Buratai matriarch while her son was in the trenches, tells the story of our gallant soldiers.

Perhaps Mama wanted to draw our attention to the plight of the average military personnel on the battlefield and to remind us to keep them in our prayers, that was why she passed on as such an auspicious time.

Like the other mothers whose cries cannot be heard, she has donated her son to the cause of serving humanity and motherland.

President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this much when he commiserated with the Chief of Army Staff over the death of his mother.

In a statement signed by Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the President prayed that the Almighty God will comfort Lt. Gen. Buratai, who he said has been at the epicenter of war against terrorists in North East, urging the family to find solace in Hajiya Hauwa’s good works.

He also prayed the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed matriarch, who he said lived a pious, prayerful, and generous life.

Those who knew Mama Buratai, described her as kind hearted and generous mother who assisted many.

“We remember your fond love, years of toil, endurance and perseverance while alive. Naturally, your affectionate love drained sorrows from the hearts of many; comforted the millions of wailing souls around you.

“We remember and will miss your comforting counsels in our moments of torments. Your sagacity transcended boundaries and brought comfort to the known and unknown. Mama, your translucent piousness, generous lifestyle and care would forever be etched on our memories,” said one of them in a glowing tribute.

Mama Buratai was said to have been very supportive of her son and had even expressed optimism that her son would bring the insurgency in the country to an end.

This shows she has been a supportive mother who knowing the qualities she has imparted in her son, had the confidence to know where his capabilities could take him.

That she did not cringe and cry when her son was at the battlefield, must have been the secret to the confidence exuded by the Chief of Army Staff which had in turn rubbed off on the troops and had kept them going resulting in the current series of successes being recorded at the battlefield.

President Buhari, the Nigerian armed forces and indeed all Nigerians would miss your motherly support to the nation.

We can only hope that after all these years of standing as a pillar unto your son, your demise will not diminish the spark in him but would in respect to your loving memory, serve to urge him on to finally bring the battle against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria to an end.

Rest in peace Mama as we pray that God grants you Jannatul Firdaus.

Tsav wrote this tribute from Makurdi, Benue State.

PTF unveils ThisDay Dome’s 300-bed isolation centre, laboratory in Abuja

Covid-19

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May 13, 2020

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PTF unveils ThisDay Dome’s 300-bed isolation centre, laboratory in Abuja

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has expressed total commitment to embark on research into a cure for the coronavirus disease. Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of PTF, Boss Mustapha, stated this at the commissioning of ThisDay Dome’s 300-bed capacity temporary treatment and isolation centre and a 54gene laboratory in Abuja.

He urged all institutes and researchers to step forward and validate their inventions and discoveries to effectively contain the pandemic. Mustapha said the facility was a private sector driven initiative donated by a consortium of like-minded partners, powered by the Sahara Energy Group andThisDay Media and Technology Group.He noted that the COVID-19 has brought a reawakening to government and the private sector to collaborate in the quest to strengthen the much needed investment in the nation’s healthcare system.

“The pandemic has overwhelmed even the best of health systems in the world, a development that serves all developing nations a powerful notice to wake up.“This event signified the realisation of the synergy with the commissioning of the facility, which is designed to accommodate 300 beds and is scalable to 500.

“The speed and commitment demonstrated by the partners on this infrastructure is a call to other private sector entities to also get involved in the development of public facilities,” he said.Mustapha also advocated that lessons drawn from COVID-19 should, therefore, revolve around development, future planning, consensus building, collaboration and partnerships.The facility also has an intensive care unit for the treatment of severe cases of COVID -19, which would go a long way in providing care for the growing number of cases, especially for levels 1 & 2 categories.

It charged on other corporate bodies and public-spirited individuals to take up the challenge of providing critical support infrastructure in rural communities, as the country progresses to community transmission phase of the pandemic.

Monarchs React to Gambari’s Emergence as Buhari’s Chief of Staff

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May 13, 2020

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Monarchs React to Gambari’s Emergence as Buhari’s Chief of Staff

Reactions have continued to trail the widely reported appointment of Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari as the new Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. With the appointment, which is yet to be officially confirmed by the Presidency, Gambari will replace Mallam Abba Kyari, who died last month of COVID-19.

Gambari, who was Buhari’s Foreign Minister and confidant as military Head of State in the 1980s, was reported to have met with the President at about 8am on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking on the development, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing the diplomat as CoS. In a statement, the Emir described the appointment as “a great honour” to the entire people of Ilorin and Kwarans at large.

He said the choice of the former diplomat would be justified by “outstanding contributions, administrative experience, scholarship and excellence which he would inject into the Buhari-led government towards ensuring good governance, democratic dividends as well as shared prosperity in the nation”.

“He will surely bring to fore his wealth of experience as an academician, former Minister, former Diplomat, former University Chancellor, Prince of the renowned Alimi dynasty, family man and community leader of high repute,” he said in the statement.

Also reacting, another traditional ruler, Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi commended President Buhari on the appointment. Oba Akanbi described Gambari as a capable and incorruptible scholar, saying the appointee will be an asset to the presidency.

In a statement, the monarch hinted on the administrative prowess of the Kwara born scholar, assuring presidency of his charismatic sagacity, shrewdness and administrative virility. The new Chief of Staff may resume immediately as it is expected that President Buhari will preside over the Inaugural virtual meeting of the federal executive council (FEC) on Wednesday.

Born on November 24, 1944, in Ilorin Emirate of Kwara State, he attended the London School of Economics where he obtained his B. Sc. (Economics) degree (1968) with specialisation in International Relations and later obtained his M.A. (1970) and PhD. (1974) degrees from Columbia University, New York, the USA in Political Science /International Relations.

He began his academic career in 1969 at City University of New York before working at University of Albany. He also lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, in Zaria before he was appointed External Affairs Minister between 1984 and 1985.

He was also a Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Georgetown University and Howard University. He has been a research fellow at the Brookings Institution also in Washington D.C. and a Resident Scholar at the Bellagio Study and Conference Center, the Rockefeller Foundation-run centre in Italy.

Apart from serving as External Affairs Minister, he was Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1990 to 1999; President of UNICEF in 1999; Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Adviser on Africa from 1999 to 2005; Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2007.

His last assignment at the United Nations was as the joint special representative of the secretary general and chairperson of the African Union Commission/gead of the UN and AU hybrid mission in Darfur (UNAMID) from January 2010 to July 2012. UNAMID under Gambari was the world’s largest international peacekeeping mission In 2013, he was appointed the pioneer Chancellor of the Kwara State University, making him the ceremonial head of the university. He is also co-chair of the Albright-Gambari Commission.

He is currently the founder/chairman of Savannah Center External link in Abuja, a think-tank for research, training and public policy debate on the nexus between diplomacy (conflict resolution), democracy and development in Africa.

Surrender to the military or be crushed like Boko Haram, group tells Kaduna bandits

Covid-19

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May 13, 2020

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Surrender to the military or be crushed like Boko Haram, group tells Kaduna bandits

The Kaduna Peace Advancement Network ( KSPAN) has warned bandits in the state to either surrender or suffer the same fate as Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast.

The group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Hassan Abu, on Wednesday, advised the criminal elements that failure to submit themselves to the military would ultimately lead to their deaths.

In the last one month, the Nigerian troops have bombarded Boko Haram terrorists, with factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, reaching out for a truce, as all his top commanders have been decimated.

This remarkable feat was orchestrated by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. T.Y, who led the troops from the front.

With the final clearance mission in Borno and Yobe States winding down, KSPAN said all attention will be switched to Kaduna, warning the bandits that it would no longer be business as usual.

While commending the troops of Operations Thunder strike and Whirl Punch for restoring peace to the state, the group, however, advised the fleeing bandits and their sponsors to take a new leaf else be wiped out like Boko Haram.

Read full statement below:

The Kaduna State Peace Advancement Network (KSPAN) has called on all criminal elements operating in Kaduna State to surrender in the wake of the current operations by the Nigerian military against all forms of banditry or be crushed.

KSPAN is a citizens’ right group for the advancement of peaceful living and for infrastructural development in Kaduna State.

The Network stated as follows:

That the Nigerian military last week, eliminated 17 bandits in Gwagwada district of Chikun local government area of Kaduna State.

The operation according to reports, was carried out by troops of Operations Thunder strike and Whirl Punch with air support from the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIK that saw to the firing of bandits many of whom escaped with gunshot wounds.

Many communities in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State have in the past come under various forms of banditry ranging from kidnapping to outright criminal attacks.

That between October last year and now, millions of naira have been fleeced from innocent and hapless citizens as ransom for kidnapping, and as stolen booties.

We note particularly that it was in this local government that female students of a secondary school were kidnapped last year and were not released until ransom was paid.

That it was also in a community in Chikun LG that the wife of a popular medical doctor in Kaduna was abducted along with her two children and later killed after ransom has been paid.

The activities of criminals operating within these suburbs has turned Chikun which used to be one the commercially active and vibrant local governments in the Kaduna metropolis to lose its shine as residents abandon their houses to seek shelter in other parts of the metropolis.

Last week’s prompt action by the military has saved the community, Kaduna State and indeed Nigeria another round of weeping and regrets

The swift action of the military which took out the criminals in their numbers is the kind of action needed to send strong signals to the criminals that Nigerians have borne enough of their stupidity and will no longer tolerate same.

The military has done very well by this action as there were no civilian casualties even though the operation took place in the Gwagwa community.

We are happy to note that residents who initially fled the area due to fear of bandits’ reprisal attack, have all returned to the community and are living peacefully.

The military has been on top of its game lately with the way it is handling major operations from the insurgency in the Northeast to criminal activities in many parts of Nigeria.

We urge the armed forces to maintain the tempo of these operations to remind criminal elements that it would no longer be business as usual for them and to reassure citizens of their safety.

We thank the military for helping to restore Kaduna to its once respected position as one of the most peaceful and prosperous places to live.

Sponsors of these criminals should note that it is high time they surrender and turn a new leaf as even the dreaded Boko Haram criminals who have come under intense heat lately have already given the indication that they would soon down their weapons in surrender.

It is needless to emphasise that the days of criminals and their sponsors are numbered and it will do them a lot of good to learn from Boko Haram and surrender to before it is too late.

Exposing pseudo-activism in Nigeria

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May 13, 2020

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By Idoko Ainoko

Civil rights activists, the world over, are known for their fight against social injustice and their bid to make lasting impact on the lives of the oppressed and underprivileged.

They champion causes for the betterment of the citizenry as well as reinforce mechanisms for effective governance in the overall interests of the people and for the development of nations.

In the UK, US and other countries, rights activism was fired by the increaing cases of gross injustice and discrimination against certain persons and when it started, it was thorough and very serious as it focussed social justice and the fundamental human right.

Early activists in the US include names such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. Du Bois , Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson and many others.

These people put their lives on stake to advocate for equality and social justice and sometimes went through terrible experiences to achieve their aims for a better and egalitarian society.

Early activism in Africa took the pattern of the struggle in black America and was mainly for the inclusion of natives in government and widening the political space for the participation of the majority.

In Nigeria, the likes of Herbert Macauley, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Aminu Kano, Funmi Ransom Kuti and others were at the forefront of the struggle.

Down the line, they passed the baton to people like JS Tarka, Tai Solarin, Wole Soyinka, Gambo Sawaba and others.

The nature of activism however changed with prolonged military rule when people began to demand for popular participation in politics. That was when the likes of Beko Ransom Kuti, Ayo Obe, Olisa Agbakogba, Femi Borishade and the likes took to the street to demand for justice for the oppressed.

But over the years, the term activism has been bastardised and reduced to mere political rivalry or complaint over loss during elections or worse still, a process of seeking attention for appointment.

This process became rampant during the military era when settlement of political opponents became the order of the day.

Since then, every Tom, Dick and Harry mounted the rostrum with claims of activism to get attention and once they are settled with juicy political offices, they abandon the struggle and continue with the pursuit of personal comfort.

Unfortunately, the phenomena transcended the military era became the culture in political and civil society circles until President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in May 2015 and decided to put a stop to such mercantilism.

Those who wanted appointment he insisted had to show merit; anybody that takes the course of blackmail just to seek attention is either ignored or dealt with according to the laws.

On a good day, everybody agrees that the President Buhari led APC government is doing very well.

Within the four years it has been in goverment, the administration has recorded many feats that has moved Nigeria forward.

The administration has made mark in the key areas it had set out to achieve which are, fight against corruption, improving the economy and fight against insurgency.

Corruption in the public sector has been reduced to the barest minimum with the introduction of TSA and the IPPIS form of payment.

Under the current administration, prominent persons including members of the ruling party have been brought to book for corrupt practices and so much stolen money has been recovered and utilised for public good.

The federal government also has been able improve on the economy through the agricultural sector and empowered many farmers while developing the small and medium scale enterprises.

It has also done well in the aspect on security, as it has been able to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists that were almost taking over the country.

The administration has done more than that. It handled the issue of the Coronavirus very well which explains why the virus did not get out of hand.

Recently the government also reduced the pump price of fuel and has been paying the poor and vulnerable in the society. But it seems like the more the goverment impacts positively on the people, the more a certain group of persons that call themselves activists are not happy.

They have chosen not to see anything good about the current administration and will criticise everything even for the fun of it.

In other climes, activists criticize only policies and actions of government they perceive as wrong but in Nigeria they make no distinction, as they are bent on casting the goverment in bad light.

These are what the Femi Fani kayodes, the Omoyele Sowores, the Ayesha Yusufs, the Shehu Sanis and the Deji Adeyanjus of this world are doing.

They lack the capacity and painstaking finesse to thoroughly x-ray government policies and actions to offer suggestions, but are quick to pick holes.

Most of these later day ‘activists’ have missed it. They were not around when the struggle for democracy was fought, hence mangle the process and intent for popular struggles.

They are not concerned about the oppressed or the less privileged, they are only angry that they and their sponsors have lost power.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina captured their mood rightly when he described them as ‘wailers.’

They are the wailers who must cry to get attention. They are like the proverbial child who screams even when his mother is on her way to the market to get his food.

They wail even when they’re being helped.

Yesufu rode on the back of the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ struggle for the release of the Chibok girls and when she failed to get an appointment in government like some of her counterparts took her wailing to a level where nobody takes her serious again.

In the case of Sowore, one does not even have to go far to know what is driving him as has himself revealed that what is driving him is his ambition to be president of Nigeria; and when he couldn’t achieve that, he now turned it into a revolution calling for regime change.

Deji Adeyanju on the other hand is only trying to find his feet but has gone in the wrong direction. That his activism is of the Mercantile hue was exposed when his sponsors took him to Dubai when he was challenged by some hoodlums during a protest.

While Fani kayode who was the spokesman for 2015 presidential campaign, has not stopped crying because his party has lost power. His case is similar to that of Shehu Sani who wanted to be given an automatic ticket to the Senate and when the ruling party insisted on a primary election he ran to another party. Having been defeated in the general elections, he has now ran back to activism.

But it is high time well meaning Nigerians expose these people and call them to order.

They should be made to realise that Nigeria belongs to us all and that other citizens are not happy with they way they’re trying to distract the current administration from achieving its policies and programmes for the betterment of the citizenry and development of the nation.

Ainoko is a public affairs analyst and wrote this piece from Kaduna.

Buratai has quarantined Boko Haram terrorists, sponsors now on self isolation, says Security expert, Dogo Luqman

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May 13, 2020

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Buratai has quarantined Boko Haram terrorists, sponsors now on self isolation, says Security expert, Dogo Luqman

By Lawrence Audu

A security expert, Mr. Dogo Lukman, has applauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai and Nigerian troops over the recent onslaught against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.

He said what Buratai and the troops have done to the terrorist groups is akin to placing them on quarantine while sending their sponsors on exile.

Our correspondent reports that Buratai has been coordinating military activities in the theatre of war since March at the Lake Chad region in the bid to making sure that the activities of the groups are brought to a final end has posted impressive results on the battlefield giving hope that the defeat of the terrorists is close by.

Lukman, who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said after processing relevant information emanating from the Lake Chad region, there is every indication that the terrorists have finally been subdued, cornered a a cordoned off while their sponsors have gone into hiding.

His words: “These elements that used to torment the peace of the entire country have been quarantined by the heat coming from the troops and are now self isolating themselves in caves.”

The security expert who gave analyses of the information coming from the theaters of war said in March 27, 2020, Nigerian troops eliminated not less than 20 top Boko Haram commanders including one Abu Usamah, and over 100 of their fighters who were hiding in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis as well as in Gorgi, Damboa local government of Borno State.

He said in April, Nigerian troops also killed 105 insurgents in Buni Gari and captured many weapons including five AK-47 rifles, three GPMG and one Duska anti-aircraft gun.

He said in May, 78 members of ISWAP and 56 Boko Haram members were killed and 28 of their informants were arrested.

The security expert said though the Nigerian military declared that the army killed over 300 insurgents in the recent combat operations, there are indications that over 500 of the terrorists have been killed within the period.

Luqman said this is evident from the overrunning of insurgents’ camps in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi and in and around Sambisa Forest where many of the terrorists were killed .

“These operations happening in the deep fortresses were hardly reported but the casualty rate on the part of the insurgents was quite high.

The troops normally pull put of such places to plan ahead hence tend to underestimate the level of damage but the insurgents have been given a bloody nose this time that they cannot tell what exactly hit them,” he said.

The security expert said the recent audio message released by Abubakar Shekau in which he confessed that his men are under “trial” and going through rough times is a confirmation in security cycle that they have been overwhelmed.

Said Luqman: “This is a man that in all his messages used to talk about killing or abducting innocent and unarmed citizens, but this time he is saying they are passing through a trial and is encouraging them not to lose hope.

He said Nigerian troops have gone beyond technically defeating the terrorists to nearly bringing them down to their knees.

“This is because they can no longer operate as they wish and are only scampering from one point to another in utter confusion,” he added.

The security expert commended the current battle strategy of the military which he said involves moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents.

This he said is commendable and has boosted the confidence of troops while overwhelming the terrorists.

Luqman called on the authorities to send more troops to the battlefield in order for the military to maintain presence in the operational locations they overrun and to avoid a situation where the Boko Haram elements regroup.

He said though the troops have done much, there is the need to take proactive and innovative steps that would confound the insurgents and accelerate their final defeat adding that concentration should not be on their fighting troops alone but efforts must be made to counter them in intelligence gathering.

“No doubt much has been achieved but the little effort remaining requires a harder push and superior strategy,” he stated.