NIGERIAN SOLDIERS ON COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Posted on August 28, 2013 by beegeagle

Battle-ready Nigerian Army troops inside an Otokar Cobra APC on urban counterinsurgency operations

(PHOTO CREDIT: SUNDAY ALAMBA/AP)

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BEEG EAGLE -perspectives of an opinionated Nigerian male with a keen interest in Geopolitics, Defence and Strategic Studies
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313 Responses to NIGERIAN SOLDIERS ON COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

  1. peccavi says:
    August 28, 2013 at 9:19 am

    OP RESTORE ORDER SITREP- Week Ending 24 August 2013

    Situation Friendly Forces:
    19 August: control of counter insurgency and counter terror operations in North East Nigeria, returns to Nigeria Army with the formation of 7th Infantry Division. 3 month old Operation BOYONA (covering operations in the States under State of Emergency). HQ in MAIDUGURI, GOC is tipped as Maj Gen ETHNAN, commanding 8, 000 troops comprising of troops from YOLA, MONGUNO, YOBE, SOKOTO as well as troops returning from operations in MALI
    The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Strike Group based in YOLA is to be upgraded with new strike and patrol aircraft and helicopters
    20 August: MALAM MUBARAK (aka DAN HAJIYA) taken to ABUJA in a military aircraft from SOKOTO
    JTF states that it believes Abubaker SHEKAU might have died as a result of injuries sustained during a firefight. He is believed to have been injured on 30 June in SAMBISA FOREST, evacuated to AMITCHIDE in CAMEROUN for treatment and died between 25 July and 3 August
    23 August: 22,000 illegal immigrants deported to CHAD, NIGER and CAMEROUN within the 3 month state of emergency period and 84 illegal border crossings identified according to Interior Minister Abba MORO
    24 August: NPF intercepted a vehicle with 5 passengers carrying an unknown amount of weapons and a suspected explosive device, in ANKPA Ward, MAKURDI, BENUE State. 1 suspect was shot and captured and 4 escaped

    Situation Enemy Forces:
    19 August: 3 police officers (2 male, 1 female) were killed and 1 wounded in an attack upon a Divisional Police Station in KAJURU, KAJURU LGA, KADUNA State. The attack at 11.30pm and lasted for approximately an hour
    20 August: 4 civilians’ were killed and 8 injured in an attack by suspected insurgents on GAMBORU-NGALA, BORNO State. Approximately 50 insurgents arrived in a convoy of cars and motorcycles, reportedly dressed as soldiers and pretending to be a combined military CJTF force, residents in the FLATARI Ward were requested to come out of their homes at 2.00am to observe captured Boko Haram and then shot
    19 August: 44 civilians killed and 14 wounded in fishing village of DEMBA, KUKUWA LGA, BORNO State, allegedly by a force of approximately 50 insurgents. Some victims were shot, others beheaded or had their throats slit, survivors allegedly had their eyes plucked out. Unknown number of houses burnt. Nigerian Red Cross, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Medecin Sans Frontieres (MSF) are providing relief, local are taking shelter in Baga Central Primary School, BAGA
    21 August: 2 police officers were killed in an attack on a Police Station in GWOZA, GWOZA LGA, BORNO State. The attack took place at 8.00am and resulted in 7 insurgents killed
    23 August: 5 imprisoned members of Boko Haram have stated they are interested in dialogue, in an Arabic language video shown to journalists by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Resolution of Security Challenges in the North Tanimu TURAKI. The video by Muhammad Lawan Dan SULIAMAN, ABDUL-AUZA’I, AL-DARNAWO, AL-MALIKI and 1 other unnamed gives Islamic justifications for negotiations citing Koranic examples
    Situation Other Forces

    22 August: 2 suspected insurgents dressed as women were detained by the Civilian JTF vigilante group in JIMTILO near, MAIDUGURI, BORNO State. The suspects both in their early 30’s stated they were from SHEHURI area of the city and were captured heading to KONDUGA. The 2 suspects were handed over to the military and allegedly shot dead and their bodies left in HAUSARI ward
    Situation External Forces
    21 August: US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy SHERMAN states the US will assist Nigeria with training in security

    Analysis

    Strike two: in Greek legend, the Hydra was a multi headed monster encountered by the hero Hercules. Striking off one head merely caused two others to grow in its place giving an exceptionally apt analogy for decapitation tactics for most modern terror groups which operate in a dispersed cellular manner. Charismatic leaders have throughout history held sway in terror groups through force of personality and well honed personality cults but the demise of these groups has had less to do with neutralisation and more to do with the things that took place to effect that neutralisations, thus the capture of Kurdish PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in Nairobi in 1999 did not spell the end of the PKK as his capture was as a result of a discrete special operation well away from the main theatre of operations, likewise the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan did not affect Al Qaeda’s day to day operation such as they are. The assassinations and attempted assassinations of HAMAS leaders has not weakened HAMAS. However although the death of UNITA’s Jonas Savimbi, preceded the collapse of UNITA in Angola, the death of Savimbi however was less the determining factor in their collapse and more the final straw at the end of a long run of military defeats and loss of territory. Likewise the capture of Abimael Guzman the leader of the Shining Path Terror Group in Peru , followed by the death of his successor and the rest of the leadership was in the context of a series of defeats which eventually led to the group splitting and ceasing to be a major threat
    These examples seek to show that in most conflicts it is not a matter of how many you kill or capture but who you kill or capture and in what context. And I would suggest in the case of a certain types of insurgencies of which Boko Haram is one, the death or elimination of the charismatic figurehead is of less importance than the elimination of key operational figures such as armourers, financiers, smugglers, specialists such as bomb makers, heavy weapons experts, etc . Thus the alleged death of Boko Haram’s Abubaker Shekau if true is less important than the deaths of Mohammed Bama, Abatcha Flatari and Abubakar Zakariya Yau and the arrest of Malam Mubarak.
    Mohammed Bama was apparently an operational commander who had led several successful attacks against the Nigerian Security Forces and was a heavy weapons specialist skilled in the use of anti aircraft guns. His father Abatcha Flatari was allegedly one of the spiritual luminaries of the group, giving legitimacy and Islamic ‘cover’ to their actions. Malam Mubarak was arrested in Sokoto, with sufficient weapons, IED components, men and cash to safely assume (in conjunction with other arrests and seizures in the area) he was attempting to set up a major cell in the area, with the likely purpose of drawing security forces away from North East Nigeria. There have been no suicide IED attacks for over 3 months much less VBIED’s. This would indicate that the logistic chain for large scale IEDs (supply, manufacture, transport, deployment, initiation etc) has been severely disrupted, including the clerics who would be necessary (one presumes) for suicide bombings.
    The conclusion one can draw from this is that it is immaterial if Shekau is dead or not. If he is, another individual who can gesticulate menacingly on camera will be found. The same cannot be said so easily for a persuasive cleric, skilled tactician, heavy weapons expert or IED maker.

    Hard Power/ Soft Power: The formation of this new unit is a positive development that again seeks to achieve one of the key principles of war and COIN- unity of effort. The use of ad hoc ‘joint’ forces with different equipment, training, weapons and skills is never the best solution to any problem much less an internal security issue.
    The use of soldiers for internal security is not the most optimal solution. Internal security should always be the preserve of the Police and the Courts. As useful as this new division will be it should only be the stopgap between stabilising the situation and returning security to a civil force.
    A military force can provide security however this is unsustainable, it is expensive, takes forces away from their core tasks and denudes their war fighting abilities. For security to be sustained there must be stability. For there to be stability there must be law and order. In other words a functioning system of accountability and conflict resolution (i.e. courts) and a competent force that protects the populace and maintains order (i.e. a police force).
    Within the framework of the current State of Emergency there is scope to set up specialist courts that deal exclusively with violent offences as well as terror offences. These courts with dedicated lawyers, investigators and judges, should be used to clear the back log of terror related cases so that there is a clear indication of the consequences of the actions of the suspects. At the same time criminal cases and civil cases should be tried and resolved at an accelerated rate, so as to give people a belief in state mandated methods of conflict resolution.
    For the police to take over internal security operations there will need to be a serious retraining, reequipping and reorientation.
    Thus the force must be able to defend itself and the populace from IEDs, protect itself and the population from mounted company sized attacks, dismounted company sized attacks, assassinations, kidnappings, robberies and at the same time conduct normal police activities, prevent and investigate thefts and burglaries, deals with traffic offences and domestic disturbances etc.
    Thus one will need a force with the firepower and mobility of an infantry unit but the accessibility and nuance of a community police force. This could also solve the problems associated with vigilantes as they could be inducted into the force as auxiliaries.
    In planning for the long term solution to this insurgency, the Federal Government would do well to look towards a new Federal Police Force, dedicated towards internal security and stabilisation.

    Reply
  2. Henry says:
    August 28, 2013 at 10:50 am

    Smartly written Oga peccavi, all your points makes a lot of sense. My question is, how do we reform the nigerian police force? We always talk about reformation, how do we go about this process. Please let us read your suggestion, workable suggestions, with all nigerian factors taken into account?

    Reply
  3. wocon45 says:
    August 28, 2013 at 11:08 am

    @ Peccavi, Epic write up . Permission to copy and paste with full recognition to you and the blog over….

    Reply
  4. jimmy says:
    August 28, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Excellent analysis.
    OGA Peccavi it is hoped somewhere or somehow you can post this to the NPF directly now as far as the implementation that is up to them. In the past though we have seen some of the things recommended on this bolg

    Reply
  5. jimmy says:
    August 28, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Sorry I meant blog.

    Reply
  6. beegeagle says:
    August 29, 2013 at 7:02 am

    It is correct to say that there has been a severe disruption of the terrorists’ IED-making capabilities. The litany of raids (in the hundreds) against IED factories which are well documented here has very eloquently yielded fruits.

    Concerning the long-term viability and sustainability of military-led CTCOIN operations, I DOUBT that a paramilitary force such as the Frontier Corps in Pakistan shall emerge any time soon.

    Most importantly and however nice it desirable it appears to be, such forces have scarcely replaced the military at the forefront of CTCOIN operations anywhere.

    Checklist : Colombia (where they even have an anti-narcotics brigade fighting to destroy the financial lifelines of the insurgency in much the same way as our JTF are fighting the menace posed by illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta which has long been associated with insurgent activity and arms racketeering.

    * In Pakistan, even with the paramilitary Frontier Corps, the Pakistan Army are still at the helm of the CTCOIN operations. Ditto Iraq.

    * In Turkey and Algeria where they have paramilitary gendarmes, the Army still lead the CTCOIN operations. In Algeria, the gendarmes are chiefly responsible for ‘insulating Saharn villages from attacks’ but the military it is which attack the terrorists. A similar situation suffices in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt – paramilitary forces notwithstanding.

    I SUSPECT that this seemingly universal approach observed across theatres speaks to the infinitely more potent arsenals of terrorists, compared to those of police-type COIN forces. And few military organisations appear willing to have the COIN forces holding stocks of RPGs, mortars etc. Organisational rivalries. Even if you reorganise the Police Force, the military would see any attempt at handing them military-grade weaponry as a usurpation of roles. That is the standard. And the military neither take the emergence of new forces whose roles and equipment appear similar?

    Concrete examples :

    – pressure from the military led to the dissolution of the nascent paramilitary National Guard at Xmas 1993.

    – pressure from the military prevented the coming into being of the Maritime Security Agency in 2012

    – the military regime of General Buhari seized all 75 units of Saxon APCs imported for the MOPOL by the ousted Shagari regime and removed the military-grade weaponry on them before they were handed back, stripped down, to the MOPOL

    It must be pointed out however that some Marine Police boats carry 12.7mm HMGs while others carry GPMGs but that must be understood based on the fact that the Niger Delta is equal in size to Scotland+Belgium and contains 3,014 waterways. With the myriad of tasks – facilities protection, escort of shipping and oil crews – to be performed by specialist troops (NA Amphibious Forces, Navy, Marine Police, Customs Marine) over such a large and impossible terrain, it is not surprising that this RARE example suffices.

    That is the Nigerian REALITY. So what is the forward? I should be interested in seeing how you work your around this problem, Peccavi.

    Nice writeup overall.

    Reply
    • Akin Oges says:
      August 29, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Oga Beeg, good morning. Given the sophistication of the grades of criminals at the moment (bank robbers, kidnappers and terrorists) I strongly advocate the need to mark-up the firepower of the SARS, ATS and MOPOL. Surely it is certain death for the operatives of SARS (for instance) to engage bank robbers who are armed with GPMGs, RPGs, dynamites, doubled AK 47 clips in their hundreds etc etc. To close the gaps, and give the operatives the opportunities to die fighting, it will make operational sense to arm the aforementioned units above with GPMGs, rifle fired grenades (they can be primmed to a target, thus localised within certain radius to that target) and phosphorus grenades (for tactical maneuvers). An AK 47 with two clips just don’t cut it as far I am concerned.

      Reply
      • peccavi says:
        August 29, 2013 at 2:27 pm

        Oga, its pointless to upgrade the firepower without upgrading, training, skills and leadership. If not you will have either heavily armed charity workers who simply donate their weapons to the enemy as they run away or cannon fodder who get killed with equipment they can use.
        If you ask me which is better training or firepower I will always trump for training. Biafran soldiers with bolt action rifles and 5 bullets held the Federal Army at bay for 2.5 years with all the artillery, automatic weapons and machine guns.
        Training. morale and leadership are better than firepower
        (although of course before you add that in the end firepower still won, I would point out that the war was won by the experienced officers who applied their experience and training not simply by firepower!)

      • Akin Oges says:
        September 1, 2013 at 11:59 am

        At the risk of running the gauntlet of “pointless” submission (Lol…), I would first agree with Oga Peccavi: no discounting the value of training; the NPF is in particularly need of rounded and robust re-training of officers and men – the current structure might also do with reconfiguration – for a better, service centric Police Force. Additionally, the ideal approach to crime, particularly violent crimes like those mentioned earlier, would be proactive intelligence: intervention before all the potent elements forms together. I want to believe the present Police management team is working on this. What agitates the mind at the moment is the options left for the operatives on the field; the fatality level is unacceptably high in these units; and from privileged information, it is not (always) the case of lack of valor/initiative by the operatives (for me, they are achieving the impossible given the conditions and thin sliver of resources), rather the criminals who are, often than not, ready for firefights are better armed than the operatives. About two years ago in one of the South West State, a gang of bank robbers stomed a highbrow area known for having disproportionate number of high-street banks; SARS and Rapid Respond Squad got to the scene in good time with an APC; anticipating the operational methods of the bank robbers who had planted armed gang members five streets well ahead of the crime scene, the operatives had the APC ahead as the vanguard, the APC on coming into view promptly came under intense and sustained attacks from GPMGs, dynamites and AKs. Soo intense was the attack on the APC that it was immobilised, the leader of the gang lined up his RPG on the APC, a MOPOL nco who had been fighting from the APC saw what was about to happen, with his AK he took aim and followed through with a headshot at the goon. Seen their leader down the gang beat a hasty retreat. Some courageous officers died in that operation because the criminals clearly had superior weapons.

      • Akin Oges says:
        September 1, 2013 at 12:28 pm

        Pardon: the word is stormed, and not ‘stomed’.

    • peccavi says:
      August 29, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      I agree in general that soldiers are used in long term COIN campaigns, the British Army only handed over to the reformed police force in Northern Ireland (officially) a few years back yet still provides significant support.

      The point is that these things are expensive and unsustainable and distract an army from its core function of war fighting. Using the British Army again as an example, going into Iraq, we based alot of our training on COIN experience from NI, while this gave us a great advantage in the early benign years it built in an institutional arrogance that prevented the Army from reacting correctly to a completely different insurgency.

      Likewise COIN spoils an Army especially (except for in NI) these are dirty wars that do not lead to victory. Thus the Russian Army pulled out of Afghanistan, with over 9 years of hard won COIN and combat experience, yet less than 5 years later went into Chechenya in a conventional armoured Ground-Air assault and were completely defeated by light mobile forces.

      So the essence of my point is that in the long term civil power must remain supreme, an army must be preserved for war fighting. A police force does not need to be rotated, does not need to be pulled out, it is there, embedded in the polity. It also has a broader range of tasks, protecting civilians and solving crimes. These are of key importance to the civil population, the government and society and are things for which the army is not trained or designed.

      What I am looking for is a paramilitary force that resides between the army and the police, like the Brazilian BOPE, South African Koevet, French Gendemarie or Russian Interior Ministry troops. In essence mechanised light infantry that can carry out general police duties.

      Advantages
      1) cheaper
      2) they are easy to deploy
      3) they are embedded with the people
      4) they have the local knowledge needed to defeat infiltrators
      5) by solving non terror crimes they build a rapport and loyalty between the people and the government

      The force will not be able to overwhelm a significant insurgency but they keep the army off the streets and focussed on the main effort.

      NI, Iraq and Afghanistan have given us years of combat experience, but the UK militarys finest hour was the Falklands War, a conventional war against a stronger enemy far from the home country that resulted in victory. Thats what army’s should be doing, not patrolling the streets of their own cities so little children can throw IEDS at them

      Reply
      • jimmy says:
        August 29, 2013 at 3:37 pm

        Oga PECCAVI
        Nice write up, Moment of disclosure here first, I have never liked/ cared for PARAMILITARY force as an idea to come in at some date to combat an insurgency in previous blogs in previous blogs I have gone into extensive detail .Having said that having lived in the U.K. during the height of the ” troubles” and the COIN measures embarked upon by the SAS and the U.K. GOVT at large, this is my take.
        The F.G. as they are slowly beginning to realize , Development in rural areas are better when able bodied men are at work they are not easily swayed because there no vacuum to be sucked into,Large scale agriculture with Cattle rearing+ enabling funds for Nigerians to have a viable agricultural infrastructure is better money spent , Lord knows the civil service economy of employing more paramilitary troops does not sustain the economy.
        The N.P.F. can be beefed up in this areas, however and this is ironic , the army, and air force who are trying to dislodge themselves from areas of congested civilian populace can be re situated on the outskirts of these towns this happens a lot in the U.S where a major army division or a Marine base will situated on the outskirts of rural towns. This should be the model going forward in towns like BAGA and Dumaratu.

    • beegeagle says:
      August 29, 2013 at 8:09 pm

      2 TERRORISTS KILLED, 16 ARRESTED BY EGYPTIAN ARMED FORCES

      CAIRO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua)

      Two terrorists were killed and 16 others arrested in a security operation by the Egyptian armed forces in Arish city in northern Sinai, security sources told Xinhua on Thursday.

      While attacking terrorist hideouts in
      farming areas in southern Arish city early on Thursday, the armed forces killed two terrorists and arrested 16 others belonging to hardline Jihadist movement, the source said, adding that during the operation, three jihadists’ vehicles were exploded, and automatic weapons and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenade) were seized.

      The source reiterated the army will
      launch more operations in the coming
      hours to eradicate the terrorist points in
      the peninsula. The security conditions in Sinai have deteriorated after the toppling of Islamic president Mohamed Morsi.

      On Tuesday, four extremists were killed
      in a suicide attack against Arish police
      station, and a U.S. citizen was arrested
      near the explosion site carried with maps and information about Sinai.

      The prosecution ordered on Thursday to
      detain the U.S. citizen for four days for
      violating curfew hours.

      Reply
  7. ifiok umoeka says:
    September 7, 2013 at 11:41 am

    Oga pev, this world class. I think you guys are on point. The key still lie with the standard of the police. The issue is, how do we manage these little fires before they become infernos? For all the cases listed, either the police mishandled it or the govt. just ignored it out of sheer arrogance and ignorance. Why must we wait until little issues become major crisis? The fulani cattle man’s case comes to mind.
    We have a mobile police for with a number of squadrons all over the country. Are they properly trained and equipped? Do they have special tactics training? Do they even have sniper teams? Apart from the thousands of pickup truck every where, do they have appropriate mobility? What is his reputation amongst and relationship with the civilian population he has sworn to serve and protect? Till we get the right answers, the problem stays

    Reply
  8. jimmy says:
    October 17, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    http://odili.net/news/source/2013/oct/16/502.html
    This is some detailed news MY OGAS ON TOP.
    I am contemplating reaching out to the lady to see if should be one of our first female bloggers..
    I will post her details what do you guys think?

    Reply
  9. jimmy says:
    October 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    By MOLLY KILETE (burmeserc21@gmail.com)
    These are her details.Methinks we should invite her.

    Reply
  10. Yagazie says:
    October 17, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    i support anything that positively enhances the effectivenss of this blog- so go for it Oga Jimmy.

    Nigerian Airforce and our govt dey watch as Angola buys 18 Su-30Ks in one fell swoop.
    Na-wa o! No disrespect to the Angolans – but I suspect that they don’t have the pilots to fly the planes and will use mercenaries or foreign pilots from Ukraine, Russia etc .

    HOWEVER this does not detract from the fact that they saw an opportunity (18 second hand SU-30s up for grap) and went for it and in one fell swoop have a full squadron (plus 6) of flankers. Way to Go!!

    Let’s not forget that the NAF is not listed amongst the African Countries that have ‘Top Gun’ 4G fighter aircraft. Hmmm……

    Reply
  11. Henry says:
    October 17, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    I won’t be a bad idea. however, I believe the timing is wrong. I’d prefer we invite her when the blog becomes operational again. It’s very messy the way we post at the moment.

    Reply
  12. Henry says:
    October 17, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    Angola would henceforth be added to the list, while we keep flying our alpha jets and F-7’s. There is no doubt that angola, at the moment do not have the pilots for them, but seeing that there are no battles they are currently engaged in, there is still enough time to train with the birds.

    Even though, I’d have loved the NAF to pick those planes, we have to also bear in mind with that fact that, the cost of maintenance on those particular ex-indian SU-30’s is quite high. All in all, the angolans got an incredibly nice cache of armaments for 1 billion usd.

    A MIG-29 fulcrum would also not be a bad choice for the NAF, if we are serious about getting new fighters for our fleet. At-least 18 MIG-29’s.

    **********Unrelated
    I seriously wonder how greece is still able to field a large modern military and carry out extensive exercises despite been in a 500 billion usd debt and in a 5 year recession.

    Reply
    • jimmy says:
      October 17, 2013 at 3:37 pm

      1.Because Greece had the foresight to join NATO
      2.Because Greece had the foresight to join the E.U.
      3.Because Greece has deeply embedded ties to the British ROYAL and Military ESTABLISHMENT starting WITH THE Queen’s Husband Prince Philip who is Greek by birth.
      4. Starting from WW2 where the British ensured that the right Greek Govt came to power ( READ NON COMMUNISTS) The western INFLUENCE IS DEEPLY entrenched And Greece is strategically located in AN AREA COVETED BY MANY.

      Reply
  13. Yagazie says:
    October 17, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    Oga Henry- Angola WAS ALREADY ON THE LIST prior to this latest haul of 18 Su-30s. They already had 7 single seat Su-27Ss and 1 SU-27UB in their inventory which they acquired second hand from Belarus in 2000.

    Apart from the 18 Su-30 aircraft, this new $1billion arms deal also includes the purchase of Tanks, Helicopters, artillerty peices, amunition and a maintenance constract for the equipment purchased. $1billion on capital equipment in one fell swoop.

    Angola is not richer than Nigeria, it has a worse HDI (human development index) rating than Nigeria, has a GDP that is 1/3rd of Nigeria’s but yet realises the importance of having a strong millitary and spends money to equip its millitary. After all the first business of Government is SECURITY no be so?

    Angola which produces less oil than Nigeria also started its Soveriegn Wealth Fund with $5billion whilst richer Nigeria started its own with $1billion and even that was a struggle because of greedy shortsighted governors who didn’t want the SWF in the first place (because it reduces their share of the money to be looted you see). GOD help us.

    Oga Henry, I respectfully do not subscribe to your view that the NAF should purchase the Mig-29 Fulcrum when bigger/heavier and better armed planes like the Su-27s /Su-30s are readily available.
    Let’s not forget that here in Africa during the 1998-2000 Ethopian-Eritrean war , the Eritreans operated Migs 29s Fulcrums which were totally outclassed by the Ethopian Su-27s Flankers. 4 Eritrean Mig 29s were shot down by the Ehopian Su-27s and this prompted the Eritreans to purchase some Su-27s of their own.

    Thus the NAF should avoid the Mg 29 and go for the Su-27/Su-30 whch also has a superior combat /ferry range. Anything less will be a dis-service to the force.

    Reply
    • Obix says:
      October 19, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      My ogas, concerning the former Indian air force 18 SU30 jets, i think they are not worth it. Belarus, Vietnam and Ethiopia refused to purchase them. They were supplied to India as a stop-gap measure because Russia was years behind in supplying the MKI modification for India. Having in mind that they were built in the late 90s, they are limited to modifications. So with the SU27, which is reaching the end of it;s shelf life. I only admire the decisive manner with which they splashed $1bln for a defence contract with Russia, i guess they got the jets at a giveaway price. If Nigeria wants to buy the Flanker, then it should be of a modern specs like the MKI, it’s worth the price.
      I think the NAF has something up her sleeves. Considering the new in-house servicing policy of our armed forces, i guess they will only go for a new air superiority fighter jet which can be maintained at home (we can see that practice in the F7s). Whatever it is, we are waiting!

      Reply
  14. wocon45 says:
    October 17, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Us government in “shutdown” mode and still has conducts deep insertions to take out targets. Plus revised edition on the actual look of the chopter that was used in Bin Laden’s capture/murder http://theaviationist.com/2011/05/05/stealth-black-hawk-down-revised-sketch/#.UmAqwdJhCSo

    Reply
  15. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 17, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    oga jimmy, greetings sir, greetings to everyone. i would respectfully disagree with 2 and 3. the Us more than any other has been supporting Greece. as you its Nato and the strategic location of Greece. Nato can’t afford to be seen as ‘not caring for a comrade in need’ now, can they? Greece is vital to any ops regarding Syria. remember Libya? then u have to factor the support of Israel in the event of a major conflict.
    on the other hand, the east shift (both Arab and Islam as well as China and Russia) of Turkey has got the US looking for alternative and balance. this way Turkey can’t arm twist the west. remember Gulf war II and the Turkish flotilla issue?
    Finally, the Greeks and the Russian have some traditional pull vis their Orthodox church background as well as Greece’s perception in the past that Nato and the US in particular sided more with Turkey when their conflict threatened to go south which in turn got the Greeks looking to balance their options with the Russians ( they operate a sizable Russian made arsenal)

    Reply
    • eyimola says:
      October 18, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Gen Ifiok,
      Majority of your points are quite valid and accurate, apart from the Turkey thing. The US values its military relationship with Turkey much more than a lot of European militaries. This is the second largest military in Nato, a country that share borders with the Middle East and Europe and is a credible example of what an Islamic democracy can look like. If push comes to shove, I believe the US will back Turkey against Greece in a conflict, although the Turks will not need the help

      Reply
  16. doziex says:
    October 17, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    Gentlemen, I have been following developments in the Angolan armed forces, since the mid 90s.

    The Angolans do have a pool of pilots capable of flying these flankers.

    The Cubans and the soviets trained a sizeable force in the 70s and 80s.

    Before the final offensive that destroyed Unita, circa mid to late nineties, MPLA went on a shopping spree for Russian and belarussian hardware these included about 12 su-24 fencers and later about 8 su-27s.

    Existing pilots were sent to Russia to train for these aircrafts.

    However, the Angolans have repeatedly used mercenary pilots. WHY ???

    Take a lesson Nigerians. BECAUSE THEY GOT THE JOB DONE !!!!!

    The Cubans didn’t, the Angolan pilots couldn’t. But the ex SAAF pilots of the Executive Outcomes got the job done.

    Why ?? you may ask. Well excellent training, years of practice and combat experience and most of all, an ability to adapt existing weapons and personnel to African unique circumstances.

    As in other sectors of the armed forces, angola had commandos before EO was contracted. But it was EO that trained these men in the tactics that tracked and killed Savimbi.

    Anyway, I believe angola has a pool of trained pilots probably in their 40s and 50s just like the Ethiopians had a pool of derg era pilots to pull from.

    Angola like Nigeria has oil.

    The leadership of angola are a thieving bunch, Just like Nigeria.

    Why angola can reach for these flankers, and Nigeria has no interest, just boggles the mind.

    MInd you, Vietnam, sudan and Ethiopia really wanted these planes.

    And none of these aforementioned countries have the 60 billion usd foreign reserve war chest that Nigeria does, neither do they have a blog that advocated for this purchase for about 2 years running.

    Giant of Africa my Nyash.

    Reply
    • Acting Major Benbella says:
      October 18, 2013 at 2:30 am

      Oga doziex,
      Thanks for the excellent write on Angola. It is informative. But I do have a few questions. 1) How did EO get to learn to use Soviet and East bloc arms so quickly to be effective in the Angolan civil war? 2) I understand that the pilots Angola had then couldn’t get the job done but do you know why the Cuban pilots didn’t get used? They had been used at the battle of Cuito Carvanale against the South Africans, a war that some think clearly established for South Africa that its belief of military superiority and blackmail against its neighbors was not sustainable even in the short run.

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        October 18, 2013 at 4:22 pm

        Oga Acting Major, Col.Eeben Barlow can tell you better, cause he lived it.

        However, I was an avid reader of Soldier Of Fortune magazine, and they had some thorough and excellent coverage of both the Cuban/soviet/mpla vs unita/sadf and the subsequent EO involvement in angola.

        My take is, SADF’s ops in Namibia, Angola and Mozambique left them with tons of captured soviet era weaponry.

        Also, the sanctions or arms embargo put on the apartheid regime made them adapt to what was available, out of this necessity, grew Armscor, Denel, Atlas and other south African weapon manufacturers.

        Just as the arab/isreali wars left the IDF with tons of soviet weaponry.

        As for the Cuban pilots, they clashed repeatedly with the SAAF. Excessive soviet propaganda has made it difficult for historians to decipher fact from fiction.

        But Airforces monthly, wrote about 2 accounts, where SAAF F1 mirages shot down Cuban piloted Angolan mig-23s or possibly mig-21s.

        The Cubans more than held their ground against the SADF in Angola in the conventional war, but the south African/CIA assisted unita insurgents was a tougher nut to crack.

        So it made great headlines, when ex SADF operatives under the guise of Executive Outcomes were contracted to train/mentor/fight with the Angolan armed forces, and set them on a course of an eventual victory against Jonas Savimbi..

        By the way, one of those SADF ace pilots, is the current head of today’s SAAF.

    • igbi says:
      October 18, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      Gaddafi also had an army of mercenaries, but in times of warfare, mercenaries fight the way only mercs can fight: they get out of the way as soon as possible, and they might even join the enemy forces provided the enemy pays more.

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        October 19, 2013 at 10:47 am

        Oga Igbi, comparing Gaddaffi’s tuareg or black African soldiers for hire, to an outfit like the former EO (south Africa), MPRI (US), Blackwater (us) PRI (isreal) and a few others is dis ingenus.

        PMC’s, Professional Military Companies, Operate Like military advisory groups, for profit.

        And not the old law breaking buccaneering types we have seen in Africa over the last 4 decades.

        Reputable PMC’s at their best, would give a paying legitimate govt, a multilayered solution to a security challenge, depending on the government’s request, and level of need.

        They can assist with behind the seen, strategy formulation, advisory roles, training and ultimately combat.

        Nigerian armed forces with it’s size and complexity does not need PMC combatants, we have plenty of that.

        What we need though, is advise in strategy formulation . Imagine General ihejirika talking turkey with ex US afghan commander and the architect of Iraq’s counterinsurgency, General Mchrystal, or General Petraus.( all now retired) or an isreali counterpart.

        EO and Col. Eeben triggers an emotional response on this blog, But today, Angola is better of for his services.

        Further assistance would be needed in the formulation of intelligence driven insurgent tracking hit squads.(Nigeria needs this to shape and train our JTF teams)

        The complex piece that you posted proves my point, that we could use some advice in the appropriate synergy of all of our forces.

  17. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 17, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    sorry, i meant 3 and 4

    Reply
  18. gbash10 says:
    October 18, 2013 at 3:27 am

    @Yagazie,you are right on point,the Sukhoi Su-30/35/37 Flanker fighter variants are formidable fighter jets in all ramifications,especially the Su-30MKI and Su-35-1.Check their performance on YouTube.
    If ever the NAF may need a MiG fighter,they should go for MiG-35 instead of MiG-29.The MiG-35 also has thrust vector control(TVC) that can enable it perform well aerodynamically.However,for now what we need most is the heavy flanker.

    Reply
  19. freeegulf says:
    October 18, 2013 at 7:12 am

    NAF will most likely end up with chinese jets. either the JF-17 or the J-10. would have been lovely to have the MIG-35 or the SU-30, but highly unlikely at this present stage
    @oga doziex, the ex SAAF pilots that EO contracted where not the only drivers for the mig 23. the angolan air force had their own pilots that where also flying same time as the south africans.
    as for tracking and killing savimbi, rumour has it that they where israeli trained elite team. well, some countries are comfortable with mercs, others aren’t. our long history of pride and integrity will always keep the armed forces from tilting over

    Reply
    • eyimola says:
      October 18, 2013 at 9:58 am

      I don’t really mind either aircraft, but the logic of not going for a time tested airframe completely baffles me.

      Reply
    • doziex says:
      October 18, 2013 at 4:29 pm

      Yeah man, I agree with you. It goes to my point, that the Angolan air force has a pool of trained pilots that can handle the influx of the SU-30ks.

      They have already been flying about 8 su-27s for about a decade.

      Reply
    • doziex says:
      October 19, 2013 at 7:01 am

      Also Oga Freeegulf, our history of pride and integrity should also compel us to field and equip a fighting force second to none.

      And not to lrresponsibly leave gaping holes in our capabilities that mentorship from others would even be mentioned as an issue.

      You have to be proud when you have something worthwhile, Not when you reduce yourself to the laughing stock of many.

      Nigerians with our pride, we ain’t fooling nobody. Those that make it their business to know, can tell that we are full of Sh*t. Once promising, but now full of Sh*t.

      Ethiopia, angola, Eritrea, Uganda fielding Su-27s/30s, and we are gloating over fielding 10 alpha jets that we began to refurbish when President Obasanjo was elected.

      Haba !! At some point, one has got to admit that shit sinks.

      Reply
  20. Henry says:
    October 18, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Mighty yagz, you are correct. The reason I advocated for the MIG-29 was because of been utterly frustrated with our airforce. Anything 4.GEN would do in my mind.

    I know if ever we are going to get new planes, they would most likely be of chinese origin.

    Reply
  21. jimmy says:
    October 18, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/jonathan-welcomes-nigerias-election-un-security-council/
    Hmmm ….. crumbs from the table?or is the glass full with the majority of countries voting for Nigeria to be voted in.

    Reply
  22. igbi says:
    October 18, 2013 at 10:41 pm

    NIGERIA’S war against terrorism is passing through a difficult phase as recent insurgents’ attacks and fight back by the military are raising questions of effectiveness of current security strategies and forcing questions about combatting collateral damages in military operations.

    Experts within and outside are raising concerns about civilian entanglement in the terror war as witnessed by the formation of civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), which exposes civilians as target of insurgents’ attacks, as well as worrying question of human rights of combatants on both sides of the war. The administration’s anti- terror policy is believed to be facing multiple challenges after initial successe recorded after the declaration of the state of emergency in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    The rise in the scale of attacks by the sect is putting pressure on the military to strike harder at the insurgents. This has carried with it collateral damages which are unintended by the military but which are unavoidable cost of the war. Questions about treatment of detainees has assumed an international dimension with recent Amnesty International report alleging deaths of hundreds of people in detention facilities run by the JTF.

    Amnesty International claimed to have received credible information from a senior officer in the Nigerian Army that over 950 people died in military custody in the first six months of 2013 alone, alleging that “most of the reported deaths occurred in facilities used by the military to detain people suspected of being members or associated with the armed Islamist group Boko Haram.

    “The evidence we have gathered suggests that hundreds of people died in military custody in 2013 alone. This is a staggeringly high figure that requires urgent action by the Nigerian government,” said Lucy Freeman, Amnesty International’s deputy Africa director, explaining that “the details of what happens behind locked doors in these shadowy detention facilities must be exposed, and those responsible for any human rights violations brought to book.”

    While the Nigerian military has always denied wrongdoings or maltreatment of detainees, the international bodies are said to be making documentations which may create accountability problems for Nigeria in the future. The more insurgents attacked soft spots, the more the military will strike hard. And the more such damage and consequences which organisations like Amnesty International feed fat on.

    There is increasing fear that the Boko Haram insurgency may be with Nigeria for a long time as the local forces that started the uprising against the Nigerian State have been supplanted by international operatives of the Al Qaeda global organisation. Feelers from local and foreign intelligence bodies indicated that the original Boko Haram members who started the rebellion are either wiped out or in jail, while new commanders who took over are largely foreign militants engaged in what they believed is holy jihad.

    In the last three years of the insurgency, reports indicated that associates of late Muhammed Yusuf, who founded the sect, have been decimated and that those surviving were also affected in the various international jihad campaigns in Mali, Somalia and Southern Algeria. Many Boko Haram operatives had participated in the Mali Islamist war following the French invasion to force out Islamists. Scores of Boko Haram operatives were reportedly killed, a development said to have depleted the ranks of the local wing of the sect.

    The Friday Edition gathered that in the global jihadist war, activists do not recognise national boundaries and that the involvement of Boko Haram operatives in international campaigns had compelled jihadists in other parts of the world to come to the aid of the Nigerian Islamists. This was said to be a replication of what is happening in Iraq and Syria where foreign fighters are playing a frontal role in the fight against the subsisting governments. Foreign Islamic fighters from the Mahgreb and North Africa are the leading rebel fighters in the ongoing Syrian civil war.

    The Nigerian situation is said to have reached that stage of externalisation as the depletion of the ranks of local Boko Haram operatives has opened the Nigerian borders wide open to foreign fighters whose targets are determined by an international jihadist clique based outside the country. The fighters are reported to be mostly nationals of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Mali and as far as North Africa. There were even unconfirmed reports that new international recruits came from the Central African region such as Kenya and Tanzania.

    Checks showed that the strategy of insurgents had changed, especially as the foreign fighters lack full knowledge of the local environments.

    Checks showed that foreign and local fighters now adopt a guerilla-type strategy, picking soft targets that are not normally covered by security cover. Security stakeholders however believed that the Nigerian policy towards the insurgency has not accepted the AlQaeda international dimension and that the nation is also yet to fashion out an appropriate strategy for the new wave of insurgency.

    According to a retired Intelligence officer, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, “the insurgency is not a conventional war and so, the role of armed forces should be different by now. What we need are special forces operating in a guerilla fashion. Conventional forces like the one we have in Borno axis cannot defeat this insurgency.

    “Special forces need to be operating within and even outside the Nigerian borders. Since the attackers are coming from across the border, we should hunt them. We should cross the border. We should have a new deal in the face of the new fact with neighbouring countries. Multi-national special forces can operate to stop the foreign fighters,” the retired Intelligence official said.

    Anti- terror strategy
    Subsisting strategies designed to combat the Boko Haram insurgency is presently the sole prerogative of the Nigerian Army which has created an division for that purpose. Many counter-terrorism experts had queried the appropriateness of disbandment of the Joint Task Force. Other fears being expressed include the belief that the change in Boko Haram tactics cannot be addressed by the Army take over. Conventional response to guerrilla-type terrorist operations is widely seen as a misnomer.

    Prior to the full army take over, a Joint Task Force comprising key security services was established in June 2011and was headed originally by a Major General of the Armoured Corps. The task force consisted of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police and the Department of State Security. As of 2011, the JTF took off with the Army having two battalions of soldiers, Police (1,500 officers), SSS (500 operatives), Airforce (650 officers), while Navy had 750 officers.

    Internationally, JTF is the primary organisation for joint operations. As noted in the United States JTF manual, the JTF organisational structure capitalises on the unique capabilities of each Service and provides the flexibility to tailor the size and makeup of a military force to accomplish specific tasks in either peace, crisis or war. Nigeria, however, changed the accepted norms, as the Army was conferred with the extra ordinary task of counter-terrorism in place of the JTF.

    The Army headquarters, in a statement earlier in the year, announced the formation of a division for that purpose. The statement read: “The command of the ongoing internal security operations in the North-East will enter a new phase as the control of the mission reverts to the Army Headquarters.

    “Accordingly, a new Army Division has been created and will take off to continue the counter-insurgency operation with immediate effect. Coming three months into the mission to stamp out terrorism in the North-East, this development is in line with the plans laid out for the conduct of the operations to execute the mandate spelt out in the state of emergency declaration by the President and Commander-in-Chief.

    While the media has been very weak in the coverage of the military operations, assessment has been mixed as to the effectiveness of the new strategy. While some believed the new approach ensured central command and acceptance of responsibility, others faulted the unprofessional strategy of putting only the Army in charge of a counter insurgency that demands the unique contributions of other security agencies like the police and the Department of State Security. The Friday Edition was told that the policy has deepened inter agency rivalry and compound the crisis facing the administration on combatting the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Inter-agency rivalry
    If operational strategy is a knotty point, the relationship among the security agencies is also troublesome. This reality of lack of synergy in inter agency operation is accepted by almost all government leaders. Sometime ago, a Director of the SSS in the state, in a paper entitled ‘National Security: Question for all Security Agencies’, argued that since the role of the various security agencies in maintaining security was complementary, it would be impossible for any arm to arrogate the successful execution of the task to itself alone. He affirmed that no security agency could successfully combat terrorism without the assistance of other agencies.

    “To surmount the prevailing security challenges, there is the need for active collaboration of all stakeholders. Every agency must play its role and play it well. The functions of security agencies dovetail into each other to produce a harmonious whole. There should be no brickbats whatsoever.

    The roles are complementary, and each has a point of focus,” the director said.

    His counterpart from the military at the said event blamed the problem on pride on the part of all the agencies. According to him, “Most of our roles are overlapping, and the fear of the possibility of diminishing importance in the security architecture has made cooperation between the agencies elusive. It is to our advantage that the capacities of the various agencies are utilised to complement each other’s inadequacies and enhance our capacities. This would further enhance our proficiency,” he said.

    Despite the emphasis on the need for inter-agency cooperation, nothing appears to have changed in the distrust and non-cooperation among the agencies. The situation appears to trouble even the top echelon of the services but the institutional roadblocks appear to be above their capacities. The situation compelled a three-day stakeholder’s forum on inter-agency peace building, cooperation and collaboration programme for security and intelligence organisations in Abuja which attracted leaders of the security agencies. The event was to draw attention to what a writer called the dangerous levels of rivalry and lack of cooperation within the nation’s security establishment. Organised by the office of the National Security Adviser, the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the workshop was meant to create a new era of cooperation and intelligence sharing among the agencies. Throughout the workshop, all representatives of the agencies accepted that rivalry and non-cooperation was a serious challenge but no agency admitted guilt.

    Coordinator of Counter-Terrorism Department, Major General Sarki Yaki Bello was down-to-earth when he said, “to describe the previous state of relationships among our security agencies as chaotic would be an understatement. We are all witnesses to petty and sometimes, serious conflicts among the security agencies which have had very serious negative consequences on the attainment of national security objectives.

    “The tendency has always been for each security agency to be concerned with the conduct of their individual operations which have, in several instances, led to either duplication of efforts, wastes or embarrassment to government and even fatal inter-agency conflicts.”

    He warned that “the desire to carve and sustain exclusive jurisdictions by security and intelligence agencies has become the major impediment to collaboration in Nigeria even though the country has been faced with new, complicated and potent threats that are multi-dimensional and multi-faceted.”

    The lack of cooperation and collaboration by security agencies he described as the major factor which encouraged the growth and success of the Boko Haram terrorist group, stressing that “it is only when our security agencies start to cooperate with one another and collaborate in operations that we would be able to provide the enabling environment for peace building activities in the country.”

    Bello, of the Office of the National Security Adviser, called for “closer collaboration, the right orientation, effective synergy, intelligence sharing and crime combating efforts on the part of our security agencies.” He said that it was a common human weakness for any security or intelligence agency to seek to claim credit for the successes in fighting crimes and terrorism in the society, pointing out that deeper collaborative effort must be introduced in crime-busting efforts for the country to remain safe.

    In a bid to reassure the nation of a re-think among the agencies, Bello explained that the Federal Government had now recognised the importance of partnership and teamwork among security agencies and had empowered the NSA’s office to organise programmes, in the light of current security challenges, on collaboration and cooperation within the security community, saying that the process was not only a convenient option, but a key strategy that would guarantee success in internal security operations.

    “A platform to catalyse collaboration among the security agencies would be provided by the office of the National Security Adviser” using the specialised unit called the Joint Terrorism Analysis Branch (JTAB), a multi-intelligence analysis unit in the office of NSA staffed by personnel drawn from every security agency in the country and charged with regularly collating information and intelligence pieces for analysis.

    “The Counter-Terrorism Department will also serve as a platform to facilitate regular training and operations among the security and intelligence agencies, thus encouraging the building of trust which enables collaboration,” Bello concluded.
    Many still doubt whether the arrangement announced by the Counter- Terrorism Chief will work as it has not addressed the issue of statutory coordination of the security agencies. The question still unanswered is who coordinates the security agencies?

    Who coordinates Security Agencies?
    Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida is the father of Nigerian subsisting intelligence architecture through his fathering of the Nigerian Security Act of 1986. The military decree, now an act, provides for the establishment of the National Intelligence Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency, the Department of State Security and the Office of Coordinator for National Security, among others.

    The act states that “for the purpose of coordinating the intelligence activities of the National Security Agencies, there shall be appointed by the President a coordinator on National Security.” The act explains that the coordinator on National Security shall be a principal staff officer in the office of the President with the duty of (a)advising the President on matters concerning the intelligence activities of the agencies; (b)making recommendations in relation to the activities of the agencies to the President, as contingencies may warrant; (c) correlating and evaluating intelligence reports relating to the national security and providing the appropriate dissemination of such intelligence within Government, using existing facilities as the President may direct; and doing such other things in connection with the foregoing provisions of this section as the President may, from time to time, determine.”

    While the above provisions are unambiguous and directly provide answers to agency coordination challenge, the question is whether the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) the nation has now is equal to the Office of Coordinator of National Security envisaged in the Act. The present NSA is expected to perform the task of coordination but legal nomenclature is cited as a major constraints.

    Attempts were made to legally correct the anomaly through the ongoing amendment of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011, which establishes measures for the prevention, prohibition and combating of acts of terrorism and the financing of terrorism in the country. The law also provides for the effective implementation of the convention on the prevention and combating of terrorism, as well as the convention on the suppression of the financing of terrorism, and prescribed penalties for the violation of its provisions.

    The amendments sought to directly confer the responsibility for coordination on the office of the NSA in the spirit of the 1986 Act. Questions were however raised and the process is now bogged down. While the House of Representatives supported the idea, the Senate at plenary queried the coordination clause.

    Chairman of the conference committee, Mohammed Magoro was part of the Babangida administration which promulgated the 1986 Act and he must have seen nothing wrong in the clause when he presented it to the Senate. The Magoro committee report recommended that the NSA’s office should provide support to all security, intelligence, law enforcement agencies and military services to prevent and combat acts of terrorism. This, it believed, was to ensure effective formulation and implementation of a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy and build capacity for the effective discharge of the functions of all security, intelligence, law enforcement and military services.

    The report also conferred on the NSA the powers to “do such other acts or things necessary” for the effective performance of the functions of the relevant security and enforcement agencies.”

    Senate Business Chairman, Senator Ita Enang however blocked the move on legal technicalities. According to the lawmaker, the office of NSA does not exist in law and it will therefore be wrong for the National Assembly to confer any responsibility on a mere advisory office to the President.

    According to Enang, “I want to make an appeal that the legislature cannot make an appointment for the President, secondly that the office of the NSA does not exist in law, the office of NSA is one of 20 advisers that we approved for the President and the legislature cannot assigned duties to any of them.

    “I refer to Section 251 of the Constitution. It says that the President may appoint any person as his Special Adviser to assist him in the performance of his function, the number of such advisers and their remuneration are as prescribed by law or by a resolution of the National Assembly. Any appointment made in pursuance of this section shall be at the pleasure of the President.

    “I make a reference, Mr President, to the National Security Agency Act CAP N74 2011 Section 4 which says Coordinator of the NSA for the purpose of coordinating the intelligence activities of NSA shall be appointed by the President as Coordinator on national security. Mr. President I want to submit that if an Act like this one that was made in 1986 commenced in June 1986 and is still in operation therefore this law says that it is the President that shall appoint a coordinator and we cannot by law, by this amendment say that the NSA shall be the coordinator because we have given power to the President to appoint a coordinator by this 1986 Act”, Enang said.

    The anomaly can however be redressed if the office of NSA ceased to be an advisory office and if the occupant is officially appointed Coordinator of national Security in line with the provision of the 1986 Act. Until then, statutory coordination office is non-existent and the terrorism prevention act is still without tough central teeth.

    Urgency of security sector reform
    Increasing reality, which the administration cannot run away from, is the urgent need for an holistic security sector reform. The depth of the security challenges is believed to be best tackled by a total overhaul of the security apparatus which will then through legislation compel inter-agency coordination, intelligence sharing and joint operations as occasion demands. Dr Usman Tar, a peace and conflict expert at the University of Bradford, UK posited that, “the first step is to conduct a national conference on homeland security. The conference should invite participants from all sectors of society. It should also seek the input of both local and international experts and stakeholders.

    “Secondly, our existing national security policy should be carefully reviewed and re-written, drawing from the contributions from the national security conference. The National Assembly should set up a committee on national security to start the process. A National Security Bill/Act should be initiated and eventually promulgated.

    “Third, relates to the review of the very architecture of the Nigerian military-security establishment. There is need to come up with a new security architecture that constructs all military and paramilitary agencies as equal partners-in-security. A fourth proposal is the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Homeland Security. The proposed FMHS should consist of professional civil servants, experts, military and security professionals. It should draw its corps from secondment of qualified persons from existing establishments, but also set up new structures drawing from the architecture of the United States Department of Homeland Security”, he canvassed.

    Part of this proposal is already taken up by the Senate. Senator Ahmed Lawan of Yobe North is sponsoring a National Security Agencies Act N74 LFN 2011(Amendment) Bill 2013 (SB.317) which was read for First Reading in June and is now at committee stage. While details of the amendments being proposed by the senator are not yet in the public domain, there is a huge interest among experts as to how extensive the amendments are.

    If well handled, the Lawan’s Bill can actually provide a platform through which the much needed security sector reform can be effected. In the interim, the restoration of JTF and greater reliance on special forces in the anti-insurgency operations cannot be over-emphasised.

    http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/saturday-pages/high-society-gist/item/24165-inter-agency-collaboration-and-security-challenges.html

    This is the best report I have ever read. I didn’t know Nigeria had such good journalists who were apolitical. This is the first time that i witness a journalist being logical on his report. Nigeria needs this kind of journalists.

    Reply
    • agee says:
      October 19, 2013 at 7:27 am

      This issue of human right abuses or should I say allegations might not be this damning if the military makes its on news and not leave us at the mercy of hear say; I personally believe some of this things (abuses) are inevitable but such numbers are mind boggling, the military high command should try as much as possible to limit such things to when they become extremely necessary.
      As for our “top officers” acting as spies, some has to be done to ensure we have the most loyal men on the field.
      Lastly I strongly believe field marshal beegs is returning soon; never say never are his words.
      God bless us all, God bless the troops, God bless our great nation, and may God grant us victory against evil

      Reply
      • igbi says:
        October 19, 2013 at 12:44 pm

        I sincerely think amnesty international is performing what it performs all around the world: it is defending terrorism and helping the terrorists with propaganda. Amnesty did the same sorts of things against Israel and against the US war on terror. The truth is that in less than 2 weeks, boko haram lost about 600 of its terrorists and much of its equipment, and this is bringing the end of boko haram nearer and nearer, so in an effort to protect the “human rights” of the terrorists amnesty international is alledging tales of horror to the world in order to cripple the military offensif anf to allow the terrorists to run away. What is most disturbing is that we are not sueing amnesty international.
        I am sure you have noticed that there is little or none condemnation of terrorism and terrorist acts by amnesty international. And a little research will also show that amnesty international supports “jihad”, even though it called it “defensive jihad”. Now amnesty has just opened the way for journalists who have been looking for a way to sell more “news” papers or to harm their political opponents who are allied with us against terrorism. Therefor we are going to have a large array of newpapers repeating or amplifying amnesties allegations and even taking them as facts.
        This is one of the ways you kill the reputation of a country. I would advocate the army sued amnesty and some of the so called journalists.

      • jimmy says:
        October 19, 2013 at 2:11 pm

        I sincerely hope you are right about oga BEEGEAGLE coming back..

    • Obix says:
      October 19, 2013 at 3:17 pm

      Amnesty International has proven to be a political pressure group. Their reports are more political than factual. How come we didn’t hear their continious cries about the Guantanamo bay prison?

      Reply
    • Henry says:
      October 19, 2013 at 4:55 pm

      SIPRI

      *The PIPAVAV OPV’s recently reported by defenceweb, are definitely for the nigerian navy. SIPRI arms transfer register for 2012 currently lists nigeria as the customer for the OPV’s., with an option to purchase 2 more. The contracts for the OPV’s states , the OPV’s would be delivered to the nigerian navy in 2015. The 100m OPV’s are going to be similar to the 6 OPV’s recently delivered to the indian navy.

      *The engines for the 2 OPV’s ordered for the nigerian navy from china would come from germany according to *The engines for the 2 OPV’s ordered for the nigerian navy from china would come from germany according to *The engines for the 2 OPV’s ordered for the nigerian navy from china would come from germany according to *The engines for the 2 OPV’s ordered for the nigerian navy from china would come from germany according to SIPRI

      *SIPRI also lists nigeria as having placed orders for 5 AS-532 cougar helicopters from france (second hand and up-graded before delivery). The orders were made in 2010. It is not clear if they have been delivered.

      *We also purchased 12 AW139 helicopters from italy. 2006-2009

      *Additional 12 A109K helicopters, of which 4 of them are from the south african production plant. 20

      Reply
  24. jimmy says:
    October 19, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    OGA HENRY
    Please post the link , We have seen no evidence of any ITALIAN HELICOPTERS apart from the Westland AUGUSTA HELICOPTERS ( READ BRITISH) so please help us out.

    Reply
  25. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 19, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    @ Igbi My o my, I’m I happy 2 hear from u or what! I hope u’re back 4 good.
    @ Eyimola, its common knowledge that the Turkey under Uregan is not the secular Turkey that was the darling of the US. Yes they are still allies but remember its permanent interest not friendship. Again, I draw ur attention to their spat with Israel over the Palestinian flotilla as well as the invasion of Iraq and their decision not to allow the US open another front in northern Iraq using their territory. Remember the recent park protest and western harsh worded response! In Libya, it took Turkey a while to join the intervention wagon. Or is it closeness with Iran before the present Syrian conflict? I could go on and on. The bottom line is that, relationship with the West and the US in particular is not as it use to be (not that they aren’t friends but they aren’t as tight as before). Moreover, its in no ones interest to see Turkey use Greece’s moment of weakness to try to settle old quarrels as it will spiral into a blazing tornado sucking and burning everyone (NATO, Middle East etc) with it. To prevent war, u prepare for it and signal to the would be aggressor that any misadventure would come with a steep price tag. Iraq tried it ones, it failed. Somalia did too at about the same period, it failed. Nothing unites a divided nation better than external aggression, nothing.

    Reply
  26. gbash10 says:
    October 19, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Oga Igbi thank you for that wonderful stuff.Amnesty International did not say any thing when Boko Haram slaughtered students in their sleep,that nonsense journalist and the traitor of an officer are enemies of the Nigerian state!

    Reply
    • CHYDE says:
      October 21, 2013 at 10:13 am

      Oga Gbash< that is if there was actually an officer who gave them any information, remember when the that woman was detained in Niger Rep. … Ndege or whatever her name is, These People in my eye are very good at arm twisting

      Reply
  27. Henry says:
    October 19, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    apologies for my late reply OGA’s. It’s a 1mb PDF file, I cannot post it.

    Reply
  28. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 19, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    @ Diziex, I think that Angola can fly their flankers and the expatriate pilots is more an issue with trust and loyalty ( Dos Santos has ruled for way too long as has mastered the art of coup prevention; remember IBB and the Vatsa ‘Coup’) than competent. As for Ethiopia, Eritrea and Uganda, I think the contract pilots were necessary to get the birds operational while pilot training was ongoing (we did the same during the civil war when Mig 15/17 came with Egyptian and later East German pilots).
    On the other hand, apart from financing, why don’t we think of an African multinational exercise in the mold of Red Flag and Bright Star?

    Reply
  29. freeegulf says:
    October 20, 2013 at 7:17 am

    @oga henry, those 5 choppers where the same ones ordered from france that we still don’t know why they cost $100M. unit cost at this price rate will be $20M each!! there is still no info from the MOD as to the role of these pricey copters. for second hand tools, these are really expensive toys!
    even for AEW role, $20M is still an unreasonable amount to pay for these helos.

    @gen ufiok, the multinational exercise idea is a good thing. however, air warfare still remains low priority in Africa. other than CAS and utilty, ACM, is still relatively a green field on this continent. moreover, which countries will participate in these exercises? count the whole of west africa out.
    SAAF, which is supposedly the best air force south of the sahara, is cutting defence spending and re not at their optimal strength. barring cost, i would say the continent is still a long way from sophisticated arts of war that ACM entails.

    Reply
  30. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 20, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    Gen Freegulf, it amazes me that when a brand new hind is $8/9mn a piece and we go 4 2nd hand $20mn cougars! Imagine if we had invested$100mn in assault assets like the rugged hind (especially, the dolphin nose) brand new or reconditioned. If they are ASW versions then, they are worth it. But if they are assault or even SAR, then I’m disappointed.
    Maybe we start with CAS geared 2wards ‘Afrocentric’ peace keeping (enforcement) as well as logistics,recon and transport while we grow deep strike and ACM. Emphasis should be on ‘inter-operatibility’ Red Flag started as a crash imitation of the navy Top Gun and grew to accept other Airforces and continues well after the Vietnam war that necessitated it.

    Reply
  31. Yagazie says:
    October 21, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    Cyber generals- greetings and please keep the flag flying.

    OGA Henry, much respect. Have gone through the SIPRI 2012 arms transfer document very carefuly. It lists the 2 Indian OPV vessels to be built as being purchased by an unidentified nation, most probably Nigeria. However this is not definitive.

    That said and knowing our penchant for secrecy- the vessels could be coming to Nigeria.
    However looking at it logically, one is not really sure that the vessels are ours because what’s the rationale in keeping this purchase secret while publicly announcing the purchase of 2 OPVs from China? It doesn’t make sense- but then in this our great naija, very little that goes on does!!

    The Algerians however are really going to town on their navy with 3 Chinese built F-22 frigates, 1 FREMM Frigate (currently undergoing sea trials and which will become Africa’s most powerful warship when commissioned) another French built corvette, 2 German built Meko 200 corvettes, 2 russian built Project 636 submarines, 1 chinese built training ship and 1 italian built amphibious LPD. ALL BRAND NEW.

    This is addtion to the 44 brand new Su-30MKAs and chinese MBTs and German IFVs. NO hand me downs or second hand stuff. Which is why the West takes them seriously.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      October 21, 2013 at 4:08 pm

      The problem with Nigeria is that Nigerians want an army as weak as possible and at the same time, they want the army to perform as the greatest armies in the world. These contradictions are what really characterize Nigerians. If I were to be in the charge of the armed forces, then I would develop a way for the armed forces to generate revenue for its self. That is done by the egyptians and some US black ops agencies.
      If the army were to take its weapons industry seriously for example, then it could make many weapons and sell them to neighboring armies at a lower price than the Europeans. We could also venture into Jet manufacturing. There are many ways we could use the armed forces to generate revenue for its self. I think it is needed in our society of today, because Nigerians don’t know what they want: If they want a strong army then they need to “put hands in pockets”, if they don’t pay then they shouldn’t expect the army to perform as good as the US army, and they shouldn’t complain when armed rubbers, or terrorists or infiltrated foreign soldiers are gutting their loved ones.
      Sorry for the image, but this is the reality of today.

      Reply
      • Acting Major Benbella says:
        October 23, 2013 at 4:52 am

        Igbi,
        Your statement is partly true in that we need to spend more on the military and also expand all our security forces and agencies. But as it is, Nigeria’s budgetary allocations to defense is one of the highest in Africa. The truth is that we are not getting enough big bang for our buck. They tell us that they spend a lot on training its officers and men and women which is a good thing. Except that it does not prevent them from bleeding a lot in its various combats. Our humble suggestion is that they need bigger, effective and better weapons. The concept of feeding soldiers to the grinder must die.

      • igbi says:
        October 28, 2013 at 10:17 am

        Sir, I am sorry but have you looked at Algeria’s military budget ?
        Or Egypts defence budget, or Morrocco’s defence budget ?
        All those budgets are at least twice ours, with algeria’s being five times ours. So I don’t think we are spending enough on defence, since all those countries are less rich than us, yet they spend up to 5 times what we do on defence. I think the main problem with us is that we like to compare ourselves with the little countries surrounding us, we like to compare ourselves with countries like mali whose budget was not enought for them to avoid being invaded by alqaeda.

    • jimmy says:
      October 21, 2013 at 5:19 pm

      OGA YAGAZIE
      My sentiments exactly it seems interms of procurement for the airforce to quote Winston Churchill A dark curtain of underachieving, do nothing has descended upon the airforce, where more money is spent on buying VIP AIRPLANES INSTEAD OF UPGRADES FOR THE AIR FORCE. Never have so many served so few, Never have we had the resources to train so many but we have refused to buy the Upgraded aircraft. I weep for my country’s air force because we do not have a single plane that can fly the length and breadth of Nigeria without refueling, I weep because our airforce leaders and our mod leaders are chamberlain in thinking and in appearance ( this was the weak willed British prime minister who in order not to go to war signed over the country called CZECHOSLOVAKIA .
      I weep because we have a minister of AVIATION who will weep crocodile tears and spend money to buy cars that she does not need at horribly inflated prices while planes that we need are not bought.
      Oh Nigeria when shalt thou be ruled by capable men and women, cry the beloved country! :'(.

      Reply
  32. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 21, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    My O My! That’s some serious fire power. While we can only salivate copiously, congratulations is in order Algeria. In my opinion, these guys are serious and are arguable the second most powerful (militarily speaking) country in Africa hand down. More so, they know how to court both sides of the divide (east and west) while not falling under anyone’s spell. By the way, I think the FREMM frigate is a consignment of possibly 5 frigates all from Italy as opposed to France who is selling Morocco 1 FREMM (hence the buy Italian – although they independence rift never healed)

    Reply
  33. Yagazie says:
    October 21, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Gentlemen- further to my earlier posting, my apologies the FREMM Frigate and the SIGMA Corvette which I referred to as being purchased by Algeria was incorrect. They are actually being purchased by Morroco from France. Oga Ifiok thanks for the correction. Yes the Algerians and Morrocans (who also have recently purchased 24 Block 52 F-16s) don’t do things piecemeal. They go for the best equipment that their money can buy. Note also that Morroco is not an oil-producing country. Even Angola which is an oil rich country, when buying second hand fighter planes, went for a decent heavy all-purpose 4G fighter -SU-30Ms (which albeit whilst not the most sophisticated version of the SU-30, could be upgraded) AND PURCHASED THEM IN DECENT NUMBERS- 18 in one go. All said and done, credit must be given to the present administration of President GEJ who is slowly re-equipping our armed forces -albeit a bit too slowly and peicemeal.

    Reply
  34. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 21, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    Sorry sir, the Turkish PM is Recep Tayyip Erdogan. By bad

    Reply
  35. gbash10 says:
    October 21, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    Great compatriots,our flyboys are back in the with the F-7NI Airguard fighter jets.I personaly enjoy watching the supersonic flight of fighter jets,but with these jets,our flyboys should please not push the throtle too far,we still need them for the Sukhoi Su-30/35 Flanker when it shall come to the NAF!

    Reply
  36. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 21, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    @ Igbi, as frustrated as I am with the gov’s attitude 2wards the Defence and generally the security apparatus of this country, an independent army (that’s what it means) without supervision and answerable to know one is hardly the solution. In fact I dare say that it worst. China, Indonesia and as u mentioned Egypt are so pleased with that arrangement (ie the general population). The problem we have is not so much the ‘system’ as the operators who are just clueless, selfish and messed up. But this hardly perfect system is in my opinion infinitely better than a military that runs itself

    Reply
  37. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 21, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    I meant to say ‘not so pleased’

    Reply
  38. Yagazie says:
    October 21, 2013 at 4:51 pm

    Oga gbash10 – glad to hear that our F-7NI fighters are back in the air- at least they can practice and sharpen their ‘supersonic flying skills’.

    Many thanks to the Govt of Pakistan and the Pakistani pilot instructors/ground crew for ensuring that the aircraft is airborne again after a spate of crashes that grounded the fleet.

    However with all due respect, I will be much happier when our flyboys are given the true 4G fighter aircraft they deserve.

    Their contemporaries on the African Continent are ‘driving’ Top Gun aircraft like the F-16s (Morroco/Eygpt), Mirage 2000s (Eygpt) , SU-30MKAs (Algeria), SU-30MK2s (Uganda), SU-30Ks (Angloa) and SU-27s (Ethopia, Eritrea and Angola) not forgetting Saab Grippen 39s (South Africa) and Mig -29s (Sudan).

    The Nigerian Govt should ensure that our Flyboys join this select club – our membership of same is long overdue and our absence from it -shameful.

    Reply
  39. gbash10 says:
    October 21, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Cyber Generals,very soon the NAF would run short of pilots and aeronatical engineers as well as navigators.4+9 Alpha jets minus the 1 that crashed in Niger,brought the number to 12 operational A-jets,3 unit C-130,2 ATR-42 MPA,12 L-39,12 F-7s,the Mi-24/35 choppers …. The demand is very high for this elite profession.

    Reply
  40. Yagazie says:
    October 21, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    Oga gbash 10 – if the NAF runs short of pilots and aeronautical engineers/navigtors due to the number of grounded platforms being re-activated, surely that is a ‘good problem’ to have as it creates opportunities for qualified persons to be trained (albeit this will take time) to fill the vacancies in this ‘elite profession’. Rather this than have the problem of pilots and engineers/navigators leaving the NAF because there are no platforms on which to practice their craft.

    Reply
  41. freeegulf says:
    October 21, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    gen ifiok, we are still in the dark as to what role[s] these french birds re going to play. $20M apiece is no small amount for helo acquisitions.

    regarding african multinational air exercise, you touched on an excellent idea; close air support. this is still the critical part of warfare in africa. and like you mentioned, interoperability should be a principal focus. while this would be a major headache due to politics and doctrine, regional group forces would benefit a lot from such exercise, especially when focused on non state armed groups.
    the usa is already working hard on the land and maritime angles for african forces. as such, i see no reason why the air forces cannot follow similar path.
    emphasis should be placed on air force logistics, delivering supplies to ground forces, and close air support for these forces. reconnaissance and surveillance should also be a widely covered and practiced.

    Reply
  42. gbash10 says:
    October 21, 2013 at 10:54 pm

    Oga yagz,the rate and number of aircrafts being re-activated tend to be higher than the turn-over of pilots,engineers and navigators,the NAF is producing now,also this flyboys are not getting enough flying hours.

    Reply
  43. freeegulf says:
    October 22, 2013 at 6:26 am

    they will soon get to the optimum operating routine, both for turnover of air crews and flying hours. its a good thing that NAF is partnering with the Pakistan air force. they have a lot to learn from PAF. however, like someone mentioned, the turnover rate is quite slow. they need a bit of flame under their feet. NAF needs to be the leading branch of the armed forces, not only in standardization, but also in orbat, TACOS, acquisition and engineering.

    NAF needs to activate a flight demonstration squadron for aerobatics display. to set up an aerobatics display team will go a long way in enhancing the position of the air branch.

    Reply
  44. henry says:
    October 22, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Mighty YAGZ, much respect for your comments, but I beg to differ. The OPV’s are definitely nigerian/ours. Which of our neighbours have the financial muscle to pull such a purchase and which suffers astronomical piracy attacks off her coast? The SIPRI source is definitive enough, except the indians are lying to themselves, in which case, that would be most unfortunate.

    Rationale, makes sense, nigeria are parallel words that would never meet, not even in another dimension/ parallel world. There is absolutely no doubt that the orders are for nigeria.

    Oga’s how about the augusta’s? It clearly list nigeria as the owner of 24 units. I know the orders are for both the navy and airforce.

    The navy has released photos of the african winds exercise, and as usual the SBS did not disappoint. In-fact they had something new, the special forces helmet. The only disappointment is, only one SBS photo was released.

    Reply
    • eyimola says:
      October 22, 2013 at 9:45 am

      SIPIRI does make mistakes. They have yet to correct the erroneous information that Nigeria got two SU-25s which actually went to Niger, despite the fact that they were contacted by individuals on this blog, acknowledged the error and promised to rectify.

      The OPV story is a very strange one. On the one hand, there were press reports in India claiming Pipav had secured a deal with a West African customer, and we know that some of the executives of the company (Pipav) have had dealing with the Nigerian Navy in the past (Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh). However there is no evidence from defences sources in India, Nigeria or the wider community regarding this purchase, The only news about this purchases came before the deal for the Type-056 derivatives was signed. Personally I don’t think its credible.

      Reply
  45. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 22, 2013 at 8:41 am

    @ Jimmy, I humble submit my share of tear. In my opinion, I wish we could just strike off the 7s in other not to kill all our fighter pilots (training a pilot is not beans not to mention a combat and this case a fighter pilot) and pick up what we should have bought in the 1st place, flankers.

    Reply
  46. henry says:
    October 22, 2013 at 10:03 am

    The mistake made by SIPRI for the 2 SU-25’s is quite common, and should’t come as a surprise to anyone. We saw this mistake made multiple times with in the recent AFISMA mission in mali. Even nigerians make the same mistake when spelling nigeriens. The register was already online before oga obix contacted SIPRI.

    The line that no defence forum/source in the southeast asia region reported the story, is most unfortunate. As I believe you failed to make the necessary findings before coming to your conclusion.www.ibsaworld.org/pipavav.html

    In all, we are all entitled to our opinions, but the facts on this particular procurement states, ” a west african customer, probably/ likely nigeria”. Although not definitive, but in defence/ military matters nothing ever is definitive. There is never In all, we are all entitled to our opinions, but the facts on this particular procurement states, ” a west african customer, probably/ likely nigeria”. Although not definitive, but in defence/ military matters nothing ever is definitive. There is never In all, we are all entitled to our opinions, but the facts on this particular procurement states, ” a west african customer, probably/ likely nigeria”. Although not definitive, but in defence/ military matters nothing ever is definitive. There is never In all, we are all entitled to our opinions, but the facts on this particular procurement states, ” a west african customer, probably/ likely nigeria”. Although not definitive, but in defence/ military matters nothing ever is definitive. There is never a 100%.

    Reply
  47. wocon45 says:
    October 22, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Disclaimer: Wocon45’s Contribution does reflects the entirety of this blog, wocon45’s contributions is based on simple observation and research.Any relation to real life events must be treated as a mere coincidence. Constructive criticisms are welcomed and a bottle of beer is cherished. 🙂

    My ogas at the top, greeting to you all. As every regular commentator/observer would have noticed, a lot of contributions on this blog is made by highly informed individuals, the likes of Acting Major Benbella, agee, Akin Oges, Beegeagle, Bigbrovar, CHYDE, doziex,eyimola,freeegulf, ,gbash10, Peccavi, giles, henry , ifiok umoeka, jimmy,obix, Yagazie, etc comes to mind. Based on the quality of contributions I have read so far, It will be invariably accurate to say that most contributors fall in two categories.

    Category [a] : Contributors from this category are often individuals who are active or former members in the security forces, family members/friends and friends of/relations/acquaintances/someone who knows someone who knows someone of the a fore mentioned (active or former members in the security forces), or individuals from allied industries such as ship builders, armored vehicle manufacturers, munition experts, war corespondents, defense contractors etc, as a result, their views are often precise and devoid of ambiguity this is because their various exposures to certain aspects of geopolitics, combat, logistics etc.

    Category[b] : Contributors form this category are often individuals who do not fall in category [a] they are mostly driven by curiosity and somewhat insatiable quest to know more about the environment in which they live in. As a result, they are usually observers (wocon45 come in mind) and comment rarely(could be the reason why we have tens of thousands of visits), when reading a post, this individuals have to open several tabs in other to find out what various acronyms, concepts, weapon systems, etc mean.

    It is on that note that I present my fellow category [b] contributors
    Conditions of War and Peace
    This course aims to nail down some of the basic issues that had been argued in the current research on peace and security.
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    Discourse on war and peace has gone through a remarkable transition during the two decades after the end of the Cold War. We do not have to worry of major nuclear wars, and then, no longer can we anticipate stability based on nuclear deterrence. We have no immediate threat emanating from a belligerent adversary equipped with a major arsenal, but we observe a number of small to medium military powers that are more belligerent than the days of the Soviet Union. We have more democracies in the world, and yet are far from the democratic peace that has been imagined by the students of international relations.

    This course aims to nail down some of the basic issues that had been argued in the current research on peace and security. The questions are all deceptively simple enough, but then the answers will all be ambiguous at best. It is my hope that you will be able to provide better answers than those given in the course by developing your own analytical capacity.

    Course Syllabus
    The course is divided into four parts:

    Week 1: When is War Necessary, raises the question of military intervention in light of theories of just war.

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    Reply
  48. Yagazie says:
    October 22, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Oga Henry- much respect. ‘nothing spoil’

    Yes I agree that on the information provided, the Pippav built OPVs are most likely Nigeria’s as financial outlay aside, no other West African country (and please no disrespect intended) has the skilled manpower/experience to operate these vessels. Nor does any other West African country suffer from the same level of piracy/oil theft/illegal fishing that occurs within our territorial waters/EEZ.

    I was only wondering why the secrecy surrounding their construction/purchase from India when the construction/purchase of similar OPVs from China is being made public?

    Reply
    • doziex says:
      October 22, 2013 at 4:28 pm

      Oga yag, skilled manpower has not stopped equatorial guinea from purchasing isreali shaldags and opvs.
      They have also ordered 2 brazillian Barroso frigates that weighs in at 2500 tons, larger than nigeria’s pipavav’s or chinese OPV’s.
      And they seem poised to do more.

      Reply
    • jimmy says:
      October 22, 2013 at 5:36 pm

      SIPRI has been known to make errors before and in the case of the pipavs we have not seen any pictures or official confirmation from the most telling source the Nigerian Navy.
      As of now I will be cautious in saying those ships are destined for Nigeria from INDIA till more proof of ownership is forthcoming.

      Reply
    • jimmy says:
      October 22, 2013 at 2:50 pm

      Well on the one hand I am encouraged by the words of the commissioner on the other hand I am frustrated by the words of our people .We need to encourage young boys like this. This rocket based on the account of the commissioner traveled 5 kilometers.i hope the newspapers will pick up his case further and the AIR FORCE WILL SPONSOR BOTH THESE GUYS EDUCATION THE RAW TALENT IS THERE..

      Reply
  50. giles says:
    October 22, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    pls is the nigerian army truly taking in new combatants,if so wot of the logistic aspect,we need to reduce carnage by atleast gearing up our forces

    Reply
  51. jimmy says:
    October 22, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    http://odili.net/news/source/2013/oct/22/514.html
    The build up and hard work for sustaining a division so far we new there are two brigades
    THE 5TH and the 12 TH
    A brigade is equivalent to 3000+ men and women.

    Reply
  52. jimmy says:
    October 22, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    ihave posted the official page for the Nigerian Navy’s pictures of the recent exercise consisting of Nigeria, US, UK, SPAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS . I am truly impressed by what the N.N is doing.

    Reply
  54. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 22, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    I think that we have hope and a great future. No, its not because a bunch of kids made and launched a rocket. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to belittle those kids geniuses, its that they were not arrested by the police and paraded b4 NTA etc as BH or MASSOB! Now I would have thought that that was missed opportunity to show the progress made on the war on terror or at least money to be made form the parents of the “unruly” kids! Were those the words of the police or some fabrication by some journalist? The kids were not arrested? Wao!
    Forgive me if I sound sarcastic, believe me its unintended. I just was wondering if the “0gas in charge” after the civil war were as smart as this police officer perhaps, officer Kasina wouldn’t be hoping of going to space in the future, maybe he would have gone twice or more!
    Today, my respect for the Nigerian police grew another notch. We do have a growing number of world class officers in the police. My hero in this story is Officer KATSINA

    Reply
  55. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 22, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    @ Jimmy, agreed

    Reply
  56. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 22, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    @ 45, I’m processing this. Let me try and get a handle on it. Cheers

    Reply
  57. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 24, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Two Americans kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria

    Reply
    • Obix says:
      October 25, 2013 at 9:17 pm

      Oga Jimmy, it’s clear that apart from the exterminated ones, the terrorists have are losing a lot of men due to injuries. They don’t have adequate medication to treat their wounded. This shows that the stepped up attacks on them is yielding results!

      Reply
      • jimmy says:
        October 26, 2013 at 12:47 am

        I believe the continous air/special forces/ arty bombardment is having some effect ,there is also no denying the fact at this stage that the bulk of the senior leadership has been decimated.Or they are in jail or dead .More importantly the air patrols especially at night and in Yobe need to be increased. T-Mobile. America’s First Nationwide 4G Network

      • jimmy says:
        October 26, 2013 at 2:04 pm

        http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24672632
        OGA EYIMOLA
        It does appear that you were on the money stealing drugs from a hospital indicates desperation and lack of medical supplies. The worrying thing is why the army took a long time to respond .In a hot spot like Yobe there has to be a quick response team and a stream line of command so the enemy does not get away or sustains heavy heavy casualties.
        The army needs to do a better job of conveying their side of their story this is not what is needed right now.

  59. agee says:
    October 25, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    Story was tasting like sugar, then boom Aloe Vera. Yeah our forces might have their excesses but must they remind us every second? Can’t they allow us savour glory even if its only for a minute?
    Anyways God Bless our security Forces
    God bless our great Nation.
    Long live our great nation

    Reply
  60. gbash10 says:
    October 26, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    My opinion about the recent attacks in Yobe Bornu states by Boko Haram militants shows that the military chiefs in the Defence HQs, NA HQs,NN HQs,and NAF HQs have all run out of strategies to deal with the BH insurgent decisively oil bunkering in the Niger-Delta,hence Mr President should appoint new service chiefs in other to build cohesion and raise the morale of the troops in the battle front as well as acquire the requisite modern equipment to fight the war on terror.
    Purchase of more attack and transport helicopters,attack drones such as the Elbit Hermes 900 or the Chendu Pterodactyl-1 MALE UCAVs/UAVs,ISR platforms including AWACS,JSTARS/GMTI systems to give real-time situation awareness in the air and on the ground, APCs and IFVs,MRAP vehicles for special forces to be hunting and neutralising the insurgent before they strike.

    Reply
  61. gbash10 says:
    October 26, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    In as much as the NA leadership has built a good counter-insurgency force rapidly,it failed in supplying the necessary equipments(technology-wise) own troops to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in fighting insurgents.
    The decision to supply old rifles,soft-skin Hilux vans to fight insurgents is a big blunder by our military leaders,hence the high rate of casualty on our troops,which invariably is a consequence of bad operational planning in this critical stage of the war on terror.

    Reply
  62. jimmy says:
    October 26, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    http://www.punchng.com/news/boko-haram-60-insurgents-nine-soldiers-killed/
    Something big happened in Yobe in Thursday night/ Sunday morning.whatever be the case it was fierce enough to use APCS.May the souls of our gallant soldiers rest in peace. The report of one lieutenant leading the assault KIA seems to confirm the presence of special forces again we have seen these story of the initial position officer on the spot being high risk.This regrettably is where you get your hard earned bitter experience of COIN.
    We have also on the other extreme being seeing CCTV footage of poorly trained Kenyan troops looting stores instead of looking for the gunmen.Oh well more details as they appear.

    Reply
  63. jimmy says:
    October 26, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    oga gbash
    even with all the equipment the very pervasive nature of COIN OPS does lead itself to casualties.

    Reply
  64. gbash10 says:
    October 26, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    Sometimes I wonder whether our political and military leaders derive joy when Nigeria citizens and military personnels die enmass from either avoidable accidents,natural disasters,terrorist acts and KIA.
    Our leaders should be putting Nigeria and its people first in whatsoever decisions or policies they are formulating to protect our Nation Interest and prestige.

    Reply
  65. gbash10 says:
    October 26, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Why would the names of the northern industrialist and the senior army officer not given?
    Hmmm…something is wrong some where…

    Reply
  66. agee says:
    October 26, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    The vanguard story is very sad, when it comes to bashing our guys on the front our dailies let loose witout control, the truck has been siezed, the signature identified the truck Identified and this people are witholding names.
    Everyday people here that know a thing or two about tactics say some is wrong with our approach; but me thinks their approach is intentional, there are people that want this crisis to remain.
    We talk of gallantry of platoon commanders in liberia n the likes, their efforts were sabbotaged by the leaders then. Now they’re (then platoon commanders) the leaders, drafting operational plans. So y re are they repeating the errors that killed their guys ? Intentional sabbotage IMO

    Reply
  67. gbash10 says:
    October 27, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    I read in sunday punch that a retd Army Lt-Col led the recent Boko Haram attack in Damaturu the Yobe State capital as a result of the arrest and subsequent impounding of a truck that was carrying arms,ammunition and military camouflage.

    Reply
  68. gbash10 says:
    October 27, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    It seems our military and other security forces are having alot of BH sympathizers!

    Reply
  69. jimmy says:
    October 27, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    i am glad the Lt. colonel has been arrested that means he has been taken out of circulation, will be thoroughly interrogated and hopefully will get the full weight of the law

    Reply
  70. doziex says:
    October 28, 2013 at 6:12 am

    One day, you guys will hear me, and realize that advise, training and mentorship from a PMC staffed by ex spec ops and ex soldiers versed in the art and science of counterinsurgency.

    With years of experience and the scars to prove it, is what the doctor has ordered for NA and Nigeria’s insurgency and security problems.

    While COIN has been perfected in conflicts and armed forces around the world, NA continues to make the most preventable and rudimentary of mistakes.

    Our troops don’t have MRAPs to safely and effectively patrol the streets. We don’t have the ability to chopper in a rapid response force.

    We are not launching enough intel prompted raids. With the SSS and other spec ops units, this should be par for the course.

    We are not successfully hunting and tracking dispersed insurgents. And when they form large strike units like they did on their raid into Damaturu, we have not detected them early, or even shown the ability to counter their assault.

    From the beginning, I have been asserting the numerous parallels between the Iraqi insurgency and our boko haram insurgency.
    Two architects of the US counterinsurgency efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, are Generals Petraus and Mchyrstal both retired.

    Through the PMC MPRI, the US company that fell out with General Victor Malu before President Obasanjo fired him; NA can contact these generals, or others of the same caliber, to help NA right our coin efforts, while it is still fixable.

    General Petraus literally wrote the US army manual on counterinsurgency warfare. And with General Mchrystal, they put these concepts to the test in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Both men left their service to the US govt in disgrace, inspite of their stellar carriers.

    They may be amenable to PMC advisory work, and Nigeria can definitely afford them.

    Why are we groping in the dark, and condemning thousands of Nigerians to suffer death and terror, when we can pay for this sort of help in a respectable manner ?

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      October 28, 2013 at 9:57 am

      boko haram assault on damaturu was countered, just like all their assaukts, so please can you explain what you mean. With due respect, I think you are exagerating things out of proportion. The Nigerian army is actually in contact with many other world class armies which give advices, and with all the military experience that Nigeria has and all Nigerian retired soldiers who fought in Liberia and Sierra Leone and ivory coast and Sudan and somalia and all, I think is unnecessary to hire mercenaries.
      China, india, russia, vietnam, algeria, egypt, ethiopia, eritrea, saudi arabia, south africa, etc never hired mercenaries. And now why will Nigeria out of all countries hire mercenaries ?

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        October 28, 2013 at 1:31 pm

        The people in Damaturu complained that the military was slow in their response to the hospital raiders.
        In a town where there is a significant military presence.

        And Igbi still thinks I am exaggerating things.

        Omo, I wish your hyper nationalism, and your “Nigeria is great” chest beating was a solution, But it is NOT.

        At this struggling and possibly ending stages of this blog, I am trying to reach out to NA and our leadership with practical solutions. We might not see the likes of this platform again.
        So, I suggest you use it wisely. Make practical suggestions, Not outlandish claims.

        Motorists are being stopped and slaughtered, students are being slaughtered, and rather than opining about a solution, you rather choose to accuse me of exaggeration.

        Are we reading the same headlines ? Ops I forgot, you don’t believe our press reports either.
        How about the Nigerian press reports ? I thought everything Nigerian is beyond reproach in your book .

      • igbi says:
        October 28, 2013 at 6:00 pm

        First of all, I want to say that I respect what you are doing and that I respect your contribution. But there were some things which were exagerations in what you said, probably you were using rhetoric, I am not well versed in litterature and the ways of writers. I understand your frustration, I also have the same. But when we suggest things, let us think them through, and let us not resort to exageration of facts. Sometimes good minders damage more than they help. I know the image the attacks puts on ours soldiers, but I know you people here are versed with logical thinking. As you can see the hospital was probably not considered a strategic point by our armed forces. And you can’t expect them to abandon strategic points to defend places which are not strategic. I think people confuse the army with the police. I am not in the best position to discuss this, but I rationally know there are many factors. By the way, it seems to me that an insurgency has already failed once it can’t garner public support. I sincerely don’t see how mercenaries could add anything into the situation.

  71. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 28, 2013 at 7:46 am

    Doziex, I can’t say that we have issues with strategy and tactics per se. When you don’t give people proper construction equipment, u don’t turn aground and blame them for a poor job. We have enough skills @ hand, we need equipment and training to get our boys familiar with the tools! If the Americans didn’t have the tools, Petraus manual would be worth squirt no disrespect to the Gen. The same is true even if we double our troops. Remember that the ARVN had more troops than the veitcong and the NVA but they still lost. Troop number alone don’t mean much, not since the days of artillery and the Maxim gun.
    Well b4 the beginning, we all scream to the high heavens on the need for all these force multipliers… 2day we are still screaming. This is no service chiefs fault. This rest solely on the federal government and the president specifically! If you won’t give our security operatives the right tools to do their job, sorry don’t complain about the quality of the job.

    Reply
    • Obix says:
      October 28, 2013 at 8:50 am

      Oga Ifiok, you are absolutely right. Doziex underlined those deficiencies in his statement in paragraphs 4 through 6. I buy his idea of getting help from specialists. Our troops are doing their best with what they have at the moment, unfortunately the results come with huge human loses. They need the right tools, good intel and proper tactical planning. With these, it will be suicidal for BH to launch the kind of coordinated attacks that we are still seeing today.

      If positive results can be achieved with a foreign backed PMC, then we should go for it. There are people who have been there before us, so any input from them should be welcomed. Saving the lives of ours soldiers and innocent civilians by any means necessary should be priority!

      Reply
      • igbi says:
        October 28, 2013 at 9:44 am

        I am sorry, but I think that if a nation of 175 million people with the kind of ressources as ours can not deal with boko haram on its own, then maybe that nation doesn’t deserve sovereignty. By the way, I think you guys are giving too much importance to what you read on newspapers: most of that “news” is not true. I think you need to give some credit to our officers instead of craving for mercenaries. A people that can not fight on its own is a lost people.

    • igbi says:
      October 28, 2013 at 9:36 am

      As an edo, whose people got decimated by the maxim gun in 1897, I understand what you are saying.

      Reply
      • Obix says:
        October 28, 2013 at 11:40 am

        Oga Igbi, nice to have you back! Well, We are not undermining the great job being done by our brave men and women. We are just underling the fact that they should be given the necessary tools to do their job. It’s definitely not a loss of sovereignty if any nation seeks help from others to tackle such a threat. Nigeria cannot defeat BH without coordination with our neighbours, if necessary we should get advice from countries who have been there.

      • igbi says:
        October 28, 2013 at 6:25 pm

        I totally understand sir, but I think we shouldn’t get carried away. But I share your frustrations about things. I think the problems we are facing are about the fact that our defence budget is not big enough, much like the rediculous size of our armed forces. We need more equipment and more troops and we need more accountability from politicians to curtail corruption. We can not keep running away from the obvious truth. But of course I speak only for myself and I intend no disrespect.
        Thank you for your comment sir.

  73. Deway says:
    October 28, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    This is no longer funny. We are losing men anyhow. These guys are breadwinners in their families. They are husbands, fathers, sons. They will be missed. Yes I understand they signed up for this and its COIN, lives will be lost, I get that. However, how are these lives justified? Telling us about a certain Lt. Col. was involved without mentioning the name, so we wont know when this chap will be prosecuted or released “when certain traditional rulers beg for him?”. How about those politicians that have harboured these terrorists in their mansions? What has happened? What about the certain army general in alliance with custom officials who support BH weapons coming in thru our ports? How about equipping our boys with helics. These guys can be decimated from the air. This is 2013,armed UAVs are available on the market; MRAPs, armed attack helics are begging to be grabbed. 9 Mi24/35s are not enough to cover the north not to mention the whole of Nigeria. I mean what are those guys at defence HQ thinking? May be the Defence HQ should be moved to Damaturu or Maiduguri.

    Reply
  74. jimmy says:
    October 28, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    Confirmed that the PON and the NSA met with the ISRAELI defense minister
    Courtesy ABIYAMO .COM
    http://www.abiyamo.com/photos-president-jonathan-israel-holy-pilgrimage/
    OGA DOZIEX MUCH AS I RARELY AGREE with OGA IGBI
    Soft targets are by their very nature very pervasive to defend no amount of PMC will stop a determined ENEMY from attacking a soft target. The issue is not whether a soft target will be attacked the issue is when. I constantly watch the MILITARY CHANNEL detailing the military battles that when on a daily basis in KANDAHAR ,Afghanistan, despite SUPERIOR AIR COVER, HEAVY DUTY arty 155mm howitzers that were called on by radio within a moments notice. the attacks in some areas were relentless , ferocious and everyday by the taliban on the ISAF.
    COIN IS BITTER, GRIMY AND INVOLVES CASUALTIES AND Nigeria is just getting started and they need to always inflict heavy casualties on the enemy within the modus operandi of the law, no i am not sugar coating the n.a defecits i am just stating the facts, better intel check better close air support check new helicopters check all these things will not stop coin casualties, even under mc crystal the us special forces have suffered numerous casualties , there has also been brake down recently in communications that led to the retirements of two marine GENERALS NO SYSTEM IS INFALLIBLE THIS IS MY POINT.
    And no oga doziez pmc is not the solution, more financial resources, better government, better procurement ( army/ airforce/ navy especially more air support and more artillery 105 and 122mm howitzers with well trained crew and pin point accuracy is the answer.
    Whether we want to believe it or not we are beginning to hear one constant theme from captures BH OPERATIVES life is relentless, starvation being killed having or knowing a brother who has been killed constantly being on the run and being pursued these are the facts from their side so some things are happening for the positive.

    Reply
    • agee says:
      October 28, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      Seems the entire state and federal oFficials are in Jerusalem.
      Sorry to digress, what do you guys think of state sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem n Mecca? I.M.O total waste of scarce resources, just like distribution of hampers to top govt officials n royal fathers, total waste of funds the govt claims doesn’t exist.
      If there’s no money they Govt should act it.
      And Pls what’s up with oga Peccavi? Abi he to has given up on the mission?

      Reply
  75. freeegulf says:
    October 28, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    oga doziex, and what did gens petreuaseand Mccristal do? what did they really achieve. the surge? it wasn’t the US troop numbers that calmed things down in iraq. rather, the US literally bribed these neighbourhoods and militias who in turn switched loyalties and chased out the jihardists. u should not buy into those fairy tale of troop strength and genius of petreaus

    Reply
  76. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 28, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Jimmy sir, on point all the way. However, imagine if u can what would have happened to the US and NATO and non NATO allies if they had strolled to Kabul with 9 apaches, 12 blackhawks and 3 non functional chinooks, 12 Hogs, 5 charlies and 2500 toyota hilux pickups (not forgeting to have them painted in desert camo). Can you picture it? I CRINGE TOO!

    Reply
  77. igbi says:
    October 29, 2013 at 7:51 am

    The problem which I have with a section of the media is that they are all hundreds of kilometers away from the north east and therefor they do not know what they are saying. They keep publishing things without any proof and often refer to a mysterious witness who doesn’t want to be named. This section of local and foreign media never interviews the army and tries to destroy the credibility of any word said by army officers unless those words were to give a bad image to the army. These media copy each other’s articles and give credibility to each other without any verification nor proof. I think it is logical to say that that same section of the media has been quoting boko haram terrorists and calling them anonymous witnesses who didn’t want to be named. So what we have here is a section of the media which gives more credibility to boko haram words than to the Nigerian armed forces.

    Reply
  78. igbi says:
    October 29, 2013 at 8:07 am

    By the way that story of cameroon soldiers killing 180 boko haram terrorists which was published by most of our local media apears to be a lie. The media cooked it up, once again. I was looking everywhere in the media to see a french version of it, but that never happened. I have the advantage of speaking english and french so I can also read cameroonian media which never mentionned 180 boko haram terrorists being killed by its soldiers, and which also went on to claim it never happened. It seems our media is accountable to nobody and that truth is not important in their considerations. All that matters seems to be : “how do I sell as much papers as possible”.
    So please if you comment on this blog then get your facts right. Although I have to admit that there are some media which are doing a very good job.

    Reply
  79. freeegulf says:
    October 29, 2013 at 10:25 am

    the current palava of the boko haram crisis is way beyond PMCs. yes we all know about the shortfalls in armaments and even attitude towards the efficient annihilation of this vermin. however, the most pronounced predicament bears no solutions from the employment of foreign combat trainers and advisers.
    this crisis requires political willpower and old fashion police detective work. these are no merc colour zones. we have a situation where known rtd military officers are having inputs in coordinating the operations of these terrorists. add to that, political groups with huge stakes, sponsoring these groups. the general security services has an idea of who these people/groups are and where some of the money trail leads. but have they done anything about it? this is deeper than PMC solutions.

    fortunately, these terrs are fast losing their legitimacy in the eyes of the populace, and that is their highway to hell. without the general support of the locals, asymmetric warfare is hard to prosecute against the State for long. so the fed govt now have a big adv in this regard. however, it still remains to be seen how successful has the FG and its parastals exploit this local goodwill that is currently prevailing.
    yes, BH still have their support within the masses, but their extremism have driven the vast majority from their influence. this fish can hardly survive in the bowl for long.

    with good detective work from the security agencies (and overwhelming fed/state political willpower), BH will find it hard to even mobilize a platoon strength force for an attack. they can be isolated, and shredded to bits. it is left for the agencies to up to ante and conclusively deal with the situation up north to a justifiable end.

    as for PMCs, leave nigeria out of this corporate combat map. if the Nigerian Armed Forces cant contain and eliminate this clear and present danger, then no reasonable point can keep the country in one piece.

    Reply
    • bigbrovar says:
      October 29, 2013 at 11:57 am

      If the reports from Damaturu about the raid is to be believed then NA really need to step up their game or God help us. What I read online was about an initial attacked was lunched by BH to draw troops and divert from the main raid. Once NA responded with most of their resource towards the first initial attack, The main attack then began in parallel… it was said that BH over ran most of our bases in Damaturu using APCs they stole from NA with RPGs and Heavy machine guns.. those soldiers who didn’t die ran for their lives.

      We would never get to know how true this stories are.. But we should know that, what happened in damaturu last week is not something the Nigerian Army should be proud of. It reminds me of Freetown rebel offensive of January 6 1999 when intelligence failure led to RUF running circles round the 93 mechanized infantry battalion.. infamous RUF offensive also started with diversionary attacks outside of Freetown. It is a same that NA refused to learn from past failures.

      The current approach of garrisoning a place.. sitting and waiting for the enemy to make their move is not working. We need to seek them out.. We may not have the flankers and MRAPs of this world to do an effective job.. but we still do have tools we can make do and prosecute this effectively what we really lack is leadership, someone to take effective control of command. Right now Nigeria has one of the most powerful imaging satellites in orbit. Our satellites was first in line for spotting the scale of destruction in a recent hurricane in the US. It has also been used by AFISMA in Mali.. why then do we find it hard to spot terrorist camps in a semi desert region like NE? Even the Brits had to rely on the US satellite imagery when they had to launch an attack on the west side boy’s camp deep in the forest of sierra leone.. What is stopping us from doing the same? A friend from Maid told me Drones are not part of the every day fly line of Maiduguri.. why are we finding it hard to deploy them in the tracking and elimination of terrorist camps?

      Why most we always wait for BH to initiate a raid that results in the death of many before we respond with our usual banga banga approach. More than new equipment, what we need is a new approach to dealing with this crisis. We need a new approach more than we need new hardware.. lord knows we have not made judicious use of what we have.. I doubt even 100 su30s + 10000 MRAPs would make any difference given our current approach.

      Reply
      • Deway says:
        October 29, 2013 at 1:52 pm

        Truth be told!

      • doziex says:
        October 30, 2013 at 5:20 pm

        Oga Bigbrovar, Thank you Sir !!!.

        You get the gist of my concerns; Our strategy for this COIN or the COIN in the delta, or the COIN in sierra leone, is Fundamentally Flawed.

        You said it best, Advance, Garrison and wait. The genius US COIN campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the Executive Outcomes COIN campaigns in angola and sierra leone, is that unlike us, they went after the enemy.

        They inserted troops behind enemy lines, they conducted intelligence driven raids on insurgent safe havens, they used drones to gather real time, actionable intelligence, then they used helicopter and vehicle borne rapid reaction forces or precision air strikes to neutralize whatever their intel discovered.

        These teams, were highly motivated, highly trained, extremely well equipped soldiers.

        For those who do not understand the difficulty and complexity of what petraus and Mchrystal achieved in Iraq and Afghanistan, please educate yourself about the facts then opine.

        In sierra leone, the EO showed us what we should be doing, but we persisted in our outdated failed tactics.

        Even when the British arrived, the first thing their pathfinders did, was PATROL,PATROL,PATROL. They didn’t rest on their laurels behind their defenses. They sought out the enemy in these patrols, to garner intel, and to destroy the enemy.

        By constantly patrolling the contested turf, the enemy is kept off balance. Their planning and decision cycle is disrupted. These tactics gives the counterinsurgent the initiative, YOU TURN THE HUNTER INTO THE HUNTED. You lay the ambushes for them, rather than they do it to you at will.

        NA has always garrisoned troops, then inevitably, their guard gets let down.

        This is our combat history. Agree or disagree, we suck at counterinsurgency, and need all the help we can get.

  80. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 29, 2013 at 11:48 am

    That was some tough talk brother, the political angle is creeping back to the front burner. Time was when the radicals (BH) were a few,the profiteers and opportunist two and the politicals a bunch, now the lines are blur and they are back, why? Cos the powers that be lost their nerve looking @ a calendar! ‘Don’t kill too much of them, let’s some of the escape so that they will not say that we are killing a segment of society’, ‘ remember the date and oh those white guys em HR something’. So with eyes on a calendar our boys have 2 pay the price. As I think more of it, what if the never arriving hinds and hips, herons, MRAP are all deliberate? What if… Sorry I can’t think of it, I fill something coming up my throat, I think I’m going to go vomit

    Reply
  81. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 29, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    There’s a reason why the venerable Beegs is off the blog he created. What if some smartly dressed folks came visiting and left a F**kOFF message and a lasting impression? Because I dare say that this is the only thing that offers an insight into what’s happening behind this veiled village called security sector! Like I’ve said b4, the solutions to our issues are so obvious that I wonder why they’ve not been implemented yet! How come they office of the NSA can in no time put up a C5IRS center (costing a chunk of the budget allotted the security sector) yet we can’t spare a 1/4 of a $bn to get stores to put out a blazing clear and present danger (per jimmy or was it you freegulf?)! So we try to clear the smog and get scared off cos if its clearer everyone gets to see The TRUTH, we don’t want this war won and done with, we want to manage it and extract the highest profit from it irrespective of the cost and brothers what will happen as we get closer to THE DATE will bring a new definition to the phrase GRAVE COST

    Reply
  82. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 29, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    Bigbrovar, the garrison approach is because we have nothing to move around in effectively! In my state almost all the roadblock have disappeared cos the gov procured patrol vehicle for the police. In NE theatre, the boys have to duck behind sandbags as even the VBLs and Cobras can’t effectively take a sustained hit from .50 cal and above much more an RPG. With enough MRAP, we’ll have JTF. From those fortified roadblock go mobile and spread round with SF guys close to their Hips/Hinds ready to go. Input surveillance assets (manned/unmanned) and gain a superb view on the theatre. Finally, your command structure gets on top of thing with options. NOW TELL ME HOW BH GETS TO MOUNT A LARGE SCALE RAID AND SUCCEED!

    Reply
    • Akin Oges says:
      October 29, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      Oga ifiok umoeka, I was arguing same point else where: how be it that a country that earns well over $200 million a day (and is hemorrhaging by way of colossal oil theft in the Niger Delta and fighting a full blown terrorist war in the North East – seems content with 9 helicopters) and deliberately refusing to acquire equipments for our frontline boys? It is frighteningly worrying.Twenty four (24) units of Mi-24, Mi-35 or Mi-171Sh will only set our beloved country back a round about figure of $100 million (with upgrade: thermal/night vision facilities and upgraded weapons systems thrown in for bargain). And the Nigeria I know can flood the North East with enough MRAPs to bring the madness in the North East to nice a little end if the minds and hearts are in the right places.

      Reply
      • bigbrovar says:
        October 29, 2013 at 3:22 pm

        I have no doubt that we do need more hardware.. my point is we are not even making the best use of the little we have. Our men are not well coordinated, they are not well led.. I hate to always bring Ecomog ops in Sierra Leone into focus (but its the only war I actually lived through and followed rather than just read in a book) The RUF’s version of Tet offensive aka the Jan 6 freetown offensive was caused by massive intelligence failure blamed on the 93 mechanized division.. This led to ecomog’s positions being over ran, including the Nigerian Embassy.. It perhaps is the greatest embarrassment of NA in recent history, Our men were pin down to Lungi.. If not for men like Maxwell Khobe who launched a ferocious counter attack rightly tagged death before dishonor and the flying in of men of the 2nd airborne battalion from Makurdi..

        Thanks to Khobe, RUF never threatened ecomog’s position again.. We are complaining now about our hardware.. remember that our boys had just 2 alpha jets, 2 helicoper gunship (I think the Purma) for the whole of Sierra Leone and Liberia ops.. Our troops lacked bullet proof jackets, or night viewing goggles, or many of the accessories that have become standard kit for our troops today.. Yet our boys gave a good account of themselves. BH today do not hold a thing against RUF we dealt with in Sierra Leone.. Yet even then as it is now.. Our ops suffered many set backs thanks to bad leadership.. We need to fix that first before we can think of through money & hardware at the problem. Just IMHO

        We need more hardware.. But before that comes (if it ever does come) we need to get the basics right. make the best use of what we already have.. No one can say we are currently doing that.

  83. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 29, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    The sad thing is that this is not new we’ve been saying it since b4 the beginning and I know that we have guys in the system that are smarter than us here and have said the same thing but like I said… THE CALENDER

    Reply
  84. jimmy says:
    October 29, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/25020-yobe-35-bodies-in-military-uniform-found-in-morgue-after-boko-haram-assault.html
    ONE OF THE THINGS BEDEVILING THE NA as a whole is their media approach and the reasons behind excluding BEEGEAGLE from being embedded with troops in the N.E eventually the news drips by drips and the NA and by association the mod has no way of controlling what is true and what false.
    like the article said bh has been known to dress in army fatigues we all know something big happened Thursday night / Friday morning we for all intents and purposes now know a disgruntled retired lt colonel coordinated what appears a triple classic attack on three consecutive security operations the main reasons being one agency could not come to the aid of another agency thus sowing confusion of who is in command.
    What is troubling and I will be cold- hearted about this is not just casualties it is that we are hearing varying sources confirmed/ unconfirmed/ falsehood / truths and it really leads to distortion of events.
    This has coincided with two key events LT COLONEL SAGIR MUSA no longer being the go to MAN and being replaced technically by a much much junior officer who i am sure is a decent man LT Dole Mohammed.. the second key event is the continued absence of MR Beegeagle..
    The picture shows the effectiveness of soft skinned vehicles and the ostrich in the sand approach.
    BH has been reduced to the margins this is not the issue, the issue is the way the f.g. and the mod goes about it. A Police station reduced to rubble is a powerful statement what is NOT needed is the photo ops of captured bh , What is NOT needed is the operational details.
    What IS needed is more helicopters, more special troops , more mraps more arty pieces , better patrols/ intel / interdiction troops, BETTER COMMUNICATION ESPECIALLY WHEN THREE PLACES ARE ATTACKED AT ONCE THERE HAS TO BE ONE VOICE, A-B-C- CHAIN OF COMMAND ,and a more experienced information officer after. A LT should be making his bones as a platoon leader not reading press releases nothing against LT DOLE i do not know him from ADAM, and i sincerely believe he is a good soldier, i also believe till somebody of the caliber of Mr Beegeagle is introduced/embedded These distortions in the news will keep happening.

    Reply
    • giles says:
      October 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      nigeria is jst a sick place to live in nothin works,for u to fight terror n crime,u need 3 powers-power(eletricity),power(high grade arms and ammunition+ good hardware) power(manpower+ dedication) and mind u without dis three tings we ar going no were.cos we ar jst moving in circle.good hlp us should dis our boys mutiny trobule go dey o

      Reply
    • giles says:
      October 29, 2013 at 5:15 pm

      oga abeg wich car b dat wer dey for dat link,hop it’s not dat of proforce

      Reply
  85. jimmy says:
    October 29, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    http://odili.net/news/source/2013/oct/29/612.html
    courtesy of the Nigerian tribune
    THIS IS WHY THE DYSFUNCTION CONTINUES.

    Reply
  86. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 30, 2013 at 7:24 am

    My BigBrovar, I appreciate ur point on leadership. Question is do we even have an overall commander, theatre commander etc for the NE? Who is in charge and pls don’t tell me the COAS!
    That said, great leaders are not picked on the ground! They are discovered and groomed over time. However, I insist that I will not judge a man harshly for a job he’s done without the proper tools. I don’t expect an A list job, though if it come, I’ll have great respect for him. You mentioned the late great Max Khobe, pls can you tell me how many men we lost? Decades after the close of those ops, we still don’t have a comprehensive list of our casualties, a detail account of the operation, not to mention a proper memorial for those who paid the price! What ever became of the clowns who supplied motorcycle helmet to soldiers for ballistic helmets? A corruption crime that got a lot of Nigerian soldiers killed? My brother, this is no longer the 90s, not many commanders will get away with getting their troops killed for no reason and to no end!
    Thus, b4 I judge a commander as good or bad, I’ll give him the tools he needs to get the job done, then I’ll judge his LEADERSHIP SKILLS

    Reply
  87. freeegulf says:
    October 30, 2013 at 11:04 am

    we still do not have the full picture of the events of last week. Was it a military outpost that was overrun? or a fully functional base in yobe state. if the target installation was an army base, then expect court martial proceedings to commence soonest.
    the army is always playing catchup game with regards to info dispersal. they re always in recanting and rejecting news info that media houses have disperse already. how long can they continue this counter productive attitude. they should be exploiting the media to their best use, not finding themselves forced to deny multi layered stories and blurred events.
    the office of counter terrorism headed by mag gen (rtd) sarki bello should be on top notch regarding coordination of relevant security agencies. this is really chaotic and typical dysfunctional nigerian factor

    Reply
  88. doziex says:
    October 30, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    General Ihejirika is a good man and officer, but I think we need a combat general heading NA. at this juncture.

    General Y.S. Bello, I believe is the man for the job.

    All these defeats, would be very demoralizing to our armed forces as a whole.

    General Bello, from past deployments, Is a Max Khobe type general, a leader of men, that actually leads from the front.

    His bombastic no nonsense manner of speech would inspire confidence in the troops, and maybe, ruffle some feathers in our MOD.

    General Ihejirika, while good for the welfare of the troops, seems more amenable to good civilian / military relations, than a “Patton” type combatant general.

    Reply
  89. ifiok umoeka says:
    October 30, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    Respect to everyone, I’d like to maintain that its not just the man on top but the system that doesn’t allow for proper equipping. Now, we are looking for the fall guy when its the political leadership that is responsible. If you like resurrect SunZtu, Bradley, Patton, McAthur,von Manstein Rommel, Giap, the tough talking ‘storming’ Schwarzkopf or u hire McCrystal, you can’t win war with clubs. This isn’t hockey or baseball, its war! Without taking anything from Obasanjo, we can all agree that without the 122mm, it would have been harder and costlier though inevitable for Biafra to fall!
    Let me spell this out, RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, NSA, MOD, SERVICE CHIEFS and NASS! That Siasia drew money from his own pocket sometime beg and borrowed money to finance the eaglets doesn’t mean that it should be so. What do you expect a commander, any commander to do, catch an RPG with his teeth to boost moral or order his boys to dance under heavy machine gun fire? Ha ba, LIKE I SAID, GET THESE BOYS THE RIGHT TOOLS and TRAIN THE ON IT, THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIER LEADERSHIP!
    Its criminal to expect much when you give nothing, better put, YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW!

    Reply
  90. freeegulf says:
    October 31, 2013 at 7:31 am

    oga doziex, plz stop the campaign. Lt Gen Ihejirika is doing a fantastic job. and as far as the top seat goes, the confidence is still on top as he is transforming the army. like oga ifiok said, even if you wake patton and monty, they will not solve the handicap that is currently constraining the army.
    you seem to neglect to political will in this BH crisis.
    the current COAS is the best man for the job. and no amount of misguideds northern vitriol will unseat him

    Reply
  91. freeegulf says:
    October 31, 2013 at 7:37 am

    of what use is an army where the welfare of the troops is of low priorities. NA contingents in LBR and SRL where the most demoralized. why? because of poor troop care. and in the end, it affected combat capability. we had bombastic gens like olurin and dongoyaro, and their tough patton style leadership approach did not reduce casualties, nor overrun the entire countryside.
    olurin in his time as FC, complained constantly and bitterly about the welfare of his men, all falling on deaf ears because some greedy officers at home saw the LBR mission as their gate to riches.

    Reply
  92. jimmy says:
    October 31, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    I do not want to parrot OGA FREEGULF or gang up on you OGA DOZIEX however it is well known on this blog that i am an ADMIRER and STRONG ADVOCATE of LT .Gen Ihejirika.
    These are the following reasons and they are very important.
    1.An army marches on it’s stomach the well kept welfare of the troops is worth it’s weight in GOLD in recent times the COAS has made it his signature of tenure to improve and build rebuild officers accommodation army hospitals ( amongst the best in the nation).
    2 He has publicly asked for more funds – and eventually received more as a result in the heat of an insurgency has raised A REAL COIN DIVISION from scratch recruitment is up and real new battalions 10 in the last two years has been created.
    3. Meritocracy and accountability has been the the gold standard has been his watchword . please read the story of RETD MAJ GEN OWONIBI AND ISA how they were held accountable for security lapses .
    4.He is very well respected amongst his peers and his former colleagues as a soldier’s GENERAL who got there as COAS by earning his bones, it might interest you to know oga Doziex GEN PETRAEUS (SP) was not well regarded by his peers till afghanistain and infact some of his peers called his a political general who had not come up through the combat command structure – and were not surprised when he got into trouble.
    The problem the n.a is happening is not that a remote posts or even three places get attacked it boils down to three things
    1. More attack/ troop carrying Helios with insert ability at the right place and at the right time.
    2 Task specific procurement FOR THE ARMY MRAPS, , MINI TANKS ( ARMOUR ED SCOUT CARS) MORE ARTY PIECES 105MM, 155MM, AND air force/ army jets. This has got nothing to do with leadership.
    3. Central command communications b.h. FOR SOME REASON LOVE TO ATTACK ON WEEKENDS ( Friday /Sat /Sunday) communications on how a diversionary/ triple attack/ simultaneous attack with airborne intel should be streamlined and air force commander should be in the air within – with the authority to speak with counterpart in the army/ police / dss/ 7th division.AND THEN THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION AFTERWARDS SHOULD BE RELEASED information about a big battle should not come out in drips. The impression apart from being untrue is awful it allows any idiot with a microphone thrust in his his face to say anything.THE NA HAS NEVER LOST A BATTLE ON THE FIELD IT IS IN THE MEDIA THAT THEY ARE TAKING A POUNDING.

    Reply
  93. jimmy says:
    October 31, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Moment of clarification yesterday i referred to LT.COL MOHAMMED DOLE AS LT. DOLE THE ERROR IS MINE.

    Reply
  94. freeegulf says:
    October 31, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    oga jimmy thanks for doing a beeg style brilliant write up. well said.
    gentlemen, we still need to keep knocking on the doors of DDI and the army info chief too. I think access to these key offices is the only way to get marshal beeg back on board this great train.

    Reply
    • jimmy says:
      October 31, 2013 at 6:41 pm

      Thank you very much .I WILL NOT REST ON MY OARS. One day we will run into somebody who is sympathetic to our concerns who is in the higher ECHELONS. One day then the letter will be written, edited and sent off it will happen. By the GRACE OF GOD AMEN.

      Reply
  95. doziex says:
    October 31, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    Hehehe Gentlemen, I beg O, enough with the firing squad.

    My beef with the current service chiefs, Ihejirika and Ola saad Ibrahim especially, is their SILENCE.

    Their lack of an assertive posture in their dealings with the MOD, and our entire civilian leadership.

    I can appreciate their reluctance to criticize our incompetent, thieving and irresponsible civilian leadership, you know, to make up for a history of military adventurism.

    But a healthy democracy, should allow for healthy criticism. Generals, are allowed to constructively make their views known.

    Inspite of Nigeria’s 60 billion usd foreign reserve, our military is forced to go without arms that Chad,Niger and other poor African nations can afford. The SU-25 frogfoot for example.

    While the overall issue of atrocious military funding is GEJ and the senate’s fault, our service chiefs have to be taken to task, for
    (1) Their deafening silence.

    (2) The lack innovation, even with scarce resources.

    On this blog, we have suggested plenty of used affordable platforms that our armed forces can acquire, that would alleviate the lack of investment by our civilian leadership.

    Used ships, used tanks, used jets can suffice for now, instead of the nothingness that exists now.

    Also, who is to blame for the military bungling the relationship with Beegeagle’s blog ?

    What is more powerful, or important than NA’s media portrayal or image ?

    Our service chiefs should know about a blog like this, because it’s the only game in town, in cyperspace.

    As I said before, they should have been in contact with Mr. Beegeagle years ago, asking, ” Young man, how can we help you to help us” ?

    Reply
  96. freeegulf says:
    October 31, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    oga doziex, the frustration is getting to everyone. there needs to be an attitudinal change in the military in its entirety. the seriousness to prosecute the counter insurgency isnt there. neither is the wholesome defence review that is long overdue. the armed forces is ill equipped and the orbat is not as impressive as the country’s economy, population, and prestige which should come natural

    Reply
  97. jimmy says:
    November 1, 2013 at 4:47 am

    http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2013-10/31/content_30453465.htm
    It appears we are being read
    I wanted to post this earlier on but I was too busy.

    Reply
  98. jimmy says:
    November 1, 2013 at 4:54 am

    http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/127943/1/army-destroys-boko-haram-operational-vehicles-in-b.html
    We will continue to emphasize the role of rudimentary intelligence from the local people to nightly patrols ( which in itself admittedly are deadly to high level intel patrol in the sky with an airforce commander who can make such decision with his counterpart brigade commander and operational commanders to interdict/ eliminate pursue and eliminate again.
    Again let emphasize we are not hear to bash or lecture, this is a modern era my children know more about computers and information/communication as how it is perceived than i will ever know. THE N.A NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THIS WHEN IT IT COMES TO INFORMATION.

    Reply
  99. jimmy says:
    November 1, 2013 at 5:04 am

    http://www.punchng.com/news/support-us-to-fight-piracy-nn-urges-media/
    This is one battle that the N.N IS WINNING . The N.A needs to take notes..

    Reply
  100. igbi says:
    November 1, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    It appears France has once again given more than 20 million euros to boko haram allies in Niger Republic, in an effort to free 4 of its citizens. Now the question is: how much of that money will end up in boko haram hands and how many Africans and west Africans in particular will die due to that generosity that france often shares with terrorists. I think it is time we warned our so called “allies” whose state press seems to always condemn us and whose money seems to always end up in the hands of our worse ennemies.

    Reply
  101. igbi says:
    November 1, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    Maybe it is time, one of us made an other blog or a forum to replace this one.

    Reply
  102. jimmy says:
    November 1, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    OGA IGBI
    We are thankful you are back our blog over here is doing just fine
    fellow bloggers read about the wed / Thursday / Friday operations
    http://odili.net/news/source/2013/nov/1/615.html

    Reply
  103. wocon45 says:
    November 2, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    In a concise approach, what and what do we need to get Oga beege back? greetings. Og IGBI beegeagle oni baje!

    Reply
  104. optimusprime007 says:
    November 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Hi all….I think we should pay heed to Igbi’s suggestion. We are all faithful to beegeagle’s blog…without which some of us would have been living in the dark in terms of Military information in Africa. Having said that, this our approach is not helping matters.Post are disjointed and scattered. Any serious person wont take us serious. We need to find a way to sustain this momentum. I suggest that we open another blog, temporarily, that is, until Gen Beeg returns. I suggest a senior member of this blog takes up that responsibility. It is pertinent, It is Urgent. Whenever Gen Beeg returns, we can then come back to school..lol. #justmythought

    Reply
  105. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 2, 2013 at 11:46 pm

    @ Igbi, 2 ans ur quesn, many will die and there’s nothing we’ll do about it cos we aint got the brass balls. Say anything u like, I say France is actively supporting terror, jihad etc in the sahel and in syria! They will tell u that they are protecting national interest. Well, I don’t blame them, after all do we have a national interest?

    Reply
    • Obix says:
      November 4, 2013 at 10:23 am

      Let’s see how our government will react to this!

      Reply
      • camouflage1984 says:
        November 4, 2013 at 11:20 am

        I am not expecting any response from the FGN. They should not even bother to respond. They should just du whatever they have to du to ensure the US ability to spy on us is limited.

      • igbi says:
        November 4, 2013 at 6:20 pm

        We should act swiftly, the USA has just shown again that it is not a trust worthy ally.
        I don’t even know if we can consider the US our ally at all.
        All their cheap gifts don’t make any difference. They refuse to recognize our sovereignty by spying on us. Who knows how many law abiding Nigerians have been killed due to US not recognizing that we are entitled to privacy. Who knows how many of that information stole by the US has ended up in MEND or boko haram hands. How many of our heroes in arms died due to US big brother attitude ? If we need sovereignty then we are going to have to get big weapons (eg nuclear), because the wolves are preparing themselves for a surprise war against us. This is my thought. And please I don’t want anyone saying that I am biased against the USA. Instead just imagine how the US would react if we were spying on the US.

  107. agee says:
    November 4, 2013 at 7:00 am

    We need to pay more attention to cyber security; I knw dis happened to other countries where cyber security is taken seriously, but I bet ours was easier to execute.
    I hope to 1 day see a cyber security institute, where experts can brainstorm and solve problems.

    Reply
  108. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 4, 2013 at 11:55 am

    Let me start by saying that I came on site sober (been thinking of how our beloved site has all but ran aground). Only to click on camo1984’s link. I’ve been laughing all through. Little wonder Oga Beegs wouldn’t turn this site over to anyone. Off all the lot, it was the chap called philipe de… that made some weird sense. The irony was in celebrating the oppression of one’s country hoping for it to bring a greater good rather like the Iraqis craving invasion to get rid of the tyrant Saddam! Its sad because it always turns out that the only interest in each case is American!
    However, the posts I like the most was when some chap made a supposed brilliant idea of encryption using the Abakiliki (hope I got the spelling right) language for comm and got a retort that an Abakiliki person will sell the Americans the cypher, I couldn’t stop laughing.
    Oga Beegs, I’d like to thank you for the standard u set in this blog where people have to think before they post. You may not wish to come back ( I hope u come back though) but thanks for this place, the sanity, maturity and profitable positive reasoning here. Thanks.

    Reply
  109. igbi says:
    November 4, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    Could someone make a list of newspapers (local and foreign) which are doing propaganda for boko haram ? This is necessary if we want to shame them. I just read an other article which of course comes with no photos and a lot of claims which can’t possibly be verified. This “news” paper puts forward boko haram claims and actually acts like it were the lawyer of boko haram. It says things like “Nigeria’s military regularly inflates the numbers of militants killed and plays down its own toll.”, just before it writes the military spokesman’s statement. What people should be asking these journalists is: where are your proofs ? Where are your photos ? Of course they have none of those, it is all about prepayed propaganda. Yes some “news” papers have been payed by boko haram international sponsors to do propaganda for them. Some are probably doing it for free though.
    List of “news” papers doing propaganda for boko haram:
    1) Sahara Reporters
    2) Dailytrust
    3)associated press
    4)AFP
    I count on you people to complete this list.

    Reply
  110. igbi says:
    November 4, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    AP keeps claiming boko haram burnt one of our military bases, yet they show no pictures, even though they claim that journalists did visit the site. Still no pictures. It seems as well that boko haram is now too fearful of the army and the citizenry debunking its videos that it is now adressing them only to its beloved allies in the journalism profession, who in turn only give the propaganda message and keep us from analyzing the video. Look Nigerians, we have to do something about this wave of propaganda and we need action fast.

    Reply
  112. agee says:
    November 4, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    We are always about buy buy buy? What plans do we have to manufacture ours? I know dicon has a Research and development branch, what I can’t say for sure is how ambitous their program is.
    Ya we need to buy 4 now, but long term I think we should work on manufacturing mordern equipments in the long term, we have the man power at home and abroad I believe; the political will that I don’t know

    Reply
  113. igbi says:
    November 4, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    If we could get rid of the US and France in West Africa then that would actually be an achievement. I know the NSA must be listening as they always do, but I just want them to know that Nigeria will overcome their antics, and that their efforts are actually pushing the rest of the world to spy on the USA in a global effort.

    Reply
    • agee says:
      November 5, 2013 at 10:07 am

      m.naij.com/news/51397.html
      People have questioned the death of shekau, why hasn’t defence head quarters taken time to analyze this video and come out categorically to tell the world that the guy is an impostor which would mean Shekau is dead.

      Reply
      • Bigbrovar says:
        November 6, 2013 at 6:32 am

        It’s just so sad to see so many loss of life and livelihood. Behind this random numbers are stories and lives that have been damaged forever. How our military has prosecuted this war is disheartening and depressing. I really don’t see a light at the tunnel guys. It seems MOD is content to micro-manage this conflict and is either reluctant, unwilling or unskilled in ending this insurrection. At first we thought what was need was free hand to handle the crisis, they got the free hand with the SOE, not many are clamoring for more hardware to persecute the war. Not with the current state of leadership steering our defense. Give them all the war machines in these world and they would still be clueless.

  115. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 5, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    @ Agee, I don’t see anything about buying in that article!

    Reply
  116. agee says:
    November 5, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    @ufiok sorry I wasn’t referring to that article, was just trying to point out the fact that we are always clamoring 4 the purchase of new equipment, which not against but we should also have a plan that involves manufacturing our own mordern equipments, meaning extensive research should be ongoing at the moment or should commence ASAP, so as to catch up with the rest of the world

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 6, 2013 at 1:37 am

      Sir, I read the article and it is obvious that the story is a fabrication.
      It is unfortunate that many Nigerians cant see when a story is just a story.
      First of all, can you tell me which Newspaper in Nigeria actually has access to the name of any military casualty ? The answer is none. Second of all, do you find it logical that a simple major would be the head of the military police ? The answer is no.
      It seems to me that that “news” was made to discourage people to join the armed forces. And it was also made to destroy the moral of soldiers. I can’t imagine that someone of your intellect would fall in that trap. Try and do some research on the news before jumping to the conclusion that it is true.

      Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 6, 2013 at 1:45 am

      The name Major Magaji is famous because of the fact that it is the name of one officer who was imprisoned for rape and then he was recently pardoned, so the people who made up the story didn’t look very far to get the name. Very soon they will make up a story about one general Olusegun who just lost his son in the same manner. Please let us be serious.

      Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 6, 2013 at 1:56 am

      One last thing: The fact that the “news” said that the president travelled with 600 people from his entourage to new york should have alerted your skepticism and informed you that you were reading a skit. There is no plane which can fit 600 people and there is no president who ever traveled with that much people. 600 people is enough to full 2 big aircrafts, and travelling with that much people for a trip to the USA would have broken a world record.

      Reply
  118. doziex says:
    November 6, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    I wish it was possible to lay out a chronological display of my postings on this blog.

    With no need for boasting, I would have to say the my concerns, predictions and warnings have all been uncannily accurate and on point.

    Our leaders refused to reequip NA for the inevitable challenges that our society faces.

    Slowly but surely, they have allowed Boko haram to morph into the existential threat I warned of.

    And guess what ? we still ain’t ready from even an equipment stand point.

    Our troops are now being outgunned by BH fighters within the borders of Nigeria.

    Many on this blog said that would never happen. ( Never say Never)

    But I have seen accounts given by Nigerians, of NA gallantly fighting a BH onslaught, only to retreat upon running out of ammo, and calling on the villagers to flee the advancing BH.

    And what happened in Damaturu ?? At the very least, we can deduce that their was massive loss of live on both sides.
    Vehicles were destroyed.

    I remember telling Oga peccavi years ago, that when the hordes of Boko haram came advancing upon Nigerian towns in technicals, that our meager airforce of trainers and a few helicopters, would not suffice.
    Well, that day has come.

    The one reason,I have constantly advocated for the use of PMCs, is that I sensed a cripping demoralization in the NA. Constant conflicts and deployments, without the corresponding retooling of the force has weakened the NA, past it’s breaking point.

    This institution, simply can’t deliver what we were confident they could. Those who fail to read these warning signs, would have only themselves to blame.

    Reply
  119. jimmy says:
    November 6, 2013 at 4:28 pm

    http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/jonathan-extends-emergency-rule-adamawabornoyobe-states/
    This provides AMMUNITION FOR YOUR ARGUMENT OGA DOZIEX, it will interest you to read the following arguments of OGA IGBI who believes any negative news about the NA is somehow not true.This is the difference on this blog in AMERICA when you believe everything one side is telling you and there is compelling evidence to the contary you are setting yourself up for the inevitable failure.
    OGA IGBI something happened in DUMATURU a month ago whatever it was it was bad on both sides. Something big that resulted in loss of life , equipment and casualties both on the N.A. and the boko haram side.
    Let me give you an example, after osama bin laden was killed, some of the same members of the elite team seal TEAM 6 went on another mission they suffered horrendous casulaties it was known within 24 hours it was not hidden it was known the operational details were scare ( ibelieve personally their chopper was hit or it went down.The media was not blamed as you like ascribe to as being in cahoots.
    Major MAGAJI rtd gave a chronological order of his sons military education , his rank, his next posting which was to be as a commissioned officer and his age and where he was killed.To you this may all be fake maybe it is, however going by the N.A.’s recent history with regards to their communication and social networking skills which is still in the dark ages and is years behind the N.N it beggars belief. @ the height of the N-delta insurgency the N..N. just like other armed forces suffered casualties it was reported down to the number and the officers this is in stark contrast to what the N.A. is doing in the N.E.
    One of the reasons why oga Beegeagle is still off this blog is because of the N.A. who would rather bring in incompetent dregs of journalists from foreign countries than people like beegeagle and other highly respectable Nigerian journalist to cover them.@ one time oga Doziex in a spite of frustration almost left this blog until he was convinced that we are not hear to praise incompetency in the N.A. when we see it. We are far too intelligent for that, it is your personal right and opinion to do that. Likewise it is my personal right with much respect to completely disagree especially when the facts as damming as they are speak otherwise.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 6, 2013 at 5:47 pm

      Actually oga Jimmy. I do not believe every negative news about the army is false. But when it contains many mistakes and many unverifiable claims and it is brought about by people who are thousands of kilometers away from the place they are describing, then I must object. There is one thing in common with every theater where terrorists operate: the media treats them like superstars. You see, if you report that the army is dealing with the terrorists then it is normal and it wouldn’t shock people and therefor it might not bring you fame, but on the other hand if you report that the terrorists are powerful and that they are making successes then your front page will attract people. The media always often credit terrorists for power the terrorists can’t even dream of. The media is playing the game of “reporting a mouse chasing a cat”.

      Reply
  120. igbi says:
    November 6, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    http://thewillnigeria.com/news/borno-again-nigerian-army-kills-several-insurgents-in-fresh-raids-on-boko-haram-camps/

    Several killed, as troops destroy Boko Haram camps, hideouts in Borno
    Posted by Editor on November 6, 2013 0 Comment

    The Troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, said it have continued attacks on camps and hideouts of Boko Haram insurgents within the last one week, killing many members of the sect.

    Although the military in Maiduguri said that casualty figure should not be of concern now as operations were ongoing, unconfirmed report said that over 200 insurgents might have been killed in the last one week of the military operations.

    Speaking on Tuesday, the General Officer Commanding the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Obidah Ethan expressed appreciation to the people of Borno State for their cooperation and understanding in the continuous manhunt for the Boko Haram insurgents within and around the state in other to ensure safety and peace of the citizens.

    General Ethan also urged the people to continue to be resilient and supportive as the troops face the daunting tasks of fighting insurgency.
    Ethan stated this in a statement signed by the spokesman of the Division, Lt Col. Muhammadu Dole and made available to
    journalists in Maiduguri.
    The statement focused on the aggressive attacks on Boko Haram insurgents by troops of the division, supported by men of the 79 Composite Group and other sophisticated platform from the Nigerian Airforce.
    The statement also explained that the aggressive operations carried out by the troops from 5 Brigade at Gamboru Ngala axis and 21 Brigade at general area of Bama Kelani road recorded huge success on Monday 4, 2013.
    According to the statement, “during the operations, several Boko Haram Terrorists in both operations were destroyed. Some of the vehicles destroyed were containing improvised explosive device (IED) meant to be detonated in some towns and villages within Borno State”.
    It recalled that previously, the insurgents around Gamboru-Ngala, Mafa, Dikwa, and Marte roads, arbitrarily blocked roads and wrecked havoc on motorists and adjacent villages.
    “Bama -Kelani-Pulka-Firgi general areas were hitherto faced with incessant insurgents’ attacks and lootings which cast fear and anxiety among the populace”, it added.

    Reply
  121. wocon45 says:
    November 6, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    Dam it Oga Jimmy, you are painfully a master communicator your thoughts are written in calm, persuasive and yet reasonable manner. Though you might disagree, I think you have direct access to the Bigone offline. My question to you is, What can we do as a community to bring him back?. @Bigbrovar this your your domain, is it possible for the Bigeagle community to have a temporal private chatroom in one of those clouds, with “scheduled community times” every active contributor can be in the room at one time that way, I believe we could coordinate our activities and sustainably keep Bigeagle afloat till our captain returns.#mythoughts.

    Reply
    • jimmy says:
      November 6, 2013 at 10:30 pm

      This is a very good idea i have contemplated Facebook as a private chat room for a very long time, I have also contemplated other options. Let me know what you guys think.

      Reply
  122. doziex says:
    November 7, 2013 at 7:49 am

    Oga Igbi your “thewillNigeria” article outlined some impressive operations by the combined NA-NAF units in that area.

    First of all, the article acknowledged that BH had being wrecking havoc with highway ambushes, and assaults on nearby towns.

    So no one has been exaggerating as to the level of violence currently taking place in the NE.

    The 79th composite wing of the NAF, probably comprises of some MI-24/35s, and NAF alpha jets.

    The article alludes to an air/ground operation in pursuit of these insurgents.

    I hope they are being cut off from escape and being neutralized.

    My wish list for General Ethnan’s division, are as follows:

    (1) Armor – Any organized resistance by BH must be crushed within hours.

    (2) APCs, MRAPs and more up armored trucks/jeeps.

    (3) Antiaircraft artillery platforms. Like the Shilka or the recently upgraded Chinese AAA’s. Dem suckas must be mounted on mobile platforms, to ensure that NA is Never outgunned anywhere on the continent.

    Compare the Ugandan Amisom troops, with Nigerian soldiers deployed in the maidugiri.

    The UPDF, came equipped with South African MRAPs, both the NYALA and the Buffell.

    They had T-55 MBTs and BMP-2s for offensive actions.

    They had 122mm and 130 mm towed artillery and several stationary and mobile AAA platforms.

    US and EU supplied Kevlar helmets, Vests, boots, knee and elbow protectors, were just par for the course.

    Airconditioned trailers provided comfortable living quarters, while Hesco barriers provided IED proof, over run proof defenses.

    A small PMC team of ex US and EU spec ops, mentored and turned the UPDF units into elite urban fighting teams.

    NA units have the kevler vests & helmets, Otokar APCs, several hilux trucks, Ak-47s, Not enough GPMGs, AAA platforms or RPGs.

    NA units must be the best equipped , best prepared combatants on this battle field.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 7, 2013 at 10:02 am

      It seems to me that DICON does produce the GPMGs. How then could we not have enough ?

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        November 7, 2013 at 9:53 pm

        Look at every picture with NA troops deployed, see how many GPMGs you will find in them.
        I think the british types are heavy, may be that is why NA troops usually don’t log the type around.
        The russian PKM is however very light and is present in large numbers in any conflict on the continent.

        However, Oga Peccavi a british soldier, said that my assumption was wrong, that the NA/uk Gpmg is also light.

        So, I am still wondering, why NA troops carry them in such small numbers. Even though DICON manufactures the damn thing

        Isn’t that why NA is always getting outgunned in fire fights ?

        Modern fighting forces, carry one GPMG per squad. Or one for every 4 soldiers.

        I have never seen our special forces carrying GPMGs. Even though their small sized units demand that they possess such heavy firepower.

        Remember the british SAS in Bravo two zero, they had to fight their way out from behind iraqi lines. They almost to a man had GPMGs which they fired at shoulder level.

      • freeegulf says:
        November 8, 2013 at 11:09 am

        there’s one MG to a section. since the FN MAG is still the light support weapon of choice for the army, other support weapons such as RPGs give the average section immense firepower.
        however, they have to increase the number of magazines carried by each individual soja.
        also, light mortars and multirole grenade launchers can also boost the firepower of the platoon.

        if the military still remain undecided about acquisition of light utility/attack helicopters, patrols and pursuit will continued to be inefficient in borno and yobe states.

  123. doziex says:
    November 7, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    Well Kudos to the SADC forces backing the DRC govt. The M-23 rebels have been routed thanks to tanzania and south africa.

    Reply
  124. freeegulf says:
    November 8, 2013 at 10:48 am

    the rwandans had to be ‘persuaded’ by the usa to give up M23. thanks to the intervention brigade, without the SANDF and tanzanians, the congolese would have been reeling back right now in shambles.
    now lets see if FAC will be compelled to strike hutu rebels sheltering in the DRC. If rwandan border remain wild, then eastern congo will continue to suffer.
    kudos to kabila. security comes before development. our politicians and cynics should know that by now

    Reply
  125. wocon45 says:
    November 8, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    Back channel sources have confirmed that Mr president is currently in the Gambia, aside from the fact that Nigeria is launching a new high commission, it seems pressure is beginning to mount of BaBa Jammeh can any one confirm that indeed Nigeria contributes significantly to the Gambian national budget? if yes, I think that warrants us a navy station 🙂 . I just saw a recent picture of Nigerian officers not sure which service but their Jackets are bright yellow from the shoulder level up the hood of the Jacket is coloured blue a slightly visible officer is clutching his navy like cap. Picture is low resolution and such I cannot see more. The background has an Asian/Chinese feeling. @Oga Bigbrovar we they waitoo! @ Oga jimmy, I concur with you on setting up a chat room.

    Reply
  126. optimusprime007 says:
    November 9, 2013 at 12:20 am

    How do we seperate threads in a chat room??? I still think another blog is still a better option till Gen Beeg comes back

    Reply
  127. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 9, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    Greetings everyone. @ 45, was just wondering why we need a naval station @ the Gambia when we’re still fasting in sack clothes for just enough cans to maintain a MINNIMUM presence in our waters!
    As per the Gypies, that is still reactionary. NATO squads had not just gypies (minimis), but anti material/ sniper rifles, javelins and mini drones yet @ the slightest sustain assault, their most important weapon was their radios and laser designators to call in air/artillery strike and guide the precision guided munitions (PGMs). They also had heavies like the M1A2, Challenger and Leopard 2s to depend on when the chips are down. HOWEVER, they almost always had situational awareness and were always ready to call in close support.

    Reply
  129. doziex says:
    November 10, 2013 at 11:28 am

    http://www.paramountgroup.biz/

    This is a a south African defense group Nigeria should be in business with.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 10, 2013 at 12:33 pm

      Actually Nigeria has a few companies which we hope would rival that south african company and Nigeria is already in business with Israel for all things we don’t produce yet.

      Reply
  130. doziex says:
    November 10, 2013 at 11:50 am

    They just purchased nautic Africa, that is already building some innovative ships for NN.

    This does not halt our own indigenous efforts, but they provide solutions driven systems for the problems we face today.

    We need to recognize the strengths of the south African defense industry, and utililize it for our own ends.

    The paramount group is such a holistic defense group that has ready made, tried and tested solutions to our security problems.

    For the hyper nationalists, Nigeria is already doing a great deal of business with other south African industries. So why not defense ??

    Which is and industry they are really great at.

    Nigeria needs solutions for the safe drilling and piping of petroleum products out of the niger delta.

    Nigeria needs solutions to our porous borders.

    Nigeria needs solutions to piracy in our shipping lanes.

    Nigeria needs first rate counterinsurgency training and equipment for our security forces.

    We have weapons to be upgraded, A maintenance culture to revive, etc. etc.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 10, 2013 at 12:43 pm

      With all due respect, the south-africans are our rivals in the defence industry business, so doing business with them in this field will send out the wrong message, moreover the south-africans are very far from the level of the israeli whom we do business with ?
      And the south-africans are actually not good in the defence industry sector, they were a long time ago when they were working with israel, but since then they have become stagnant. Only desperation can lead to buying south-african products (given that the quality of what they produce is always doubtful)
      Nigeria is already getting first rate counterinsurgency training.

      Reply
  131. igbi says:
    November 10, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Now this is what I am talking about: http://www.ventures-africa.com/2013/10/nigeria-approves-369m-ship-building-facility/
    This is the right step, Nigeria should continue this way, and for the main time we can purchase ships from China, Israel and other partners until our own ship building is ready. What we can not do is put money into the business of our rivals.

    Reply
  132. doziex says:
    November 10, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Oga Igbi, ist of, I prefaced my statement, with the opinion that nothing should get in the way of our long term plans to become self sufficient.

    But for those that live in the real world, what should be done to our problems that have reached maturation already ?

    You really think we can afford to wait until Nigerian made solutions are ready ?

    So any responsible government in Nigeria should be in the business of long term solutions, as well as stop gap measures or short term solutions.

    If you are really paying attention to global defense trends, you would see that it is south Africa’s adaptation of mainly western systems to third world or African conditions, that has set them apart.

    For instance, in the development of MRAP technology. They were at the fore front, and even the americans had to temporarily turn to south African companies for solutions to the IED menace in Iraq.
    The isrealis devised heavily armored solutions, like their 70 ton merkava iii tank, or their Namer APCs, only suitable for isreali conditions, and not amenable to air or sea transportation.

    The isrealis also with US funding, developed the IRON DOME and IRON FIST projects. Which are radar guided defenses to RPGs and IEDs ( The IRON FIST that is.)

    Whereas, the south Africans merely used angles and higher clearance to solve many of the same problems in an affordable way.

    So when the US got into trouble in Iraq, with their Humvees, it was the SA solutions that they ist turned to, Not the iron fist or any such US funded isreali solutions.

    You want to do business with china ? cool. But they have got to come correct.

    Of all their jets, the F-7 was the only thing they could sell to us ?

    That was a colossal exercise in wasting time and money. We spent 251 million usd on obsolete jets that we don’t need.

    The F-7ni, neither solves our problems of air defence, air superiority, attack, strike,recon .Just Nothing but a waste of time and money.

    Where was the solution driven angle to that sale ??

    Are the Chinese in the solution driven business or just the product selling business ?

    And when the fleet was grounded, it was the Pakistanis that came to the rescue, and not the Chinese.

    Today, both the Chinese and the Indians are adapting south African MRAP technology.

    Finally, The south Africans might be our rivals for overall prestige in Africa, but you have to be delusional to think that they are our rivals in the defense business.

    They are light years ahead of us, and technology transfers from them and others, is our only realistic way of catching up.
    That means we buy, then license manufacture their products.

    Reply
  133. doziex says:
    November 10, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Also, I beg to differ, Our counterinsurgency program, may be widespread, but it is definitely not first rate.
    We have sent entire battalions to fort benning Ga for “1st rate” counterinsurgency training.

    But engaging some south African companies to achieve the same is too bitter a pill to swallow for you ?

    If your pride, or Nigerian swagga is the only thing that makes you oppose perfectly good and timely solutions for the Nigerian people, does that make you a patriot or part of the problem ?

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 10, 2013 at 6:29 pm

      The south-africans seem to be held in a very high esteem by you. Actually their defense industry is far from being top notch. A well administered engineering university can produce each Item in the south african defense industry, and that will take just a matter of months. Their PMCs are among the worse when it comes to fighting on the battle front. Their favorite method is to shoot indiscriminately from the air which is what they did in sierra-leone, and let us not forget that they had precise location which the Sierra Leonians had hired them to clear, so all they did was level the locations.
      the only success of the south africans is the MRAP. Most of the rest in their inventory is actually produced by them under license. Nigeria can also produce and adapt those weapons right now. The only thing which I would take from them would be the MRAPS.So I support you on getting the licenses for their MRAPS, and that is it.

      Reply
      • gbash10 says:
        November 10, 2013 at 8:04 pm

        The South Africans can not be trusted!

      • doziex says:
        November 10, 2013 at 8:11 pm

        Hehehe Oga Igbi, I am not necessarily fond of south Africans, I am just fond of competence.

        You said they achieved success, Executive Outcomes that is, with indiscriminate fire from helicopters. Hmmm.

        How come Nigeria couldn’t replicate that success, with our own indiscriminate fire ?

        Or are you going to pretend you never heard of the havoc our cluster bombs and artillery barrages inflicted on civillians ?

        At their highest, EO had 300 troops, of course assisted by a 7000 sierra leonan army, and 2000 Nigerian NIFAG troops.

        At our highest, we had 19,000 troops on the ground. We had the bravest soldiers on the planet. They were just fighting with the wrong equipment and the wrong strategy.

        Our national pride MUST never get in the way of us 1st acknowledging, then correcting our mistakes.

        Let’s always remember, pride goeth before a fall.

      • igbi says:
        November 10, 2013 at 11:46 pm

        Ogas Doziex and Gbash, let us bet if the NA will follow my advice or yours.
        The fact is you can not have an army nor can you have sovereignty without pride.
        Soldiers are not philosophers and they are not monks, the SA you want us to see as role models, explain to me what it did in CAR other than running faster than Usain Bolt.
        Where was their “super parabat ” there.
        The truth is that they are not worth anything.
        I am not a specialist in weaponry, but I have never heard of an SA made jet, nor an SA made submarine, nor an SA made anti missile missile,… Which goes to say that they are not as advanced as you want to believe. I think some of you might have idealized them.
        By the way here is my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/efoigbi?ref=tn_tnmn, keep me inform incase anything new happens.
        Take care.

  134. gbash10 says:
    November 10, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    @Igbi,
    The South African Defence industry is a highly developed industry in extraordinary depth and breath of capacity,it evolved during the apartheid years into a complex and intertwined system of public and private sector producers.
    The Public sector consist of three main companies: Armscor(Armament Corporation of South Africa)-a component of the Department of Defence;Denel- a subordinate to the Department of Public Enterprises;and Defencetek- a quasi-public sector subsidiary of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR).While in the Private sector,the larger companies include: African Technologies and Engineering(ATE); Alvis OMC;Grintek Limited;and Reunert Ltd.
    According to Professor Dan Henk,of the Department of Leadership and Ethics at the US Air War College,the defence industry in South Africa has advantages more in capability and potential than fielded materiel and more in adaptation and partnership than truly cutting edge technology,though they have produced some of the latter.

    Reply
  135. gbash10 says:
    November 10, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    Some areas the South Africans have fielded military technology,which is cutting edge and many state-of-the-art includes: tactical communications/electronics,electronic warfare and electro-optical applications,and can compete well in niche applications such as miniaturisation;design and production of special-application wheeled combat and special purpose vehicles;world leaders in the production of MRPA,well known in de-mining expertise and has fielded some equipment now used around world;tactical weapon systems,which include missiles,artillery,projectiles and explosive ordinance.The Crotale SAM system and the Dart-B air-to-air missile;and the most important of all is its G-5 155mm extended range artillery gun that it started exporting since the 1980s,is also state-of-art technology.
    Before 1989,the South African defence industry was enjoying generous funding for R&D taking 48% of the proportation of the country’s total R&D.
    So oga igbi,for now,our defence industry CAN NOT be compared with that of the South Africans.
    However,for strategic reasons,oga doziex, i would not agree with you on the idea of seeking for a South African PMC to come to Nigeria,i do rather prefer the Isreali PMC .

    Reply
  136. gbash10 says:
    November 10, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    The NAF announced recently that it has started manufacturing spare-parts locally for its fleet of aircrafts.
    Please we want to see our Jaguar jets reactivated and modernised to the same grade as the Indian Air Force Jaguar jets.

    Reply
  137. doziex says:
    November 10, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    Oga Gbash 10, thanks for you usual encyclopedic knowledge about weapon system.

    It would truly be a shame to lose your analyses on Nigerian and African defense issues if this blog just fades away.

    I just believe that Nigeria can learn from south African expertise in the short run, and still emerge as their rivals in the long term.

    If we humble ourselves and learn everything they are doing right, without foolish pride, or getting over sensitive about the apartheid past, we will do ourselves a ton of good.

    Of course SA should be our only role models, Isreal, Jordan, Pakistan, india, are also nations we can emulate or try to learn from.

    I keep raising the issue of pride, cause as a proud people, our pride has many a time served to blind us to the true state of affairs.

    Case in point, the sad state of our air force, and the lack of urgency felt by our leaders, and military brass.
    Today, in 2013, Pakistani air force F-7 specialists, had to come and help NAF get it’s F-7ni fleet airborne, and train pilot instructors.
    But, in the 70s we had Mig-21s, the original in depth, and the pilots and engineers to fly and maintain them at least 33 jets.

    To make matters worse, the Zimbabwean pilots we first trained in the 80s, are now on par with the Pakistanis in the use of the F-7s.

    That means that NAFs former students can now train us on all things F-7.

    And while we are in no hurry to make up for lost time, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Kenya, Angola, South Africa , morocco, Egypt and Algeria, are all leap frogging into the future of air combat.

    Reply
  138. gbash10 says:
    November 10, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    The NAF should know this,by the time they decide to select an air superiority fighter jet,it should be either the sukhoi SU-30MKI Flanker H+ variant or the SU-35S Flanker E++ variants because of their high-performance.
    The Flankers have the Electro-Optical Locator,forward of the cockpit that has a range of 90km, for the SU-30MKI which is 6 times greater than the range of the flying coffin F-7NI’s Skyguard radar,15km.The worst part of it all is that,it is an inferior and obsolate British-built radar.In this modern age of air combat,where first-see,first-shoot is the other of the day,deadly SAMs and AAMs flying at Mach4-5!
    Let my say it that,one well-armed SU-30/35 can kill a whole squadron of F-7NI fighters in air combat,whether it is WVR or BVR,the JF-17 is not a march in this envelope.
    The Algerian and the Ugandan Air Force have these capabilities,the NAF top brass,please take of these facts.

    Reply
    • doziex says:
      November 10, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      Yeah man, I made this very point a year ago on this blog, and some thought it was sacrilege.

      I said, that if Uganda was in the geographical location of chad, cameroun, ivory coast or Ghana, that their 6 SU-30 MK2s can destroy the entire Nigerian armed forces in 2 days tops.
      Just assign 2 to destroy the NAF, 2 to destroy the NN, then all six can have a field day with the Nigerian army with all it’s counterinsurgency expertise.

      But when one reads about our current and former CAFs boasting about how invincible NAF has recently become, it truly brings tears of frustration to my eyes.

      Cause the Bastards, ops I meant to say gentlemen are either deluded on crack cocaine, or they are just unpatriotic , uncaring liars.

      Reply
      • igbi says:
        November 10, 2013 at 11:56 pm

        Let us see: it took Nato 8 months to defeat the Libyan armed forces, but you think that Uganda would destroy our armed forces in 2 days. need I say more ?

      • doziex says:
        November 11, 2013 at 12:31 am

        Yeah, Oga Igbi, the 2 days may be 3 who is counting,

        Just shows how powerful the SU-30MK2 is, and how utterly vulnerable and defenseless Nigeria is to such a system.

        You should be worried that our Algerian neighbors to the north has 28 SU-MKA’s, and many more to come.

    • doziex says:
      November 10, 2013 at 11:48 pm

      Senator Anyanwu continues to be the only politician publicly decrying the lack of defense spending by the executive.

      History will remember this period, and what each politician deemed to be important enough to talk to the press about.

      I mean why will the senate allocate funds, but the president and the MoD refuse to release the funds for already past due projects ?

      HABA !!!

      When President GEJ cries for the slaughtered victims of bokoharam, what exactly is his tears about, if he is dragging his foot on defense spending ?

      When he swaggers about in field marshal uniforms, and yet sits on the funds that ensure his troops remain weak and vulnerable.

      My Brothers, what gives ?

      Reply
  140. gbash10 says:
    November 10, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    Sorry i meant ‘me’,by God grace Gen Beeg will come back,he will not let the blog die!

    Reply
  141. doziex says:
    November 10, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Since NAF has now got it’s technical and maintenance act together, I hope they would accomplish 2 things.

    (1) Find and refurbish/ upgrage 50 mig-21s from old east german stocks. To the Indian bison standard.
    Likewise 50 PLAAF F-7s can be cheaply purchased, and upgraded to the Pakistan air force F-7MG standard.

    Together these variants are highly capable and referred to as “poor man’s F-16s.

    NAF should approach UK for used Jaguar jets, and approach india for technical expertise.

    Su-25s can also be bought cheaply from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

    All these can be funded within the 400 million usd allocated for the airforce this year.

    With these, our pilots can stay active, and NAF will have all but an air superiority capability.

    NAF can even go for 2 squadrons of SU-24 long range heavy strike jets like sudan has recently done.

    (2) Then the entire officer corps of NAF should anonymously protest the president and MoD for unjustly starving them of funds.

    Nigerians have to be educated as to were the blame should be placed.

    Reply
    • jimmy says:
      November 10, 2013 at 11:19 pm

      Oga doziex Way to go! I have kept quiet for a very long time to allow others to carry this blog. I am going to break my silence .Because silence is not always golden.The CNAF may have the ears of the president in private or unlike us bloggers knows a lot more than he is letting on. The CNAF bears the distinction of being the only service chief who has not openly called for more funds or more procurement for modern day helios or aircraft.This in itself Is gradually going to give him the tag of d.n. “do nothing ” cnaf. The NAF is in desperate need of a dual fighter aircraft even he knows that why the silence is it the same in public as it is in private ? With his tenure of 2 years coming up we will be left. to ponder how he leveraged his relationship with the p.o.n. T-Mobile. America’s First Nationwide 4G Network

      Reply
    • CHYDE says:
      November 11, 2013 at 10:20 am

      Abeg Oga Doziex, don’t break my heart by mentioning F-7’s , why on earth should we be talking about ‘poor man’s F-16′, are we not beyond that level? We talking Su35s’ bro, a plane with practically the entire fifth generation fighter ideology with the ability to detect airborne targets at 400km, TRACKING up to 30 targets and ENGAGING 8 SIMULTANEOUSLY, This is GREATER than what the F-22 boasts of ( with due respect),and the good thing is that these birds ARE NOT beyond our reach, how much does one cost on the average ? Roughly $40m- $65m and yet someone purchased 2 ‘amoured’ vehicles at N225m ( not to talk of other deals we haven’t heard of) Take a look at this bird bro, with the ‎Irbis-E etc etc.. Haba!! Now N225m is a very significant figure in Mathematics, Why? It is of 2 folds, Heard and unheard of, converting this to dollars is roughly $1.6m, so taking the exchange rate to be constant (or fairly constant) every ministry surrenders N225m that is heard of and possibly unheard of you can guess how many Su35s’ we can boast of assuming this govt serves two terms

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        November 11, 2013 at 12:04 pm

        Oga Chyde, unfortunately we have to realize that there is a wide gulf between what NAF needs, and what our corrupt politicians are willing to spend.

        In fact, our irresponsible leadership is not willing to spend anything. No matter how bad and embarrassing the prevailing situation gets.

        That is the reason why they are bragging over alpha jets, when poorer African nations are acquiring 4th generation jet fighters.

        Our entire govt, is an aberration of democracy. What we have is a callous thieving cartel.
        They exist only to steal from the Nigerian people.

        It is these greedy politicians, and not bokoharam, that will surely destroy Nigeria.

        All hands must be on deck. The military and the civilians have to check our criminal politicians before they lead Nigeria off a cliff.

        Forget the SU-35, the SU-30MK, or even used SU-27sks, they are NOT willing to release any funding for these aircraft.

        They intend to steal EVERYTHING, and there are many more corrupt Nigerians coming thru the political pipelines for the express purpose of robbing Nigeria of it’s oil wealth.

        Our governors, are even moving legislation to completely shield themselves from prosecution.

        Why else on earth would they conspire to do that ??

        Out of nearly 500 representatives, one would think at least 10 % of them would vocally and publicly take a stand against corruption.

        But as I said, they exist only to steal.

  142. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 10, 2013 at 11:24 pm

    @ Ghash10, I couldn’t agree more. However, I believe u meant the A or R Darter, the later which I believe when inducted next year will simply be the best WVAAM in the world. May I add the Umkhonte SAM, G6, the Bateleur and seeker UAVs, Rooivalk attack copter(which just got it 1st combat ops) etc as the list is long. Not withstanding, we tend to over look their advances in electro optics, avionics and combat management systems (remember the did cooperate with the Israelis and they took the process seriously) while it is common knowledge that they pioneered HMD (which spurred the Russians to make theirs which in turn pushed the west to produce theirs in turn).
    The above not withstanding, I am on record on saying that for STRATEGIC reason, we minimize if not avoid SAs input in our defense spectrum.

    Reply
  143. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 10, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    My Oga Doziex, I’m sure u’re well intentioned but did u jst advocate for the flying coffins so soon? If u ask me, I’ll say just pick the frogfoot from that list (for obvious reasons while we explore long-term solutions) and add a few older variant flankers (say 8) and go for either a mix of super flankers (mkis or 35s) and a 2sit simplified vanguard (J10) or if we have faith super fulcrum and thunder in a 32/48 mix but we must remember that Russian support has not had a sterling repute (ask the indians). So we need as part of the deal(s) a solid maintenance facility and training program. Now, what ever happened to our eminent L15s?

    Reply
  144. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 10, 2013 at 11:55 pm

    Sorry I meant to say the former as the A Darter will be inducted 2014.

    Reply
  145. doziex says:
    November 11, 2013 at 12:19 am

    Gentlemen, which south Africa are you guys afraid of exactly ?

    Is it the new pompous, but ultimately harmless black leadership ? Or is it the old apartheid operators still in their mist ?

    Yeah, their is xenophobia in south Africa, but believe me, they are hardly the only ones.

    Today, the Nigerian ambassador in india, is protesting the maltreatment of Nigerians by the authorities in Goa.

    Anybody remember Goa ? That is the coastal indian town where NN Pipavav warships are supposedly being built.

    Do you guys think we should then abandon our burgeoning trade relationship with india ?

    Of course Not.

    Nigeria is now the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to india. And you guys know how much trade Indians do in Nigeria in return.

    Likewise, the south Africans.

    Kudos to our foreign embassies for now being proactive when Nigerians abroad are being maltreated.
    But we shouldn’t now throw out the baby with the bath water.

    Inspite of the difference south African MRAPs made in Iraq, and is making in Amisom operations in Somalia, I believe Nigerian troops in the northeast have remained without MRAPs for unwarranted rivalry and political reasons.

    So, who are we spiting ? the south Africans ? NOOO, they ‘ll simply take their business elsewhere.

    It is the slaughtered motorists, the butchered wedding party, the dead soldiers in Damaturu morgues and the murdered agricultural students that are crying for common sense.

    A solution is a solution, who cares where the idea comes from.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 11, 2013 at 12:25 am

      India is the most racist country on earth. I am not kidding, just do some research, and I think Nigeria should try and replace its relationship with india as soon as possible with relationships with other less anti-black countries.

      Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 11, 2013 at 12:37 am

      I get what you are trying to do, but you are going about it the wrong way. Instead of pushing people to your corner, you are pushing them away. For example: By continuously quoting press releases which came with no proof and which in most cases the armed forces denied, you are only getting on people’s nerves.
      What I find verry anoying is what you said about soldiers in “Damaturu Morgues”: This I find verry annoying. tapping into boko haram propaganda will not get you anywhere with the military.

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        November 11, 2013 at 1:51 am

        My brother, who is trying to get on your nerves ?

        Brace yourself, this is only the beginning for soldier and civilian alike. I have always said that our lackadaisical response to this crises, would turn it into an existential threat.

        And you have always constantly accused me of exaggerating.

        It was general hospital officials that told AFP that 35 uniformed bodies were among the dead.
        NA admitted to losing a number of soldiers during the attack, but gave no numbers.

        NA also admitted that 20 soldiers were hospitalized with bullet wounds. Indicative of close quarter urban fighting.

        A day before, NA announced it’s air-land offensive against BH camps from which motorists were being ambushed.

        NA claimed that 95 BH insurgents were killed (note NA had no problem giving out exact figures when the deaths were BH’s)

        So while NA was bombing BH roadside camps, an UNBLOCKED group of BH insurgents attacked a heavily defended damaturu.

        Residents gave accounts troops not responding for hours. I read an account from one of our bloggers here that mentioned that APCs were hijacked and turned on troops. There was tales of an ex army officer leading the rebels in a 3 pronged attack.

        This all falls under the fog of war. Only the Nigerian army can accurately piece together what happened.

        But the press release that gave an exact figure of BH KIA the day before, Now becomes vague. BH also dresses in camouflage, etc etc.

        I have observed how NA deals with casualties long enough to know what that means.

        But hey, it’s up to you. You can split the 35 kia uniformed bodies, you can ascribe them all to bh. if you want.

        Just because you want it so, don’t make it so.

  146. gbash10 says:
    November 11, 2013 at 2:33 am

    Oga Dozie,are you serious or you are just mocking the system? Acquire more widow-makers! We already have the old stock in storage,the NAF should spend even a kobo on reactivating its MiG-21s.

    Reply
    • doziex says:
      November 11, 2013 at 6:02 am

      Chief, NAF has to do something. For the sake of their profession, our armed forces have to get out of their slumber and stop waiting for their just due from the politicians.

      It is clear to all, that we have a political class, with no strategic grasp, of what a military means to a nation.

      So, I know that the mig-21/f-7 series are obsolete, but I am also convinced that Nigeria’s political class does not see the need or urgency to retool our military.

      With the exception of Senator Anyanwu, who else among 400 odd politicians are talking publicly and consistently about this issue.

      So, all I can advice our armed forces to do, is to organize themselves around a strategy of acquiring used, cheap second hand equipment.

      This must then be indigenously refurbished and upgraded, and maintained twice as much as a new system would need.

      In the article I posted earlier, the senator was lamenting the extremely slow implementation of existing budgets, so much so, that our Chinese built OPVs cannot be acquired, and existing ships cannot be maintained.

      SO WHY IS PRESIDENT GEJ SITTING ON THIS MONEY, WHILE NIGERIA GOES TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET ???

      Please, don’t tell me it is petty corruption so they can skim money off the top.

      If it is so, they have crossed the line. AND IT IS A TREASONOUS OFFENSE TO DEPRIVE OUR ARMED FORCES OF WEAPONS IN A TIME OF WAR.

      Our politicians may be fleting again with justifications for a COUP.

      Reply
  147. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 11, 2013 at 5:18 am

    No one is saying pay for it all at once if they will not be delivered at once. But then, doz has struck a cord, that’s why I said we need to have a national vision and strategy to achieve this. Remember the east west alignment issue where my ans was that we be on Nigeria’s side? Part of that strategy will include economic, tech(education) and diplo-politics etc. By the way, that list doesn’t even scratch our needs yet.
    By the way, I think GEJ will commit to major replenishment after 2015 (perhaps my ‘LOOKING @ THE CALENDER’ will make more sense.
    Goodmorning.

    Reply
  148. Bigbrovar says:
    November 11, 2013 at 10:57 am

    In the midst of the clamor for shinny new toys for our armed forces, I hate to once again be the kill joy. Procurement (or the lack of) is really not our problem in this country, rather it is the maintenance of procured hardware. It is a shame that barely 2 years after the much hated J7 were acquired, they had to be grounded because we could not maintain them (at least we didn’t have western sanctions to hide under)

    Maintenance culture (the lack of it) is second only to corruption in the top ten list of Nigeria’s afflictions and our armed forces are not spared. You only need to read up on what has become of NNS Aradu, NNS Ambe, NNS Ofiom and many other Naval platform to understand how deep this cancer as eaten into the very heart of our military Establishment. The tale of our Jags is another sad reminder.. A serious country would have seen the opportunity to make something of those beautiful birds (looking at India) but know, we kept them in “storage” because we lack the maintenance culture. As I write this, only 4 of 24 Alpha jets are still in operation. Even if we acquire the much loved Su-30 what has really changed in our attitude to make anyone believe that the aircraft would still be in the air in 5 or 10 years time? Was it not only 2007 that Aradu was making for Brazil?

    Maintenance is boring and not as exciting as buying new toys.. But if we do not try and even make the most of what we have now.. what we hope to get would end up in similar state.

    Reply
    • Akin Oges says:
      November 11, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      You have persuaded me with this submission. I have also wondered what could have happened to Aradu so soon after making that epic journey to Brazil in 2007? Similarly, we have NigeriaSat-X (though with limited Security/Intelligence use), it appears the full value of that asset is not been optimized by the Intelligence Services in helping to pin point terrorist camps in the Game Reserves/forest in the North East. Surely such assets should be game changers by way of assisting the troops on the ground with critical intel and been proactive.

      Reply
      • optimusprime007 says:
        November 11, 2013 at 6:08 pm

        BigBrovar has raised a very important point and i agree with him. We need to work on our maintenance culture before we talk about procuring anything new. I would think that we should fix those A jets and bring them back to life. Use them as a learning process to more advance Jets. A child need to crawl first before walking. When we build our maintenance culture(and use the A jets to the best of our ability) we can then talk of procuring brand new birds for the Airforce

  149. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 11, 2013 at 11:25 am

    Guys, if I may repeat myself again, every thing has a shelf life, expirery date if u like. For most planes that’s some 8000+hrs and if u maintain a reasonable tempo that could be 15 – 20yrs if there’s no sustained engagement. For frigates and the likes, that’s some 25+yrs. Theses assets were acquired late 70s early 80s. The question is why didn’t we plane to replace them? Pls who can give me an ans? He should also tell my why our 1st flagship the NNS Nigeria, seaward defence boats and early migs 15/17, Bac jet provost, saladine were replaced etc. Because what ever the reason was, if we can find that reason again, perhaps we could solve this puzzle!

    Reply
    • doziex says:
      November 11, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      Oga Ifiok, the answer, is that our leaders have gotten increasingly brazen about their corrupt practices.

      These bastards just want to steal every thing, national security be damned. Our politicians of the 1st and 2nd republics weren’t this bad.

      But as the likes of IBB robbed Nigeria of billions in broad daylight, and has gotten away scot free, politics for military or civilians, have become the art of robbing Nigeria blind.

      No honor amongst these thieves.

      Why on earth is GEJ’s govt withholding already budgeted money ? Why is implementation of the budget so slow ??

      It is because teams of corrupt subordinates are looking for areas they could steal from.

      We Nigerians are truly cursed with the worst leaders in the world. That is because we allow ourselves to be distracted by tribal and religious tensions.

      Even an American system of democracy, has not been able to check these hoodlums.

      If Nigerians (our military included) do not figure out a way to readily hold our politicians responsible, then we are surely doomed.

      Reply
  150. freeegulf says:
    November 11, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    is the ghost of shekau finally being laid to rest.
    http://telegraphng.com/2013/11/americans-confirm-shekau-death/

    it seems we now need the all knowing america before we can agree on this issue. moreover, with the NSA spying on SSS and presidency, why havent they come out with more intricate details of boko haram? such as sponsors and fundraisers. or are they gearing these ‘truths’ for 2015 breakup of nigeria?
    interests and strategic partnership…

    Reply
  151. doziex says:
    November 11, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Gentlemen, we need not waste any time on developing a maintenance culture and what not.

    The solution lies in the privatization of the maintenance services.

    The Ukrainians, have maintained our mi-24/35s for the last decade, that is why they are still airworthy.

    Indigenous companies can also participate in this industry, and have their contract renewed based on performance.

    Both Ethiopian and Ugandan Sukhois are being maintained by private companies.

    Many of our old bottle neck problems, can now be bypassed by the new way of doing things.

    The watch word, is PRIVATIZATION.

    Privatization of military and police training.
    Privatization of intelligence gathering
    Privatization of prisons.
    Privatization of port security.
    Privatization of non essential military tasks such as food, logistics, force protection. etc. etc.

    The Iraq war blew this industry wide open.

    There is no excuse for incompetence, especially when you can pay for the solution.

    If Nigeria embraces the idea of PMC services, piracy and oil bunkering will disappear within months.

    Where civilians (foreign or domestic) can do a better job, without compromising our national security, we should let them.

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 12, 2013 at 4:24 am

      No PMC will ever set foot on Nigerian soil. Don’t even dream of it. The Nigerian armed forces are more than capable of doing their job. And just one thing: the oil wealth being stolen is worth billions of dollars, so how much do you want to pay your PMC in order to make sure they don’t go after your oil wealth themselves ?
      Oga Doziex, you are a lobbyist for PMCs.

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        November 12, 2013 at 5:42 am

        Oga Igbi, you are wrong, PMCs have been in Nigeria for decades.

        (1) IBB, hired ISREALI PMCs, for VIP protection.
        (2) Nigerian led ecomog, hired a PMC to provide the lone helicopter service in sierra leone.
        (3) The US helped ecomog with transportation, by hiring a Logistic PMC company called Pacific Engineers.
        (4) The US again assisted Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule, by hiring MPRI a PMC of Angolan and Croatian fame, to reorient the NA on issues like troop payment, service under civilian rule, cataloguing what equipment was serviceable, and providing training aids to NA.
        (5) On youtube, you can see an isreali PMC training Nigerian special forces, in various riverine operations.

        So, don’t say never, if you haven’t been following what is going on.

        I am only advocating a more widespread, strategic use of the best PMC services, But they have been in Nigeria for years.

  152. optimusprime007 says:
    November 11, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    Doziex, privatization is good, but when we start privatizing our Defense sector to foreign nations i don’t feel comfortable with that. The only exception would be if a time frame is drawn for them to have effectively transferred knowledge to indigenous technicians and engineers.

    Reply
    • CHYDE says:
      November 12, 2013 at 10:09 am

      Personally, i would prefer a form of Private-Public Partnership, where the Govt has a higher stake but the private sector is allowed to run the show

      Reply
  153. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 11, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Privatization is a good ans but not the best ans, other wise the ‘cabal’ will just will just migrate to the defense sector! Ever wondered why the military industrial complex in the US is so powerful? So, we can privatize but to maintain security and sovereignty, we need gov presence in some places.
    Then again, privatization makes no sense when ‘expertrates’ get the job if u know what I mean.
    @ Doziex, a coup has never solved anything either.

    Reply
  154. doziex says:
    November 12, 2013 at 5:22 am

    Oga Ifiok, you are right, a coup has never solved anything.

    It doesn’t mean that our politicians are not playing Russian roulette with civilian rule.

    By becoming full fledged criminals that harm the nation they are meant to serve, they delegitimize themselves.

    Its only a matter of time before a group of colonels and majors choose to take matters into their own hands.
    Of course, to the detriment of us all.

    Also, privatization would provide the checks and balances we badly need in our system of govt.

    The US military, the greatest military organization known to man, have been experimenting with PMC services for some time now.

    It is very important that the customer nation guard their own sovereignty . They have to determine what makes strategic sense.

    For instance, the armed forces CANNOT be privatized, but their training and support services can.

    Besides, our intelligence agencies, would have any such company under constant surveillance.

    Oga Optimus, it goes without saying, that our govt should diligently oversee, and regulate the activities of these firms.

    Which is the true function of a govt. OVERSIGHT AND REGULATION, NOT THE PROVISION OF SERVICES.

    Under the status quo, we are allocating money for services that are not being provided.

    Our government is a black hole, with no accountability. SO the more responsibility you put in the govt’s hands, the greater avenue for theft you are providing.

    Oga igbi, if you are remotely interested in the exchange of ideas in search of a solution, then you would read and ponder the points I am raising, and not just reflexively disagree.

    Acknowledge the pros and cons of the position being discussed.

    Shell, with all their influence and power, cannot usurp the authority of our federal govt.

    Likewise, a PMC, which is NOT a standing army, CANNOT usurp the role of an armed force of 150,000 men.

    Discuss the cons of dealing with PMCs, like COL. Eeben once did on this blog. Calling me a lobbyist is not an argument.

    I am a Nigerian pharmacist living in the US, with a certain POV, what’s yours ?

    Reply
    • igbi says:
      November 12, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      Oga Doziex I didn’t mean to offend you by calling you a lobbyist, I really thought that was your job. First of all, you will notice that the PMCs which the USA hires are US PMCs and were created by former US militarymen, and those PMCs are heavilly infiltrated by CIA members. So If Nigeria should hire a PMC, then it must follow that criteria.
      But of course the best is no PMC at all. The reasons are obvious.
      I am a masters holder in pure maths from a french university (UDS) and I am currently preparing an entrance exam to work for the french government as a statistician, by the way I spend too much time on the internet and I will have to disappear for a while now.
      Take care anyway.
      By the way I posted a link to my facebook page yesterday.

      Reply
      • igbi says:
        November 12, 2013 at 3:27 pm

        Oh I forgot, I am a Nigerian national as well.

      • doziex says:
        November 12, 2013 at 6:12 pm

        Oga Igbi, I am not offended in the least, call me what you like.

        Your pedigree as a statistician, suggests an analytical mind that deals in real world solutions.

        Unfortunately, all you have ever provided on this blog is conspiracy theories, anti US bravado and unnecessary Nigerian arrogance.

        That may seem patriotic to some, but other than feeding your ego, I don’t see what good that does.

        You say that any US PMC will be crawling with CIA spies, well, welcome to the real world.

        The US embassy, non profits, and regular businesses, are already crawling with CIA spies.

        However, Nigerians are not children. We possess the SSS, that exists to minimize such security breaches.
        Are you going to ban all foreign businesses in Nigeria, because of your paranoia about spies ?

        Moreover, you complain that the PMCs hired by the US were all American companies.

        What were they supposed to be, Japanese ??

        This was merely assistance from the US, given in a privatized form for more efficiency, and because of some of our so called human rights and corruption issues.

        Like you, our great hero general Malu was opposed to the PMCs so much so that president Obasanjo had to fire him.

        He was mad, that the MPRI team were allowed into our military bases. But their job was to help OBJ’s new administration asses the serviceability of our equipment.

        At the time, it was upwards of 90% unserviceable. And we were just hiding things out of embarrassment, not security concerns.

        Anyway, what do you think we have in our decrepit bases that the US wants, or doesn’t know already ?.

        So please as an intelligent Nigerian, temper the nationalist and anti US bravado, and allow your analytic mind to shine.
        Good Luck with your exams.

  155. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 13, 2013 at 5:39 am

    The great Igbi vs Doziex feud season… I happy we haven’t 4gotten the rules (no agumentum at hominem) just deal with the issues articulately and precisely with fact, ideas and opinions. Goodmorning

    Reply
    • Akin Oges says:
      November 13, 2013 at 7:47 am

      Well said Oga ifiok. Guys good to see you move on to other things. We shake hands, right?

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        November 13, 2013 at 1:03 pm

        MOS DEF (most definitely) gentleman, I have more than made my point.

        However, whenever a story warrants it, I would continue to belabor the urgent need for private military expertise, as an adjunct to our current security infrastructure.

  157. doziex says:
    November 13, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    http://allafrica.com/stories/201310310792.html?aa_source=useful-column

    This is a clear example of counterinsurgency at it’s best.

    (1) NA hit BH camps by air and land.

    (2) NA gave chase as the BH insurgents fled.

    (3) The BH insurgents ran straight into a preset ambush by the NA.

    This ensured, that BH insurgents didn’t survive to fight another day.

    Bravo NA !!! Show them no mercy !

    Reply
  158. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 13, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Guys with this horrible typhoon disaster in the Philippines, I think we should send our condolences to Admiral Max, he’s @ http//:maxdefense.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Obix says:
      November 14, 2013 at 9:59 am

      Oga Ifiok, Doziex and i did just that ——–
      doziexNovember 14, 2013 at 2:59 AM
      Hey max, this is doziex from beegeagle’s blog.
      On behalf of beegeagle’s blog, and the Nigerian people, I offer my condolences to you and the great people of the philippines.
      Our prayers and that of the entire world is with your nation.
      This Too, you will overcome.
      Reply
      Replies

      max monteroNovember 14, 2013 at 12:17 PM
      Hi General Doziex! Thank you very much! The Filipino people are thankful for the care and prayers from our Nigerian brothers! Please extend my people’s regards to members of Beegeagle’s blog as well!
      Reply

      AnonymousNovember 14, 2013 at 8:28 AM
      Admiral Max! greetings to you and all the comrades here on this great blog. On behalf of my humble self, Beabeagle blogspot and the people of Nigeria, i wish to send our condolences to the families of the victims of typhoon Haiyan and to the people of Philippines in general. Our prayers are with you. God bless you all! -Obix
      Reply
      Replies

      max monteroNovember 14, 2013 at 12:14 PM
      On behalf of the Filipino people, we thank the people of Nigeria and members of Beegeagle’s blog for your condolences, prayers and care for our people… it’s really a tough times for my country and our people, and I’ll be posting your message through MaxDefense Facebook page as well for all others to read. Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • ifiok umoeka says:
        November 14, 2013 at 11:00 pm

        Gr8t job guys, a friend in need is a friend in deed! I tried to post mine, however, its yet to appear on the blog. I’ll wait till 2morrow b4 I attempt to post another. Cheers

  160. camouflage1984 says:
    November 13, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/us-declares-boko-haram-terror-group/
    I hope this is not an invitation for US drones to come and roost in our backyard?

    Reply
  161. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 13, 2013 at 8:01 pm

    They have a drone base in Niger, who’s to say that they are no LOOKING into Nigeria already!

    Reply
  162. doziex says:
    November 13, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    Let the US drones blow bokoharam to kingdom come.

    Our leaders are not yet serious about the threat BH posses to Nigerians or to US interests in Nigeria.

    So, this irresponsible behavior by our executive and legislative branches of govt, is what has left Nigeria’s sovereignty vulnerable, not any relationship with a PMC.

    They wouldn’t provide the funds to equip our navy to protect trade in our own territorial waters.
    So, the French and am sure others now sail their warships in Nigerian waters to protect their interests.

    They wouldn’t provide funds to equip our military with sufficient air assets (transport and attack choppers, drones, tucano turbo prop COIN aircrafts, su-25s, etc.)
    And the result would surely be US drone strikes in Nigeria. As seen in Pakistan.

    And please, spare me the false bravado, we ain’t gonna do shit about it.

    So as I have warned before, foreigners invested in Nigeria would soon bypass the authority of the Nigerian govt, because they are seen as corrupt, irresponsible and unserious people.

    Reply
  163. doziex says:
    November 14, 2013 at 11:54 am

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24933945

    The video in this bbc story shows bokoharam insurgents destroying an Otokar cobra APC.

    They are also overrunning a defended location, base, or forward operating base (FOB)

    Their incendiary bombs seems to be overcoming these defenses. They can also be seen looting weapons from the Nigerian army.

    Gentlemen, this is bad. This is not sierra leone, this is not Liberia, this is NIGERIAN SOIL.

    OGA BEEGEAGLE, remember you guys said this will never happen.

    President GEJ, Please purchase/acquire 150 Kenyan or Ugandan amisom mraps from south Africa IMMEDIATELY.

    Buy 12 additional mi-35s and 30 mi-17 attack and transport choppers.

    Buy some drones from US or isreal.

    Buy 30 tucano turboprop counterinsurgency planes from brazil.

    Acquire Hesco defense barriers from the US, for impregnable defenses.

    The HESCO bastions, kept US and UK defenses in Afghanistan and Iraq from ever being overrun.

    Likewise, when Ugandan and Burundian Amisom troops adopted these same materials together with the PMC coaching/mentoring, they too, never had their defenses overrun by the al shabbab.

    They only suffered casualties when they advanced past their impregnable defenses.

    Nigerian army bases, or police barracks, should not be succumbing to bokoharam attacks at this point.

    Please Guys WAKE UP !!!

    Reply
    • Akin Oges says:
      November 14, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      Ooooo man(!!!!)…. This cannot be my beloved NA? Aghhhh…! Not good. Not good at all. They even had the luxury of time to do video recordings. Cry havoc…!!!!! We need the equipments yesterday: I implore GEJ/Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – please, cut out the MOD from the process (they will strangulate the process with delays in a bid to plunder a chunk of the money) – please buy directly from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine Mi-24/Mi-35/Mi-171Sh attack helicopters (24 units), Su-25 Ground Attack jet (24 units) and one thousand units of MRAPs/AFVs for the NA. This is now a battle in national-self-preservation. All items (hardwares) named above will only set the national purse back $300 million; but in return you would have given the security outfits in the frontline the fighting chance to provide security to Nigerians and to Nigeria. That money is what we earn in a day; we can afford it. Remember, all the great things you hope to achieve can only happen in an ambience of stability, peace and security. Do not be fooled by any convoluted dubious tittle tattle, the details of the hardwares and their prices are on the net, check for yourself. Again, I implore you, do what is right now!

      Reply
    • Deway says:
      November 14, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Oga Doziex, thanks for this video. is there anyone who will say that Cobra does not belong to NA? When BH was showing off captured NA weapons, I said those were NA GPMGs made by DICON; many said it was fictitious. The blog carries a sense of ultra-patriotism which I like, but that shouldn’t becloud reasonable thinking. To your point on the government: When blaming the government (executive and senate) we should also remember that corruption runs deep in the high ranks of the military. I wont go further on why I keep saying this. Go and check those in charge of our naval commands, you will see how many scores of millions they hold in their personal accounts. Are we saying that the President or senate as corrupt as they may be, are responsible for troops going into battle with only 2 extra magazines or with very low level of fire power? You and Igbi were arguing about the low penetration of GPMG amongst our troops. Igbi’s decision was based on the fact that since we manufacture them in-country, then the troops have them in abundance. My question is this: We also manufacture Ak-47s and Kevlar vests in-country , why then do our troops carry very ugly looking worn out AKs which should have been recalled or destroyed and replaced? Why will the troops go into battle or patrols with few mags and easily run out of ammo? Don’t we manufacture them in Nigeria? On the 2013 NA day celebration the army rolled out APCs, self propelled howitzers, ZPUs etc. We don’t see these things in the front line, or do we? The front line NA assault vehicle is the hilux (in desert camo, LOL). there’s very little a soldier on the ground can do even if you send him to train with SEAL Team Six for 12 months.You can talk and talk but the entire system need to be re-engineered and re-oriented right from the bottom to the very top. The police is case for another day as the army is now doing more of police work. The IG does not see anything wrong in this. Still driving around in convoys. My brother, there is no shame in Naija.

      Reply
      • igbi says:
        November 14, 2013 at 7:22 pm

        Those GPMGs were not from the army. It is time to stop bringing up things we have already discussed and classified. The paranoia I am witnessing on this blog is incredible ! Perhaps this is the reason the army refused to help this blog in any way.
        I too want the budget of the army to increase greatly and I too want the equipments to be improved and the number of men to be increased. But humiliating the army on the blog is not going to help the army ! Let us just stick to unpassionate facts which are verifiable and result from our analysis.

      • doziex says:
        November 15, 2013 at 2:45 am

        Oga Deway, I agree with you. I also commented on the footage of those weapons BH put on display.

        The weapons were Browning 50 cals, and FN FAL GPMGs. Clearly unused.

        I said at the time, that either some crooked NA soldiers were selling these weapons wholesale from the NA armories, or that those armories were being overrun.

        Ambush of a massive weapons convoy, is another possibility, But not plausible.

        But Oga Igbi’s assertion that BH is just buying these weapons, and staging these videos, is neither credible, nor plausible.

        (1) As you rightly pointed out, these are DICON made, standard NA issue weapons.

        (2) These are not the weapons you see floating up and down Africa, from one conflict to the next.
        What you see in African conflicts, are Russian and eastern block types, PKMs, RPGs, AK-47s, ZSU anti aircraft guns mounted on trucks. etc.
        (Anyone can use google, to test my assertion.)

        Belgian and western European small arms, are less wide spread.

        IF BH had displayed rows of RPGs,AK-47s and PKMs, I would say that Oga Igbi may be right. Because those weapons are readily accessible in our neighborhood.

        They could be Libyan stock or from Malian or Chadian battle fields.

        But for FN FAL GPMGs and Browning 50 cals, one has to go all the way to Kenya, to find the next users.
        So, the most plausible source, was the Nigerian army. Just as was the case with MEND, and their possession of NA standard issue weaponry.

        Finally, admitting these losses or discussing them, is not meant to embarrass our armed forces.

        It is meant to buttress our argument, that the situation is desperate, and our authorities should be doing much more.

    • igbi says:
      November 14, 2013 at 7:15 pm

      That video is not a new one. You are once again making extrapolations and exaggerations. All we see in that video is boko haram destroying an APC and fire near a checkpoint. The Checkpoint might be a Nigerian army checkpoint or a fake one made by boko haram, or a checkpoint which the JTF didn’t see as strategic (by the time of that video the JTF was still in charge). I am sorry but I really think you are a lobbyist (no disrespect), you are using all the methods of a lobbyist. You are incredibly exagerating everything and you are very alarmist. I have seen all boko haram videos and I have read all the papers concerning the saga, and I read and watched them with in view to analyze them. What you can see is that when boko haram is able to put its hands on an APC, it sees it as an event important enough to be filmed, yet you want to tell me that the same boko haram would capture a FOB or an army base and would not deem that important enough to be filmed ? Let me be clear: No Nigerian base was overran by boko haram

      Reply
      • doziex says:
        November 14, 2013 at 11:51 pm

        Guys, in other words,Oga Igbi is saying, ” My mind is made up, don’t confuse me with facts”. (LOL)

        Suit yourself partner,I have concluded arguing with you is a waste of my time and yours.

        Because facts and reality seems to mean nothing to you.

  164. eyimola says:
    November 14, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    I freely confess to having no faith in the political class especially when it comes to National Security.

    Reply
  165. agee says:
    November 14, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    This is sad and embarassing, you would expect the bases in those volatile regions expecially to be extremely fortified, impregnable; its not guys that were on patrol that got attacked, it was a base. I can imagine the same approach I see at d defence hq, where the look out post is left unmanned, I leave in an army estate guarde by soldiers, some times I ask myself wat wud happen if suddenly som1 pulls over and opens fire on them, howw would they respond, with their rifles in their shelters on slippers and phone in hand. This is the Nigerian army not some local rebels, we should act it. We need to get the basics right.
    Then the issue of hilux instead of APCs, how many Hilux would by an APC, some states give over 500 trucks at a go, why not advice some of this states to fund purchase of this APCs howbeit fewer in number.

    Reply
  166. optimusprime007 says:
    November 14, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    That link is wrong DOziex…it takes me to the US brands Nigeria’s Boko Haram and Ansaru ‘terrorists’ page.

    Reply
  167. optimusprime007 says:
    November 14, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    Sorry…my bad!!! Your link is correct

    Reply
  168. igbi says:
    November 14, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    The designation of boko haram as an FTO by the USA is a very good thing. My main beef with the US and its president was the fact that they were refusing to recognize boko haram as an FTO. I felt like many that that was a betrayal of our friendship with the americans. So Now I can say thank you USA, and thank you Obama. America has shown greatness in that action. The FTO designation is not a call for invading Nigerian territory with predator drones, it is a legal tool for the US to pressure its allies to not allow boko haram to use them for money transfer and it is also a tool to track down boko haram leadership and allies in the west and the east. In this kind of warfare, this is needed. I have exams to prepare, but let me leave with this final (I hope) note: the only thing that matters is building Nigeria, I don’t care about the government or anybody at all, all I care about is Nigeria. Xenophobic attacks against Nigerians are on the rise everywhere in the world, so sooner or later we may all have to come back or face lynching mobs on foreign land, So I want you to take only one side: that of Nigeria. I may seem overnationalistic to many, but you are wrong, if anything, I am overanalythic. I can’t count how many reports I read on the subject of terrorism and how many on boko haram itself. I am not trying to sell a product, I am trying to save our country with the little means I have, but I can’t do much because I am just a man. I suggest that those who are more interested in selling products desist from that here, focus on strategizing on how to save Nigeria, stop thinking that the best way to save the army is to ridicule it (that is why no soldier reads this blog anymore). I would like the government to give the amed forces a budget of at least 15 billion dollars and the education and research sector should also be given the same 15 billion dollars. Politicians should be given a much smaller salary and should frequently show the content of their bank accounts to the public. I think that contrary to what people are saying about the high hierarchy of the army, the latter is not corrupt and if I am wrong then I hope the corrupt guys would know that the SSS and military intelligence is watching them and that corruption in their position is the same as betrayal and deserves death by hanging (and if I had my way, by torture as well). And to the politicians: one day you will be judged for corruption and executed and tortured if found guilty. To every Nigerian, all I want to say is this: “It is not about what your country can do for you, it is about what you can do for your country”, save Nigeria, save Nigeria, or we are all finished.

    Reply
  169. G8T Nigeria says:
    November 14, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    gentlemen we may be wrong with our assessment dese day, we forget boko haram was at their peak last year with constant bombing of churches and other targets. We are easily carried away with this international press who seems to have been employed to propagate boko haram activities. There are collateral damages and it goes around all countries including Nigeria. The losses accrued to US in the war against terror is unimaginable. As much as terrorism is new to Nigeria and our forces is able to face it even when we never knew a lot of youths running in thousands were being trained for this. Almost all the commanders identified have been killed and the only way is to attack soft targets. Pls read about the Olympics in the early 70s at Munich in Germany and see how the Germans without COIN forces where embarrassed. The Nigerian Army remains strong and WILL DEFEAT BOKO HARAM whether our BBC brothers like it or not. The video itself shows the supremacy of Boko haram on our forces. We only need to improve our media propaganda and begin to talk to elders in the North. The NA has waisted up to 5000 boko haram fighters and I believe only 10 percent could be foreigners. It goes to show somebody somewhere is angry with our unity. NA is on top and if only we support them we our strength in believe, Boko haram is FFIINNIISSHHED.

    Reply
  170. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 14, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    My bros, I don’t know the authenticity of this video and don’t really want to comment on it. However, I wish to ask a couple of questions
    1. Why did Nigeria wait till the US labelled BH as a FTO b4 we did. I also remember that we were the people(our govt) who persuaded them in the beginning not to so as not to promote them and recruit 4 them)?
    2. If u don’t care about the govt, how do u suggest we get leadership,direction and change for our country?
    3. Where do we get $15bn each for defence as well as education and R & D, do u remember our 2013 budget?
    4. I’m sorry but where did u get the ‘… No soldier reads this blog anymore’ tale?
    5. Could it be plausible that even the mighty US army and allies would take casualties and loses yet an under equipped NA taking casualty is unthinkable?
    Haba, these as the facts though,
    1. We don’t have the equipment in theatre to give BH a knockout blow( too few CAS asset, assault copters, tanks MRAVs and artillery etc
    2. Too few recon asset (especially airborne ; manned or unmanned, space borne in real time; that’s why we are always reacting, SIGLINT we blocked all GSM network cutting BH comm as well as our ability to listen to them. Moreso, it doesn’t seem to have stop BH coordinated attacks, HUMINT we were not able to properly analyze and utilize info form the so called civilian JTF nor were we able to protect them from BH retribution thus muzzling other would be informants.
    3. We have nonsense of managing the battlefield of the airwaves. Anyone who still doesn’t see this as crucial should go back to his PROPAGANDA 101.
    4. Finally, we have lost men again and again. It is war and loses come with the terrain. However, some of our loses have been plain avoidable at best, scandalous at worst. Those men are fathers, brothers, sons etc. I wonder if they were yours whether you would still be playing ostrich (hiding it head in the sand thinking no one is seeing) or the emperor’s new dress (can someone tell this guy that he is naked and we have kids around!). To the best of my knowledge, that is not love 4 country, it living in false consciousness and its getting people killed
    NIGERIA FOR LIFE

    Reply
    • doziex says:
      November 15, 2013 at 1:40 am

      My brother, I tire for this guy. I don’t know if this is a case of too much mathematics, or too many baguettes. (lol)

      All joking aside, my only interest in further opining on this crippled blog, is as a last gasp effort, to do all I can do, to bring the urgency of Nigeria’s security situation. to our leaders and my fellow Nigerians.

      I just don’t sense that Nigerians as a whole see what is at stake.

      We have been through hardship before, and may be tempted to think that this is just another challenge for Nigeria.

      But call me alarmist if you will, I liken these problems to the vital signs of a dying patient.

      Vital signs are empiric, they can be measured and are evidence based.

      Faith, hope, patriotism and nationalist bravado, don’t change the vital signs.

      Reply
  171. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 14, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    @ G8T, I suppose u meant counter terrorist as coin(counter insurgents) don’t apply here. That said, having a dedicated team without equip is like having a library without books, what’s the use? I have maintained personally that I WLL NOT JUDGE A MAN’S OUTPUT WITHOUT GIVING HIM THE TOOLS HE NEEDS TO GET THE JOB DONE. I refuse to change my mind on this, not now, not ever. As every thing rises and fall with leadership, I hold to account to the extent of their responsibilities be they politicians or military, I think that that’s fair enough!

    Reply
  172. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 15, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Another french priest kidnapped by suspected BH, more money to be made by BH. France is a state sponsor of terrorist. Again, Nigeria will stand idle and watch, yet again.

    Reply
  173. camouflage1984 says:
    November 15, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    It is either our generals are not telling Jona the truth about the dearth of requisite equipment to prosecute this war or Jona is just adamant, However, i will want to believe the former. I think they are afraid that blaming the protracted war on equipment to them might make the politician who knw nothing to question their competency. As for he BBC video, its not new. I think i first saw it some months ago on youtube

    Reply
    • jimmy says:
      November 15, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      @ oga camouflage.In the year 2013 . The C.O.A.S asked twice for increased funds and also directly appealed in a meeting with the NASS for more funds.
      As recently as yesterday despite strenuous denials there does appear to be a cash crunch in the federal account. $1b was withdrawn from the excess crude account and given to the states.
      The A.S.U.U. strike has not been settled despite all the useless appeasment because the money that was owed them from their last contract has not been paid..
      The generals in the army can be and will be blamed for their shortcomings in the North east however short of them printing money they cannot be blamed for not asking they have asked.

      Reply
  174. jimmy says:
    November 15, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    Sorry I meant APPEASEMENT.

    Reply
  175. doziex says:
    November 16, 2013 at 6:20 am

    Oga Jimmy, senator Anyanwu, had recently complained about implementation of the existing budget, NOT NEW FUNDS.

    The 2012 defense budget, was the largest ever. About 405 million usd went to NAF, 700 million usd to NA, and between 400 and 500 million usd to NN.

    However, other than the NN, I don’t see what the other services did with their funds.

    That money is not being released for their intended purposes.

    Oga Camouflage, the BBC video may be old, but what is important, is the analyses of that short footage.

    Whether we like it or not, it is evidence.

    We can see heavily sandbagged positions, we can see NA’s principal APC burnt out, we can see BH insurgents grabbing a FN FAL GPMG out of the Otokar, We can see how heavily armed and skilled these raiders are.

    Also, their use of incendiary bombs has given NA problems. They seem to just burn down their target.
    WE HAVE TO FIND A STRATEGY, TO DEAL WITH THE FLAMES,AND HOLD OUR GROUND.

    One suggestion I have, is not to let them get close enough to lob those bombs at their targets.

    Here, the use of 50 caliber sniper rifles, and mobile antiaircraftartillery platforms would be crucial.

    While these weapons would lead to collateral damage within towns, at check points, patrol convoys and at FOBs, they would ensure that NA can eliminate the advancing threat, before they get dangerously close.

    50 caliber sniper rifles can take out motorcycles and car engine blocks from great distances.

    Reply
  176. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 16, 2013 at 9:17 am

    @ jimmy, gr8t suggestion but for u to use .50s or other anti material type, u need to see them from far otherwise the long reach ability will be negated. We need that ISTAR capability now otherwise why have asset if u don’t use them

    Reply
    • doziex says:
      November 16, 2013 at 10:48 am

      Oga Ifiok, even at close quarters, the technical aka mobile AAA platforms or even the main 30 mm gun on BMP2s, and the scorpion IFVs are excellent for ambush suppression.

      Serbian army patrols and FOBs in bosnia and Kosovo used this tactic to devastating effect against their opponents.
      Technicals were also widely used in Somalia and Libya, and Ugandan Amisom troops used them to blast anything approaching their defenses.

      Together with the 107mm multiple barrel rocket launchers recently seen in Libya and the DRC, NA should be able to overwhelm BH with offensive firepower in any encounter.

      But you are right, one has to see the attack coming first.

      Well, that is why we should invest in MRAPs, as I argued with Oga Peccavi frequently, they serve to increase survivability against such surprise attacks.

      Reply
  177. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 16, 2013 at 10:03 pm

    Off course. Then u have to look at collateral damage so u don’t end up doing for BH what they set out to do in the 1st place!
    On another note, do we still have another virgin post to continue this tread?

    Reply
  178. jimmy says:
    November 17, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24979492
    We can blog on THE ISSUE CONCERNING ” NA needs more funds”.

    Reply
  179. ifiok umoeka says:
    November 17, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Copy that

    Reply
  180. Obix says:
    November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Ose, ose o, ose o, ose baba!

    Reply
  182. agee says:
    November 20, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Wooooohooooo!!! Filled with so much joy right now; when field marshal beeg replied my msg on facebook with these words “never say never” I knew he was going to return.
    Oshe Field Marshal

    Reply
  183. freeegulf says:
    November 25, 2013 at 8:12 am

    yea our marshal is back. a big thumbs up to gens like jimmy, doziex, obix, ifiok, igbi, and other patriotic citizens that kept this insightful blog interesting and alive while our marshal was on sabatical.
    well done guys. great job

    Reply

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