The activities of bandits who kidnap Nigerians for ransom recently assumed a worrisome dimension with terrorists threatening to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor of Kaduna State Nasir el-Rufai.
The threat came before the daring attack on the Presidential Guards Brigade in Bwari where about nine soldiers were killed.
This threat and the attack succeeded in stoking fears among Nigerians and in reaction, the President again ordered the military to rescue all Nigerians held captive and clear terrorist enclaves.
The governor of Kaduna State had advised the federal government to bomb forests and other terrorist hideouts.
But security experts described as laughable suggestions that the Nigerian State should carpet bomb forests to tame widespread insecurity.
The experts instead asked the government to strengthen forest guards with modern equipment, training and the motivation to protect the forests.
A public and private security analyst and trainer, Major Banjo Daniel (rtd) who does not believe in the government’s commitment to the fight, lamented that there are people who are in constant communication with the bandits and other criminal elements.
He said, “It has also become a fact that the criminals are allowed to reside among us; being turbaned by us, and allowed to freely move around, liberate their members from prisons and continue to conduct deadly activities, all in line with our ‘friendly’ reaction.
“If Mr. President has directed the security agencies to carpet bomb the forest, and he is sincere about it, that is what some analysts had expected of him.
“However, in my view, the effect wouldn’t be significant if it is not followed with infiltration of the forest by ground troops for mop-up operations. It would also require an all-round observation defense of the forested areas before the bombardment to ensure minimal escape by the criminals.”
Speaking further, he said there must be coordinated attacks on the known locations of the criminals.
“To achieve significant success, suspected areas habiting them within the nation must be attacked, raided, searched and destroyed. In short, appropriate Special Operations must be conducted simultaneously in order not to create chances for reinforcement or regrouping.
“It all depends on the level of sincerity in the ‘talk’ as we have heard such pronouncement many times before now.”
Former director Army Public Relations Brig Gen Sani Usman (Rtd) said while general insecurity in Nigeria is of great concern, whatever measures are taken must be within the ambit of international best practices.
He called for an all of society approach to end insecurity in the country.
“The general insecurity in Nigeria is a source of concern to all, hence the various calls for drastic action or measures to mitigate the menace.
“Therefore, it is not surprising that some people are calling for such measures as carpet bombing the known hideouts of the terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers that mostly perpetrate these acts.
“Given the fact that election is fast approaching and the need to create a conducive atmosphere for a secure, and credible elections, there is the need to expedite action on our counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts, as well as fight against other forms of insecurity.
“However, this should be within the ambit of acceptable terms and international best practices. Therefore, all efforts should not be spared in clearing these terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, wherever they might be”.
On his part, the secretary general International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS) Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi told LEADERSHIP Sunday that carpet bombing forests was not an option and asked the federal government to address socio-economic issues breeding insecurity.
He said, “Bombing the forests will destroy the ecosystem and all the biodiversity and it will also affect humans.
“There must be a better way to do it through collaboration with the international community, and ensure that the officers who are manning those places are given what is due to them and we must ensure a reward system, we must enhance patriotism.”
He stated that Nigeria’s security challenges were socially inclined.
He said: “It is as a result of bad governance and leadership. We need to get our acts together and ensure that what is due to God is given to God and what is due to man is given to man and we must ensure that we enforce our laws and create awareness including the consequences of violation is known to citizens so that anybody that violated knows the consequences but if we don’t stabilise the social issues, the socioeconomic issues and have the political will to deal with issues as they arise will not get it right.”
Reacting to this development the managing director of Beacon Consulting Dr Kabir Adamu said anyone making such suggestions will make Nigeria the laughing stock of the world amid the effect of climate change.
“The current disposition of the world is to protect biodiversity because of the role they play in helping in adapting and preventing climate change. So you come up with such a solution, first, it’s laughable, it will embarrass us as a country and within the committee of nations.
Secondly, if you flatten a forest, what of the mountains where these guys hide? Are you also going to flatten the mountains? And believe me, the majority of them hide in those mountain caves and all that so, it’s not an option. I sincerely say we should use other components of power strategies and not things like these that are embarrassing” he said.
On the way forward, he said “let’s strengthen the department of Forestry guards that have responsibility for the forest. Let’s Arm them and let them be with all the protection they need. One tactical Unit can go from camp to camp and denigrate these guys. we just need to be serious about it, arm them with all they need, train them and they go ahead and do that.
“Assuming for instance that we don’t want to use other security departments such as the military and give them all the requisite arms they need, another option is to engage foreign government or even private military contractors with the specific responsibility of going into the forest and taking out the leadership of these groups”.
He said the terrorist and bandits camps are known, adding that “Private organizations have even attempted to do that. There are several bodies that I know have done that. So, we should be more strategic, we should be proactive and not make use of such ridiculous and laughable recommendations like flattening the forests.”
Barely a week after the Service Chiefs, at the last National Security Council meeting, reassured President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians that there will be a change in strategy and momentum in the fight against insurgency and terrorism, the Chief of the Air Staff issued a directive to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational and air component commanders to ‘show no mercy’ as they decimate terrorists and insurgents in the country, positive results have started trickling in.
Airstrikes executed by the Nigerian Air Force have killed terrorist leaders Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal, aka Abdulkareem Boss, Alhaji Modu, aka Bem Bem, and 47 fighters in Borno and Katsina States in Northeast and Northwest respectively.
The airstrikes also killed Terrorists Kingpin Alhaji Shanono and 17 of his fighters in Kaduna State.
According to Military sources, Abdulkareem Boss who masterminded the killing of Nigerian Police Area Commander of Dutsin ma on 5 July 2022 was killed on 6 August 2022.
The source said the Air Task Force Component, Operation Hadarin Daji after days of careful planning and coordination on 6 August 2022, carried out successful strikes on key terrorists’ enclaves and hideouts located at Rugu Forest in Katsina State.
“Intelligence has since confirmed that the strikes have led to the elimination of one Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal, aka Abdulkareem Boss.
“Abdulkareem Boss was a high valued target who has been on the radar of the Nigerian Military and other security agencies for a while”.
He said Abdulkareem Boss who was based in the Marina area of Safana LGA and was responsible for several terrorist attacks, animal rustling, and kidnapping.
“He was known to regularly invite other terrorist groups from other areas and regions to join him in attacks on targets. “Specifically, he was part of the terrorist group that carried out attacks that eventually led to the death of the Nigerian Police Area Commander of Dutsinma on 5 July 2022. Reports filtering in have since confirmed that Abdulkareem Boss was neutralized in the precision strike alongside 27 of his foot soldiers,” he said.
In a similar vein, air strikes conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai at Degbawa near Mandara Mountain in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on 3 August 2022 led to the death of a terrorist Kingpin, Alhaji Modu, aka Bem Bem, and some of his fighters.
The Senior Officer noted that Alhaji Modu, a key ISWAP Commander had converged with others for a morning meeting on an intended attack before they were struck by an array of NAF assault aircraft.
“An assessment of the strike revealed that the entire location was levelled to the ground and sources have since revealed that no fewer than 20 terrorists were confirmed eliminated in the strike” he added.
He said similar strikes were also conducted on terrorists’ hideouts around Abuja, Kaduna, and Niger states.
“Although Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance reports have since indicated that the terrorists fizzle out immediately after carrying out their nefarious acts, credible information has since revealed that threats within Abuja were being orchestrated by terrorists from their hideouts within Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara states.
“In view of this, NAF aircraft under Operation Whirl Punch were dispatched to undertake intensive air interdiction operation to degrade/neutralize the terrorists within their identified hideouts in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, and Chikun LGA in Kaduna State and Kusasu, Kwaki and Kukere LGA in Niger State.
“The operations were aimed at forestalling them from further planning to cause mayhem within Kaduna and Niger States as well as surroundings around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“So far, the identified locations hit by NAF aircraft include Jan Birni, Kusasu, Kauwuri, Kwaki, Ukambo Hill within the Kwiambana Forest as well as Alhaji Chorki Location.
“These locations have been attacked decisively and were struck in successive passes until they went into flames, some casualties who were spotted to be struggling to scamper for safety were effectively mopped up.
“The positive feedback received from ground troops deployed indicated that the terrorists have suffered heavy casualties and their logistics bases razed to the ground”.
He stated that the successes of the air strikes indicate the service’s commitment to ridding the entire Northern region as well as the FCT of terrorism in collaboration with other security agencies and restoring peace and sanity.
“Operational commanders have also been told to sustain the momentum and ensure they minimize, to the barest minimum, the freedom of movement of terrorists and insurgents”.
The senior officer said “sources have confirmed that the Nigerian military are exuding so much confidence, especially with the level of successes being recorded. They are also optimistic that the counterterrorism strategies and efforts will in no distant time yield the expected outcome even beyond the northeast,” he said.
