Crime

Buratai’s Lethal Blow On Terrorists Remnants

Published

8 years ago

May 13, 2017

By: Gabriel Onoja

In every institution, changes are necessary from time to time in order to reposition the organization to meet its targets, mandate and emerging challenges. A clear-headed leadership ensures fresh hands with new ideas, are injected into a system for perfect service delivery. Fresh puzzles, sometimes require new hands and ideas to demystify them.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai is a fascinating soldier. A thorough breed no doubt, the Army Chief decodes a problem ahead of time and knows when to move against it. He has just reorganized the Army. And tampering with the counter-insurgency structure is meant to reposition soldiers to meet the emergent challenges of defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria, with focus on punching remnants of terrorists with lethal blows.

The Army Chief knows flushing out residues of insurgents is quite easy; but also a complex task based on the insidious manner the terrorists remnants operate. He realized they have to be assailed from all angles.

The Army boss, one of the finest breed of combatants, a tactician and strategist whose huge reservoir of knowledge always brims with a pool of dynamic ideas, knows ending a war is important; but sustaining the victory is more crucial. He is aware the counter-insurgency war has entered the last lap of chasing, flushing and if possible, apprehending the remnants of fleeing terrorists. And in extending his attack chest, new hands and ideas are needed to accomplish this awesome task.

In a surprise shake-up in the Nigerian Army, Gen. Buratai tampered with the hierarchy of the engine room of the anti-terrorism war in the Northeast. He appointed Major. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, as the new Theatre Commander of the “Operation Lafiya Dole”, the army’s operational headquarters in the counter-insurgency war in the region. He has replaced Major Gen. Lucky Irabor, who has been redeployed to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as Field Commander.

Many may not discern the import of these two postings in the anti-terrorism campaigns. But the posting itself is strategic in many respects. Gen. Irabor had held forth as Theatre Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole” at the peak of the military onslaughts that humbled and defeated the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria.

Gen. Irabor’s co-ordinative military exploits were actively complemented by another patriotic soldier, Brigadier Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division who worked relentlessly as Commander 28 Task Force Brigade. He has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, as Commandant. But while Gen. Irabor pulled the strings against insurgents at the center, Gen. Ezugwu amplified the fire at other angles.

Gen. Ezugwu led the troops that chased out Boko Haram insurgents out of Mubi and many other towns in Adamawa State. Thereafter, he keyed troops under his Command into the COAS’s “Operation Crackdown,” where clearance operations in different locations in the area like Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu routed out Boko Haram terrorists, rescued hostages and recovered arms and ammunitions. Added to it, Gen. Ezugwu would frequently conduct operational tour of formations and units within 7 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR), reminding troops of the necessity of maintaining constant aggressive patrols and ambushes in order to keep the roads safer for commuters traversing parts of the Northeast.

However, since the defeat of terrorists, the Nigerian Army has alerted of escapee terrorists regrouping in communities of neighbouring countries to re-energize and strike soft targets occasionally. This was envisaged leading to the formation of the MNJTF with the mandate to fortify and effect synergized military operations against terrorists in the three neigbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroonian Republics affected by terrorism.

MNJTF was intended to block escape routes and avenues of hibernation by terrorists when the heat is turned on them by Nigerian troops. While Nigerian soldiers pushed and pressed hard on terrorists, the surrounding countries somewhat relaxed on their professional duties and assignments, as they defiled the pact.

This has been responsible for the bulwark offered fleeing terrorists, who regroup in border communities of neighbouring countries, from where they stealthily stray into Nigeria to launch occasional attacks on obscure targets. Gen. Buratai knows deploying an MNJTF Field Commander in Gen. Irabor who is abreast with the intricacies of the counter-insurgency war, particularly the last phase of flushing out the residues of terrorists, would finally achieve the mission of routing and cleansing the land of the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

Gen. Irabor has proved his mettle as an excellent executor of the directives of his boss in the anti-terrorism war as Theatre commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole”. Apart from playing sensitive roles and co-ordination of field operations that terminated the reign of Boko Haram terrorists, he is privy to special operations like “Operation Rescue Final” and before his redeployment, also supervised “Operation Crackdown” conceived to finally flush out remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast in clearance operations.

Therefore, with Gen. Irabor’s experience in the insurgency war and his fortifying the battle from the MNJTF angle and another equally competent Gen. Attahiru co-ordinating it at the home front as Theatre Commander of “Operation Lafiya Dole” the plot for final dirge for terrorists is successfully executed. The MNJTF back-up under Irabor would provide a wonderful and an unbreakable synergy in the operations to crackdown on the last remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

The Army Chief expects that the new Theatre Commander would sustain the pace and tempo of checkmating fleeing terrorists who may dread the fresh fire that might be ignited by the MNJTF and attempt to take refuge in Nigeria. Gen. Attahiru will also intensify focus and stimulate soldiers in the team of “Operation Crackdown” to comb and keep vigil in Nigeria’s border communities with neighbouring countries; serve as physical and psychological beacon of troops in the battle; while he ensures there is no laxity on the part of troops in surveillance of vulnerable villages and communities as well as the destruction of relics insurgents anywhere they are spotted.

But most importantly, the new Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Gen. Attahiru is also expected to intensify and expand soldiers’ grip on Sambisa forest, the terrorists’ former haven; while the building of infrastructure in the area remains interrupted. The current template laid by Gen. Buratai for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to deserted homes would have to be supported to ensure all victims of the unfortunate insurgency peacefully resettle; as soldiers safeguards the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts of the Northeast by States and Federal Governments and other volunteers.

The new Theatre Commander must also necessarily sustain and possibly improve on the legacies of the 7 Division in Adamawa state; a sensitive flank in the triangle of states extremely affected by terrorism, by ensuring commuters’ travel without harassment of whatever kind and the tempo of clearance operations is not lowered.

Expectations are quite high and much as Nigerians appreciate the gallantry and sacrifices of Nigerian troops in ending insurgency, all eyes are set to see the final flushing out of the remnants’ of Boko Haram terrorists. By voting Nigerian Army as the best security agency in defending Nigerians and the territorial integrity of the country, the people believe the recent change of guard in the counter-insurgency war signals the final end to the plaque of terrorists’ remnants.

Nigerians expectedly feel Gen. Attahiru will leverage on the footprints of Gen. Irabor while he held sway in the position he now occupies and strive higher given the overt collaborative posture of the current re-organization and re-alignment. And surely, with positive prayers from Nigerians, Nigerian soldiers are set for another epic ground breaking record in world counter-terrorism battles.

Everything that has a beginning has an end. Nigerians are optimistic that Gen. Attahiru would be the final Theatre Commander of Lafiya Dole. He is elected to bury the last shadows of terrorists, where insurgents who do not abandon Nigeria and its environs, would necessarily surrender to the power and strength of the Nigerian Army, under the illuminating and edifying professional leadership of the COAS, Lt. Gen. Buratai. The Army Chief is poised to accomplish this task within the shortest possible time again, to the cheers and celebration of Nigerians.

Onoja, anti-terrorism and extremism campaigner writes from Jos, Plateau State.atai

Crime

Gunmen attack Kwara community, kill police officer, 4 others

Published

8 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Scores of gunmen have reportedly invaded Babanla community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, resulting in a number of casualties, including a police officer.

It was gathered that the assailants, who were said to have come on motorcycles to the agrarian community, headed to the Divisional Police Headquarters amid sporadic shootings. Investigation revealed that it was at the police station that the gunmen killed the policeman, identified as Adejumo Wasiu.

Following the successful invasion of the police facility, the gunmen, it was gathered, headed to the market where they raided the traders.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson of the Kwara State Police Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirming the unfortunate incident, said: “The assailants fired sporadically, killing five people, including a police officer, Adejumo Wasiu.”

She added: “A swift and coordinated response by Police operatives, Nigeria Army personnel, vigilantes, and local Hunters repelled the attack, restored order, and initiated a full-scale manhunt for the perpetrators.”
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‎However, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, accompanied by the State Director of the Department of Services (DSS), on Sunday paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to Babanla to evaluate the security situation.

SP Ejire-Adeyemi said the delegation visited the traditional ruler of Babanla, Oba Yusuf Aliyu Alabi, with whom “they held high-level discussions aimed at consolidating peace and strengthening inter-agency and community-security collaboration”.
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‎At Babanla, the joint security delegation also visited key locations in the community, including the market, the Divisional Police Headquarters, and the surroundings to ensure that stability has been fully restored.

Meanwhile, the CP has ordered sustained armed patrols, continuous intelligence gathering, and the deployment of specialised tracking teams, while the DSS also pledged continuous intelligence support to apprehend all those involved in the dastardly attack.
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‎The statement reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment, in synergy with sister security agencies to safeguard lives and property in all parts of Kwara State, urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible information.

End y

Crime

Illegal Mining: PESMDAA steps up fight against menace in Kwara

Published

2 days ago

August 9, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Petroleum Environmental Solid Minerals Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA) has pledged to step up its advocacy for sustainable environmental practices, while also intensifying the fight against illegal mining in Kwara State.

Kwara State Commissioner of the association, Abdulganiyu Aleshinloye, made the commitment at the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Workshop for PESMDAA Taskforce Officers, held on Saturday in Ilorin, the state capital.

Aleshinloye described the taskforce as a critical tool in mobilising against illegal mining and environmental exploitation, warning that such activities pose serious threats to public health, biodiversity, economic stability, and climate resilience.

He said the association is committed to tackling environmental challenges through awareness creation and knowledge sharing aimed at eliminating degradation and irregularities in the petroleum, environment, and solid minerals sectors.

Also speaking at the event, the Kwara State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Hajia Nafisat Buge, represented by the Principal Scientific Officer, Mrs. Aliu Aminat, drew attention to the link between environmental degradation and broader crises such as drought, food insecurity, and communal conflicts.

She reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for PESMDAA’s mandate, and called for greater collaboration among researchers, local authorities, and security agencies to ensure coordinated interventions in tackling environmental challenges.

On her part, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Hon. Abosede Buraimoh, represented by the Director of Solid Minerals, Mr. Kunle Adimula, said the ministry is intensifying sensitisation of stakeholders on the negative impacts of illegal mining in communities across Kwara.

She noted that the campaign will empower traditional rulers to properly profile investors in mining activities within their domains, in line with existing laws.

Buraimoh also disclosed that the ministry is working on legislation to compel mining companies to reclaim degraded land for agricultural use after operations, as part of efforts to address land degradation.

In a paper presentation titled “The Role of PESMDAA Taskforce Officers in Stopping Environmental Degradation and Working with the Media for Stronger Advocacy in Kwara State”, environmental journalist Dare Akogun urged taskforce officers to see themselves as the “first eye” and “first ear” of PESMDAA in the field.

He outlined their responsibilities, including monitoring environmental activities, identifying and reporting illegal mining and environmental abuse, sensitising communities on environmental protection, and supporting law enforcement in tackling offenders.

Akogun stressed that sensitisation is key to changing harmful practices, noting that many environmental offences occur due to ignorance. Citing his field investigations in Bani, Kaiama LGA, he highlighted the dangers of abandoned mining pits filled with dirty water, which spread disease and destroy farmland.

On the legal framework guiding PESMDAA operations, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, Ahmad Hussein, urged members to familiarise themselves with the Mining Act and other relevant legislation to ensure smooth and lawful execution of their duties.

The workshop brought together taskforce officers, environmental experts, legal practitioners, and government representatives to strengthen the operational efficiency of PESMDAA in protecting Kwara’s environment.

End

Crime

Alleged Extortion: Kwara CP orders arrest of accused police officers

Published

4 days ago

August 7, 2025

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, has ordered the arrest of police officers, for allegedly extorting a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Taiwo Kayode.

It was gathered that the officers of the Anti-Cultism Unit, Kwara State Police Command, had allegedly arrested, detained and extorted the sum of N200,000 from Taiwo after refusing to unlock his phone.

Taiwo was reportedly stopped at Erin-Ile town, while heading to Osogbo in Osun State.

He was first taken to Ijagbo police division, and eventually moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in Ilorin where police officers allegedly forced him to unlock his phone and transferred the N200,000 to an account named Lucy Akor.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident in a telephone chat with our correspondent in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, who confirmed the incident, expressed displeasure over the conduct of the accused officers.

Apparently angered by the incident, the CP said he has ordered the arrest of the officers involved, assuring that necessary action would be taken against them.

End