Issues
The Boko Haram Threat …Whither Nigeria’s Intelligence Network
After series of senseless killings in Bauchi and Borno States, and an attempt to blow-up the Police Headquarters in Abuja, early this year, in which scores were maimed and not less than eight lives lost, the notorious Islamic fundamentalist group the Boko Haram sect, last week Friday, stretched their terrorist exploits beyond unimaginable limits. The United Nations office in Abuja became a target.
That came at a time when Nigerians were busy debating whether or not the group’s members deserve amnesty, and when committed Islamic faithfuls were observing one of Islam’s most sacred moments, the Ramadan.
As in previous attacks, the recent attempt targeted not just a humanitarian establishment of global renown, but indeed innocent men, women and children, a terrorist pass-time that spoke volumes of the level of moral depravity and indeed degeneration the Boko Haram sect truly exemplifies.
Sadly, more than one year after this very dangerous culture started playing-out in the criminal magnitude as experienced today, it is indeed disturbing, regrettable and very questionable that the nation’s Intelligence community not merely appears helpless, there is yet no meaningful success in trailing the masterminds of those behind the dastardly acts and their sponsors.
Equally worrisome, is the fact that even when a pocket of such suspects was arrested and detained in a security facility in Bauchi, they escaped, allegedly with the connivance of senior military officers, who we later heard, were facing court marshal in line with military protocol.
Nearly one month after, not only is little or nothing heard of that military trial, the Boko Haram sect is becoming even more and more brazen in their attacks in a manner that betrays the existence of very influential backers.
Often reluctant to tie events of this kind to some of the many African adages, considered to be wise sayings, I have repeatedly resisted the strong urge to join the bandwagon and ask: “If the owl cried last night and the baby dies today who killed the baby? So, I wont.
Even so, it must be noted that no measure of criminality thrives as the Boko Haram’s has, without influential backers and financiers, as globally witnessed in the Al Qaeda saga, when slain terror master-mind, Osama Bin Laden held sway.
Today, suicide bombers, heard of and despised by Nigerians, in distant lands, are gradually becoming common place, with none offering any useful lead as to what the ideological peg to the criminality might be.
The much the world knows of suicide bombing, is the criminal act of targeting highly populated public places, killing innocent citizens and destroying historical places as a means of getting public attention to a given course.
In such exercises, the bomber is often believed to be materially compensated through family, siblings and other loved ones before he offers his life, content that he would enjoy eternal bliss, having died for a noble course.
Here, what can we say is the cause that the Boko Haram sect is pursuing before slaving to see whether such is noble or not? The little known of Boko Haram’s worry is that it detests Western education, the same weapon of modern civilisation that most of the group’s leaders enjoyed. Another, is the imposition of Sharia in all Northern States of the Federation, and if possible, the whole country, a tall-order that negates the secular nature of the nation’s constitution.
Could that be the reason churches in Jos and elsewhere were initially targeted? What then explains the bombing of markets which Moslems and Christians alike patronise? Now, with these unlikely variables carefully eliminated, what remains is the political perspective which appears to have been ignored for far too long except when, following the independence-day, Abuja bombings, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida’s campaign leadership was briefly fingered and let go, afterwards.
Viewed critically, there is an ample need to properly investigate some key Northern leaders who at various times threatened to make the country ungovernable, should President Goodluck Jonathan pick the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) ticket to run the April 2011 general elections, instead of leaving same exclusively to the North.
In a publication in this column, Monday, October 25, 2010 titled, No, To Divided Nigeria (Again, Addressing Ciroma’s Threats) I virtually begged Mallam Adamu Ciroma and his co-travellers, under the aegis of Northern Elders Forum, to check their vexatious vituperations that are capable of dividing the nation along North-South lines.
That would not be my first and from all indications, not the last time as I quickly then recalled, “only last week (Sept 28, 2010), Mallam Ciroma, in an obviously sponsored news report repeated his earlier annoying warning that should President Goodluck Jonathan continue with his presidential election bid, picks the PDP ticket and eventually wins the election, he would see a Nigeria that would be too ungovernable”.(Emphasis mine).
Jonathan not merely ignored the warning, he contested and won the elections overwhelmingly, and even garnered more votes across the Nation, including the Northern part of the country, meaning that the Northern Elders Forum was speaking for themselves – the political elite, as usual and not the ordinary Northerners who were obviously also tired of the same recycled faces as IBB, Buhari and Atiku.
Could the on-going security breaches and senseless killings in parts of the North be the punishment for Jonathan’s ‘disobedience’ and by extension the fulfillment of Ciroma’s promise of making Nigeria ungovernable?
Ciroma was not alone. Last year, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mallam Nasir el-Rufai was the first to urge Jonathan to join the presidential race, and days later went on to berate former Military Head of State, Major General Mohammadu Buhari as impatient with the truth.
But shortly after Jonathan’s eventual electoral victory, the same el-Rufai was quoted as saying that Buhari would have been the best president for Nigeria, with a warning that the country would crumble under Jonathan’s feet as President. Isn’t this a pattern? Or was el- Rufai cajoled into that double-speak on account of the seemingly sponsored uprising in parts of the North after the elections?
How far has the country’s intelligence community gone investigating the various leads that beg for attention? How long will the various security organs remain helpless, while innocent Nigerians are daily slaughtered like Sallah rams? Or, are we to accept that Police success in investigating crimes cannot be extended to the Boko Haram onslaught?
Only recently, all well-meaning Nigerians stood up in celebration of Police arrest of those behind the kidnap of Pa Michael Obi, father of Nigerian soccer International and English Premiership side, Cheslea’s mid-fielder, Mikel Obi. The speed of the investigation, the rescue of the captive and the capture of the culprits by the Police gave Nigerians a good reason to believe that all hope was not lost in the fight against the level of criminality daily unleashed on the country. What is wrong in that direction?
I ask because the acts of terrorism daily unleashed on the Nigerian state by the Boko Haram terror gang has assumed such a frightening dimension that clearly challenges the capability of the country’s security. Yesterday, it was the Police Headquarters, today it is the UN office, where will it be tomorrow?
President Jonathan should do more than convoking regular meetings with the various heads of the security concerns and instead order that the fight be taken to the terrorists’ safe havens. Yes, it is true that guerrilla warfare of the fledging type is not an easy task to contain, especially in areas where terrorism is a way of life, and suicide bombings a religious pass-time, hence the need to do every thing now before Nigeria degenerates to the ilk of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Whatever is required to help the Nigerian security forces to achieve this must be done now, not later, because the multiplier-effect of failure to act fast can better be imagined than seen.
But I have a worry. Rather than condemn the terror attacks and suggest ways of checking further killings, two of Nigeria’s most revered retired generals and former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida have been busy bandying words as market women would, on a bad market day.
Beyond that and for good reasons, all Northern leaders must also rise-up now and join forces with the Federal Government to fight the new kind of terrorism being witnessed in the land, if indeed, they are patriotic and innocent of the allegation many Nigerians fear to voice –complicity.
My Agony is that even some sect members mistakenly caught by the Joint Task Force (JTF) were quickly freed in very questionable circumstances, with little or nothing known as to why, and how or by whom.
The truth must be told. Now is the time to keep Nigeria one, and One we shall remain, because that has always been the duty of all Nigerian leaders. Therefore, any threat to that, no matter by whom, should be crushed by the Commander-in-Chief. That, is Jonathan’s mandate.
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
The man Tony Okocha, the devastated tattered ragtag remnant Rivers APC factional, but Caretaker, Chairman, is known for being notoriously a hireling willing to play in the mud just for the pay or settlement. To Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he did against Chief Nyesom Wike. To Senator Magnus Abe, he did against Rotimi Amaechi. To Chief Nyesom Wike, he did against Magnus Abe. Having maintained such unbefitting character trait, it is not surprising to see him at his demeaned best showing off his tainted skill of grandstanding and loquaciously struggling fruitlessly almost every day to castigate the popular Rivers people’s Governor with very glaring false, bogus and unsubstantiated claims such as:
1. That Governor Fubara is wasting state fund in the name of thanksgiving across 23 Local Government Areas.
2. That Governor Fubara has withheld Local Government funds.
3. That Governor Fubara runs the government without input from the State Executive Council.
4. That nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance.
To the above false claims of Tony Okocha, every reasonable, right thinking and well-meaning Rivers person would effortlessly puncture all as rascality and mendacity taken too far.
Apart from the fact that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had said he is not sponsoring the massive SIMplified Movement Thanksgiving events across the Local Government Areas of the State being organised by elated Rivers people who feel liberated from an era of overbearing and suppressive form of leadership in the State, Tony Okocha should be asked to prove his false claim with indisputable facts and figures. Until then, let Tony Okocha respect himself and learn to keep quiet as an elderly person who is saddled with such a responsible position as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. A position that places a huge responsibility on him to ensure that the core objectives of the commission are actualised in the State, by not only ensuring that Rivers State gets its fair share of its dues in terms of projects, programmes and activities, but by synergising with the state government on development matters concerning the state vis-a-vis the responsibilities of NDDC to the State. In summary, the SIMplified Movement is all about a happy and joyful people of Rivers State who have decided to stand and stick together to defend and uphold their common heritage and patrimony. It is a voluntary venture, not sponsored by the government.
To his claim that the Governor has withheld Local Government funds, Mr Tony Okocha should also be asked to prove that with facts and figures and explain why the Governor would do such. More so, what is Tony Okocha’s business, assuming, but not conceding, that a PDP Governor withholds money against PDP-led 23 Local Government authorities? Did Local Government workers across the state complain to Okocha, the meddlesome hireling, an acclaimed APC Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers State?
On his ignorant and false claim that the Governor runs the government without input from the state exco, Okocha, the busybody wannabe should explain how he was employed or engaged as the spokesperson of members of the Rivers State Executive Council. He should also tell us his source of information to that effect, if it is not just a proof that he is making himself known as a perpetually irredeemable hireling notoriously good for playing the spoiler’s role.
On Mr Okocha’s assertion, probably, borne out of lack of more convincing lies, that nothing is happening in the State with respect to governance, is sure a proof that the man is only acting a bad and an unsellable script to justify the reward of expected gratifying filthy lucre, which is the compelling reason for condescending so low and evilly so. How else is governance measured, if not by executing meaningful and impactful projects, giving hope, inspiring and putting smiles on the faces of the people with joy of fulfilment in their hearts, both civil servants and everyone living and doing business in the State? Is Okocha blind to see and deaf to hear of the good works of the Governor Fubara led Rivers State Government? Civil servants are happy, teachers are highly elated. Several projects are ongoing. Investors are trooping in. The health sector, education, agriculture, sports have been highly boosted under Governor Fubara-led administration. To Okocha, there’s no governance in the State because patronage of free money is not getting to him from the Governor but from other sources that are likely against the Governor.
Let Tony Okocha weep more. Rivers State is breathing fresh air already and is liberated.
Let Tony Okocha tell us how he has, so far, as Rivers State Representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), clearly effected development in the State through the NDDC, and why he lied that there was Cholera outbreak with deaths recorded in Soku in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area with the intent of raking in about ¦ N5billion for non-existent mitigation programmes?
Odike is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Social/New Media .
Bernard C. Idike
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was an American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a member of the Democratic Party and is the only United States President to have served more than two terms.
In one of his popular quotes, he said, “The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind – men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others — men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves.”
This explains the recent gathering of creme la creme of Asari-Toru political gladiators converged at the inauguration of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter to reiterate their unflinching support for the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara whose mantra revolves around liberation.
The event which took place at the Autograph in Port Harcourt on the 1st of March, 2024, to galvanise strong support for Governor Fubara attracted over 500 members of the Simplified Movement from the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The gathering of supporters of Governor Fubara’s government, under the umbrella of the Simplified Movement, the ASALGA chapter led by an astute politician, former member of the Federal House of Representatives and two- time member of the Rivers State Executive Council as Commissioner, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall comprised both the old and young generation political helmsmen drawn from all the 13 Wards of the local government area.
The nerve-““““““wracking gathering had the likes of the 1999 democratic system pioneer Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council and former two-time Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Hon. Opakirite Mackson Jackreece; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adokiye Young-Harry; former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Daisy West and former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Hon. Iboroma Norman Wokoma.
Others were the incumbent Vice Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Hon. (Mrs.) Tekena Wokoma; former Commissioner of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon. Dr. Hope Barango; the South-West Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Sule Amachree and the Secretary of the Local Government chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Cladious Princewill; former Chief of Staff of Council, Hon. Ajumogobia West and former Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ASALGA, Hon. Onari Awo Tariah.
Also present at the event were past caretaker committee chairmen of the Local Government Council including, Hon. Waite Harry, Hon. Dawari Hamilton Ibinabo, Hon. Wright Warmate and former Deputy Mayor of the Port Harcourt City Council, Hon. Adokiye Horsfall amongst others. My humble self belongs to the movement. The list is inexhaustible.
Speaking at the inauguration, the member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency and leader of the Asari-Toru political family, Hon. Boma Goodhead assured the people of the commitment of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to extend visible dividends of democracy to the people of ASALGA.
The federal lawmaker who spoke through her representative, Dr. Sule Amachree, said Governor Fubara means well for Rivers people, particularly the people of ASALGA and urged them to remain calm, peaceful and resolute in their support to the administration of the State Governor.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the Governor ordained by God to liberate Rivers people from the snares of poverty and oppression. He is God-sent to bring visible and even development to Rivers State and Asari-Toru people are on the top of that agenda of development,” she said.
Hon. Goodhead reiterated her confidence in the capacity of the leader of the Simplified Movement, ASALGA chapter, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall to mobilise massive support and a huge source of encouragement for the Government of Sir Siminalayi Fubara to succeed.
“I urge you to continue to stand firm with our Governor. Be rest assured that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is a man of peace, focused and determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Rivers State. He will not fail you,” she said.
In his speech, the leader of the ASALGA chapter of the Simplified Movement, Chief Hon. Paworiso Samuel Horsfall described the movement as a child of necessity born out of the hunger of Rivers people for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation.
“As witnessed across the length and breadth of Rivers State, the Simplified Movement is a child of necessity, born out of the hunger for a paradigm shift from oppression to liberation, with one core objective to promote and defend the interests of Rivers State and her people. It is on this account, we stand as dependable allies giving strong support to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara in his pursuit of peace and commitment to the genuine development of Rivers State.
“It is our position that with the elections come and gone, it is practically a time to face governance and to ensure deliverables of dividends to the people of Rivers State in the atmosphere of peace, security and stability,” he said.
Chief Samuel Horsfall explained that Rivers people saw the leadership qualities needed to achieve the sole objective to genuinely defend and promote the interest of the State in Governor Fubara, hence the spontaneous massive support expressed in the birth of the Simplified Movement.
He recounted avalanche of achievements made by Governor Fubara within six months in office. “We appreciate the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his resilience and determination to make a difference. It is on record and attestable by all, the numerous projects being executed by his administration.
“Such as the ongoing construction of the gigantic Port Harcourt Ring Road project, the 20,000 housing units for low income earners, the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity road, the near completion of the 10km Old Port Harcourt-Bori road, the Emohua-Kalabari road, the 6.5km Woji-Alesa-Refinery link road and the inclusion of the remaining part of the Trans-Kalabari road project in the 2024 budget. “Moreover, the promotion of the State civil servants, first time in history payment of N100,000.00 Christmas bonus to civil servants across board, approval of promotions and implementation of N30,000.00 minimum wage for local government workers and the N4 billion single digit interest loans facility for Small and Medium Scale business operators in Rivers State. All these achievements within six months in office are eloquent testimonies of Governor Fubara to deliberately improve the welfare of Rivers people.
“We are convinced that such a proven great mind and well experienced, tested and trusted administrator/technocrat, Governor Fubara has demonstrated the capacity to deliver effectively the needed democratic dividends to Rivers people. It is on this convention we are gathered here for the umpteenth time to reaffirm our unalloyed support and commitment to his administration,” Chief Samuel Horsfall declared.
He disclosed that the gathering was to put in place citizens mobilisation strategy to forge a collaborative bond with the Governor to foster partnership for the development of ASALGA and the State. He, therefore, advised those he called detractors of Governor Fubara’s administration to desist forthwith and allow the Governor to remain focused in his quest to deliver on his mandate.
“All detractors should desist from further attacks on the Governor and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and allow the Governor to focus on the delivery of the good policies and programmes to Rivers people. We unequivocally condemn attempts by disgruntled Abuja politicians to employ intimidation antics against the former Speaker of the 10th State Assembly and current Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie and others who are standing on the path of justice and good conscience for the collective good of Rivers State.
“We equally urge the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to be discreet in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities in the State and not to allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do not mean well to fuel political crisis in Rivers State.
Chief Samuel Horsfall also commended the federal lawmaker, Hon. Boma Goodhead for her doggedness and resilience in supporting Governor Fubara since the wake of the political crisis in the State.
Several other personalities spoke to express their support to the State Governor and urged the people to ASALGA to maintain their peaceful disposition and remain steadfast in the Simplified Movement to give the state government maximum support to continue to render good governance to Rivers people.
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the elders and stakeholders of the Simplified Movement for the 13 Wards as well as the executive committee of the movement in Asari-Toru Local Government Area.
Amieyeofori Ibim
-
Politics2 days ago
Fubara’ll Leave Rivers Better Than Expected – LG Boss
-
Sports2 days ago
Eaglets Held In Pre-WAFU Friendly
-
News2 days agoRHI: Lady Fubara Donates 50,000 Books To Public Schools In Rivers
-
Women2 days ago
The Wise Woman
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Steer Clear Of NNS Delta, Commander Warns Criminals
-
Business2 days ago
‘Gas Infrastructure Devt, Key To Energy Sector Growth’
-
Sports2 days agoVan Dijk Questions Liverpool After Title Setback
-
Politics2 days ago
We’ll Not Succumb To Political Banditry-Stakeholders