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Boko Haram/ISWAP/ ISIS: The world must support Nigeria to overcome new threats by international terrorists’ network – NDMG

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) United Kingdom Chapter says Nigeria needs the support of the world to overcome a new wave of terrorism in the country.

According to the group, Nigeria is faced with another dimension of terrorist activities in the Islamic State (ISIS) after flushing out remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP.

In a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Prince Oni, on Wednesday, NDMG called on global attention to prevent ISIS or any other terror group from establishing itself as a replacement for Boko Haram.

Should this happen, Mr Oni said the world will be confronted with another refugee crisis like the one in Europe at the moment.

The Nigerians in Diaspora  Monitoring Group warned that all hands must be on deck to chase away the ISIS out of the region before they gain ground and repeat the kind of carnage brought upon the Syrian-Iraqi axis.

The group, however, advised the Federal Government and the Armed Forces not to relent having silenced Boko Haram and instead tackle the new security challenge posed by ISIS.

Read the full statement below

The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) United Kingdom Chapter is concerned at the recent development in which the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility as the group involved in an encounter with the Nigerian troops.

The claim of responsibility by ISIS is a jolting wake-up call to the reality that international terrorism is trying to relocate its axis of influence to the Lake Chad Basin region and by implication Nigeria. This is a group that has its birthplace in the Middle East and is now trying to establish footholds in other places because conditions in the place are no longer favourable for its desired expansion.

ISIS’ claim of responsibility should ordinarily call for praises for the Nigerian Amy and other military services since this means that Boko Haram has in reality been decimated, but there is cause for concerns that ISIS has rushed in an attempt to replace the other brands of terrorists that the troops have wiped out.

We believe that there is a need to urgently take steps to prevent ISIS or any other terror group from establishing itself as a replacement for Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad Region. The human toll of such development is simply inconceivable. When ISIS established itself in the Middle East it caused a wave of refugees to flee the region, which provided cover for its fighters and sleeper cells to infiltrate European countries, which are still battling rogue attacks till date.

The world will again be confronted with the European refugee crisis situation if ISIS is allowed to set up in the northeastern part of Nigeria unchallenged.  With ISIS claiming responsibility for the incidents with the Nigerian troops it is important to ensure that no effort is withheld to flush the terrorists out of the Lake Chad Basin region. The ISIS menace is one that Nigeria troops should not be allowed to confront alone.

We, therefore, urge the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, and the African Union Commission and other supra-national bodies to take urgent note of the incursion of ISIS into the sub-region by ISIS fighters.

NDMG warns that the various supra-national bodies do not have the luxury of displaying the kind of indifference that they displayed when they all left Nigeria alone to deal with the menace of Boko Haram.

Abandoning Nigeria to deal with the ISIS problem on its own will backfire on the entire human race in a way that would be regretted by all those that failed to act now that it is crucial to do so.

We, therefore, urge the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the rest of the world that take the threats posed by this international terrorist’s group very seriously and not politicize it. It is important that the government of Nigeria put pressure on the world to immediately do the needful.

The world needs to urgently step in to chase out the ISIS terrorists out of the region before they gain ground and repeat the kind of carnage they brought in the Syrian-Iraqi axis Where did committed kind of atrocities that are not known to mankind. It is on record that in the past certain countries blocked the ability of Nigeria to buy weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists The same mistake must not be repeated now that the world is aware that ISIS has left the Middle East and is now operating in the northeast of Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.

New Isis Leader Reshuffles ‘Cabinet’ – Security Services Mount Offensive Pressure on Strongholds

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The newly appointed leader of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) – ISIS most active and notorious jihadist movement in the world – Amir Abubakar Lawan has appointed his new ‘Cabinet’ made up of loyal commanders. Frontline troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces led Nigerian Army and regional multinational joint task force (MNJTF) have continued to engage jihadists factions in battlefield offensives in the North East and recently, North West of Nigeria; and the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin states of Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.

An exclusive intelligence has it that, Amir Abubakar Lawan AKA “Ba Lawan”, the new leader of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), has appointed and strategically redeployed fresh Commanders to lead ISWAP operation campaigns of terror against the government of Nigeria and regional state troops of the MJTF in the Lake Chad. Accordingly, five new key ISWAP Commanders have been redeployed by Ba Lawan around Tumbus and other flanks of the Lake Chad Basin general area.

The fresh commanders and their dispositions according to the impeccable source, are as follows:

1- Amir Abu Ali, is 32 years-old and an indigene of Abadam LGA, Borno State. He is the Commander of Arege unit.

2- Amir Abu Shuwa is 35 years-old and hailed from Talatangam village and is said to the Commander of Gashagar unit.

3- Amir Abu Waqas. His real name is Babagana and is 35 years-old, from Gawasa village. He has been deployed as the Commander of Talatangam unit.

4- Amir Abakar, is a 40 years-old from Jabullam. He is the Commander of Jabullam unit.

5- Amir Lawan (age unknown), is from Yaumango. He is a Commander of Yaumango unit.

All the five newly deployed unit Commanders have been instructed to coordinate consistent attacks against Nigerian military positions and troops of the MNJTF around Lake Chad region. They were to increase the jihadists defence capabilities to avoid a repeat of successful ground and aerial offensives from regional forces. The use of various soft and hard surveillance techniques has been encouraged including unsuspecting counterintelligence measures deployed outside and within Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

Abba Gana in ISWAP Custody

The previous leader, Amir Abba Gana, was dismissed as the ISWAP leader by the Shura council for his alleged consistent weakness and for failure to demonstrate adequate command and control in the group’s operations against the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Under the leadership of Abba Gana, ISWAP witnessed the biggest casualties of its top commanders in the hands of Nigerian Army in the recent offensives directly commander and coordinated by Lt-Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff. They suffered similar fate earlier from the Chadian Defence under the supervision of President Idriss Derby and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), regional troops.

The death of Amir Abu Imrana, the commander of ISWAP special forces in mid-June in the hands of Nigerian Army from a gunshot wound in Marte LGA of Borno State, left the jihadists in tatters.

Amir Abba Gana known by several other names including “Abdullahi Hairiya” and “Abu Abdullah” is being held with some of his loyal commanders at a location only given as Tumbun Tawaye. A few notorious commanders are also held along with him. These include; Amir Yalan Bulu, a Buduma by tribe, Amir Abbakaka and Amir Abu Khadija. These key ISWAP commanders are known to have been sacked with Abba Gana. They are currently under the supervised custody of the ISWAP New Chief Judge, Amir Malumma, who will decide on their fate any moment from now. However, this will be after consultation with ISIS core and or AZWAJ sponsors.

ISWAP new Leader copies child soldier tactics-establish new camps

Following the previous ISWAP leadership’s desperate tactics of filling the gaps of depleted fighters, the new leadership continues to recruit and train child soldiers in the Tumbus of Lake Chad. These minors and underaged fighters are deployed in various locations across the Lake Chad region.

Impeccable and very reliable sources with knowledge of the new group’s dynamics confirmed that on 13th July 2020, (3:56pm local time), an ISWAP unit positioned hundreds of foot soldiers (Furasha) around north of Gashagar. Their mission was to monitor any movement of items, persons, animals and military around the areas of Damasak, Gudumbali and Baga towns for attack, ambush, asset recovery and booty.

A series of multiple successful precision artillery bombardment, air strikes by the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force against the previous ISWAP jihadists’ regime has forced strategic location changes. The New ISWAP leader has re-established and re-equipped new camps around the Lake Chad Basin. Several fighters have been deployed to maintain security and smooth operations of these new camps. Movement of camps is a nightmare for jihadists because of the risks involved. This is made worse by resource needs for re-establishment.

Most of the recent attacks targeted at military and civilian convoys and abductions by ISWAP groups is to enable the acquisition of financial and human resources to realise relocation needs necessary for jihadist survival and expanding territorial control and operations.

The security and armed forces of regional states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission should promptly coordinate all necessary operational measures on all the listed locations. This is due to plans by jihadists to cut off and isolate these locations from the northern axis with the Lake Chad Basin. If this happens, any access and advancement routes will be blocked after the raining season.

New Coalitions

The new leader, Ba Lawan, has strengthened operational collaborations with factions led by Modu Sulum, Amir Modu Borzogo and Amir Kannami. This was confirmed in battlefield synergy experienced in recent multiple attacks on Damboa road where the insurgents were suspected to have seized about nine-gun trucks from the Nigerian military. The Nigerian military and regional troops should sustain operations around all the identified areas.

The existential leadership crisis within Boko Haram /ISWAP terrorists’ factions since the group pledged allegiance to ISIS core in 2015 is another clear indicator that these jihadists groups in northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin are driven more by power, criminality and less by ideological doctrines promoted by ISIS core. A concerted national and regional effort from the civilian population and regional security and armed forces at all levels will yield more off and on the battlefield results.

Counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations are the peoples’ war. If the military is losing, it is because the people are not winning It. Sustaining a civil -military synergy based on trust is critical to the any success counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations.

Author:

David Otto, CMAS – Counter Terrorism & Organized Crime Consultant and Director of Stepped-In Step Out (SISO) Twitter: @ottotgs

BREAKING: Magu released from detention

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The suspended chairman of the anti-graft agency, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has been released.

Mr Magu was released on Wednesday evening.

He was arrested last week Monday and has been detained by the police since then. He has been appearing before a presidential panel investigating allegations of corruption and insubordination levelled against him by Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s justice minister.

Details later…

Late Flying Officer Arotile: Aisha Buhari Mourns

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Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari has joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the late female combat pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

In a statement on her Facebook page Mrs Buhari said:

”It’s with a heavy heart that I received the news of the demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female Nigerian Airforce Combat Helicopter Pilot.
”I condole with the family of Flying Officer Arotile, the Nigerian Airforce and the country over this irreparable loss. The deceased was an intelligent young woman, a huge potential, a representative of both Nigerian women and youth, and what they could achieve.”

The late combatant died from head injuries after and ex-coursemate’s reversing vehicle knocked her down at the NAF Base in Kaduna.

Operation Sahel Sanity:Troops kill 6 bandits, foil attempt to rustle livestock, in Katsina, Zamfara States

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In continuation of the operational mandate to stamp banditry and untoward activities out of North-West zone of the country, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY on 14 July 2020 killed six armed bandits.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche in a statement said ”Acting on credible Human Intelligence, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY backed by helicopter gunships of the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI stormed the bandits’ enclave at Komani Hills within Rukudawa general area of Zamfara State and made contact with the criminals elements.

”The gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits with superior fire power killing six of them while others fled with grave gun shots wounds. One GPMG, one AK 47 rifle, one magazine and 34 motorcycles were recovered.” He said.

Relatedly, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY on 13 July 2020 responded to a distress call on an attempt by armed bandits to rustle cows at Kasele village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State. As they swiftly mobilized to the scene, the bandits fled in disarray thereby abandoning the animals.

”Afterwards, the gallant troops have maintained presence in the village and normalcy restored.” He added.

Racism: ‘More white people’ killed by police than Black people – Trump

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President Donald Trump

President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people in the United States, saying “more white people” are killed by police officers.

During a CBS News interview that aired on Tuesday, the Republican president was asked why Black people were still dying at the hands of law enforcement.

According to a Washington Post analysis updated on Monday, nearly half of the people killed by police are white, while 23 percent are Black. But Black Americans, who account for only 13 percent of the population, are shot at a disproportionate rate compared with white Americans, who make up 60 percent of the population, according to the analysis.

The May 25 killing of 46-year-old George Floyd, a Black American man, while in police custody in Minneapolis sparked protests across the US under the banner of the Black Lives Matter movement and led to an increased focus on police violence against Black people.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, American Civil Liberties Union’s Jeffery Robinson said in a statement that his comments were racist.

Robinson said Trump’s answer “not only ignores the fact that per capita Black and Brown people are disproportionately killed by police, it provides the foundation for the dangerous and unconstitutional police practices that result in the deaths of Black people with regularity”.

“Trump’s racism is so absolute that he continues to refuse to give even a tacit acknowledgment to the epidemic of police violence against Black people in America,” he said, accusing him of “using the violence and suffering perpetrated against Black communities as a white-supremacist dog whistle ahead of the coming election”.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump defended police departments, saying they “do an incredible job”, adding: “You can have a rogue, terrible cop, on occasion like you do in any industry, any business, in any profession.”

Already accused of not taking a clear stance against systematic racism and police brutality, Trump has escalated his rhetoric against the Black Lives Matter movement in recent weeks, focusing his comments on violence that breaks out occasionally on the fringes of peaceful demonstrations.

The recent nationwide protests have added prominence to a long-running debate about the flying of the Confederate flag in parts of the country and whether statues honouring Confederate leaders during the US Civil War should be removed from public view.

Asked by CBS if the flag should be “taken down,” Trump responded: “I know people that like the Confederate flag, and they’re not thinking about slavery.”

He added: “Very simple. Like it, don’t like it, it’s freedom of speech.”

In another interview with the conservative Townhall Media network, Trump defended a white couple captured in a widely shared video as they stood brandishing guns in front of their home in the city of St Louis during a protest against racial injustice.

Trump claimed Mark and Patricia McCloskey “were going to be beat up badly, if they were lucky” and said their house would have been “totally ransacked and probably burned down” had they not done that.

“And now I understand somebody local, they want to prosecute these people. It’s a disgrace,” he said.

N-Power: Massive Registration an indication of public acceptance of Batch C – Policy Expert

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Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The massive registration of youths for the Batch C stream of the N-Power programme has been attributed to the transparent process the honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has introduced in the implementation of programmes and policies in the ministry.

This was stated in an interview by Dr Gbolahan Agbaje, a renowned policy and development expert.
He stated that the initiation of the Batch C stream of the N-Power Scheme by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development under the leadership of Hajiya Saddiya Farooq is indeed an indication that the government is sensitive to the plight of the youths in the country.

“I can’t but laud the honourable minister for the way and manner she has carried on with the implementation of the various interventionist programmes under her ministry. The example of the massive registration by youths for the Batch C Stream of the N-Power is quite overwhelming.”

“Even though the Federal Government plans to enrol 400,000 applicants in the Batch C scheme, over 4.48 million youths have applied for the programme. This is an indication that the honourable minister is indeed thinking outside the box in ensuring that the policy of the federal government on the youths in the country is fully implemented.”

Dr Agbaje also noted that the honourable minister has transparently handled the affairs of the ministry, and this line of action has instilled confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The level of transparency exhibited by the honourable minister has been outstanding and a lesson in governance in the country. I believe that if other public office holders imbibe such level of transparency in their conduct, Nigeria would indeed make substantial progress.”
“The distribution of humanitarian palliatives during the COVID19 pandemic across the country is another exemplary display of transparency and accountability by the minister. We must admit that she indeed understands what it means to head such a sensitive agency.”
He further asserted that the choice of Sadiya Umar Farouq as the head of such a sensitive agency is strategic and buttresses the level of commitment of President Muhammdu Buhari towards uplifting the plight of the youths as well as the vulnerable groups in the country.
“I have no reservation whatsoever with the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of the minister because she has displayed a great sense of enthusiasm and commitment to the Nigerian cause. I must add that she can be regarded as a lesson in governance.”
“Taking the examples of the conditional cash transfer initiatives, the distribution of food items and other interventions all speaks volume of her level of integrity. I would advise her to continue in this fashion to ensure that the impact of the various government interventions reaches the intended beneficiaries.”
“Her work ethic is infectious and that infectious attitude is what I believe she has transmitted to staffers in her ministry and the various agencies under her supervision hence the effective coordination in the implementation of various humanitarian policies of the government.”
It would be recalled that accolades have continued to pour in for the efforts of the honourable minister of Humanitarian Affairs in the implementation of the various government policies that affected the lives of ordinary citizens. In recent times she has received awards on excellence and good governance by multiple organizations in recognition of her excellent works.

JUST IN: Gokada CEO found murdered at home

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The owner of motorcycle-hailing company ‘GoKada’ and co-founder of ride-sharing venture Pathao, Fahim Saleh has been found dead in his New York apartment.

According to New York Times, the dismembered body of the tech entrepreneur was found inside his swanky Manhattan condo on Tuesday afternoon.

An NYPD official said investigators believe the victim is a tech entrepreneur Fahim Saleh, 33, who bought the condo for $2.25 million last year.

NYPD spokesman Sgt. Carlos Nieves said all of the body parts were found at the scene but declined to give specifics on where.

Super Camp as the Best Strategy in Containing Insurgency and Banditry Activities

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By Capt. Jauro Musa Liya (Rtd)

Asymmetric warfare requires tact, innovation, creativity and resilience. It requires profound forsight, dynamic, purposeful and courageous leadership which the Nigerian Army (NA) and indeed the nation are lucky to find in Gen Buratai especially at this critical period of our existence as a nation.

It is obvious, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is aware of this and has therefore initiated, organized and deployed several new innovations in tackling contemporary security threats including terrorism and banditry activities in Nigeria.

The introduction of Super Camp as a war strategy by the COAS is proving to be very effective and rewarding despite the initial apprehension or criticisms from some individuals and groups who have little or no knowledge of the Military’s war tactics and strategies.

This point was corroborated by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin while on operational visit to Nigerian Army (NA) Super Camp 4 Faskari in katsina State on the 13 of July 2020 to assess the level of preparedness and performance in respect of Exercise Sahel Sanity in Faskari Katsina State. From Super Camp 4 Faskari the operation is planned in such a manner that the troops can project force to cover contiguous states of kaduna, kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara to flush out bandits hibernating in the areas.

The CDS used the opportunity to commend the COAS for his initiative, organization and resilience in combating insurgency and banditry activities and to the entire officers and men of the NA for their gallantry. All this couldn’t have been achieved without the profound support of the President and Commander in Chief of The Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

While at the super camp 4 Faskari, the CDS expressed satisfaction with the initiative, dedication and successes achieved so far and pledge the total support of the Defence Headquarters to the NA in its bid to flush out criminals and marauders in the North West.

According to the CDS, “all necessary support and assistance required to enable the NA achieve the objectives of the exercise will be provided by the Defence Headquarters.

The Super Camp war strategy introduced by the army leadership which ensures flexibility and concentration of forces and resources should be reinforced/complemented by blocking forces in the contigious states of Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara. This is to deny the criminals ease of action and movement. This also requires the collaboration and cooperation of sister security agencies to effectively implement.

The results of this initiative is evident in most communities in North west as farmers have resumed their farming activities and people who have fled their homes have already started returning to their normal lives. The NA must work hard to sustain these efforts and laudable achievements until banditry becomes a thing of the past.

It is however, very unfortunate that while operations are taking place concurently in the North East and North West with appreciable level of successes, some so called social commentators and analysts have subjected the uncommon performances of the army under Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai to mere ill feelings, bad belly, sheer sentiments or pedestrian debates.

Some self acclaimed security experts based their judgements on the number of bombs thrown, or bullets fired or the numbers of casualties without proper situation awareness of the battlefield. While for others, it is how they are personally affected or their business concern is affected that determine the army’s response to insecurity. Some have even arrogated themselves the discretion to ascribe or determine the tenures of service chiefs. All these have either created tension, emboldened the criminals, exacerbated insecurity or clogged the wheels of progress towards securing Nigeria, and it is the opinion of this writer that there is need for a rethink on the part of these kind of selfless, oftentimes mischievous individuals and groups.

Observers should closely study records and history of the NA and will find out rightly that as a war time COAS, Gen Buratai actually leads from the front in all the theatres of operation where he coordinates both office and field activities. There is indeed no doubt that he is the most workholic, stressful, committed, selfless and resourceful COAS ever produced by the NA. As a war time COAS, he still emerged as the most accomplished leader of modern day NA. His accomplishments in the operational arenas, human capacity development, equipment disposition – war armaments, logistics, military kits, welfare and infrastructural development are unparallel in the history of the NA. Hence, despite all distractions or ill motivated criticisms, history will judge Gen TY Buratai positively. He has so far already written his name in gold in the history of our country and in the annals of NA history.

The tenure of the current army chief will surely go down in history as one who has fundamentally transformed the NA with positive impacts on security, national cohesion, unity and development.

NAF Female Fighter Pilot Tolulope Arotile Dies in Road Traffic Accident

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One of the Nigerian Air Force celebrated female fighter pilots, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile is dead.

According to Director of Public Relations and Information Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Flying Officer Arotile died from head injuries sustained in a road traffic accident at NAF Base in Kaduna.

Until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.‬

During her short but impactful stay in the Service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

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