I have
spent quality time reading the recent Defence and Foreign Affairs
report on the Nigerian military, published by the United States-based
International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA). The long and the
short of the special analysis released late last year is that massive
corruption among top military chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu
Buhari is responsible for the sagging war against terrorism. The
intensity of Boko Haram assaults across villages and towns in the
North-east in the last few months is a further confirmation that this
report is on point.
The
leadership of the Nigerian military has been doing everything possible
to discredit this report, but result from the war front waters down
these moves. My message to President Buhari this morning is a very
simple one: If he is genuinely interested in ending the bloodshed in the
North-east and parts of the North-west, he should get a copy of the
ISSA report and engage it proactively.
Washington-based
ISSA is a non-governmental organisation with a worldwide membership of
professionals involved in national and international security and
strategic policy. It also provides strategic information and analysis to
governments worldwide. ISSA incorporates the Global Information System
(GIS), an encrypted on-line intelligence service for governments. So, it
can be trusted to deliver unbiased report.
My
take away from the report was where it stated that at present, the
Nigerian government had completely and comprehensively lost control of
the engagement with Boko Haram and could show no instance when the
government presently had tactical, theater, strategic, or information
dominance of any aspect of the conflict.
“The
insurgent groups grow stronger, and the government forces grow weaker
and more beset by morale collapse. It is fair to say that the Nigerian
intelligence community itself is no longer sure what groups even
comprise ‘Boko Haram’, nor has it addressed the international
logistical, ideological, and support aspects contributing to the ongoing
viability of the groups.”
It
states further: “Despite this, the only significant engagement which
the Nigerian military leadership – up to and including the National
Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. (rtd.) Mohammed Babagana Monguno – seem to
prioritise is the fight to stop the leakage of information about massive
corruption, running into the equivalent of several billions of dollars,
in the purchase by senior military officers of major military capital
goods and military consumables, including the troops’ own food. The
conduct of the war in the North is tied to the corruption in the
military, and Buhari – ring-fenced by his own team – is unable to tackle
the issue.
“It
is significant that Buhari, who received the findings of the commission
(investigating defense procurement) as much as a year ago, has refused
to allow it to be made public and he, through National Security Adviser
Monguno, has attempted to have the commission disbanded. However, it is
believed that Monguno and Buhari are aware that copies of the report are
beyond their reach and could be released unofficially if further
attempts are made to assassinate commission members.
“The
commission, investigating defense procurement from 2007 onwards, made
significant strides which were initially accepted by the Buhari
government, until the scope of the inquiry went beyond the period
relating to the former government of President Goodluck Jonathan, and
began to show corruption patterns extending into officers still serving
under President Buhari.”
The
report stated that the death of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief
Marshal (rtd.) Alex Badeh (who became Chief of Defence Staff), and that
of a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General
Idris Alkali, on September 3, 2018 were not a mere coincidence.
It
said, “Given the upsurge in momentum by ‘the highest levels of
government’ to stop the findings becoming public from the corruption
commission on defense procurement, it is plausible that the attribution
of a criminal ‘kidnapping-attempt-gone-
“On
September 3, 2018, the retired Chief of Administration of the Nigerian
Army, Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali, was also killed, ostensibly by a gang of
youthful protestors who set up a roadblock near Jos, the capital of
Plateau State. His body was discovered on October 31, 2018. And his
death was blamed on ‘an irate mob’, protesting in the Du-ra-Du community
against the September 2, 2018, killing of 11 members of their own
community.”
Our
dear President claims to be worried about the anguish in the North-east
and North-west. So, why is he not acting on this report? Any serious
government would have ensured a robust engagement of this bang. Nigeria
is now the 3rd most terrorised country in the world, no thanks to Boko
Haram and killer herders. Unfortunately, the military has been unable to
contain these terrorists. This insignia of disgrace should task our
President.
On
the flip side, hundreds of Baga residents and surrounding towns are
still fleeing to Maiduguri following insurgents’ attacks. A faction of
Boko Haram, ISWAP, which split from the main group in 2016, had attacked
a military base in Baga, few days back. The fight to control Baga – a
strategic town as it borders Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon – forced
hundreds to seek safety in Maiduguri, some 200 km to the south. The
military and insurgents also clashed in Monguno, a town close to Baga.
The
influx of men, women and children into Maiduguri, as well as reports of
many dying on the way, have triggered tension in Borno State, with
people calling for drastic action to be taken by the federal government
against the terrorists. It was good seeing Governor Kashim Shettima
convening an extraordinary security meeting of stakeholders.
Unfortunately, nothing will happen if the President does not act
appropriately. Boko Haram and ISWAP are beyond the capabilities of
Nigerian military. Nigeria needs to seek help from developed countries.
Nigeria surely needs mercenaries from Israel, Russia and South Africa.
This is the only way forward for our dear country.
Terrorism
is also raging in Katsina State. For the first time, Governor Aminu
Masari was honest to acknowledge that the gunmen were about overrunning
his domain, with little resistance from the military.
He
said: “The citizens are on daily basis being harassed by bandits and
kidnappers. Our state is currently under serious siege by armed robbers,
kidnappers and armed bandits, who arrest rural people at the grassroots
at will and demand ransom, which if not paid, they kill their victims.
The people of Katsina in the 34 local governments now sleep with one eye
closed and the other opened. Our state is in a dangerous situation.
Travelers are afraid of being stopped on the highway and arrested by
kidnappers who demand ransom.”
It
is a big shame that Masari is just coming out to acknowledge the crisis
in his state. The Katsina governor and his likes have kept quiet for
this long for political reasons. These sycophants prefer to remain
silent while bandits and killer herders slaughter their people. What a
country!
The Lucky Lad Called Nuhu Ribadu
I
watched the former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on television, inaugurating 40 vehicles
donated by his support group, Black Cap Revolutionary Movement, for the
mobilisation of voters in Adamawa for President Buhari. Yes, 40
vehicles; that’s what the anti-corruption czar, Ribadu, mobilised for
Buhari. Even if they are fairly used vehicles, what I saw could be in
the region of N80 million. This great guy called Ribadu fought
corruption so well while at the EFCC, and the beneficiaries are
reciprocating. What a lucky chap; they now donate generously to his
movement. This guy is great.
Ribadu
has also vowed that Buhari would get double of the votes he got in 2015
in Adamawa State. I guess he is already into the voodoo vote game: “If
Buhari won Adamawa by over 600,000 votes in 2015, by the grace of God,
we are going to give him over one million votes in 2019. Adamawa is 100
per cent for Buhari; we will make sure Buhari is re-elected, because he
deserves it. Let’s help Buhari so that he can continue to work for
Nigeria.”
Ribadu
is already adept at conjuring votes. Yes, he has promised one million
votes for Buhari in Adamawa. No wonder he was made Director of Field
Operation of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council. Ribadu clearly
understands his mandate. He has the capacity to deliver voodoo votes
based on his brilliant performance as EFCC boss.
The
powerful Ribadu has also told Governor Abdullahi Bindow to forget about
2nd term in Adamawa State. He said his campaign structure would not
campaign for his reelection. The Black Cappers believe Bindow is working
for Abubakar Atiku and have decided to “deal” with him. All hail
Ribadu, the new Adamawa power broker.
Yari’s Senseless War against Wakkala
When
Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari of Zamfara State was going on holiday last
month, he handed over to the Speaker of the state’s House of
Assembly,Sanusi Rikij. Apparently, Yari illegally made Rikij acting
governor to spite theDeputy Governor of the state, Malam Ibrahim
Wakkala. Those keenly following the dirty politics in Zamfara State were
not shocked. The vindictive Yari has persistently humiliated Wakkala
for indicating interest in succeeding him and for belonging to G8, a
group opposed to Yari’s leadership of the APC in the state. As a result,
the governor denies Wakkala his rights and privileges.
What
offence did Wakkala commit? When did it become a crime to aspire to
become governor without the approval of the incumbent? Wakkala told
newsmen in Gusau: “For months now, several of the legal funding that are
supposed to be made to my office were stopped and I have been
completely sidelined by the state government. This attitude against me
started when I indicated interest to run for the governorship of the
state on the platform of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
I know that nothing stops me as a citizen from contesting for any
elective position, so I want those concerned and responsible for the
interpretation and implementation of the constitutional provisions that
accorded me rights and privileges to explain to me why I am being
treated this way.
“If
my crime is my declaration, then what about my supporting staff made up
of casual staff, feeding of security personnel, fueling and services of
vehicles attached to my office, what have they done to have their
allowances stopped? My concern at the moment is to see that Zamfara is
free from all these security challenges where the killings, kidnappings
and animal rustling have taken charge.”
Constitutionally,
only the deputy governor can act in the absence of the governor, except
if the deputy governor had been impeached, removed from office by court
order or death. None of these is the case at the moment in Zamfara
State. So, why is Yari disrespecting the constitution of this country?
This governor has already browbeaten the state’s legislators, so, they
can’t check him. I urge Wakkala to continue the fight (with his G8
friends) to free Zamfara from the shackles of Yari