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At least four including cleric killed in Kabul mosque blast

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At least four people were killed after a blast ripped through a crowd during Friday prayers at a mosque in Kabul, Afghan officials said, in the latest attack on the city ahead of potential talks with insurgents.

“Based on our initial information, at around noon explosives placed inside the mosque detonated during Friday prayers,” interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said in a message to journalists.

A health ministry spokesman also confirmed the death count, saying the prayer leader and three worshippers were killed at the Sher Shah Suri mosque, while several others were wounded.

The attack comes a week after an Islamic State-claimed attack killed two people, including a popular prayer leader, at a mosque on the edge of Kabul’s heavily fortified green zone.

Afghanistan is juggling multiple crises, with the coronavirus rapidly spreading across the country and continuing violence even as the government and Taliban signal they are getting closer to sitting down for talks.

President Ashraf Ghani vowed Thursday to complete a Taliban prisoner release that is a key condition to the launch of peace talks with the insurgents.

Once the swap is done, the two sides have pledged to begin negotiations that could end nearly 19 years of war.

The Taliban have largely refrained from launching major attacks on Afghan cities since February, when they signed a deal with the US meant to pave the way for peace talks with the Kabul government.

A ceasefire during last month’s Eid al Fitr holidays also sparked hopes that the two sides may be getting closer to holding negotiations even as a recent uptick in fighting has tempered expectations.

Salkida: Why attempts to water down the impact of Nigerian troops’ devastation of Boko Haram has failed

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Ahmad Salkida, the Nigerian journalist with direct access to Boko Haram who at a time fell out with the group and had to go on self-exile, lives in a hole. And like every rodent that habituates in cracked spaces, the unsafe nature of such habitation makes him act on impulse.
He oscillates between two extremes in words and deeds that make both his views and actions suspect and at the same time puerile as they are borne out of desperation to keep afloat. In some instances, he deserves pity, though. However, his insistence to be in the public glare prohibits such emotion.
Before his self-imposed exile, Salkida was known to have untrammelled access to top Boko Haram commanders including their leader, Abubakar Shekau, which he uses, from time to time for his benefit.
In August 2016, the Nigerian Army, realising there is more than meets the eye regarding Salkida contacts with the terrorists, relying on the terrorism prevention Act 2011 (as amended), where Nigerians could be punished for failure to disclose information about terrorists or terrorist activities, declared him with two others wanted. They were suspected to be “in possession of information on the conditionns and the exact location of schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in 2014.”
Shortly after that, Salkida resurfaced and humbly began to desist from overhyping himself as the alter ego of the terrorists leader, slowly distancing himself from them.
But this year, he overdid himself when he released reports which embarrassed the sect and particularly their leader. In the audio tape, the Boko Haram kingpin was crying and confessing to the superior fire power of the Nigerian military.
Salkida, through his online publication, HumAngle, also revealed how it is possible that the Nigerian Army had killed more number of terrorists than the number it disclosed to the public. HumAngle in its report said many of the terrorists were felled in villages around the Sambisa forest which the military did not count.
Shortly after that exposé, the Boko Haram leader threatened to deal with Salkida and since then, obviously frightened by the threat, the manipulative journalist has reverted to factory setting, doing only the bidding of Shekau.
Like a rat that lives in a hole, he has run to other side of the extreme to avoid the threat coming from the opposite direction.
And between when the threat was made and now, all the reports from HumAngle about terrorists activities in Nigeria and confrontation with the military have been to massage the ego of the megalomaniac leader of the Boko Haram.
The height of such turn coat tactic was the latest story which tried to undermine the gains recorded by the Nigerian military since the Chief of Army staff, General T.Y Buratai relocated to the Northeast.
The HumAngle reports claims that of the over 1,600 terrorists killed between April and now, over 60 percent of the fatalities were due to the intervention by foreign forces and not Nigeria.
The report added that nearly 1,600 insurgents killed during the period, 65.7 per cent lost their lives during battles with soldiers in Chadian and Cameroonian territories, not Nigeria. It also said that when the additional figures are removed, only a total of 591 fatalities were recorded by the insurgent groups directly from attacks by Nigerian troops.
However, Salkida, characteristically, contradicts himself and cannot confuse the discerning.
The total number of militants killed by Nigerian troops between April and now stands at over 1,500 even without including the number said not to have been counted around the Sambisa forest.
The figure claimed to have been killed by Chadian forces whether in hundreds or thousands has never been claimed by any report of military onslaught on the terrorists in Nigeria.
The HumAngle was also being clever by half when it denied its own report that the military under reported the rate of casualty and is not clear however if Salkida included that number in the figure he claims to have been killed by Nigerian troops.
But the facts speak for themselves.
When HumAngle reported that Shekau was heard in an audio begging for mercy due to the damage on his fighting men, he forgot that Shekau did not deny that he wept but only claimed as an afterthought that the audio was done some five years ago.
Fact Check, however, revealed that there was no such pounding of the Boko Haram during the Ramadan period of 2015. The type of ululation heard in that video could not have been made by Shekau if the damage had been less.
The fact remains that since Lt. Gen. TY Buratai moved to the theatre of war in Borno State, the Nigerian military has been exemplary in performance to the acknowledgement of all including die-hard cynics.
Within the period, no less than 1500 of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists have been liquidated by Nigerian troops while many have been seriously wounded or arrested.
Hundreds of terrorists have been killed in operations in Kwalaram, Nilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala and in Gorgi, Damboa local government and in Buni Gari all in Borno State.
The Nigerian military has also overran the camps of the terrorists in Durfada, Allafha, Timbuktu, Bulajibi and Gonikurmi near the Sambisa forest.
This was what led to surrender of the 11 of the ISWAP members.
The Nigerian military also repelled attacks on Maiduguri twice and in Damboa, Banki, and Madagali and other places with heavy casualties on the side of the insurgents.
These have been made possible through careful planning and superior strategy by the military.
It was not for nothing that Buratai moved to the Northeast as his presence ensured that he engages troops directly by getting direct feedback from them.
His strategy of moving reinforcement while troops are pressing hard against the insurgents has also produced enormous results.
On top of that, the military has acquired more sophisticated weapons. The army for instance has obtained 17 military vehicles consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzer from China consisting of VT-4 main battle tanks and two types of self-propelled howitzers.
The combination of all these has made it possible for the Nigerian military to defeat Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists lately, and no fear-induced or eager- to-please pro- terrorists reports can take that away.
Audu is an Abuja-based journalist

Hajiya Sadiya Farouq and her relentless efforts for the people

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By Philip Agbese

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq struck the apex of leadership limelight unexpectedly for many Nigerians. She previously served as Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI)). And before her foray into partisan politics in 2010, she had a stint with the National Assembly Service Commission as a senior staff. Her experience in public service is therefore rich and stainless.

The services of the newly created ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (HADM & SD)  is at the heart of every Nigerian. In the age of countless disasters afflicting Nigeria, and the ensuing challenges, many Nigerians and international partners, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the ministry. It is structured as a coordinating hub for an array of other federal agencies offering humanitarian and crisis management functions.

The African Doctors for Africa (AfDA) was one of the bodies which commended President Buhari for the creation of the Ministry in a public statement signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Ver-or Ngutor, released in Abuja.

And  the pursuit of  the Ministry’s  agenda forms the swivel of assuaging public agonies,  and enthroning reliefs, happiness,  and comfort to distraught and traumatized people.The appointment of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq is perceived in many quarters as a blend of experience and expertise on humanitarian affairs and crises management. She is often described as Buhari’s Minister on what former Imo state Governor, Sen. Rochas Okoroacha would euphemistically termed as the “Ministry of Happiness.”

And these past few months, the Minister has dispensed herself as the poster boy of Mr. President by demonstrating to Nigerians what Government and committed leadership embodies. The scope of HADM &SD is large and expansive. It has fused agencies like National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons ((NCFRMI), and, National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), subsumed under Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA),  and other extended agencies.

Her mandate is understandably enormous and sensitive to general public social welfare and harmony. The job requires a heart that epitomizes the core values of humanity and compassion. Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is a perfect match and blend of the human resources needed to discharge the mandate.

Her managerial ingenuity is not in doubt.  And in the last few months, she has proved her mettle as a performer and leader who knows where the rage of tempestuous waters is hotter on humanitarian crises, social problems and where and when the ministry should pour its ceaseless torrents of interventions instantly.

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is imbued with a unbreakable passion, love, and kindness for humanity. She has a knack for commitment and hard work. Relatively unknown in the political and leadership ladder of Nigeria in spite of the previous sensitive offices she served, President Muhammadu Buhari took Nigerians by surprise when he fished out the Minister from an array of competitive choices to head the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

On the appointment of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the African Doctors for Africa (AfDA) convinced by her past track records, rated her on the new assignment as the right person for the job. The body stated that “Having served as a Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the minister parades all that is required to discharge the duties of her office.”

Nigerians conversant with affairs of Nigeria would concede that the country has been swimming in serious multiple disasters and humanitarian crises for over a  decade now. Whether natural, artificial or man-made, these disasters and humanitarian challenges have exalted strains on a nation eager to extricate herself from its fangs. The affected people have continued to yearn for salvation.

And President Buhari charged the Minister Umar Farouk to ensure that issues of fire and flood disaster, displaced victims, resettlements, refugees, and other humanitarian emergencies are effectively given prompt attention and resolved.

The Minister has properly understood her briefs as she disclosed while declaring open a three-day international workshop on improving civil-security cooperation (CISEC) in Humanitarian interventions in Maiduguri, Northeast Nigeria as she said, “The ministry has one of its mandates to develop Humanitarian policies and ensure effective coordination of national and international Humanitarian interventions in Nigeria.”

The new ministry has picked up the gauntlet of perfect utilization of funds; coordination of humanitarian/relief services and safety of emergency workers across the country. The Honourable Minister has impressively synergized with relevant agencies in providing   answers to these challenges and the seemingly intractable problems.

As exemplary conduct, she personally appeared at the scene of the Onitsha fire incident, visited and condoled victims of the inferno within a day. She instantly directed relevant agencies under the Ministry to take immediate appropriate actions to provide succor to the victims.

The portrait of Nigeria on disasters and humanitarian crises pulsates the heart in numbing coldness. The Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe present the worse and protracted humanitarian crisis, aside other parts of the country. It is caused by the over 10 years insurgency in the region.

In 2018, a report of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), pegged the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, to 2.24 million, with another 213,179 living as refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.

UNICEF Nigeria Humanitarian Situation Report from 1-31 October 2019 disclosed that insurgency has cropped-up over 7.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, while there are 1.82 Internally displaced people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. And added to the sorrow, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has placed Nigeria on fourth position among list of countries vulnerable to grave risk of humanitarian catastrophe in 2020 after Yemen, DRC and Syria.

The Minister is mindful of these realities and the projections. She has focused a sustained attention on the humanitarian crises in the Northeast where the clouds are darkest. Apart from improved supply of relief materials  and medication to these victims of armed conflicts housed in IDPs camps, the Minister is already working at other solutions and modalities to surmount the challenges. By end of 2019 alone, the Ministry coordinated humanitarian assistance to over 4 million people in distress across Nigeria, according to UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

And sighting and planning for the future, she has earnestly set in motion a machinery for a Road Map and Action Plan that will entrench a sustainable cooperation framework to  enhance civil organizations and security agencies interactions  in the Northeast. The aim is to define a common front and deepen synergy to tackle disasters and humanitarian crises.

The Minister recently said, “The structures that will emerge are expected to be enduring and mutually beneficial to all stakeholders as well as to the vulnerable groups whose succour is dependent on amicable working relationship between these major players in the Northeast.”

The Ministry is also focused  in 2020 on the resettlement of IDPs in the Northeast; IDPs enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), rent or renovation of houses for IDPs across the states; drilling of boreholes for water supplies;  securing of  land for relocation and reintegration of IDPs in Abuja and Nasarawa States; identified 2,200 families of IDPs targeted for cash assistance in the Northeast  and the resettlement of Bakassi Peninsula returnees in Southern Nigeria.

The Ministry is also in discussions with the United States Government which had pledged humanitarian assistance to Nigeria in 2020 worth US$40million. These are lofty packages that will cushion the effect of hardships imposed on victims of disasters and armed conflicts.

Furthermore, there are over 90 million Nigerians in a country of  198 million population who are living in gross poverty. The indices are scary and dreary! These are heavy burdens the new Ministry plans to discharge. However, the Ministry has planned to uplift about 90 million Nigerians out of poverty in the 2020 fiscal year.

Therefore, the Minister also attended the US-Nigeria Bi-national Commission in Washington DC, America, where she fine-tuned partnership with USAID and the World Bank to fund an elaborate programme for persons with disabilities and women empowerment in Nigeria.

In a cheering news, the Minister said; “The Ministry and the World Bank Mission in Nigeria will convene a meeting to discuss modalities and areas to reallocate funds within the International Development Association (IDA) to focus on programmes for disability and women empowerment.”

The Minister also held fruitful meetings with USAID, World Bank and US Institute for Peace (USIP). These organizations and the Ministry are exploring areas of mutual collaboration and support to the Ministry in Year 2020 to aid in prosecuting its programmes.

In continuation of the Minister’s efforts to render improved services to the people, she has continued to source for international assistance. The Ministry facilitated the first official trip outside Europe, of EU’s European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, accompanied by the Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, UN agencies and other stakeholders who met with President Buhari.

The  EU officials proceeded to undertake a two-day trip to  Nigeria’s  Northeast;  assessed EU-funded relief projects, visited IDPs camps and got firsthand knowledge of the threatening  humanitarian crises in the region.

Lenarčič declared after the visit that: “I saw first-hand today the suffering that conflict has brought to people’s lives and how crucial humanitarian aid is to people’s survival. What matters most is that humanitarian organizations can reach all the people in need, without restrictions, including in areas under the influence of non-state armed groups. It is vital that all States and parties to armed conflicts respect their obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief.” He promised that European Union will allocate an another €26.5 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria.

Under the Minister’s supervision, NEMA launched the unimplemented and forgotten National Emergency Management Policy document  in conformity and compliance with  the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction declaration. The framework as designed and domesticated targets and prioritize actions to prevent fresh humanitarian disasters and diminish existing disaster risks to erect safer and resilient strength in communities susceptible to humanitarian setbacks.

Also, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  with the approval of Mr. President temporary lifted the suspension slammed on Action Against Hunger (AAH) and the  Mercy Corps, (MCps), the  two international Non-Governmental Organizations,  working in Northeast  Nigeria, but the Nigerian Military accused of supporting Boko Haram terrorists.

“The suspension of the two International Humanitarian Organizations namely Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, is temporarily lifted. The concerns and recommendations of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) will continue to receive attention and scrutiny to address the issues raised and comply,” the Minister disclosed.

Consequently, the Minister took it  a notch higher by adopting and refining the 7-point agenda streamlined by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to  encourage coordination and partnership between the humanitarian community and the Government of Nigeria in the Northeast.

It worked and approved operational guidelines for the humanitarian community operating in the Northeast such as establishment of a high-level Policy forum on humanitarian assistance; vetting/due diligence of all humanitarian vendors before engagement by humanitarian actors; and clearance and registration of all NGOs by the FGN before engagement in any assignment;

Other approved procedures included; transportation and allocation of fuel and other sensitive humanitarian commodities etc in the field by  only Government approved vendors/providers; submission of monthly reports on humanitarian activities including funding received and source of funding, development and approval of a cash transfer policy for humanitarian assistance in Northeast Nigeria in accordance with the Laws of the Government of Nigeria etc.

As part of the Minister’s determination to reposition the operations of the Ministry for rewarding performance, in November 2019, she spearheaded a parley between the Federal Government and the humanitarian community in the Northeast dubbed Civil-Security Cooperation in Humanitarian Interventions in the Northeast  by anchoring a Workshop.

The assemblage brainstormed on issues affecting effective discharge of humanitarian services, ironed out differences and cemented ties. An elated UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, attested to the change in leadership by remarking that, “It was the first time that civil authorities, the military, and humanitarian actors from national and international levels were meeting under one roof…to prioritizing prevention always, development wherever possible and humanitarian action when necessary.”

The presence of Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  as head of the new Ministry has given President Buhari more confidence that Nigeria will overcome her humanitarian and disasters challenges, no matter how long it takes. And the Minister is justifying the public trust by her diligent, focused and result-oriented discharge of her official duties.

President Buhari asserted, when he played host to Mr. Janez Lenarcic, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management that  “Our priorities in the next level is to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, are rehabilitated so that livelihood should be established and the children should not lose the opportunity to go back to school, which is very important for the future of that area and Nigeria generally.”

Even at the risk of flattery, one would assert that Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq  is the much awaited benevolent spirit, which  IDPs across the country have  excitedly yearned to oversee their  fate and ensure that they rapidly get back on their feet. It’s a perfect combination that whereas Gen TY Buratai and troops are sending the terrorists away from their hideouts, the Minister is complementing the efforts to see that those who have been liberated have a reason to return home joyfully. Her job is indeed one that only a woman and a mother endowed with a compassionate heart can undertake and deliver excellently.

Agbese is a researcher in human rights and international humanitarian law and wrote from Abuja.

Highlights of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2020 Democracy Day Broadcast

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“The 2020 celebration of Democracy Day marks 21 years of uninterrupted civil administration in our dear country. This day provides us an opportunity to reflect on our journey as a nation, our achievements and struggles.

It is indeed a very difficult time for everyone especially those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those whose sources of livelihood have been severely constrained by the stringent measures we introduced at every level of government to contain the virus and save lives.

Sustaining our democracy thus far has been a collective struggle, and I congratulate all Nigerians and particularly leaders of our democratic institutions on their resilience and determination to ensure that Nigeria remains a shining example of democracy.
Nigeria now rated as one out of the ten top performing countries of the world due to the new Visa policy

On the economic front, our objectives have remained to stabilize the macroeconomy, achieve agricultural and food security, ensure energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products, develop infrastructure, fight corruption and improve governance.

Our pursuit of affordable housing for the low and middle-income earners has received a boost with the delivery of 1,200 housing units, provision of 520 service plots with infrastructure through a Public Private Sector partnership & issuance of 868 mortgages totaling N7.7 Billion.

I regret recent sporadic incidents with tragic loss of lives in Katsina and Borno States as a result of criminals taking advantage of COVID-19 restrictions. Security Agencies will pursue the perpetrators and bring them to swift justice.

We remain committed to expanding our mining sector. To this end, I have directed the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant based on Government-to-Government financing and a Public-Private Sector financing.

Government is also revamping the cotton, textile and garment sector via a CBN Textile Revival Intervention Fund that would considerably reduce foreign exchange spent on cotton and other textile imports.

Buhari says though GDP has dropped to 1.87 percent due to covid 19 pandemic, foreign reserves has increased to $36 billion as at May 2020.

FG to digitalize records to block revenue leakages and tap resources for foreign exchange

FG to work towards the completion of the East-West road in the Niger Delta region by the end of 2021

“We are producing what we grow and eat locally”

Democrats raise questions of domestic spying after US law enforcement surveilled protests with drones, spy planes

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An RC-26 spy plane with infrared and electro-optical cameras flew over protests Washington, DC, and Las Vegas on June 2 in the United States [File: John Riley/EFE/EPA]

Democrats in the United States Congress are questioning whether the administration of US President Donald Trump is improperly spying on Americans after it was revealed federal agencies used a drone, spy planes and covert techniques to surveil protests.

“We demand that you cease any and all surveilling of Americans engaged in peaceful protests,” a group of 30 senior legislators wrote in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and other top US law enforcement officials.

A litany of domestic surveillance by authorities has emerged in the wake of largely peaceful protests following the death of George Floyd – protests that have been met by police with tear gas, rubber bullets and batons and that have at times turned violent.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deployed a predator drone on May 29 over the city of Minneapolis, where Floyd, a Black man, was killed when a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes. The FBI used a small plane equipped to collect mobile phone location data over Washington, DC on June 2, according to members of Congress and public reports.

The FBI and US National Guard used a hi-tech RC-26 spy plane with infrared and electro-optical cameras over Washington, DC, and Las Vegas on the same day.

Explanations demanded

The US Drug Enforcement Administration was authorised to “conduct covert surveillance” of the protests. Attorney General William Barr told state governors the FBI’s network of regional counterterrorism centres would be used to track protesters.

“Americans should not have to take proactive measures to protect themselves from government surveillance before engaging in peaceful demonstration,” members of Congress led by Representatives Anna Eshoo and Bobby Rush said in the letter dated June 9.

The politicians cited the “chilling effect” of the surveillance and demanded the Trump administration “cease surveilling peaceful protests immediately and permanently”.

Separately, Democratic members of two House committees on Homeland Security and Intelligence have demanded explanations from Trump officials.

Trump and other members of his administration have characterised the protests not as constitutionally protected free speech but as criminal acts, going so far as to label events as “domestic terrorism”.

In tweets on Thursday, Trump said “domestic terrorists” and “anarchists” had taken over Seattle after protesters occupied and barricaded neighbourhood streets around an abandoned police precinct near the city’s central business district.

Attorney General Barr said at a news conference on June 4 that US prosecutors were collecting intelligence from “the FBI and multiple different sources” about so-called Antifa and “Boogaloo” violent groups that he said were using the protests to “exacerbate the violence”.

“We categorise those as domestic terrorism investigations and are actively pursuing them through our joint terrorism task forces,” FBI Director Wray said at the news conference.

DEA agents were “conducting threat assessments” and sharing “information potential violations of federal law in real time”, acting DEA chief Tim Shea said.

Talking about protests in Washington, DC at the end of May, the acting head of the CBP said in a tweet: “These protests have devolved into chaos and acts of domestic terrorism by groups of radicals & agitators.”

More than 10,000 people have been arrested nationwide, according to a tally by The Associated Press news agency. On widely publicised advice of privacy advocates, some protesters took steps to protect their data by switching off their phones’ antennae.

George Floyd: ‘I regret walking with Donald Trump to church photo op’ – US Army Chief

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The top US military officer says he should not have joined Donald Trump when the US President walked from the White House to a nearby church for a photo opportunity after authorities cleared the way of protesters using tear gas and rubber bullets.

Donald Trump holds up a bible in front of a church

“I should not have been there,” Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Mark Milley said of his appearance at the politically charged event on June 1.

“My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” he said in a pre-recorded video commencement address to the National Defense University.

General Milley’s remarks followed a rare outpouring of condemnation from retired US generals and even former defence secretary Jim Mattis for Mr Trump taking part in the event.

The US military is meant to be apolitical and is sworn to defend the country’s constitution, which protects the right to peaceful protest.

General Milley and Defence Secretary Mark Esper joined Mr Trump to pay a surprise visit to the historic Saint John’s Episcopal Church, during which the President held up a bible for photographers.

Minutes before the visit, law enforcement used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse mostly peaceful protesters occupying the square between the White House and the church in a demonstration against the police killing of George Floyd.

The National Guard supported law enforcement at the site.

“As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it,” General Milley said.

As authorities were clearing the square, Mr Trump delivered a speech at the White House condemning “acts of domestic terror” and saying the United States was in the grips of professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals and others.

He promised the mobilisation of thousands of US troops and told state governors that same day he was putting General Milley “in charge” of the protest response.

General Milley later seemed to reinforce Mr Trump’s comments by appearing in downtown Washington DC that evening in camouflage fatigues.

He has not appeared in public to answer questions since the walk with Mr Trump.

His decision to deliver his remarks in a pre-recorded message, as opposed to a news conference, precluded the possibility of taking questions, including about any split with the Republican President.

Mr Esper told a Pentagon news conference more than a week ago he regretted using the word “battlespace” to describe protest sites around the United States and said he was unaware the church visit was going to be a “photo op”.

He also publicly stated he did not support the use of the Insurrection Act, which would allow Mr Trump to mobilise active-duty troops to crack down on protests.

In his address on Thursday, General Milley stressed the need for members of the military to stay out of politics.

“We who wear the cloth of our nation come from the people of our nation and we must hold dear the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic,” he said.

Group calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to complement security agencies in tackling terrorism/banditry

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The National Rebirth and Conscience Platform (NRCP) has called for concerted efforts by all relevant stakeholders to compliment the security agencies in their quest to rid the nation of criminal elements.

In a statement signed by Publicity Secretary, Comrade Aaron Otache, on Thursday, NRCP saluted the bravery and commitment of the security personnel to end terrorism, banditry and other criminal acts in the country.

While particularly acknowledging the exploits of the Nigerian Army in engaging the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East and other parts of Nigeria, the group believes more can still be achieved with the support of Nigerians.

From political, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, the media, NGOs, and other critical stakeholders, NRCP said that all hands must be on deck.

It, however, assured the security agencies of its optimum support as they continue to push away Boko Haram, bandits and others out of the country.

The group charged all stakeholders to do so in the overall interest of the country in resolving this crisis.

Read full statement below:

National Rebirth and Conscience Platform call for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to end the menace posed by acts of terrorism, banditry and other criminal acts in the country.

We wish to state that the invaluable efforts of our various security agencies in the country have been outstanding given the enormity of the task at hand. We salute their bravery and commitment to addressing these security concerns.

It must be stated that ending acts of terrorism and banditry does not rest on the shoulders of the security agencies alone, but rather every stakeholder in Nigeria has a role to play in ensuring that Nigeria defeats terrorism, banditry and other acts of criminalities in the country.

The National Rebirth and Conscience Platform recognize the efforts of the Nigerian Army in engaging the Boko Haram terrorist group in North-East Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria where they are involved in internal security operations aimed at addressing acts of banditry and other militant activities.

There is a need for more to be still done, and we have confidence that recent results posted by the Nigerian Army and other security agencies are testimonies that we are closer to the end of the issue.

The National Rebirth and Conscience Platform, therefore, call on our political leaders, civil society organizations, religious leaders, traditional leaders, the media, the NGOs, and other critical stakeholders to lend their support to the Nigerian Military in addressing the various threats posed by criminals elements, their sponsors and collaborators.

These stakeholders must realize that they all have invaluable roles to play in complementing the efforts of the security agencies as these criminal elements and perpetrators of evil in Nigeria are not sprits but human beings with names and addresses.

Our various security agencies have been proactive, and it consequently behoves all on all well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the occasion by lending their support in ways too numerous to mention in our quest to rid Nigeria of terrorism and other acts of criminality that has threatened the fibre of our existence as a people and as a country.

The National Rebirth and Conscience Platform wishes to state that in the light of the foregoing, what is needed to end insecurity in Nigeria is a concerted effort by all stakeholders and not just the security agencies alone if we are desirous of winning the war against criminality in Nigeria.

The National Rebirth and Conscience Platform commend the various efforts of our security agencies and encourage them not to relent in their pursuit of a Nigerian where acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and other criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.

The National Rebirth and Conscience Platform pledge its support to the efforts of our security agencies in reducing acts of terrorism, banditry and other criminal acts and encourages other stakeholders to do so in the overall interest of the country in resolving this crisis.

Otitoju: How not to react to calamities

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By Ismaila Momoh

Immediately it was reported that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists attacked Faduma Kolomdi, a nomadic village, in Gubio Local Government area of Borno State and killed 69 persons, ‘security analyst,’ Babajide Otitoju, dashed to social media to announce with glee that the terrorists have struck again.

If one was not aware that the incident is a tragedy of heinous proportion, one would have been forgiven to think that Otitoju was celebrating something positive, like the discovery of COVID-19 vaccine, going by the excitement in his post.

His words: “Last night, Boko Haram attacked Zowo ward in Gubio local government area of Borno State and killed 69 people.

“This came after the attack on Auno village where the insurgents killed 6 soldiers and dozens of soldiers are still missing. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum left for Zowo this morning.

“I am saddened by these attacks. I had warned repeatedly against making claims that the enemy has been defeated or that Shekau wants to surrender. When I report exactitude about the war some paid fellows would be abusing me, accusing me of ignorance.”

Instead of showing interest in the number of persons felled in the attack, the self-acclaimed security analyst was more concerned about trying to use this incident to justify his previous celebration of Boko Haram killings, thereby confirming earlier allegations that he is at his best only when the terrorists succeed in their bloody campaigns and always absent when our soldiers visit the enemies with greater calamities.

Some few days ago, reports came in that no less than 30 top Boko Haram commanders have sent words to their leader, Abubakar Shekau, that they will drop their arms and surrender to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Otitoju, characteristically did not run to his page to celebrate, neither did he do so when 11 of the terrorists turned themselves in surrender.

Worst still, he tries to downplay the efforts of the Nigerian military by reducing such feats that come with incontrovertible evidence as ‘claims.’

If that is not acting as a Boko Haram apologist, then how could one possibly explain that?

The same Otitoju that on the basis of the attack on Gubio finds reasons to say that Boko Haram has not been defeated, was nowhere to be found when more than 40 of its commanders including Manzar Halid, Amir Abu Fatima, Nicap and others were killed last week in a counter attack by the operation Lafiya Dole in Banki, Borno State or when high profile commanders and fighters of the Boko Haram namely, Abu Jamratu AL-Naweer, Kaka Bana and Tareta Babakari were fatally wounded in that counter attack.

There is also no record to show that Otitoju shouted for joy when in March, Nigerian troops eliminated 20 of the terrorists’ top commanders including one Abu Usamah, a notorious kingpin and killed over 100 of their fighters who were hiding in Kwalaram, Ngilewa, Sabon Tumbu, Bukarmairam, Wulgo in the Marte and Gamboru Ngala axis and Gorgi, Damboa local government of Borno State.

What about in April, when Nigerian troops also killed 105 of the terrorists in Buni Gari and captured many weapons including five AK-47 rifles, three GPMG and one Duska anti-aircraft gun and in May, 78 members of ISWAP and 56 Boko Haram members were killed and 28 of their informants arrested?

In all these instances, it was convenient for Otitoju to continue living in denial. But whether he likes it or not, nobody is ‘claiming’ that Boko Haram has been defeated as all who should know and who live in those areas bear testimony that the jihadists has not only been devastated but has not been the same since the recent renewed onslaught against them by the Operation Lafiya Dole.

The senator representing Southern Borno, Ali Ndume who should know, confirmed this recently when he said the relocation of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai to the Northeast has significantly impacted on the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

He added that many successes have been recorded within the two months stay of Buratai in the area and stressed that what was remaining was the final uprooting of the insurgents in Lake Chad fringes, Sambisa forest and Mandara Mountain.

“Definitely the coming of COAS has made visible difference. He has taken a break after two months, to re-strategise because the remaining areas are delicate, because they are mixed with civilians being held hostage by the insurgents,” he stated.

These are facts that Otitoju always shies away from acknowledging.

To show that Otitoju is more concerned about justifying his celebration of Boko Haram carnage only, he is about the only public figure that did not acknowledge the efforts of the Nigerian military in any way while reacting to the Gubio massacre.

All other reactions that followed the attack, while expressing sadness over the incident were quick to point out the efforts of the military in ridding the country of the menace of the Boko Haram and called on them to rise to the occasion to once again, prove itself.

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum who was at Gubio after the attack said while sympathising with the people over the attack, for instance, that the Nigerian military need to undertake a final onslaught that should put an end to the insurgents in the shore of the Lake Chad.

He said: “This is barbaric. It is very unfortunate. The only solution to end this massacre is by dislodging the insurgents in the shores of Lake Chad. Doing so will require collaborative regional efforts.”

President Muhammadu Buhari in condemning the incident, on his part, charged the armed forces to “sustain their recent string of successes against the terrorists to extract a heavy price from the attackers, and bring back all those the terrorists kidnapped as well as the large number of cattle rustled.”

He also expressed the sincere condolences of the government and people of Nigeria to the bereaved families, communities and the government and people of Borno State.

The two statements from the Borno State governor and the President, not only acknowledged what the military has done and is doing in that regard but expressed much confidence on the troops to finish the remains of the dregs of the misguided urchins, unlike Otitoju who would not even mention anything good the military has done.

In case the security expert does not know, nobody said the Boko Haram has been totally eradicated. Yet no one can deny that they have been defeated and terribly weakened.

Anybody following reports of the successes recorded against the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists recently should know as is typical of them, that they would try and launch attacks that would redeem their unfortunate image as a force of terror.

Many commentators have predicted this kind of reaction from the terrorists and indeed the Boko Haram have made many efforts to launch such attacks in the recent but failed as they were consistently repelled by the military.

They for instance had tried to take Banki, Damboa and Maiduguri at different times suffered heavy casualties and fled losing about 700 of their fighting men in the last three months.

So if one may ask, what actually is Otitoju saying by trying to justify his celebration of Boko Haram carnage?

If he is the security analyst that he claims to be, he should know that war consists of many battles and that so far the military have had the upper hand in the fight and that the total annihilation of the Boko Haram terrorists going by what we have seen lately, is only matter of time.

Rather that casting aspersions on the military over the Gubio incident, he should commend the Nigerian Army which quickly moved into action and has sent a large contingent of military personnel to track and apprehend or neutralize the terrorists and gave the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole the mandate to enhance security and dominate the area.

Momoh wrote this piece from the University of Maiduguri.

Time to bring Boko Haram’s sponsors, collaborators to book, CALSER says

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The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has said it is high-time the sponsors and collaborators of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists are brought to book.

In a statement signed by its convener, Princess Ajibola on Thursday, the centre urged the Federal Government to beam its searchlight towards saboteurs jeopardizing the military’s remarkable gains.

CALSER, though, acknowledged the efforts of the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, which it said has “pushed back the terrorists, denied them any capacity to hold territory and hoist flags as they did in the past”.

However, the only obstacles, the centre reckoned are individuals and groups covertly sponsoring and promoting the insurgents’ agenda.

According to CALSER, among others, some foreign and indigenous NGOs, local politicians, foreign governments as well as certain self-acclaimed activists and media personalities are fuelling insurgency for their personal gains.

For the military to finally put an end to the fleeing jihadists, CALSER reckoned that these conspirators and sponsors must first be tamed.

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights, therefore, called on the “United Nations, the international community and well spirited individuals to help in the apprehension of the sponsors of the fighters in the Lake Chad region”.

It further charged the “ International Criminal Court (ICC) to commerce immediate trail of all sponsors of these terrorist groups identified by the Nigerian government”.

Read the full statement below:

It has been over a decade now that the war against Boko Haram insurgency has been on in the country. In that period tens of thousands of lives have been lost, communities sacked, billions of dollars spent on prosecuting the war. This is definitely heavy toll on the nation and everyone

The Nigeria army which has been at the fore front of fighting this battle against insurgency has equally paid dearly. In many instances while we sleep cosy in our bedrooms they are at the theatre of the war taking on the Boko haram terrorists. Many times they have had to pay with their lives just to see that these terrorist are defeated and eradicated.

Unfortunately this has not been achieved yet. There may be divergent opinions on why Boko haram/ISWAP has not been totally eradicated despite the efforts and sacrifices by our armed forces .

We at the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic rights (CALSER) believe that the government needs to turn their searchlight towards saboteurs in this war. The government now has to go for the sponsors of these terror groups. A group of thugs and miscreants cannot sustain a war against the whole nation Nigeria for over a decade without them having collaborators and sponsors both internally and externally.

No matter the efforts of the Nigeria military, so long as these sponsors and collaborators of Boko Haram/ISWAP are allowed to fester. We do not think this war will end anytime soon.

Remember sometimes in 2019 when army spokesperson Col Sagir Musa raised alarm that some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the North eastern region of the country were breaching security protocols and sabotaging ongoing counter terrorism operations in the zone? Of course these facts were established after the arrest of a top Boko Haram commander Mohammed Modu. The army also made similar accusations in 2018.

The truth is the military have done their best in addressing the kinetic component of the war against insurgency as was entrusted to them by Mr President. They have pushed back the terrorists, denied them any capacity to hold territory and hoist flags as they have done in the past. The have decimated their strongholds.

However for the battle against insurgency to be done and over. The government has to go for the sponsors of this war. Otherwise if left unchecked they will continue to provide the required lifeline for a group already decimated and about to be finished off.

Let us not imagine that the sponsors will be uniform or perhaps just one entity. Such operations normally have multiple and diverse sponsors. They could include Foreign or Local NGOs, local politicians, some foreign governments, including even some of our Neighbours.

Remember when a top politician in Borno State , Shettima Lawan was arrested by the army . Shettima was the chairman of Mafa local government council, Borno State at the time. In the words of the then theatre commander of operation Lafia Dole Major General Leo Irabor described Shettima Lawan as a “big supporter” of Boko Haram in a presss conference where his arrest was confirmed. So while the army diligently works towards rounding up boko haram/ISWAP fighters some local politicians are aiding their operations. In such situations it will be herculean for the military to make headway in such situations.

There are also the international collaborators or sponsors. If we recall CBN news channel reporting that Turkey was a major supplier of weapons to Boko Haram insurgents, this news was later confirmed by AFP a French news agency to be from leaked audio recording between a Turkish government adviser and a top Turkish airline official. If we now link this story with the September 2017 seizure of arms and rifles loaded in a container shipped from Turkey at the Lagos ports. We may begin to get the link or clue to some of these issues.

What is certain is this, there are definitely organizations and countries collaborating and sponsoring the activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist in Nigeria. The government now needs to go after them otherwise the war against terrorism may remain compromised.

Whilst we cannot give all the details in this briefing, you all with agree with us that our military has a swell of information that the government can act on to track and deal with these sponsors. We largely surrounded by neighbour who may look friendly but revelations of some activities of these countries in their dealings with the terrorist organizations sometimes leaves us in doubt as to what their real intention may be. Nigeria being surrounded mainly by Francophone countries must be cautious its dealings with this nations. There has been reports of some of these countries providing safe passage for the terrorist and in many cases after launching attacks here in Nigeria , they retreat back into this neighbouring countries. In some cases, we even hear they get their arms transported and supplied through these countries.

Then we have their collaborators in the media, these group are no less dangerous as other collaborators. In fact they could even be termed more dangerous because they are quite subtle in their approach. Whenever the army is making advances and successes in the war, the hit the news space with fake stories of abuse of right and many times report attacks that did not even occur. They try all sort of tactics to demoralize the troops who area the forefront of the war.

It is quite tough for the army whilst prosecuting the war against insurgency diligently running with the mandate given it by Mr President to also be engaging the collaborators and sponsors on the sides.

We call on the United Nations, the international community and well spirited individuals to help in the apprehension of the sponsors of the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in the lake chad region. Without apprehending the sponsors their activities may not come to an end soon.

Their savagely behaviour must be seen as what it is “crime against humanity”, and so their collaborators must be seen as perpetuators of the crime as well.

In that light we call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to commerce immediate trail of all sponsors of these terrorist groups identified by the Nigerian government. In has become imperative for this to be done to stop the continued slaughter of innocent souls by these terrorist groups and their collaborators.

Operation Safe Corridor: Ex-Boko Haram fighters not being integrated into the Military – Defence Headquarters

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…says 893 ex-combatants enrolled, 280 including 2 Chadians successfully reintegrated back to the society    

   

The Armed forces of Nigeria says the concept of Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) is that of a unique non-kinetic operation aimed at giving hope to ex-combatants who willingly give up their arms to embrace peace.

As the war on insurgency enters another more critical stage with the surrendering of Boko Haram fighters and other militant groups in the country, there is a greater need for deradicalisation, rehabilitation and re-integration of ex-combatants according to the Geneva convention.

Briefing newsmen at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche said, Operation Safe Corridor is a Defence Headquarters (DHQ)-led multi-agency humanitarian effort based on De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-Integration (DRR) of ex-combatant Boko Haram members that willingly surrender, which was established in September 2015 and became operational in 2016.

“Operation SAFE CORRIDOR (OPSC) is guided by among other provisions such as International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws. It is being administered by 468 staff drawn from 17 organizations including the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), Law Enforcement and Security Agencies, other Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including North East Development Commission (NEDC) as well as locals from Gombe, where the DRR camp is located.

“The scheme also enjoys widespread collaboration and support of local and international NGOs. The key implementation partners are United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DFID), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and North-East Regional Initiative (NERI).” He added.

General Enenche noted that Deradicalization is the first stage of the programme after medical screening including taking of DNA sample is conducted.

“It covers; psychotherapy, psycho-spiritual counseling, drug abuse intervention, art therapy, sports/recreation and introduction to western education to counter the BHT ideology.

“The rehabilitation package of the programme include; training in barbing, carpentry, cosmetology, farming, leatherworks, shoe making, tailoring and welding. They will be issued with starter packs (basic tools) and provided with takeoff funds.

“The Reintegration aspect of the DRR programme is the most delicate and longest phase that lasts beyond the camp. It entails transitional justice initiative involving family linkage with the assistance of IOM and UNICEF among others. Administration of Oath of Allegiance is also conducted at this stage. The panel is headed by a judge of the Federal High Court with members drawn for relevant agencies.” He added.

He said the concept and conduct of Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, it is not a process of assembling raw repentant ex-combatants to inject back into the society by the Military. Rather, it is an international best practice for conflict management backed by relevant laws with the concurrence of key stakeholders such as international organizations and MDAs among others.

In his remarks, the Coordination of Operation Safe Corridor, Major General Bamidele Shafa said before the commencement of Operation Safe Corridor, the federal government had put in place several programmes to ameliorate the sufferings of those affected by conflict in the country.

“Before the Northeast Development Commission came on stream, there was Presidential Committee on Northeast headed by Lt Gen TY Danjuma rtd, there is also the Victim Support Fund. All these are developmental programmes established to deal with the situation in the Northeast.

“and to further enhance government’s involvement in the Northeast, that was why a special ministry, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and social Development was created by the Federal Government”

General Enenche observed that, since its inception in 2016, Operation Safe Corridor has admitted 893 ex-combatants for the Programme out of which 280 including 2 Chadians have been successfully reintegrated back into the society through their respective national and state authorities.

“Presently, there are 603 of them undergoing the DRR Programme and would be graduating by July 2020.

“The Operation is a success story as feedbacks from those reintegrated are positive. A particular one in Bama who learnt barbing as a vocation has successfully empowered 4 locals and is happily married with children.” He concluded.

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