…Military should wipe out terrorists from Mandara hills, Lake Chad – Zulum
…FG remains unwavering in its commitment to end insecurity – Badaru
…What the military must do – Experts
The eruption and persistence of insecurity with frightening intractability across Nigeria’s Northern states have continued to raise posers over, not just the commitment and prowess of the country’s military to combat, but the capacity, competence and commitment of all paramilitary agencies that have to work in concert with the military in what seems their most-onerous task since the creation of the entity Nigeria.
In spite of the trillions of Naira spent, some may be tempted to say, wasted, in the war against terror over the last 15 years, Boko Haram/ISWAP in the Northeast, banditry and kidnapping and, most-recently, Lakurawa in the Northwest and parts of North-central, and the complex mixture of banditry and ‘Fulani herders’ terror across the generality of the North-central and, have continued to ravage the North.
Subsequently, insecurity in the larger Northern Nigeria is now a clear case of the-more-you-look-the-less-understand. So, unfathomable has it become that the Nigerian government, its military and global establishments concerned with terror and its attendant humanitarian crisis all now seem to have reclined to utter helplessness, as the region languish and gasp for breath under the persistent crisis.
This frightening situation has continued to aggravate the severe perplexities boggling Nigerians and all sections of the globe and global establishments concerned with its affairs – why is it that the more the country fights insecurity, the more insecurity becomes seemingly intractable? What is wrong? Who is wrong, where and how?
As Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters continue their rampaging campaigns across the northern states, it is mind-boggling to say that their campaign this time is strategic and coordinated.
The insurgents recently launched deadly drones’ attacks on several military formations which led to killing of officers and soldiers, dislodgement and they carted away arms and ammunition.
Aside this, in last one week, three bridges have been blown off in Borno and Yobe State. This could hamper the resettlement of communities as the returnees are facing fresh security threats or at serious risk of renewed displacement and an impending humanitarian crisis in the region.
BusinessDay findings revealed that the Boko Haram and its arch rival ISWAP terrorists are tactically destroying bridges to hinder the troops from reinforcement or attacking them around Timbuktu triangle and particularly Damboa axis.
Consequently, the plans and also to attack Damboa without any reinforcement from Biu, Goniri or Maiduguri.
Security experts said that, “Three bridges have been destroyed including the recent one in Yobe – Gujba – Katarko bridge that leads to Goniri Garuwa.
“Honestly, this is a serious strategy from the insurgents that our military should act fast.
“The area now fully being used or occupied by the insurgents starts from Wajiroko, Sabongari, Azir, Korede, Auma, Chirallia, Ajigin, Buk, Talala, Kafa and Wawa.
Others are Ajigin Mallamti, Abulam Dusla and Shettima Abogi in Borno, and Yadi and Gorgore are the links to Gujba and other vulnerable part of Yobe State.”
Last week, along Damboa-Maiduguri, at least eight passengers lost their lives and 21 people wounded while 14 were severely injured, 7 had minor injuries and were receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri.
Experts are now urging the military not to underrate the plans of these outlawed groups. They noted that their evil plan is to plant bombs along the roads from Maiduguri to thwart the troops’ movement in the events of any intended attack they plan.
The findings revealed that Boko Haram fighters are in firm control of three local government areas in Borno State in renewed attacks including Marte, Guzamala and Abadam.
It is also reported that residents of Borno State have experienced 252 attacks from November to date within the period, 100 soldiers and over 200 civilians were killed. Residents expressed worry over the resurgence of Boko Haram killings in the state despite efforts by the military to contain the crisis.
The findings further shows that most recent attacks were carried out through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which resulted into severe casualties on officers and soldiers, carted away of arms and ammunition as well as dislodgement of bases in Borno State.
Also, recently, Yamtake village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State was attacked which resulted in the killing of two soldiers and four civilians, while many were wounded. The attack, which occurred in the night, forced many residents to flee, including those recently resettled after years as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
On Friday 18 April, the armed terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram invaded Gwoza local government headquarters in Borno state.
The Gwoza town’s infiltration, according to fleeing residents, started at about 11:08 as troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade engaged the attackers as people scampered for safety.
Likewise, on Monday, 21 April, the terrorists from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād have attacked Buni Yadi, killing three soldiers. The attackers also carted away foodstuffs and livestock in Buni Yadi, in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Military must restructure, reorganise and reinforce against terrorists – Kareto
Abubakar Mohammed Kareto, a Public Affairs analyst, said a high-powered delegation from the Federal Ministry of Defence has visited Borno State to assess the current security situation and engage with state leadership on the ongoing challenges in the region is timely.
Abubakar said, “With all honesty, this will definitely give some hope to Borno State residents; it will present a situation where the Federal Government has shown some readiness to curtail the situation, and it will also send a clear signal to the insurgents that the Federal government and its security apparatus have not gone to sleep.
He added, “It is our intention that the team would concentrate more on a critical analysis of Operation Hadin Kai’s strengths and weaknesses in terms of operational readiness, equipment, and manpower, as well as providing appropriate reinforced frontline soldiers and equipment as needed.
Abubakar charged the operation Hadin Kai to spontaneously attack the enclaves of the terrorists which he believes that might reduce attacks on communities and highways.
He warned that the military and other relevant security operatives should not go to bed early thinking all is well, adding that there are many things to do in terms of safety to ensure the full return of human activities in many local governments in the state. Addressing the situation at this level will definitely prevent further spread.
“To secure vital highways such as the Maiduguri-Damboa and Damboa-Biu roads, as well as fully seize control of local governments such as Kukawa, Marte, Guzamala, and Damboa, the military must restructure, reorganise, and reinforce its fighting capabilities,” he opined.
He called for increased troop deployment and continuous operations to prevent a resurgence of Boko Haram and affiliated groups in previously reclaimed areas.
Resurgence is not allowed; it can undo gains recorded so far – Mohammed
Mohammed Alkali, a Public Policy analyst
Raised the alarm that the problems of Boko-Haram activities, “if it is not checked quickly, it has the capacity to undo the gains of resettlement recorded by the frontline states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.”
According to him, “Borno State has achieved a lot in resettlement of over 100 communities in the last 4 years. The reappearance of the menace of Boko-Haram terrorists and ISWAP is really unfortunate thing.
This shouldn’t allow to continue and therefore there is urgent need to stop the recent terrorists’ activities.
“Resettled communities have helped in activating economic activities and that has contributed to the recent good harvests recorded in these communities. I believe this current painful development calls for joint renewed efforts from all the relevant stakeholders to curtail these renewed activities from terrorists.”
He urged the Borno state government to step up its efforts in partnership with the security agencies and the Civilian JTF to arrest this menace from further deterioration.
He advocated for communities should be proactive in reporting suspicious movements around their communities to the relevant security agencies.
Military should wipe out terrorists from Mandara hills, Lake Chad – Zulum
Governor Babagana Zulum has called on the military to launch aggressive offensive operations in the Lake Chad islands, also known as the Tumbus, to eliminate insurgents from their enclaves.
The governor described the Tumbus as critical havens for insurgents where they regroup and sustain their activities, calling for a special military operation to be carried out in the area.
“These islands serve as breeding grounds for insurgents who depend on the area for sustenance. It is imperative to consider launching coordinated operations to flush them out,” Zulum said.
He further warned that terrorist elements from the North West, North Central and North East are likely falling back to the Tumbus for their means of livelihood.
He urged the Federal Government to enhance surveillance and border security, particularly in the Sahel region, citing the vulnerability of Nigeria’s borders and the infiltration of armed groups and weapons through the region.
“Some of the problems we are facing in Borno state is lack of manpower to covering the Timbuktu triangle, Sambisa Forest, and Tumbus, I believe Nigeria Army should look into possibilities of sending more trains personnel to the northeast, ISWAP and Boko-Haram terrorists are getting funding internationally. So, they are completely different from Bandit. Also, looking at our porous borders, many terrorists are infiltrating into the country through the Sahel, so this is one of our major problems.
“If the Sahel is not secured, the entire country remains vulnerable. There is a pressing need to fortify the Sahel region to end insecurity,” the governor added.
Zulum also called for increase troop deployment to areas such as the Timbuktu Triangle and the Mandara Mountains, and for continuous and sustained military operations to prevent the reoccupation of previously reclaimed territories.
“There should be forces that will keep the ground, otherwise they will come back. What brought about the recent situation is that we felt everything was okay, but they are regrouping now and I believe the Nigerian military will not allow them regroup,” he asserted.
The governor further requested the deployment of more military hardware including Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and additional personnel to improve surveillance and fortify vulnerable zones.
While acknowledging the current operational burden on the military across the country, the Governor called for the deployment of more trained manpower and logistics to the North East.
He also highlighted the success of non-kinetic measures, revealing that over 300,000 repentant insurgents and their families have surrendered over the past three years.
FG remains unwavering in its commitment to end insecurity – Badaru
The Federal government delegation which was led by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar expressed appreciation for the opportunity to interface directly with stakeholders in Borno.
Minister Badaru emphasized the need for continued collaboration to address the security threats confronting the Northeast and, assured the Governor of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the necessary personnel and equipment to combat insurgency and facilitate the resettlement of affected communities.
He further noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given clear directives to service chiefs to intensify operations against insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements, underlining the administration’s determination to secure the region.
Badaru also visited the military, command and control at Theatre of War in Maimalari Cantonment where he had nearly two hours closed-door meetings with field commanders and military top brass.
“The President has directed that we provide the military with all necessary manpower and equipment to halt the recent resurgence of insecurity in Borno and the North East,” the Minister affirmed.
