Date: 2014-05-05

Let me start by making reference to the frank statement credited to Asari Dokubo which he made on 2nd December, 2013. He said and I quote "President Jonathan may not win in 2015 election if things continue like this..." End of quote.

In response to that "frank" statement by the Niger-Delta 'warrior', I made a corroboration in my post of that same date that "telling the truth to your friend doesn't mean you now hate him or that you have betrayed him, you perhaps merely want him to do better so that a common enemy will not laugh at you both".

It is obvious that Asari is indisputably a strong supporter of President Jonathan's presidency, so nobody could have cast aspersions on him for that statement.

However, Asari's point of view is the likelihood of loss of an election, my point here is the likelihood of creation of a state of anomie if the bull is not taken by the horn NOW; that is, if Mr. President doesn't fight this ceaseless attacks on the Nigeria nation like a true 'warrior'.

There have been several theories on the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Some have said it is the product of international conspiracy from nations who want to deliberately cause mayhem and disintegration in Nigeria. I have thus sat down to analyse the present challenges facing the country and of course that is the menace of armed terrorists and I have asked my self these questions: who are the perpetrators of this carnage, what do they want, who are the victims or the likely victims of the crimes, what are these supposed victims doing to fight this scourge, who are the people/agencies charged with the responsibilities of fighting this crime, are they fighting it right, how are they fighting it and why has the mole become so difficult to remove from our skin? Who are their sponsors? This piece intends to provide answers to these questions.

On several occasions, we have heard different voices of accusations and counter accusations from both the ruling party and the opposition as to the cause of this menace and the perpetrators of it. Initially, we were told (as revealed by late General Azazi) that it was the creation of the PDP in Borno state then who were struggling for power. At another instance, the PDP have accused the opposition of being the ones orchestrating the violence to destabilize the present government; while the main actor, Boko Haram themselves have come to tell us they are doing this to "install" Islamic principles in a heterogeneous society like Nigeria. They have further demanded secularism be thrown back at the West that brought it and clericalism should replace it - joke of my life - mission impossible!

Let's give this a triangular face. If the assertion that the people who mastermind these are in government or are friends of the government; or that those doing so are enemies of the government and the Boko Haram are their agents, why is it so difficult for the State of Nigeria which is the victim in this instance, to fight this menace. Assuming a friend of government is among the conspirators, if fighting your enemy appears difficult because you don't know their tactics yet, is it also difficult to fight your friend who you know better? There is this Yoruba adage that says "ti aba fe ba omo orugun eni ja, omo iya eni lan koko gba leti". That is, if you want to discipline your half brother, start with your blood brother"

I'm not particularly a fan of Gen. Obasanjo but he typified this adage in the way he "fought" corruption. I can remember very well, not less than four of his serving Aids, including two ministers were 'dealt' with for suspected corrupt practices. Wrong or right, it sent signals to the 'enemies' to sit tight or else they face the same or even worst fate.

We have heard enough of the President's Aids telling us they know the perpetrators of the crime, claiming they are high and mighty in the society and yet it has become almost impossible to let out their names, let alone bringing them to justice. What is the fear in doing this or are they above the law?

I must acknowledge the fact that no former Nigerian president has ever escaped peoples' criticism for one or two reasons, but I can't remember anyone of them being qualified as 'weak and coward'. This isn't a palatable adjective to use for our own Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I don't know how anyone receives this, but each time I hear that, my hackles rise like a lion challenged to a fight by an antelope.

This takes me to another theory that the 'slowness' in the firm control of the situation is what some people term "fear of revolt from the Military high ranking" This is about the most embarrassing of all the allegations. For anyone, especially the C-in-C to feel comfortable hearing that "he is afraid of his own boys" is to say the least. Without queuing behind those thoughts as if they were right, let me just point out something; is it true that Mr President is afraid of fighting or what? Is it that the people he has legiimtely assigned with the responsibility to do the job have become even more powerful than him and he (President) cant check them? Or could it be that the Military itself is devoid of the right tactics or equipments to fight these people or that they are deliberately undermining the fight in order to continue to 'cash-in' from the heavy security vote the Services receive?

One of the insinuation is that the poor tactics is as a result of military's personnels' low morale generated by high level corruption by top rank officers which has been hindering the success of the fight. Nigerian soldiers have been praised world over and their professional conduct adjudged one of the best in the world, based on the successes they recorded in previous regional peace keeping. Incidentally, that same Force, our ever poisonous scorpion is turning to an ant when the sting weapon is most needed.

Is it true that there have been covert conspiracy from almost everyone, some among the political and military elites as well as ordinary citizens who conceal vital intelligence that could help in the eradication of this scourge, as if they are protecting a faith or culture? Those who argue for political/military conspiracy have asked why is it that the so called 'JTF' is predominantly the Army. I'm not unaware of the training received by the military personnels, but why can't the personnels of other Agencies be it Police, NIA, NIS NCS, DIA DSS, NSCDC, etc have about the same exposure and knowledge of the modus operandi in order to face this with combined efforts. If the allegation that helicopter do ferry guns and ammunition to the terrorists is true, I can only pity and sympathise with the coast guards, for when the insurgents finish killing their enemies, they will turn against their friends who have been aiding and abetting them.

Ironically, those who have been fingered as the brains and sponsors of the initial creation (for whatever reason) have lost control of the monster. Unfortunately, innocent Nigerians who didn't and still do not know how guns and bombs are flowing in, nor reap from the sinister political motive of the act (if that it is) are the immediate victims of this. It is going to be a senseless connivance against ourselves if we continue to keep quiet because we are yet to be hit by their bombs. The families of those who died from this act can tell better the worst implication of this conspiracy of silence.

I have a few records of the operations of the Nigeria Military and the 'killers' of the soldiers' morales. One of them is the soldiers allowances. On budget, each soldiers on duty in 'war front' and other guard brigade mounting military check points are supposed to be paid N5,000 daily allowance. I can tell you authoritatively that these poor soldiers, who have officially signed their 'suicide notes' to die for their country are only being paid N500 naira and are often 'ordered' to sign to have received N5,000. It is on records that soldiers who refused to obey the 'order' have been court marshalled and dismissed unjustly.

Anyone who wants to doubt the most protected corruption in the military should ask for that gentle man, Maj Gen. Mongunu, the former Head of the Brigades, Headquarters, who was also in charge of Tradoc 81 in Minna. He voluntarily retired last year and immediately relocated to the US. In the history of the brigade, there has never been the time soldiers were given all their allowances in full until Gen. Mongunu became the Head of Brigade. His actions of 'exposing' the 'surplus' of such remuneration was fought tooth and nail by other senior officers; which inadvertently forced Gen Mogunu out. But till today, that particular alloance is called Mongunu allowy

Unlikely as it appears, if truly the barricade of the enemy is too heavy for Mr. President to dislodge, for now, why can't you start from a disloyal friend who takes part in the destruction of your government? Virtually all Nigerians are victims but Mr. President is the first potential victim if this is not tackled head-on. It will only take a little while to see this manifested; If this continues unabated, it may lead to disintegration of your government and the centre may not hold. Do you have to wait until this happens?

Let's further examine another floating theory that the perpetrators are members of the opposition. Why can't the President put on his camouflage with his jungle hat for a crush and match out for 'full war' against the insurgence. If there is anyone who is believed to be behind this, take the war to his door step, ignore any rant of sentiments of victimisation of the opposition or whoever, as long as you have your impeccable evidence against such and fight it to finish.

Same goes for the theory that there are foreign macenaries among the fighters and bombers of our country; suspects who are nationals of other countries, especially the ones neighbouring us have been arrested. Just recently, somewhere in Maiduguri, a 'white' man was one of the three insurgents shot dead by soldiers and a truck was seized from them. Where and how did they get this vehicles and why the silence? I ask, are we still afraid of fighting these illegal criminals even on our own land?

The embarrassing modus operandi we see the military adopted sometimes may force us to ask how Mr. President gets his daily security briefings and how the briefings are done. Is there any presidential 'covered' syndicate that checks the activities/operations of the military vis a vis the officers attitude to ascertain their level of compliance to the rules of engagement? Let me intimate you of some terrible things you might not have been briefed about.

In attempt to rescue the recently kidnapped girls taken to Sambisa forest by the terrorists, little did we know the "ineffective" approach the military delicately attempted to use to secure the release of the girls. Sadly though, before now, the forest covering about 500km square has always been occupied by these terrorists for over two years. Recently, the military sent about 40 men led by a Colonel and a Captain to attempt the rescue of the girls. There are about 25 gates to the 'city' of the sambisa 'kingdom' with over 3000 inhabitant terrorists there. How on earth would 40 men be sent on such mission to face heavily harmed over 3000 terrorists? For God sake, what have we been doing till this people annexed our country? Is anyone attempting to feign ignorance of the existence of this encroachment on our sovereignty or someone doesn't just care? I'm not as bothered on the criminality of those bombing us as to the ineptitude of those that are supposed to fight them!

In the same vein, there was this ugly incidence that happened in the Army formation where about 5 soldiers, with the most senior among them being a WO 2, were court marshalled and given the 'ultimate penalty'. I doubt if the C-in-C is aware of what these soldiers did let alone pondering on the larger implication of that to this government in the long run?

Nigerians are tired of dying and are begging Mr. President to scotch harder to prevent further violence and hold by jugular whoever is/are frustrating the success of this fight against the insurgence. We are ready to go to the war front with you if only you can be fearless enough to risk everything. Death is an immutable occurrence, no matter how long we live, it will come one day. As much as we submit to the reality that one day we will all die, must the deaths come from another man's hand in the most despicable manner? Don't we have the right to peaceful living till that death will come? Nigerians are begging Mr. President to fight this war like your life depends on it.

May I remind us that President Yar'adua (may Allah be pleased with his soul) was truly medically sick but his mental assertiveness brought about the now successful Amnesty Program. Notwithstanding the socio-economic threat the Niger-Delta militancy posed to the nation then, he gave his words of warning to the militants and followed it up with actions. The impending escalation of violence from the militia died down naturally as a result of this stern warning. President Yar'adua barely spent 2 years in office, yet, achieved so much especially in the area of security. It is all about setting the goals and chanelling the right means to achieve them.

Terrorists are human beings, they live amongst us and they see us. When they hear the right word they will take safety cover. Even the suicide bombers among them fear the pains that scatter their flesh apart.

I have seen President Obama talk, I have watched, President Bush dish out strong words to terrorists, beyond the words, their body language alone send fear into the spines of the criminals, I beg to say, I have not seen anything close to seriousness in my government. I want to hear my President speak and the wall of terrorists' abode shaking; our body language betrays our seeming fierce words, our actions are haphazard and our approaches appear unproductive. Are we barren of pragmatic approaches to deal with all these troubles?

Each time a bomb explode and the head of the terrorist organisations speaks in defiance and brag of what they have achieved ( killing innocent people), the question that comes to my mind is where are these guys picking the signal they use in communicating from? Why is it that every policy we make is just for fanfare and jamboree?. I remember years back, everyone in the country was forced to register his or her GSM SIM through biometric capturing. Aside that we were equally made to understand that, for securiy reasons, communicaion would be monitored to fish out felony intention. The question now is, what is the office of the NSA doing, why hasn't the NCC been able to use its gadgets or mandate all GSM service providers to monitor, record, ocate hot spots and provide the military with such intelligence. Even if these deviants are using thuraya like (space to sky) mobile, I should think our one and only NIGCOMSAT is up to the task to pick such communication. Thank God, for our successful launch of NIG SAT 1 into the space, no more excuses.

Again I ask, are these agencies not working together or their equipments are just moribund? God! Help us out, we can't afford to be frusrated!

Do we need to issue a query on the efficiency of the NIMC in terms of citizens registration and data capturing? Billions of naira have been espended on this project, just wondering if anyone can trace the finger prints of these criminals on the crime scene! The billions of nara expended on the CCTV projects on the streets of Abuja alone doesn't matter to me if only those machine are effectively working!

There are countless corrupt Nigerians who have been perpetually under investigations for years now and nothing has been done to bring them to justice. There are over 15 ex-governors, a number of them turned Senators, some of them are political foes of the President while quite a lot are his friends, who have one or two questions to answer on financial crimes allegations. Suspiciously,some people have seen the delay or reluctance in prosecuting even those on the opposition as Mr. President's joker to 'hoodwink' them into supporting him in 2015 election. I do not hold the same view but I'm sad that, despite the strong evidence agaisnt these people, who by now should be cooling off behind the wall of Kuje prison, they are still walking the street and using their loots to frustrate the system. How these people have been strangulating and stampeding the government, I just. don't know; why Mr. President is running away from name calling (if any of them is jailed), I don't understand. Or, could the ineptitude be coming from the agencies saddled with the responsibility to do this. We have had a situation where a Director of Operations of an anti-corruption agency was once nominated by a suspect of financial crimes who is supposed to be prosecuted by this same agency. Up till now, the effect of that singular abnormalies is messing up the fight against the crime. The case file of the suspected is prabably kept away? Hmmm! How we got into this mess in this country, I don't know?

Let me by way of interjection call the attention of Mr President to an incredible but unsuspecting brooding of criminal eggs. If you go far North, PMS, petrol is sold in black market on the streets like lemu. Any DPR official dare not attempt to take them off the street nor seize their 'market', except such is ready to pay withh his life. You can pardon them afterall, they are far from the seat of power. What is more worrisome is the indulgence of this same illegality right in the nose of Mr. President. Asokoro, the seat of power is the biggest hub of this business. Go to A.Y.A area, infront of A.A. Rano filling station just about 100 metres to Aso Rock's fence. You will also find them all around in Abuja, Bannex, Berger, Pape, not to talk of suburb like Lugbe, Karu, Nyanyan, Bwari etc. I just wonder if Mr. President doesn't pass through these routes or he doesn't usually see them and if he does, he doesn't feel anything is wrong in that? One may also tempt to ask if the 'petrol black market' has been legalised? Provocatively, you will equally wonder if the petrol hawkers have also constituted big bloc that is too monsterous for the governmnt to fight. As garrulous as El-Rufai is, I remember he was able to effectively enforce the ban on okada riding within Abuja metropolis. (Even the military personnel were not spared). I guess Kauran Bauchi (FCT Minister) has since lifted the ban because, I learnt, they (okadas) have now returned to the city unchecked. Has anyone pndered on the security threat these petrol hawkers pose to the city and how these bikes have helped 'convey' IEDs? God dey oh!

I read with fear and shock a statement credited to President Jonathan on the revelation that 'Boko Haram' have infiltrated his government. Up till now, we have not been afforded the identities of those moles within the government, are they in the Military, Police or the cabinet or where? If truly they are, why can't we spot them, discipline them and charge them to court accordingly?

This brings us to the recruitment pattern into all the security agencies. I know in those days, when you are to be recruited into any of the military or para-military organisations, long before you step your feet into the Academy, covert profile verifications would have been done on you, the place you were born, the school you went to, the opinions of your neighbours would have been sought to find out about your morale status and determine your qualification to be so enlisted. Never could anything be taken for granted in certification of the right minds for the job, which requires maximum loyalty to the Country. I ask, do they still ensure all these processes are complied with before candidates are recruited into these Agencies? Find out about the current recruitment process (conventional and unconventional) of all the security agencies, NIA, DSS, NPF, ICPC, NSCDC, EFCC, NIS, NSC, etc and you would be sorry for this country.

Sometimes back, I once advocated for what will look like Presidential National Guard Force, that will play superintendent roles on all the security agencies through which the Presidency can monitor their activities and ensure compliance in all ramifications. The Guard will also be useful in the areas of fight against economic sabotage, like crude oil theft, which has become the very easiest way for people to get money and use the same money to fund terrorism. The implication of such strategy if given constitutional creation is enormous; the President will be doing the job directly through an agency under his direct supervision, one that may never be influenced by the 'mafioso' in these other Forces. Failure of such body will mean presidential failure, which may rarely happen. I understand the security ccommittee of the on-going national conference is considering same. Hope this will be proposed and ratified by the Presidency.

These days, candidates are presented by politicians without vetting and once these wards are enlisted, they begin to do the biddings of their sponsors, God hep the Nation if these politicians jump to the opposition against the Governmet.

In the same line, people are just coming into the Force not because they want to serve the Nation but because they need jobs to live. In such situation, the commitment to put their lives on the line in the face of call to duty is always embellished with fear. Do we still need to ask why we record heavy casualties even when there are relatively sophisticated machines at our advantage. How can we continue like this and expect to win this war?

There are thousands of brilliant, intelligent, dedicated, committed, patriotic and fearless Nigerians who are ready and can help solve these problems unconditionally. The only thing in their minds is return of peace, security, development to the land as well as eradication of corruption which is about the main cause of all these storm. How far have we searched for these people and how can you protect them against the dangers of the mafia within.

The fight agaisnt terrorism can never be won without adequate intelligence. Such intelligence comes from ordinary men and woman who live within the space of these perpetrators. Sadly, in our own case, the lives of so many of our informants have been terminated by insurgents because the informants' cover are mostly frequenly blown. If we can't guarantee the protection of the identities and lives of these informants, how do we get more from the willing minds?

I once heard the excuse of porous borders as one of the challenges in the effecttive figting of insurgence. May I hint us that when USA was under such criminal influx from the neighbouring South American countries, especially Mexico, it didn't take them centuries nor cost them the sale of their Texas oil reserve to construct perimeter fence round the entire length and breadth of their border with CCTV camera installed in almost all the pillars of the fence. Can't we have an amount as paltry as $3b to construct similar fence round the 360 degree circle of Nigeria borders? Atleast, to a larger percent, foreign terrorists would have to 'apply for visas' to enter our country except we still keep bad guys at the border as coast guards. Thank God the Finance Minister just disputed World Bank claims that we are poor, so our "insolvency" is now a thing of the past.

Considering what we have been witnessing, if "slow and steady approach" is what the FG chooses to use here, let me posit here that the C-in-C will only be making himself more vulnerable to danger in choosing that slow pace. The speed at which the enemies are planning and striking should wake us from slumber that these criminals seem to be ahead. Let me bring up the scary but relevant illustration by Oshibanjo, the former Attorney General of Lagos State as quoted by Mr. Opadokun that, one day, Oshibanjo went to a Liberia refugee camp and saw a man with a tie and shirt, well dressed, queuing for food as one of the refugees. He inquired who that was and he was quickly told the 'man in tie was the Attorney General of Liberia' before the start of the crisis. He then warned the political elites should do something before they also become tent owners in refugee camps! Hasn't this gotten to that stage which can snowball into full scale war anytime soon?

Let me examine generally, in brief, the contributory responsibilities of all the agencies that are expected to play one or two roles in the management of security. Recently, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC came up with the so-called computerised, biometrics number plate registration. Security reason was one of the reasons they gave in imposing such heavy fees on vehicle owners, but where is that result and why hasn't nobody answered query for that dereliction? Where is radar monitor of NAMA that they can't detect the alleged helicopter dropping off ammunitions for these terrorists? How intelligent is the intelligence gathering of NIA? the heavy budget of DIA calls for concern when we are not seeing any results, has the judiciary system completely failed such that prosecution of terrorism suspects are often frustrated? where are the agencies (CBN, EFCC, NDLEA, etc) saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring cash movement? Have they not been able to trace the sources of funding of these crimes or where are the monies coming from? Are we still afraid of fighting our enemies?

May I repeat what I said in my last response to Asari's remark, "some people believe the power essence of the Presidency has not been properly used to achieve basic developmental goals as well as security management. I just wish one can say this to the president ears the precarious condition of Nigerian situation and the uncertainty of repugnance credibility of him and those he appointed as his Aids. Sometimes, I do wonder what the Advisers, the Ministers, the Military and all the Law enforcement formations are telling him and to what extent are those piece of advice genuine and sincere?

Without mincing words, the entire responsibility of the management of this country lies in the hands of the President. If we fail to fight it like true warriors and this country disintegrate, history will never forget the one leading the pack; if we do not fight it right and these menace continue to spread, Mr President, you may not have the opportunity to face governance; both ways, you are the first victim of an unwitting conspiracy if you are treating this fight with diplomacy to your friend and fear of your enemy.

In the word of CP Mbu of Abuja police command, "a pride of lion led by a sheep will behave like sheep; a herd of sheep led by a lion will behave like lions. Nigerians are lions and they are ready to fight for their peace, freedom, sovereignty and security; lead the fight like a true lion and we will protect the "jungle" with you, enough of sheep leadership when we should strike like a lion.

We can't say it all at once, even though we are loaded with more. I said all this in good faith believing and hoping that everyone of us will take it in good faith and work for the common peace and stability we all desire in the country.

Let me end this with this prayer: Oh Allah! Behold our situation, give us faith that will lead us to good conducts, protect our defencelessness, fortify our weaknesses, avert all calamities from us, give us peace of mind and protect us from all evils, Amin.