Nigeria/ Bangladesh military partnership as a vista in the war against terror, By David Onmeje

By David Onmeje

In Nigeria, the war against insurgency gathered momentum since the inception of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. In some quarters, it was stated that the appointment of Service Chiefs indeed contributed to the way and manner Nigeria was able to confront the Boko Haram Insurgents that occupied several swathes of land in North-East Nigeria and over 16 local government areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

It has been stated in numerous forums that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Turkur Buratai has led the battle for the soul of Nigeria with the display of an unalloyed commitment to the unity of Nigeria through the introduction of novel ideas in the operations of the Nigerian Army since 2015.

The recent is the revelation that 223 officers of the Nigerian Army have so far received training in various military institutions in Bangladesh under the Nigeria/Bangladesh military partnership.

It would be recalled that sometime in 2017, the Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Hug was in Nigeria where he met with key government officials to discuss bilateral issues relating to strengthening the relationship between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Bangladesh. He stated that “Nigeria sends many officers to train in Bangladesh in different training institutions like the National Defence College and Defence Chief of Staff College all in Bangladesh.”

This strategic partnership has seen to the training of over 223 military officers from the Nigerian Army from the over 30 military training institutions in Bangladesh. This much was corroborated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who himself at some point in his military career attended a National Defence Course from the National Defence University in Bangladesh.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has stated that the training he received from the National Defence University in Bangladesh equipped him better for the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. “My sojourn in Nepal during the period exposed me to how efforts of the Bangladesh Defence forces combined to defeat the insurgents and criminals of the Chittagong Hills.”

It can be stated that the impact of the strategic military partnership between Nigeria and Bangladesh has yielded multiple gains for Nigeria, especially in the war against terrorism. This is on the heels that the lessons learned from the Bangladesh experience in dealing with insurgency have been valuable in Nigeria. Moreover, coupled with the fact that Bangladesh and Nigeria are strong military contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping operations and both countries seek for and work for peace and stability in the international community.

The Nigerian Army has indeed fared well concerning the fight against insurgency with the level of training its personnel have been subjected to. The training received by officers of the Nigerian Army in Bangladesh is an indication of the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai that is harped on dynamism especially in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

According to Prof Stephen Bature of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, he opined that the strategic Military partnership between Nigerian and Bangladesh has yielded positives in the sense that the training the Nigerian Army has received from the military institutions in Bangladesh have been somewhat brought to bear in the fight against insurgency in Northeast Nigeria. 

The Chief of Army Staff stated this much when he received the High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mr. Mohammad Shammeen Ashan during a courtesy visit at Army headquarters, He said that lessons he learned from Bangladesh as a student of the National Defence University in the art of counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism warfare contributed to the massive decapitation of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist in the North-East by the Nigerian Army.

As simple as the above might sound, it must be noted that when military units participate in bilateral exercises with other countries, the interaction increases interoperability between the militaries, provides for cultural exchange and understanding, and offers an opportunity to expand each nation’s capabilities while exercising potential contingencies.

This is what the Nigeria/Bangladesh military partnership has brought to the table for Nigeria and it must to noted that the foresight displayed by the Chief of Army Staff, in seeing to the sustainability of the military pact with Bangladesh must be commended.

In an interactive session by Defence Correspondents in North-East Nigeria, it was stated that the strategies employed by the Nigerian Army in recent times have been quite alien to the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters who have continued to suffer heavy casualties and retreating to the fringes around the Lake Chad Basin region.

“The operational strategy of the Nigerian Army in Northeast Nigeria is a blend exposure and the willingness to confront the Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters headlong and this has paid off handsomely as it has been stated in numerous forums that the Nigerian Army under the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had made tremendous inroads in North-East Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria.”

It can be this stated that these are some of the positives from the strategic military partnership between Nigeria and Bangladesh are evident in the setback experienced by Boko Haram/ISWAP whose ranks have been highly decimated. Thus it has been put forward that the tipping point between muddling through and moving toward victory in Nigeria was the election of leaders who translated bold vision into action since the beginning of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2015.

 Consequently, Nigeria has been able to transform its Army from an ineffective, garrison-bound band into an aggressive force that has crippled Boko Haram/ISWAP and other militant organization in the country.

The credit must go to the leadership of the Nigerian Army whose operational policies in ways too numerous to mention have brought about the much-needed bite in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. The Chief of Army Staff admitted that what he learned from his study in Bangladesh indeed prepared him for the task ahead. This is indeed a welcome development, especially with the fact that he has been able to avail officers of the Nigerian Army that opportunity to benefit from the same training he received.

The number 223 might not sound like a big deal, but the implication is that these officers would in turn pass on knowledge to their various units and the consequent multiplier effect and boost on the morale of the troops in the battlefront.

Nigeria has indeed made substantial inroads in the fight against terrorism in the past four years, and this had been made possible through a combination of factors. Also, one of them is the strategic military partnership between Nigeria and Bangladesh. While Nigeria continues to bask in this partnership, it must be stated that the leadership style of the Chief of Army Staff came out glaring.

Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is worthy of emulation by all and sundry who recently disclosed that the Nigerian Army would continue to explore the available opportunity for further training of its officers and soldiers in the areas of tactics, staff duties, and intelligence among others.

This is indeed a welcome development and an indication that Nigeria needs more of such partnership in the future.

Onmeje wrote this piece from London, United Kingdom.

NDF salutes pro-democracy activists, Nigerian masses for countering Revolutionary Now rallies across Nigeria

By DANSU PETER

The National Democratic  Force, NDF, has saluted activists and well meaning Nigerians who came out on Monday to countered the 'sponsored' anti-government protest tagged 'Revolution Now'.

NDF said the action of Nigerians on Tuesday showed that they can't be easily cowed and deceived by some disgruntled elements, who are hell bent on destroying the country.

Addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, Dr Bolaji Abdulkadir, Secretary General of NDF, hailed the Nigerian security agencies for quick response across the nation, which prevented the protest.


Abdulkadir further advised those behind the anti-government protest to desist from creating further nuisance in the country.

His speech below.

Gentlemen of the press, Monday August 5th, 2019 came and passed without the rage promised by some criminal elements taking hold of the country. This was a rabble that had threatened to “bond together and bundle” a democratic government out of office.

They also threatened, through their convener, Omoyele Sowore, that a security organization like the Department of State Services (DSS) will no longer exist today (Tuesday) because Nigeria will no longer exist as we knew it.

In the hours preceding the Monday date for their day of rage, these trouble makers took to social media to harass other Nigerians while standing the law on its head to justify their pointless anger and bitterness at not being able to function in a Nigeria that is undergoing reformation. It is now apparent that these angry people are embittered because they no longer have access to proceeds of corruption that had financed the lavish lifestyles they had become addicted to. Some of those threatening to protest are also in the enterprise to pursue their terrorist agenda as their original group have been proscribed as terrorist organizations. This is in addition to those that have desires to please their foreign task masters that are hell bent on destroying Nigeria.

We want Nigerians to take to heart all those that were once held in high esteem but decided to support terrorists, separatists and coupists that had threatened to overthrow a democratic  government through mob action. It is most appalling that supporters of this aberration were hiding under freedom of expression as guaranteed in the constitution without citing the relevant section of the constitution without citing the sections that specified the acceptable process for ending the tenure of a government. Even more disappointing is the failure of these influential people to educate their field agents and spokespersons that free speech does not cover a call to violence neither does it excuse treason.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) is pleased to have championed democracy by leading patriotic Nigerians to resist the anti-democratic forces that had planned a mob coup. It took the concerted effort of democracy loving Nigerians to halt these misguided elements in their track.

We found it easy to make this effort because of our patriotism and because of the knowledge that we have about several nefarious organizations such as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Amnesty International and selfish politicians with their foreign agents. We knew they had attempted to use various means to make the country ungovernable by sponsoring killings in the name of ethnic groups to make the country ungovernable and to make Nigerians turn on each other.

We appreciate all Nigerians who showed absolute belief in the future of the country, Through strength and unity of purpose, Nigerians came together to defeat these dark forces by proving to them that President Buhari remains the popular will of the people and no evil forces collectively or individually can test the people’s resolve.

The solidarity shown by various civil society organizations that came out enmass to reject the mob action, particularly those backed by Amnesty International that was waiting for bloodshed to invite the world to forcefully take the country is commendable. This spirit must be sustained and vigilance remains the watch word.

We salute the professionalism and responsiveness of the security and military agencies. Their intervention ensured that law abiding citizens were not overwhelmed by hoodlums. The civil way they went about containing the trouble makers ensured that they were not able to lie about the government excessively clamping down on their raging protests.

There is however the need to always be at alert as the paid protesters could resurface like flash floods and take the country unawares. We have been informed that this is the strategy they will adopt especially when it is time to put those arrested on trial for treasonable felony. The sub-plot is to storm the trial venue or any section of a particular city in a number that they expect would overwhelm security and law enforcement personnel.

We call on Nigerians not to allow such to happen even as they continue to protect Nigeria’s hard earned democracy to make sure no one takes the country backwards.

As for the protesters, we want to advise them that there is still time to seek clarifications on the position of the law and to also get better understanding of the changes that the present government is implementing for the benefit of Nigerians collectively. They should know when they are being conscripted as foot soldiers to prosecute the private war of those that cannot get over their hatred of a Nigeria that is beginning to signs of working.

Corruption: Buhari Moves Against 5 APC Senators, Ex-Govs Over N57b Fraud

President Muhammadu Buhari is working to recover N57.2 billion from five serving senators just as the President is facing intense pressure to turn off searchlight on chieftains of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) facing corruption cases,  his biographer, Prof. John Paden has said.

The amount to be recovered from each senator was also listed in the book.

The book, Muhammadu Buhari: The challenges of leadership in Nigeria, written by Paden, equally  revealed that the administration’s ongoing investigation of alleged dubious international oil transactions by former minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and her foreign allies as well as tracking of stolen oil is being hampered by  lack of funds.

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The book was launched on Monday, October 3 and has drawn varied reactions from Nigerians over some positions and claims.

Detailing various efforts being made by the president in the fight against corruption,Paden said of the nine senators currently facing corruption cases, five are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related) Corruption (ICPC) for alleged misappropriation of N57.2 billion.

The senators, according to Buhari’s biographer are: Ahmed Sani Yerima who ruled Zamfara State between 1999 and 2007 (N1billion); former governor of Plateau state who recently defected to Buhari’s APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Joshua Dariye (N1.2 billion) and ex-governor of Gombe State and incumbent Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje (N25 billion).

Others senators are: former governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu (N15 billion) and son of former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako), Senator Abdulaziz Nyako (N15 billion).

Although investigation of the senators  was inherited by the administration, the president’s disposition in the war on corruption has placed more heat on the lawmakers, the author contended.

According to the book,  president Buhari has been going through enormous pressure to give preferential treatment to APC leaders fingered in corruption cases but stated that such requests have not received his blessing.

Paden said: “Importantly, in none of these cases (apart from certain military procurement scandals that impacted national security) has the prosecution been sponsored or encouraged by president Buhari. He has kept his hands off the judiciary, despite enormous pressure for him to come to the aid of APC allies.”

He further added that, “although a number of senior officials had been tried for corruption prior to the Buhari Presidency, the extent of the current corruption court cases in Nigeria is unprecedented. By February 2016, nine senators (out of 109 in the National Assembly) were facing criminal charges.”

On the reason the administration is yet to make desired impact in recovering petro-monies involving Mrs. Madueke and her foreign allies, the book claimed that investigation into the deals were being hampered by lack of funds.

“A major challenge for the Buhari government was how to track stolen oil…At the heart of the oil bunkering scandals was the former minister of Petroleum Resources and her associates,” the book alleged .

It stated that “a general lack of funds appeared to hamper the Nigerian component of the investigation… In February, a letter by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption(PACC) to a United Kingdom -based anti corruption organisation, Global Witness, soliciting assistance in raising funds, revealed that due to the fall in crude oil prices and the general economic downturn, government lacked the needed funds to pursue the recovery of loot.”

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No Fulani herdsmen, No Nigeria - Northern senators say

Ripples Nigeria - Senators from the Northern part of the country say that if herdsmen are told to leave a part of the country, then there would not be no country called Nigeria.

The senators under the aegis of Northern Senators stated that for some time now, a number of crimes like armed invasion of communities, killings and kidnappings have been attributed to such herdsmen, when in fact they were not responsible for them.

Rising from a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the northern senators in a communiqué, said that “This thing has been going on in virtually all parts of the country today. If we now say that everybody should rise and say herdsmen should leave, we will not have a country.”

Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West), who read out the communiqué to newsmen, also warned governors, leaders and community heads in the country to desist from making what they said were inflammatory statements that could further overheat the polity.

He said, “In recent times, it started with the West when elder statesman, Chief Olu Falae, had some very nasty experience. It was attributed at the time to Fulani herdsmen. At the end, those people were apprehended and they were not Fulanis.”

According to him, they would work assiduously with President Muhammadu Buhari, to enact laws and amend existing ones to bring about even development to all sections of the country.

Saraki Sets To Resign As Loyalists Mount Pressure; PencilS 2 As Replacement

Ahead of the expected judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, following yesterday’s commencement of his trial over false assets declaration when he held sway as governor of Kwara State, Senate President, Bukola Saraki may throw in the towel by resigning from his position any movement from now.

In other not to be humiliated while on the throne, some senators including those who had vowed to remain with him to the end of his trial at the anti-graft court, yesterday, asked the Senate President to consider the resignation option so as to save the Senate, as an institution. 

It was gathered that the option was thrown to him at a special meeting held by a group of some loyal senators, who followed him to his Maitama residence, shortly after the end of yesterday’s trial at the court. 

But as Saraki is considering the option, senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, appeared to be at loggerhead with their counterparts in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the Senate President’s successor. 

While the APC senators are insisting on producing Saraki’s successor, those of the PDP are favorably disposed to anointing one of their own, a development that has further polarized the Red Chamber. 

A senator of the PDP fold, who spoke to Vanguard late yesterday, but on condition that his identity would not be mentioned, said Saraki was given the option of resigning basically to save the institution of the legislature. ‘”I can confirm to you that at a special meeting held yesterday, we asked the Senate President to consider the option of resignation. 

“We believe that doing so would preserve the institution of the Senate, “he said, refusing to speak further. Asked whether the Senate President was considering the resignation option, the lawmaker said ‘” this was just thrown at him this evening. We believe that he would do the right thing.'”. 

Meanwhile, names of senators Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa West from the APC and Suleiman Adokwe of the PDP were being touted as possible replacements of the Senate President to press time. 

Vanguard News