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Revealed: Desperate Times for Boko Haram as ISWAP-ISIS Network Plan to Sack Group

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There are strong indications that the terror group, Islamic States West African Province (ISWAP-ISIS) is planning to expel the Boko Haram group from its network at the expiration of a three-year ultimatum for it to establish a caliphate-like base in North East Nigeria.

This was revealed in a survey carried out by the International Terror Monitoring Group (ITMG), a global monitoring group on the activities of terrorists Group across the world. According to the ITMG, the ISIS groups have seen that the Boko Haram sect has lost steam in the last three years with the recapturing of territories once under their control.

“The ISIS has threatened to expel Boko Haram from its fold for its inability to sustain the tempo in the ongoing war with the Nigeria Army as reflected in it losing areas that hitherto were strongholds, such as Camp Zero in Sambisa forest as well as the lucrative Kukawa-Baga-Chad-Niger route.”

The survey further highlighted the fact that should Boko Haram lose support from ISIS, that would signal the end of its existence because the bulk of the support it gets in arms and ammunition support would be cut-off.

“The critical aspect of the deal for the Boko Haram insurgents is in their desire to continue to have supplies in arms and ammunition from the ISIS group. Their main supply would be cut off, and they stand the risk of going into oblivion should that happen.”

According to a similar source, it stated that the renewed attacks by Boko Haram is as a result of the ultimatum handed over to them to either capture territories or risk been excommunicated from the terror network.

“The renewed onslaught against the Nigerian Army is to put out a bold face to the ISIS network that they Boko Haram are in control of major communities in North East Nigeria, and which is far from the case. This much they have tried to achieve but with a heavy price in the number of causalities it suffered.”

The ITMG survey which was seen by this medium further emphasized that the pressure on the Boko Haram sect by the ISIS network has been on in the past six months, especially as the election is approaching.

“Part of the reason for the pressure is to ensure that the northeast region is unsuitable for elections, and which would in a way disrupt the political process in Nigeria. But as it stands that aim is not possible because Boko Haram has not been able to lay claim to any territory in the past three years, unlike in times past where it was in control of over 16 local government areas in North East Nigeria.”

The survey summarised with the fact that Boko Haram might be expelled in a few days as it is customary with the terrorist network for groups without a known operational base for three years upward to be discharged from the web.

Diamond Bank Appoints Dele Babade As Acting Chairman

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2019: Dangote, Otedola join Buhari Campaign Council

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Breaking: Black Friday in Benue as scores die on the way to Abba Moro’s flag-off in Agatu

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Police Explains Why It Refused To Parade Alex Badeh’s Suspected Killers

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No vacancy in Aso Villa till 2023, Marwa tells Atiku, others

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How FG Spent $322m Recovered From Abacha Family By Garba Shehu

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Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Figure Sentenced to 10 Years in Jail

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Mohamed Badie, top leader of Egypt's outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, talks during a trial hearing alleging his involvement in a 2013 attack on a Port Said police station, at a court in Cairo, April 20, 2015. REUTERS/Al Youm Al Saabi Newspaper

Kaduna killings: CAN tears El-Rufai apart over threat to arrest Dunamis Pastor, Enenche

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The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has expressed worried over alleged threats in some online media by governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai on his determination to get the Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enrnche arraign in Kaduna over alleged hate speech.

Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai allegedly claimed that Dr Paul Enenche’s hate speech escalated the recent killings that rocked Kasuwan Magani on October 18, 2018 that was followed by the assassination of the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Galadima on October 26, 2018.

CAN, in a statement through the Special Assistant, Media and Communication to CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji said, “The attention of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to a threat issued by Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai of Kaduna State in some online news media over his determination to get the Founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche arraigned in Kaduna over “hate speech” that he allegedly claimed escalated recent killings that rocked Kasuwan Magani on October 18, 2018 that was followed by the assassination of the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Raphael Galadima, on October 26, 2018.”

The statement observed, “While CAN abhors hate speech in whatever form, it is becoming very difficult to determine what constitutes “hate speech” and who should be responsible for assessing what constitutes the hate speech. It has become much difficult to know whose speech is to be regarded as hate speech and which speech should not.

“We have carefully read the threat by Governor El-Rufai and his claim to know who is responsible for the “hate speech” that promoted the crises in Kaduna State and his vow to get Pastor Enenche arrested and prosecuted in Kaduna State.

“We have also examined the video clip of the Pastor and are abreast of all the facts concerning the Kasuwan Magani killings, among others.

“The main subject of Dr Enenche’s clip which Governor el-Rufai is alleging to be a “hate speech” to us is an outright condemnation of the fate that has befallen the Adara people and Christians in Southern Kaduna through the creation of new emirates namely; Lere, Kagarko and Kujuru. By the creation of these emirates, especially that of Kajuru, the Adara people have been subjugated.”

“From a careful study of the speech, Pastor Enenche is not the originator of what he spoke about. He said; “ about the middle of this year we heard a Christian first class Chief, that they were told from the news report we heard…” hence the video, he was speaking about was what he read or heard from the news.”

CAN said while it continues to condemn hate speech by religious leaders and other Nigerians, it added, “We cannot stand and watch our respected leaders being set up for molestation, humiliation and prosecution for an unfounded “hate speech.”

“We have also followed the speeches of Governor El-Rufai and have felt strongly that he has been engaged in making inciting speeches, but several efforts deployed to draw his attention have been fruitless.

“His statement that his government had paid herdsmen to stop the killing in his State without any due compensation to the victims of attacks is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. The questions in the minds of the church is; why is it very easy for government to identify those lamenting over the unabated killings of Christians in Kaduna and other states in the middle belt for persecution?

“Why is it easy by government to seek to apprehend and prosecute the crying victims and almost an impossible task to bring killers to justice? Why is it easier for the El-Rufai government to know and get “the agents of careless statement…” but most expensive and almost impossible for him to identify the Kaduna killing agents despite years of such continuous killings? Have the killers of Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, been apprehended? How long will it take the Governor El-Rufai to apprehend them?

“Any attempt to arrest and harass any of our pastors again will be considered as an attempt to silence the voice of the Church and reasoning in our nation.

“Let the government defines clearly the difference between what is considered hate speech and advocacy for dying victims of continuous killings in Nigeria. What do you expect from a church leader whose members and fellow citizens are being killed daily without any satisfactory measures to abate the killings? Are we to keep clapping for government while people are being massacred in cold blood?”

CAN explained, “While we appreciate the fact that no government will want her citizens to be killed, we will admonish Governor El-Rufai to channel his strength towards getting the sponsors and perpetrators of the heinous crimes going on in Kaduna State arrested and prosecuted rather than chasing good Nigerians who are contributing immensely to the peace, growth and development of the nation.

“We will encourage the police not to be distracted by those who are after hunting innocent Nigerians but to be focused on getting criminals who are wasting the lives and property of innocent Nigerians with the view of arresting and punishing them and averting further polarization of the nation.

“The polity is already heated up and polarised along ethnic and religious divides. All of us in leadership have had an inappropriate news item carried or published about us before; it is part of the burden of leadership.”

The leadership of CAN noted that the best that could be done in such a circumstance was for the governor to debunk inaccurate news items like he has done.

“On the basis of the above, we again caution that care must be taken in handling what Pastor Paul Enenche read which he wanted people to pray over.

“The idea of making Christians endangered species must stop for the sake of peace and unity of this country. We have had enough of troubles in this nation in the past years. We deserve to have our peace,” CAN explained.

Abuja Three Years Without Bombs And Still Counting

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By Lilian Nwachukwu

I sat in anxiety as the yuletide season approached us. Thoughts ran riots in my head. I played out many scenarios as regards the likelihood of a disruption of the festive season by men of the underworld, as in times past. I refreshed my memory to the bomb blasts the rocked previous years on Christmas day and in churches and recreational centres in the FCT and its environs. I could only but nod my head in absolute disbelief.

Disbelief you might want to ask. Yes, I meant every bit of the word disbelief because of how time flies and indeed how when there is a will, there would always be a way. I counted three with my fingers (2016, 2017 and 2018) and not a single disruption of the yuletide season in Abuja. Not a single bomb detonated anywhere. There was no uproar amongst merry seekers in recreational spots all around the FCT and its environs. People went about their normal businesses without fear. This is unprecedented.

I have longed told all that cared to listen that God indeed loves Nigeria. The outcome of the 2015 elections that produced the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was indeed a divine intervention in my opinion. I believe the discerning minds would agree with. It is also not by accident that we have had three consecutive years of peace and tranquillity in the festive season in Abuja. And it is also not luck. Some people somewhere have paid the price, and this brings me to the very essence of this piece.

In some quarters, some have always questioned the constitutional role of the Nigeria Army in the sustenance of peace in any given society. They have also erroneously believed that the role of the army in Nigeria should and always be confined to the barracks. They haven’t given a thought that the enthronement of internal security and peace falls within the purview of the Nigeria Army. And this much they have strived to achieve from time immemorial. But the last three years have seen a more proactive and robust Nigeria Army in the enthronement of internal security and peace in Nigeria, and Abuja is just a case study.

If anyone told me some four years ago that there would be such a time where the security architecture in Abuja would be top-notch that people would go about their various business without fear, I would doubt it because of the reign of terror that has accompanied festive periods in the FCT. This fact is corroborated with the way and manner many people relocated from Abuja due to the high level of insecurity. I recall I stumbled on a piece written by a former Abuja resident who had to relocate in the wake on the high level of uncertainty but recently returned to Abuja.

As mentioned earlier, these things didn’t happen by chance, somewhere and somehow the price was paid just like Jesus Christ paid the price for us sinners on the cross of Calvary. If no one gave credit to President Muhammadu Buhari, I would give him high credit. If no one would also appreciate the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, I and my household would appreciate him. Some might be wondering why I am particular about President Muhammadu Buhari and Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. Some might also be wondering what it was a spectacular thing that they have done to deserve such high praises. But I would say that, and just like I have always said that the solution to the myriads of challenges facing Nigeria is when our political leaders exhibit that political will. And once that is done, there would always be a way.

And one of such ways that President Muhammadu Buhari has exhibited a political will is in the appointment of the service chiefs, especially that of the Nigeria Army, which has never been so engaged in the enthronement of internal security in the annals of the country as in the past three years. In the past three years, the Nigeria Army has stretched beyond the elastic limit with various operations around the country simultaneously. But yet it didn’t flop. From the ongoing war against Boko Haram terrorist in North East Nigeria to the militant Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in South East, and others too numerous to mention. The Nigeria Army has stayed true to its constitutional responsibility.

They have sacrificed their all to keep the country safe and secured. They have decimated the Boko Haram, even at great sacrifice with the number of casualties recorded. While this is unfortunate, it just goes with the terrain in warfare situations. They have also kept other violent groups in check. They have done quite a lot to keep the country safe and secured. And like I mentioned earlier, when there is a will, there would always be a way.

In my opinion, the best we can do in the very circumstances is to continually remind the troops that they are the real national heroes of Nigeria. And their sacrifices would never be in vain. For every night they patrol and lie in trenches keeping watch over us as we go to sleep, for the long days and months they spend away from their families and loved ones, every tears they shed for Nigeria, the majority of Nigeria and Nigerians would forever appreciate. It is only those that are ignorant that would not see this great work. And it also those that are myopic that would not agree that indeed President Muhammadu Buhari is God sent to rescue Nigeria from the brinks of collapse. If not for anything, let us learn to call a spade and spade in Nigeria. This is just a word of encouragement to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and his soldiers.

Nwachukwu is President, African Mothers of Virtue.

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