Same day, same place as featured in Part I.
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Beegeagle's Blog 
Pls how many have being delivered
These Antonov planes are amazing… I wonder what else they fit in there.
We budgeted 6 in 2014 budget but seeing as we hv been looking for 40 attack helicopters more may come. I love the Desert Camouflague Sweet looking Beast of a Weapon. MAKE BOKO HARAM RECIEVE THEIR DEATHS IN FULL, No Virgins for dem
This copter is like a Tank in the air. Titanium plated canopy it can withstand high calibre rounds. The only thing that can pierce through are sabre rounds.I wish Russian designs had good avionics.
The Israeli Aircraft defence industries offer an upgrade kit for the Mi24 Hind that updates its avionics and target acquisition FLIR capabilities. Indeed our S.A. brothers offer a similar kit not sure which ones best value.
see link http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Aircraft/Current/609-Mi35-Himanshu.html
My approach would have been to scour the former soviet union republics and eastern block, for good used no more than 10 years old Mi 24’s Hinds at a unit price of under $2million buy 20 or more have them upgraded. I would further complement those frames with the robust Mb105’s attack helis from Germany used of course, still effective with the TOW missile, probably pick them up for $ 0.3 million per unit, particularly as they have been retired mostly so are surplus equipment.
This would give us 24 hour air coverage and support for our troops on the ground in multiple locations and make it almost near impossible for boko to roam as they are now with impunity. It would mean we could have small squads on search and destroy missions knowing that air support is always no more than 20mins away.
I really don’t know how much we paid for the Mi35’s but it will not be less than $20 million per unit, so I guess we will not be buying more than 6/7 maybe 8, its not enough to cover the whole NE. Effectively we could be spending $100 million for 5 Mi35’s, is that best value, considering our somewhat limited budget.
My approach projected of course is that we can get a lot more by buying used and have them upgraded, when you consider essentially that’s what an Mi35 is a an upgraded Mi24.
We still have MB105s in stock at Port Harcourt. We can fix those and equip them with either TOW missiles and guns, or external benches to seat Special Ops operators to be inserted into an area during Counter Terror ops.
But what we need way more are medium – heavy lift transport helicopters.
Talk about morale booster, imagine boys on the front-line waking up to images like these on a monthly basis, Omo, morale go high die. This is what we need, reason to believe that DHQ is working, reason to have hope and know that come rain come shine, our boys will not be left alone without air cover, because when you talk about force multiplier, that cannot be complete without superior technology, gunships jam-packed with sensors that are licensed to mow down bokos anywhere they are found. As to how many have been delivered, honestly we might never know the true amount because this plays into DHQ’s strategy of palpable silence and secrecy. We might eventually get to know these figures when such information become de-classified or through effort of investigative journalists and reputable source such as Beegeagle, otherwise do not believe any other source that lay allegations and guesswork while refusing to produce evidence.
They are also seeing it as well @ mcshagz,and it is given them the assurance for victory over BH,morale is very high!!!
This is truly a beast when viewed up close and personal. There is nothing in this picture that does not bring a feeling of warmth joy and satisfaction to my bones. These do not come cheap neither is freedom. As we are beginning to truly understand there are countries, organizations that would truly enjoy to see Nigeria go through difficulties during her trying times to those organizations like BBC that do not even bother to have a shred of journalistic decency about them, and to those countries like Uganda and Zimbabwe, I say one day this war will end.
Now for the 4th gen aircraft…………. 🙂
@ Oga Beegs
kudos on these exclusive. Not only are you a patriot but your integrity in news reporting is on par with some of the best blogs out there.
This baby differs from the basic model by using the main rotor system of the Mi-28 and X-shape tail rotor. The rotor’s are fibreglass blades with a new aerodynamic profile. They are also lighter but stronger due to titanium details inserted. The ruskies upgraded the turbo-shaft engines increasing flight performance qualities such as altitude and manoeuvrability . The Stub wings were also shortened in order to reduce weight. It is also capable of carrying high calibre door mounted MG’s.
This baby,with its ability to fire the 9M120 Ataka ATGM, should be used as the Night hunter,The Boko technicals will never see/hear the Mi35m before they are despatched to the grave.
Hmmm…na my backyard be this, that Russian bird I saw on that fateful day.
Gen. Beeg,the transport plane is an Ilyushin IL-76 transport plane not the crazy Antonov An-124 heavy lift transport plane.That workhorse could have lifted 2-3 Mi-35M helicopters for the NAF.
HMM……. I guess this bird did not come alone.
oga gbash what is going on with our boys in your neck of the woods, I HOPE morale is high and they are seeing the effects of new procurement.
My oga’s can someone steer me in the right direction?
Is this an Mi35M? The landing gear seems retractable,cause i see hatch doors for it.Also i dont see the 360 degree rotational optical system.
Some foreigner in London who I am SURE is one of those defence reporters snooping around from blog to forum for leads raised that point elsewhere SAYING…
QUOTE
” it is not an Mi 35M it is a upgraded Mi 24 with a FLIR (the Raduga-F sight is still mounted)– pretty much like the Indian variant you posted (elsewhere) and below you which posted a new build Mi35M”
END
Assuming that he is correct, that is a step-up from where we were and a prelude to our destination.
HOWEVER, the Nigerian source of this photo tells me Mi-35M and I go with his description, not least because we all know that the FG placed an order for SIX Mi-35Ms and funding for that was detailed in the 2014 federal budget.
Until he says anything to the contrary, I shall go with his own label.
It’s all good.Be it the Mi35m or one of the 40 extra helics. Let’s pile on the numbers.
Oga Beegeagle, I’m inclined to believe the British source about the new helo not being the Mi35m. The main giveaway is the undercarriage that is retractable. There are no wheel wells for the main wheels of the new Mi35m, but this new attack helo has them. Anyway, if this is an all weather attack helo with attached FLlR camera and NVG systems for both pilot and WSO, no wahala.
MI 35P Hind E Upgraded with NVG and some new avionics. I think MI 35M is for later.
*Night Fighting Equipment* not NVG.
Its a bit difficult to differentiate from the Mi35P or an upgraded Mi24V just by looking at the picture.
Another beast from d east has landed
Oga Beegs, I dey vex, I dey vex (lol), see how you’ve turned into a shinnig star. I wonder what would have been our fate if you had closed shop, abeg at the end of the day come collect your odeku and Nkwobi for a job well done (lol) . God bless you sir
Oga Jimmy, the skies over Makurdi is almost quiet if not for one white Zimbabwe rice farmer that keeps on distracting me with his Turboprop plane,by flying every day to his farm in Nasarawa state.He is even using the NAF TAC runway more than our own aircrafts.
However, it seems they are busy or are expecting some thing big.Recall when I wrote that all our Jaguar and MiG-21 Fighter jets are all being kept outside in the open to make way for …
New hangars have been built as you can see in this pix.
If one is standing in the convocation square of the university of agriculture Makurdi ,one can see across the River Benue over to TAC with the new hangars very visible if you know what you are looking at.
Please how much will it cost the NAF to reactivate or replace the obsolete radar at TAC ?
Your description is quite visible on google earth,the jags and Migs can be easily seen at TAC together with the new canopies along the side of the runway.
Na wa. 33 airframes just gathering dust
The Mi-35M is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. It is an export variant of Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. Primarily designed for attack and military transport missions, the helicopter delivers superior flight performance and manoeuvrability than its predecessor.
The production of Mi-35M started in 2005. The aircraft integrates modern high-precision weaponry for destroying ground-based armoured targets and providing air support for ground missions. It can be modified as an attack, ground assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or transport platform.
The Mi-35M is one of the modern combat helicopters in the Russian Air Force inventory. It is also operated by the armed forces of Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan.
The Mi-35M has an overall length of 21.6m, wingspan of 6.5m and height of 6.5m. Its takeoff weight in ferry configuration is 12,000kg. It can carry eight troops or a payload of 2,400kg.
The chin-mounted turret can be installed with the twin-barrel GSh-23V 23mm cannon with 450 to 470 rounds of ammunition. The gun can fire 3,400 to 3,600 rounds per minute. The stub wings can carry a range of weapon systems including anti-tank missiles, rocket pods/gun pods, or fuel tanks.
The countermeasures suite of Mi-35M includes a radar warning receiver, a laser range finder and a location finder, chaff and flare launch system, infrared (IR) jamming system and engine-exhaust IR suppressor.
The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 310km/h. Its operational altitude is 5,400m. The helicopter has a normal range of 460km and can reach a maximum distance of 1,000km with full fuel load.
It can be deployed in combat missions across the world in various geographies with high-temperature and high-altitude environments. It features round-the-clock combat capabilities for conducting missions during day and night. It is also capable of operating from unprepared and poorly equipped airfields.
09/09/2014 / http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/mi-35m-hind-e/
Oga drag-on,that is one of the most expensive device or sensor on that chopper,they can not afford any damage on transit.
Oga gbash. I am cool with that.First hand observation and inside information carries more weight with me.
Comrades, una well done. Oga Beeg, I salute. Any info on the latest situation in Gulak, Bazza, Michika, Gwoza? The Nigerian press and their foreign partners have proved to be unreliable in
providing accurate news of what is happening.
There is a lot of copy and paste.
@chynedo
Seems the NA has reclaimed Gulak and Bazza, while the battle for Michika still rages on.
@OriginalPato
Thanks bro. You’d get this info in the local or foreign press. Someone is on a disinformation mission on this insurgency issue in Nigeria
Derailing
***
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has deployed three Tornado GR.4 combat aircraft to Chad to help search for missing Nigerian schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram militants in April.
Furthermore, the Tornados will use Rafael Litening III targeting pods or Goodrich Raptor photographic reconnaissance pods to gather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data.
The RAF on May 18 sent a Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft to Accra, Ghana, to assist with the search. The Sentinel R1 aircraft is a modified Bombardier Global Express business jet fitted with a synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indicator (GMTI). The RAF has five Sentinels in service.
The United States in May sent MC-12W Liberty and unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft to search for the girls.
I hope GEJ is watching and learning.
I hope we’ll one day get proper ISR platforms.
Most Nigerian journalist are retarded, Nigerian Vanguard has join the list, not just unpatriotic but aiding and abetting the enemy BH.
I reluctantly have come to the same conclusion……
Good evening sirs, I heard the belarusian foreign minister talk about assisting Nigeria in her defence during his present visit. Would like to know what we can conviniently and realistically get from them. I know we do some pilot training there or is it possible the Mi’s come from them ? Thanks
Tens of surplus SU 25/30, helicopters and their ordnance exist in Belarus for easy picking at affordable prices.
The old run of deliveries of Mil attack helicopters to Nigeria as detailed in the UN REGISTER OF CONVENTIONAL ARMS TRANSFERS reads as follows..
Six units of Mi-35P – delivered to NGR by Russia in 2000
Three units of Mi-24V/Mi-35P – delivered to NGR by Ukraine 2008
Two units of Mi-35P – delivered to NGR by Belarus in 2010
Belarus have been training MiL pilots for Nigeria since ACM Petinrin’s time as CAS at the latest. We have had the President of their state arms exporter, BVST, visit Nigeria. They have lately been discussing security cooperation and it is not unlikely that surplus stocks shall be sold to Nigeria
http://www.beegeagle.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/nigeria-belarus-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-on-security/
Between 2010 when the last delivery of Hind attack helics were documented and the August 29 2014 delivery of the attack helic you see on this page, we have heard the following
That was why I refuted a report by one global defence media operator which claimed that Nigeria own eight Mil attack helicopters as blatant falsehood
Gentlemen – greetings. Apologies for my enforced absence caused by difficulties posting write-ups unto the blog. Our millitary is going through some very testing and trying times- but we shall overcome.
OGA YAGAZIE
NAH wah o Man no hear from you o!
OGA AREJAMES
Thank you, may I digress and OGA BEEGS can verify because we have a detailed thread on the visit of the President of CHAD to Nigeria as earlier as 2012? 2014 ? IMPLORING Nigeria to take Boko Haram serious but to form a joint task force. On the Nigerian Side this task force was earlier on headed by Brig KUTI ( late Dr Beko’s Son).
Unlike our Cousin to the south Chad is heavily dependent on Nigerian AGRICULTURE and trade , you do recall barely two years ago Chadian REBELS reached the Capital N’Djamena where vicious house to house took place and but for the timely? untimely? convenient ? intervention of the FRENCH the President’s brother/ nephew or whatever he is would be in control of chad today.This has led to France having a base in CHAD ( There is nothing like family plotting your own demise lol), This has also led the PRESIDENT to gradually take the ALGERIAN approach .
Nigeria can afford to take the carrot / stick approach because we are already giving them the carrots, However in fairness to CHAD out of all our ” brothers” they have been very ruthless in dealing with bh.As recently as last month when those boys were captured and headed to CHAD they were cut off from entering and dealt with there were no newspaper announcement or radio announcements.
Futher more GEJ needs togo there for what i suspect are some unverified reasons.
What happens to the MERCENARIES who are / have been caught that are CHADIAN?
What happens at Lake Chad something swampy , something big is going to happen there, Do we honestly want right of pursuit/ tactical maneuver into Chad?.
In conclusion if we are going to give Chad Money let us at least know where our money is going. Moreover this is most def the time for Chad to close its borders MILITARILY.
I just came across a YouTube video that just might confirm that DHQ has recently changed its tactics in relation to confrontations with bokohomos. It is evident from recent videos that, bokohomos actually believe that they can occupy space and hold on to it :-), resulting in the change of tactic by DHQ, which goes thus, once DHQ spots a column of bokohomos travelling with the intention of “capturing a village or an outskirt town” residents are advised to leave the area immediately, soldiers on ground are also ordered to retreat, hereby allowing bokohomos arrive at their destination peacefully albeit without hindrance. Once they’ve settled down in one spot for more than 5 mins, they are easily out flanked and surrounded, which as Oga Beegeagle said explains why soldiers moved into Cameroon to encircle stationary bokohomos. Calvary’s then called in to decimate. This tactic would not have been possible a year ago, because as we all know, bokohomos were analogous to marauders, they come at night, loot, steal, and flee, but it seems they are just too high on fumes resulting in their change of tactic, also willingly inspired by Islamic state, caliphate looks achievable. But anyone who knows the Nigerian Military knows that conventional warfare is child’s play. DHQ happens to believe that this boldness exhibited by bokohomos will ultimately lead to their downfall, because, they are obviously not content with their usual bomb tossing. To the states directly affected by this crises, i would advise em to start building fences along their border with Cameroon, not just fences, fences complete with deep trenches and sensors so as to prevent the excess of bokohomos moving in convoys. I know some people will say that’s a job for the Federal Government, but, heheheh, if you are a governor of a state under siege and you are waiting for someone else to solve your problems then maybe you shouldn’t be in that seat. DHQ cannot bomb bokohomos willy-nilly as if there are no Nigerians on ground, numerous sorties are to make sure that bombings are coordinated, and precise, which takes time and effort. Yola, Adamawa, Borno, physically secure your borders with Cameroon asap. DHQ, job well done, continue to light em up.
We would defeat these terrorists decisively.
Please post the link
Does that make sense? ‘Invite an enemy in to hold territory to most probably dig in and reinforce defence’ Isn’t it better to lay ambushes or interdict them before…if true, it explains why they have to battle over a couple of days to weeks to regain territory they let go in ‘5 minutes’
Oga Kay. I respect your hustle sir.
The point is that, bokohomos want to hold on to territory, whether we like it or not, it seems they are determined to try. Why will DHQ exchange gunfire with these people in a crowded place. Moreover going by the recent tactics of bokohomos of sending a smaller force to probe and ascertain numerical strength before calling for the main force, you will understand why DHQ’s strategy’s yielding fruits. Again, the point is to allow them gather in major numbers at a particular location devoid of civilians because they’ve been advised to leave the area, anybody wey still dey there, well, nobody needs to tell you serf, when you see soldiers retreating, your instincts should tell you maybe you’re not supposed to be there. Understandably, bokos shouldn’t be allowed to drive in in the first place but, targeting and destroying gun-trucks scattered across a wide area is much more difficult and prone to collateral damage than allowing them congregate in a smaller area after which DHQ gives the order to engage, note, engagement wouldn’t be from one side, bokohomos literally drop like flies because they can neither retreat nor advance, hence the glaring overwhelming success Oga. War doesn’t make sense oga, but there has to be a strategy.
Dude, you are giving away operational Intel on a public forum. Do you think Boko Haram members don’t read Beegeagles Blog?
I am not buying what you posted here. You tried but I am not buying. Maybe you need to drop the price…LOL.
Lol I think I also saw that video, I think it was posted by the media arm of the boko people. Anyway may God bless Nigeria
Picture of the NA really fielding those AGLs http://www.nairaland.com/henry120/posts
We need some mounted on vehicles.
How many Norinco LG3 Automatic Grenade Launchers did we buy? Any ideas?
We need them mounted on Cobra APC and Toyota 4×4 Landcruisers.
We need 1,000 units of this AGL spread all over the entire North East zone lands the size of Great Britain !
http://www.nairaland.com/henry120/posts
My Ogas all along I’ve calling for DHQ to bring both the 3rd Div and 1st Div into this battle because I felt the 7th was being overwhelmed. I’m glad they finally decided to do that….http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/military-bharam-battle-cds-town/
Oga ugobassey. I respect your hustle sir.
This further gives credence to the latest strategy employed by DHQ, locate, encircle, entrap, and mow. Simple, yet effective but made possible by bokohomos continued thirst for land, and soil. Since they’ve failed woefully to break Nigeria politically, they think they can actually pull it off by force and numbers, hehehehe, these people funny sha. They think everything they see on tv about the middle east can be achieved, lolz.
Good point Sir, I believe the tide of this war is turning with this recent ‘surge’ and we should hear more positive news in the weeks ahead.
Thanks for this.That’s just the point I just made in a post on some other thread on this blog. The 7 Div is not just overwhelmed now. it was poorly built (in a cut and paste manner) from the ground up by one of the only non combatant COAS we ever had in the army’s history who meant well but just did not understand the psychology of the fighting man.. It has never achieved a cohesive ‘divisional culture’. War weary and probably infected by turncoats, sabos and even more lately soldier unionists and activist wives.
http://ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/178452-belarus-to-partner-nigeria-against-insurgency
Gen. Beegs, remember i asked bout D20, D30 Howitzers of which you gave an elaborate and satisfactory answer, thanks my Gen. I went on a private visit to Minsk Belarus few weeks backs and i saw these 2 dudes i presumed to by 9ja mil (were speaking pigdin) at Borovitsy Air-Base inspecting some towed D30 howitzers. I couldn introduce myself for some reasons. My host said something bout large number of shells.
We have, and continue to field D-30 howitzers in the North-east. Probably the army wants to procure additional pieces or shells.
@ Are James
I completely agree with your Analysis of the 7th.
Who understands hausa?….http://dailypost.ng/2014/09/09/nigerian-army-desert-adawawa-town-boko-haram-watch/
I do not understand the author of this video or the journalist
Fighting is on going in Adamawa state so troops moving from one location to another location even to the best of my ability does not mean desertion. To the best of my ability if the so called troops were under fire as in Gwoza and were moving away from the source of battle then yes this will be construed as desertion, this to me looks like a spotter video for whom I can not say,
I can put myself in the position of a colonel and will ask for troops to move at a minute’s notice to a more vulnerable positions rather than leave them in a place that is least likely to be attacked or is of no significant military value. I want my troops fighting not doing sentry duty especially if boko haram insurgents are in my AOR..
i am not defending the NA , this is just my two kobo.
To me this is just another sensationalist video that is all.
This video showed a simple Tactical Withdrawal improperly conducted by elements of 7Div. On no account does an army contest for road space with civilians fleeing from the enemy…trying to be first out of the fighting before civilians is not the NA.What we would have liked to see were army vehicles bringing up the rear, waiting by the roadside, helping broken down vehicles and ensuring civilians were safe first. The Otokar Cobras and MRAPs are armoured yet we see them nearly pushing Okada motor cycles off the road in a bid to get out of town as fast as possible.
We want to do our best to encourage the army but let is not enrage professional mid level army officers by accepting things they won’t accept. We have to face up to our doctrinal mistakes, accept the painful truths and do the necessary corrections.
Thank you Are James
The video show road traffic – mostly civilians.
The traffic is going in one direction, so one can assume that either a big soccer match just ended or nobody wants to go in the other direction.
The one-way traffic seems to indicate an evacuation of some sort. There’s no indication of where or when it was taken.
The evacuating military vehicles might not be part of a fighting force and they too may have been order to evacuate.
Also, BH may have cut off the access to a town and the vehicles you see are just hurriedly heading back the way they came.
My 2 kobo.
I go with the soccer match just ended.
🙂
Soja gudu…means Soldier flees ! Who shot that video and sent it overseas?
Sending overseas in cyberspace is now two clicks on your phone.
More importantly, the person that shot the video is standing dozens of meters from the road in what appears to be land that was cleared a few months ago.
Is he a farmer or BH?
I have a lot of respect for this blog. But sometimes, I feel some of us are comfortable burying our heads in the sand and pretend that all is okay up north, while we dismiss reports contrary to what we want to hear. Gentlemen, what I see from that video is not a “tactical” retreat at all, but an army on the run. I also find the statement of the army giving ground in a heart beat to BH as a tactic absolutely ridiculous. And assuming it’s what we want, how come there is no holding force to AT LEAST delay the advances of BH while innocent civilians living within this town are evacuated FIRST? Instead, all I see are Army vehicles far more eager to reach the safety of Yola long before these civilians they are suppose to protect. THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM.
I therefore appeal to posters on this influential blog not to allow their patriotism blind them to issues that plague the military and other concerns during this ongoing conflict. Let’s assess all these, and try to influence the decision of policy makers at DHQ and the Presidency to provide our soldiers with the much needed tools they’ll need to execute this war successfully.
Btw I have to ask: do the military, NAF in particular, perform any sort of Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) to at least ascertain the effectiveness of the air strikes against BH targets?
You are extracting too much information from a 1 minute video.
All the video shows is vehicle traffic going in one direction. You can make the assumption that the road users are hurrying away from danger, that’s about it.
You don’t know where the video was taken or when. And you definitely don’t know if there’s was a “holding force.”
In total, the video shows about 10 NA vehicles. The vehicles were NOT packed with soldiers. Do you think that’s the totality of the force available to protect the location or town?
The video was posted to make the NA look bad – there’s a lot of psychological warfare that is part and parcel of a terror campaign; don’t victimize yourself.
The guy filming said ”they are running in” in hausa
Is this factual???
Personally, anything the U.S puts it’s leprous hands on is bound to end badly.
Just saying…
http://www.quicknews-africa.net/us-begins-drone-attack-on-nigerias-boko-haram/
Very bad idea. BH is not beyond Nigeria in any way.
sorry my ogas but i stumbled across this
The South African National Defense Force – A Military in Freefall
Despite an eagerness to use the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) as a means of projecting the nation’s influence abroad, there is evidence that South Africa’s government has so neglected or mismanaged its military assets that it may soon be unable to defend itself, much less engage in international adventures.
Last year, Roelf Meyer, the chairman of South Africa’s defense review committee, identified a number of strategic goals for the SANDF, including:
· Maintaining the security of South Africa’s borders;
· Promoting peace and security in Africa;
· Assisting civil authorities in policing or anti-poaching efforts;
· Establishing South Africa as a responsible leading member of the African Union;
· Responding to new regional threats such as piracy (Business Day [Johannesburg], April 13, 2012).
However, with a reduced force size and inadequate resources, the SANDF will soon have difficulty meeting most of these goals.
Life in the South African military is not seen as desirable by many potential recruits. Pay can be erratic, HIV rates are as high as 25% (making these troops unavailable for external deployment) and an estimated 35% of South Africa’s military barracks have been classed as unfit for human occupation since 2007 (Mail & Guardian [Johannesburg], April 21, 2012). Without money to operate sophisticated equipment, skilled staff continue to flee at the end of their enlistment and there is little opportunity for new recruits to train in skills useful in the civilian world. Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defense has described abuse of women in the SANDF as “common,” adding that many female recruits have been impregnated by their instructors (BUAnews, November 26, 2011). Racial abuse of black subordinates by white senior officers also remains a problem 19 years into the integration process. South African troops are unionized and have at times clashed with police during pay disputes.
With the 2012 defense budget of $3.8 billion still far below the 2 percent of GDP required to maintain the armed forces, the South African defense department began looking at other ways of generating income, including contracting out soldiers to municipalities to do various labor and infrastructure repair projects. The department also created the Defense Estate Management agency to lease or sell-off defense department lands. Much of the land owned by the SANDF came by way of British government endowments of military facilities made on the condition that they could only be used for defense purposes
Politicization of the military is still a problem in South Africa. There has been speculation that the current chief of the SANDF, Angolan-trained Lieutenant General Solly Zacharia Shoke, received his appointment as a result of his history as a commander in Umkhonto we Sizwe, the ANC’s military wing (SAPA, May 11, 2011). Umkhonto we Sizwe forces were integrated into the newly formed SANDF between 1994 and 2004. An investigative commission recently declared that the SANDF was too politicized, a situation typified by former Defense Minister Lindiwe Sisulu’s preference for wearing SANDF uniforms at public occasions
A sometimes unaccountable procurement process remains a problem for the South African military; last year the political opposition revealed over $7.75 billion had passed through a defense department slush fund that had failed to reveal to parliament how the money had been spent (Johannesburg Times, April 18, 2012). The army has been overlooked in recent acquisition programs and is close to finding itself equipped with obsolete equipment in terms of armored personnel carriers, logistics vehicles and main battle tanks
South Africa’s once-effective air force has new aircraft but cannot afford the fuel and maintenance needed to keep them in the air. Despite this, one element of the air force that did see extensive time in the air was Squadron 21, charged with flying South African VIPs and government ministers. Former defense minister Lindiwe Sisilu booked 203 flights over three years in chartered luxury Gulfstream jets at an estimated cost of $4.5 million. Some 63 of the flights were empty, as they were intended solely to pick the minister up somewhere and take her to another destination in what one opposition critic described as “a staggering waste of money”
While government ministers travel in luxury, the South African Air Force (SAAF) still transports troops in 70-year-old Dakota aircraft. One of these, a Dakota C47TP (an upgraded DC-3 with turbine engines) crashed, claiming 11 lives when it was unable to fly above inclement weather. The crash came shortly after the military decided it could no longer afford a maintenance contract for its military aircraft (SAPA, December 6, 2012; Sunday Times [Johannesburg], December 10, 2012). World War II-era Dakotas also continue to be used for surveillance of South Africa’s 3,900 kilometer coastline in the absence of modern surveillance aircraft. Meanwhile, 26 new Swedish-built Gripen fighter-jets, purchased at a cost of R10 billion (approximately $1 billion), average only two hours in the air each week; not enough to keep the machines in operable condition and far from the 10 hours of flight-time each week considered necessary to keep pilots well-trained
Former SAAF chief Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano retired in 2012 after trying to resign in late 2011 during his hospitalization for stress as he continued to try unsuccessfully to find enough money for the fuel and maintenance to keep the SAAF in the air. His successor, Lieutenant General Fabian Zimpande Msimang (the first black chief of the SAAF) will have trouble keeping all but executive travel jets in the air if current funding problems continue
The once formidable South African navy now spends little time at sea. Replacement parts and maintenance budgets barely exist, leaving only one of the navy’s four new frigates operational and only one its four new submarines able to put out to sea (Sunday Times [Johannesburg], December 10, 2012). South African Navy ships and SAAF aircraft carry out anti-piracy operations in the Mozambique Channel, though this mission is also threatened by underfunding.
Despite economic troubles and a collapsing military, South Africa still desires to be a major player in Africa, which encourages it to commit to missions that stretch the military’s capacity to its breaking point. Unless current trends are reversed, the steady transformation of the SANDF into an assembly of riot police and border guards will be completed in just a few years. Geography and reputation have left South Africa with few external enemies, but it is also extremely wealthy in various resources. South Africa was only cobbled together from various constituent parts a little more than a century ago, and it would not be surprising if a general collapse of South Africa’s security infrastructure invited the emergence of secessionist movements drawing on both domestic and external inspiration. South Africa’s eventual inability to project force beyond its borders will also have important implications for regional security in sub-Saharan Africa.
This report was compiled by JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION and cited from “Terrorism Monitor Volume: 11 Issue: 2”
@ Sir McShegz,
Like I always say, I’ve never pulled a trigger nor in a battlefront so mostly do not comment on battle tactics. That being said I still fail to see why you’ll try to pull enemies into civilian areas to then fight out. Apart from relatively destroying properties in the chaos and so, it is also giving the enemy a sort of advantage, after all it is a ‘guerilla war’.
I stand corrected.
Oga Kay. I respect your hustle sir.
Yes, sir, i respectfully stand to correct you. It is no longer guerrilla warfare. bokohomos want to hold on to land, that’s very conventional oga.
It still doesn’t make any sense. Why give away swaths of land to the enemy in heart beat, then spend days, if not weeks, clearing them out? If BH really digs in, do you really think airstrikes will be enough to uproot them? And will the army be so willing to give up Maiduguri or Yola in the name of “tactical” retreat? Something is wrong somewhere.
Oga ocelot2006. I respect your hustle sir.
Just in case you refused to peruse my earlier comments, i stated clearly that such strategy is been applied to boarder towns and sparsely populated areas. If you are in anyway insinuating that DHQ apply such tactic to Maiduguri or Yola, then yes sir, you are right to admit that your idea doesn’t make sense at all.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/hunters-kill-75-members-of-boko-haram/188675/
Thanks OGA rugged7
It for all intents and purposes is beginning to seem like Michika and Madagali is coming to a nasty well deserved end.When ADAMAWA state returns to normal, the F.G. needs to make a video / documentary for the general public detailing some of the excesses of boko haram.
I can not stress this enough, idiot video has not released a video on Bama because the video probably got bombed to hell.
There is a tv monitor in some of our planes and gunsghips one or two of these as a morale boost needs to be released to the public.
Do they the f.g. know what a morale boost it is to see a senior officer like LT. COL OBASANJO leading from the front and getting wounded and proclaiming he wants to go back to the front are they aware of the positive boost this is giving?
Please for goodness sake make 7 minute vignettes detailing the successes of the campaign.
Kpom!! Supported.
Why don’t they embed journalists with frontline units OR at least fly them in to film captured areas. It will serve as a moral booster. But nope, we’ll see nada, no thanks to “secrecy”. Honestly, I think those at DHQ ‘ S PR don’t know their jobs AT ALL.
oga rugged i cant stop laughing choi “ran out of ammo”
No be small thing bro.
I hope they used blunt knifes on those boko mofos
Yeah right.
I don’t think Boko Haram ran out of ammo.
Those hunters have traditional bullet proofing technology.
Nah wah lol
This is like the fifth time that locals have successfully challenged terrorists – may be it’s time we consider the Russian option-Dangerous as it may be, it can give instant quick results! Army should consider full upgrade of Civilian JTF to armed volunteer force – members should be scrutinized strongly and catalogued extensively. Select about 10000 and give them rough training as check point operators, informants, policing force – them arm them lightly and put them under regular army control . It’s a dangerous gamble that if managed improperly can kuku worsen the problem patapata. But if properly conceived and implemented like the Russians did in Georgia and Checnya – power multiplier effect can make a difference – more of this small towns can have armed protection. Most importantly, just like the Russians did – they must be paid and job opening provided to occupy them after the struggle. Very Dangerous!
That’s not a good idea. And what happens if they decide to become another militia and a threat to national security? What happens then after we create another monster?
The problem we face is with the military itself.
1)Give our troops the right equipment and weapons in sufficient amount
2)Provide them with adequate intelligence
3)Provide the much needed air support cos knowing that the Airforce will always be there to back you up is a moral booster
4)Take care of their welfare and that of their families just in case they bite the bullet.
Provide all these, and we’ll turn this war around.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/emir-debunks-reports-fled-palace-mubi/#sthash.YnszlqbH.dpuf
Based on this, i hope we can see that just because the war effort is not going the way we want, doesnt make every piece of bad news true.
We are now so skeptical that we watch a small piece of video with one way traffic and we choose to believe the nameless camera man who could for all you know be Boko. Notwithstanding that we dont know what road this is, or what direction is north or south.
Now from what the emir has said, it is obvious that Mubi has not been attacked yet, so why would troops be ‘fleeing’ from Mubi. There could be any number of explanations for the movement
– Convoy conveying casualties from the battle in michika
– Logistics convoy rushing back to base to pick up ammo in Mubi
– Worn out troops who have been reinforced by replacement troops driving back to mubi to take up reserve positions
Bottom line we should not underestimate the sophistication of Boko’s propaganda machine or automatically assume that every bad news from the battlefield is true and any good news from DHQ is a lie.
Oga Ozed. I respect your hustle sir.
From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Its noteworthy that we continue to see individuals who claim to be Nigerians but act and behave in a way analogous to bokohomos, paid propaganda spinning bullhorns. Let us not be deceived by those who swear in the name of God and man, claiming to be on the side of reason, justice and so called fundamental human rights. They seek nothing but fame and fortune, they seek only to enrich themselves at the expense of innocent human lives. Sure, they look, speak and walk like human beings but these people are the lowest form of scum on this Gods green spherical earth. Be decisive in your words, as to rebuke and cast them back into the abyss wherein they come from. Nigeria’s fighting a war on its own soil, i ask, where does our loyalty lie in these trying times? This is not a war of luxury where arguments can be made as to its necessity, this is a defining war, so we cannot continue to behave as if we’ve got nothing to loose, we’ve got major skin in this game, hence, you give all you can to the land that birthed you or you renounce your citizenship if you truly believe this nation has got nothing else to offer you. To those humans who continue to compare Nigeria’s war against the bokohomos with other concurrent wars in the world today, i repeat, major difference ls the fact that Nigeria’s war is on home soil, i cannot but emphasize this particular point, because some radically deranged set of people would want you to believe that the North East’s not part of the country, hence anything we say about what happens there doesn’t really matter, wrong, it matters a whole lot.Their aim is to surreptitiously detach and alienate the conscience of Nigerians from one another, but what’s bad for Lagos’s bad for Borno. And to those perpetually asking for videos and pictures of mangled bodies just to satisfy their innate neanderthalistic thirst, no responsible government will gleefully advertise and broadcast to the world wholesale decimation of these subhumans when the war is on home soil, Its just not palatable, it only goes to further inflame tension and build up resentment in certain parts of the country. Please, rise up to the occasion, your country needs you.
@mcshegz
Thanks for this. You have put everything into perspective. Only difference in this case is that it was a preventable ”accident”. We could have avoided all this if the right things were done at the right time. But this one no is upon us and every way of making an omelette involves breaking eggs.
http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php
OGA OBIX Hope you are safe SIPRI has not recorded anything meaningful for 2013. Can you look into it . We know stuff is happening.
OGA OCELOT2006
You have spoken , and with great respect i say this i hear you, moment of disclosure, I was born in BRITAIN and raised in Nigeria. Growing up the word of the BBC based on what mom and pops told us was golden you did not even question it. You always questioned what came out of NAIJA NEWS that one for sure.
I had a Great – great uncle who fought in WW2 BURMA to be specific, so when Nigerians say we helped the free world in its fight against NAZISM there is truth to it. Today Nigeria faces a foe that at best is Genocidal in nature it has the single unblemished record of killing more Muslims than any body in Nigeria’s recent History,BBC to say that they have acted disgracefully is to give them credit. BAMA, BAZZA most of ADAMAWA STATE is firmly in the f.g. hands but if you go to their web sites you will see all sorts of things . The emir OF MUBI said there is no fighting going on in MUBI and that he did not run anywhere again go to bbc’s website.
The only thing more dis encouraging is the role of the f.g. everybody who has half a brain has called these towns and has confirmed it yet they like the bbc continue to play ostrich in the sand.
This is not a game or a reenactment the f.g. needs to wake to making documentaries because you cannot hide the truth all the time.And yet they want us to give our full moral support
The video does not specify a place a date or a time and is spoken in Hausa. I lived in LAGOS and that is exactly how army drivers drive. Regardless whether or not they are retreating/ advancing we cannot base it on a two minute video spoken by someone in Hausa who most def does not want us to see his face.That is my point and I am not taking sides
Oga jimmy, I wonder why all they wanted was the soja gudu rant, I asked myself a simple question, dozens of soldiers are ‘fleeing’ in vehicles at high speed as well as civilians, but those youths are casually by the roadside making videos and not in a hurry to run for their lives. The ‘lead’ voice said several times “Mu tafinku” yet nobody answered, so casual, peaceful and unperturbed in a zone where armed soldiers are ‘fleeing’ in platoons !
Bros Jimmy, you can email SIPRI anytime you feel, it’s like a ‘public’ service, I do email them too. They have rules, they post only arms received the year before and update only once a year, Spring Season March/April. So, if you want to track all this new Nigerian military procurement, you will wait till SIPRI updates in March/April 2015.
Some will be missing, especially second hand army equipment, and some are not heavy weapons, they may not show things like Grenade Launchers.
Wow thank you for the info.You know for sure I am not looking for small arms. T-Mobile. America’s First Nationwide 4G Network
Reminds me, we on this blog have been silent on the Nigerian army arsenal audit. I guess now that this war is changing from guerrilla hit and run to semi-conventional, Nigeria should be talking about main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, as we fight today’s war and rebuild our army for the future.
T-90 Tanks, Akash medium range anti-aircraft missile systems, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, 52 calibre artillery howitzer upgrades, long range mobile rocket launcher artillery, vehicle mounted long range ground surveillance radar, modern anti-tank missiles, GBADS integrated air defense systems, CRAM anti-missile defence syatens, modern hand held MANPAD anti-aircraft missiles, army aviation air arm helicopter force, ground based mobile electronic warfare vechicles, etc
I would be very interested in the MBTs ,the APCs,and the MLSs.I do not know how serious this administration is about the NAF.This adminstration has the chance to go down in Nigerian history as the one that revived the NAF from the sheer idiocy of obj and ibb.We shall see come March 2015:
Knowing the Nigerian system, we’ll not buy any of those ‘top ends’. Unless maybe if the Presidency and House of Assembly members willfully donate a month salary.
http://www.russianhelicopters.aero/en/helicopters/military/mi-35m/photo.html
I am not a technical guy and i would stand corrected and bow down to you guys but I looked at everything you guys talked about. Gut feeling says these two when compared are the same, I can only surmise that the retractable lid will be fixed on later.
To me that is just precaution in flight that is why the techs came with the bird.
This is an MI 35M and to me they look the same down to the light by the side. my two kobos.
http://www.punchng.com/news/adamawa-youths-vigilantes-kill-80-fleeing-insurgents/
much clearer picture
oga mcshegz “we are saying the same thing we are just going down different streets eventually we will meet at the junction.”
Courtesy of Boko Broadcasting Corporation.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29155529?
Nigeria’s militant Islamists have “completely surrounded” Maiduguri, the main city in north-eastern Borno state, traditional elders have warned.
The military needed to “fortify” the city, which had a population of more than two million, to prevent an assault “from all directions”, they said.
The Boko Haram militants had “annexed” areas that were about 50km (30 miles) from Maiduguri, they said.
Boko Haram declared a caliphate in areas it controls last month.
The government has not yet commented on the statement issued by the Borno Elders Forum (BEF).
‘Annihilation’
It represents influential people in the state, including former government ministers and civil servants.
Map showing towns captured/threatened by Boko Haram
“We are convinced that the Federal Government of Nigeria has not shown sufficient political will to fight Boko Haram and rescue us from the clutches of the insurgents which may ultimately lead to the total annihilation of the inhabitants of Borno,” BEF said.
“The insurgents have rendered impassable almost all the roads leading to Maiduguri,” it added.
BEF said the military needed to “urgently fortify” the city.
“The insurgents have surrounded Maiduguri and are nursing the ambition of attacking the city from all directions,” BEF said.
“There is credible local intelligence information to that effect. We must be pro-active. Maiduguri is heavily pregnant with people who have trooped into it hoping for safety,” the elders added.
Boko Haram’s five-year insurgency is seen as the biggest threat to Nigeria’s territorial integrity since the 1967-70 civil war, analysts say.
The group has changed tactics in recent months, holding on to towns in the north-east, where most people are Muslims, rather than carrying out hit-and-run attacks.
Sensationalism devoid of groundwork journalism.
That’s my BBC, they never disappoint. They live in some sort of parallel universe devoid of common sense.
I am perplexed beyond reason by the complete lack of information, pictures , video with regards to the conflict in the N.E.
The new media model has citizens as the more active participants in information dissemination through the plethora of social media platforms and portals than even sometimes dedicated journalists.
For instance using Youtube alone if you search Syria, Iraq(ISIS), Gaza, Somalia (AU), Mali, Libya, CAR, etc you will thousands of battle footage, aftermath impact, fire fights, citizens fleeing, etc , etc.
Then come to Nigeria’s Boko Haram and its just about ZERO comparatively , Nigeria has the largest number of cell phone users in Africa at least 15-20% of those phones will have camera. So I am confused WHAT’S GOING ON ? No citizens taking footage no journalists taking footage just nothing, so we have to rely on the unreliable half truths of information from both sides. Particularly as the conflict is now clearly politicised and all critics are Boko sympathisers and traitors.
Sir Kenee2kk,
Let’s not get carried away with the macabre display on Youtube. Forget about battle footage. Rather, there should be a show of power by the Army. When you seize new grounds and well secured, show off your troops in control of the city, a maybe high ranking official touring and conducting press interviews within selected areas. Show a bit of relief efforts helping citizens and ongoing works to repair any damaged infrastructure.
No need for seeing dead BH, not healthy. All those type of nasty videos on LL are stuff of nightmares.
.
loool…
they clearly have an agenda against Nigeria.
But, the truth remains that the only way to undermine this kind of myopic, sectionalized and sensationalized, reporting is for the Nigeria Army to decisively deal mortal blows on boko haram, wherever they are.
And provide clear irrefutable evidence.
Then shame go catch all these loud-mouthed oyibo monkey dem…
I have said this repeatedly. Let me be very specific . No i personally do not want to see dead bodies During the civil war, during ECOMOG, Liberia, Sierra Leone . There were pictures and even Footage of Nigerian Soldiers deliberately not firing on civilians who were being herded into the capital as as human shields.
The COAS is entitled to his own Battle plan of operations and Lord willing he is most def going to succeed , that is not the issue
This is the issue, most damaging, BAMA, MICHIKA, BAZZA DAMBOA have for all intents and purposes being retaken by the f.g. This is fact . Yet we are now having to rely on traditional rulers as the voices of integrity. When a Military source comes a long it is anonymous, when the military does very in battle zones it is almost in hushed tones like we are ashamed. Some idiot ( agbakoba) yesterday went to so far as to suggest that the CDS should be fired ( For reasons best dementedly known to him) .
There are times the calming voice of a red neck Military officer is enough, right there is panic , un settlement and the very roads that the military needs to convey their equipment becomes clogged . A weekly press conference/ up date? somebody? .
This is how bad it has gotten most people like myself with an objective view do not turn to BBC, read the newspapers with a healthy dose of skepticism . The other day in reporting in LT . COL Obasanjo’s injuries a newspaper and even a media site Nigeria world reported sensationally 24 dead soldiers today in a terse state it was reported by the army that five soldiers were slightly wounded and One soldier is missing.
There were no retractions, there were no I -stand- by – my sources. This is the level of disinformation that is going on,Dis information or useless information does not win wars . MEN, military equipment and public support wins wars.
The last point should be noted by the NA the next time they ask the Nigerians for support, which based on the way things are going will be very soon.
Lastly the President is going to ask for $1 b he needs to ask for $2 and those military officers the chiefs need to explain in CAMERA to the SENATE AND HOUSE CTTE what exactly they need it for.
Oga Jimmy. I respect your hustle sir.
You have to understand that when any institution like the Armed Forces is being greatly pressured to do something it doesn’t feel comfortable doing, the natural response is to vehemently reject yielding to pressure. Any institution of this size and magnitude seeks to protect itself first and foremost, before thinking about its core mandate, as you cannot perform those functions when the institution has been balkanized. I understand the need for information and coverage of the on-going war, but this has to be juxtaposed with the current political climate we live in at the moment, we haven’t forgotten statements made by some politicians as to the govern-ability of this nation, we also cannot pretend as if we do not live in an increasingly connected world where statements made today can be used as evidence against you decades from know. The military obviously takes all these issues into consideration; as the best and surest form of evidence against you is your own testimony of accounts. So, my people, understand this, the military has the right to remain silent, and they are at liberty to exercise that right. There is no law, neither are there rules of engagement that categorically states that the military should and must provide account of their actions to the public, because civilians are quick to succumb to all sorts of emotions devoid in the military, that’s why the military doesn’t hope to get a fair hearing in a court of public opinion. Many people are parading themselves today as analysts, commentators and so called experts, you know what the best answer for a fool is right? Silence. Let them continue to grasp in the dark, Obviously this has its disadvantages, but, let me assure you that, at this point in time in Nigerian society, the advantages of this silence far outweighs the other. Nothing stops journalist from venturing into these places and reporting what they like but you do that at your own risk even when accorded security, moreover, I do not believe DHQ needs to ask anyone for help, it is your duty and your obligation to provide support and sustenance to protect the integrity of this land. How e go be?
@Oga MCSHEGZ. Bro, standby abeg. Tory dey boku.
@Oga ZACH…I responded to your email.
Oga BEEGEAGLE. At your service sir
Tell me I am not going crazy but these pictures seem to be getting bigger and bigger.
Has any person on this blog made contacts with locals on ground? in the thick of the action? trapped under the mountains? I am sure they are more reliable than the BBC, NA and BH.
And you may be shell shocked at what you would be told and if you would find the boldness to post it online, I go hail you.
Oga Martin Luther. I respect your hustle sir.
What is your point exactly oga? Do you have a source “in the thick of the action, trapped under a mountain?” or you’re just rabble rousing, please kindly expatiate.
What is your point exactly oga? Do you have a source “in the thick of the action, trapped under a mountain?” or you’re just rabble rousing, please kindly expatiate.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/full-control-mubi-dhq/
Hawul is south and predominantly Christian community and about 210 kilometres drive from Maiduguri which had witnessed series of attacks, killings and bombings of churches by insurgents.A resident of Shaffa, Mwajim Hassan Balami who escaped the attack on Wednesday morning told our Correspondent that the rate at which insurgents were having a field day attacking residents of Tashan Alade, Kwajaffa, Pelachiroma, Jubwuwhui, Dalwa among other communities in the council was worrisome.‘It is very unfortunate that our people, churches and residents have been killed and destroyed since the beginning of this year, but no action was taken by the government of the day. – See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/full-control-mubi-dhq/#sthash.yfuClZo6.dpuf
IF YOU KNOW ANYPERSON IN THE ACTION SPOT CALL HIM/HER it is better than BBC or BH video or NA spin
Oga Martin Luther. I respect your hustle sir.
So let me get this straight oga, first you say you have a source that’s “in the thick of the action, trapped under a mountain” now you say, “a resident of Shaffa, Mwajim Hassan Balami who escaped the attack on Wednesday morning told your Correspondent something.” Is he/she still trapped under the mountain or has he/she escaped? Or maybe there are numerous people involved, one of them is still trapped under the mountain and another one has escaped? if you permit me oga, i’ll patronize your logic to its reasonable dead end. In this sense, how do you imagine that someone trapped under a mountain has the liberty and scope to discern and interpret the fluid nature of actions occurring at that particular time? how do you imagine that someone trapped under a mountain, has the freedom to move an inch and see the whole battle theater, because going by the literal definition of trapped, such person has unwillingly been confined to a limited space, unless you want us to believe that this battle took place inside the same mountain where this phantom witness was trapped? Oga, i really wish we can seize with the hostilities against constituted authority as relating to the war at hand, bbc is not a constituted authority, neither is bokohomo, but DHQ is the absolute authority when it comes to factual and reasonable explanations because they have the wherewithal to discern truth from fiction, fiction being cooked up stories like this one. Make we no trust DHQ, omo, see tales by moonlight ohh, Oga your phantom witness may need to add some more maggi and pepper, as this your story in its present state isn’t sweet enough, hence, technically, will not fly.
PS: Please let us know the institution you work for, because according to your statement, this phantom witness told your correspondents something, i assume this is your statement because of lack of quotation marks. So who do work for oga? abeg lets know, so we can put things in perspective.
Bros, them no dey use vex fight, na news paper except be this. Make you look am well o, I go still advise you make you kindly talk to folks on ground and if you no get folks, well rely on what you have. You own, your lookout
Don’t know if anyone has contacts there among the displaced civilians. But based on yesterday’s reports from BBC Inside Africa (interviews from displaced people in Yola), NAF rules the skies and was dropping bombs on Michtika on a frequent basis, but BH’s still running wild on the ground.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/full-control-mubi-dhq/
Thank you DHQ not that you need my approval. This exactly what I am talking about.
There are pictures taken that become ICONIC because they are HISTORICAL even though at the time the picture is taken it might just of been on- the- spur- of -the- moment. Let us just satisfy a craving public.
The picture of the COAS and the CAS is likely to be an ICONIC one in years to come and may represent pictoraily the day the tide of war was changed. IMHO represents a sea of change, a new well defined relationship between the most senior officer in the army and the airforce, If you guys think I am blabbing on go and check go back to 2009 see if there are any pictures of the chiefs together @ an operational level, there are none …….. except when they are outside ASO ROCK being tight lipped
Maiduguri will be a major test for Nigerian military in this war. The Boko attack will not be a surprise if it happens….up to two weeks notice now. Nigerian army and air force, this time you will have NO SINGLE EXCUSE…Maiduguri will prove you.
We patriots on this blog are praying to God to help you, please don’t disappoint us.
maybe i am being too optimistic but i suspect the Maiduguri attack has fizzled out and the window has closed. The Bama battles took too much sting out of the foward echelons of the BH. They would need time to rebuild and recoup resources in my view.
The only way they will survive now is if we let them. In my view over the next few weeks we would be the ones on the offensive and they on the back foot. I believe the main drive will come from Adamawa State towards Gwoza (which appears to be their nerve center these days), when that happens, whatever forces they have around maiduguri will be pulled back to shore up their defenses in Gwoza (i hope we wont let them do that). That is when i expect our airforce with their new night fighting capability to come into its own and turn the Bama/Gwoza road into the highway of death.
My two shekels worth.
You are damn right my friend. I thought I was the only one who noticed that Boko Haram may have actually over extended themselves in this mad dash for territory and their desire to confuse and distract. I think if adequate internal security arrangements and external defence of Maiduguri is done, this is actually the time to strike unceasingly at the remaining towns under their control. This is the third time BH is going to be at this weakened state. Let us not waste the opportunity again.
Augustine you have been one of those that opened my eyes to the rot in our armed forces, I really was out of touch.
When I look at the assets we are deploying they do not give us overriding advantage, using light armoured Otokar Cobras for frontal assault or using the Streit Spartan as an IFV will just not work, a boko technical will rip it open.
Meanwhile we can pray
@kenee22k
Your point about MRAPs and light armoured cars are supported. They have their place in urban COIN and intra city fighting but now that Boko Haram have gotten themselves confused and want to be ISIS and take territory now is the time for Tanks, SP Artillery and IFVs. Luckily, I suspect the NA already has answers for all suggestions on this which the next two weeks should reveal
A little more about this new thing that BH has started, taking territory.
This is pure conventional warfare. A warfare type defined by layers of strategies, matching weaponry with strategy and sustainment by lines of supply. They don’t learn that stuff in insurgency school and even though they may have a few trained people and powerful sponsors it is hard seeing them hold out with this strategy against the Nigerian state and our established defence institutions.
Honestly I am not worried about Maiduguri. T-Mobile. America’s First Nationwide 4G Network
The thing about Maid is the possible terrorists sleeper cells as somebody as suggested. They can’t take the city from outside but they can try some really bad suicide bombing stuff and mob action on military formations and we should be ready. This is primarily a job for SSS, NPF and DMI. I won’t waste too much Nigerian Army resources on internal security for now they should be preparing for the remote possibility of external attack.
There seems to be a media blackout in the N.E. in the first instance, in the second instance there is so much politicking about issues and subterfuge I really don’t know who to believe.
Most disturbing is we get conflicting information from differing governmental bodies they are all not singing from the same hymn sheet, the information confusion is real. This failure to disseminate information whether good or bad gives the advantage to Boko. They are surrounded in such dreaded mystery that it exaggerates their capacity creating real fear and terror and panic amongst the citizenry and may I even suggest great apprehension amongst combatants.
I once watched a sketch by basket mouth comparing the Nigerian journalistic approach to that of the more global main stream journalists. Our Journalist’s where looking for eye witnesses but never going anywhere near the crisis zone a reflection of self preservation. While your CNN , RT, AlJazeera types where dodging bullets and taking cover while filming in the middle of a fire fight.
The penchant for self preservation by our journalists and dare I say our citizenry, possibly explains the complete lack of footage about this crisis, the “I know wan dye, fear,fear” syndrome. I am not asking for dead bodies but something substantive reports, video, pictures, that clearly is indicative of the situation on the ground. For instance, we know thousands have been displaced but there is no reporting about this and or one on one interviews with victims, its like we hear but never see.
Even the military can rely on reports from journalists and indeed it constitutes a part of their intelligence and situational awarenesses. The N.E. is not any more dangerous than Iraq, Syria, CAR, Mali, we just get announcements but no evidential footage to substantiate victories that would allay the fears of the citizenry.
If boko can produce videos why cant they NA ? showing boko on the run, I mean boko don’t really have heavy weaponry, beyond their unarmoured soft skinned HMG mounted technicals, so it shouldn’t be hard to do.
Furthermore, everybody knows that all governments lie even brazenly until proven wrong with overwhelming evidence, and then find a scape goat to blame it on. Our government isn’t any different hence the high level of scepticism about information coming from the NE.
@ OGA mcshegz
In many ways we are saying the same thing and i believe that we are not after looking @ dead bodies.
The statement that the DHQ released is timely and appropriate and speaks exactly to what we are talking about. Having said that@ appropriate times the MILITARY should carry the public along not in disclosing sensitive or ongoing activities nothing of that sort and I really do not care what the heck BBC writes, because disinformation, very good propaganda has never ever won a war and it will be no different in this war that the Nigerian will surely win.
The NIGERIA ARMY has the duty from to time to sharpen the perception that they most def are in control, yeah things may go wrong once in a while BAD COMMANDER, BAD COMMUNICATION ETC, ETC,
The perception is also important because it helps with human intel and also providing the military with the two things it needs most during a campaign 1) Money with a capital B, 2)Groundswell of Public support just look at the groundswell of public support around obj’s son. OBJ is very unpopular in his s/west constituency but look at the public support, just one officer’s action of leading from the front. We on this blog know of some of the incredible sacrifices that these front line officers have made or are making we do not want their stories to be forgotten.
On a personal note I have friends who are serving all of whom i can describe as being very highly intelligent .
DEFENCE HQ NIGERIA @DefenceInfoNG
UPDATE1:
Situation in Mubi, Michika, Bazza, Gulak, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru Ngala & other parts of the North East is being stabilized.. /1
as highly coordinated Air&Land OPs are ongoing.The efforts are yielding impressive results in the overall move to rid area of terrorists /2
============================================================
UPDATE2:
Alarmist Report on Foreign & Online Media on Maiduguri is clearly intended to cause Panic in the City and the Nation #BustIt /1
All Facets of Security Arrangements for the Defence of Maiduguri has been upgraded to handle any planned attack…. /2
…or attempt to disrupt the City’s prevailing peace. This kind of Alarmist report is uncalled for in view of the efforts & alertness /3
Citizens are nevertheless enjoined to remain vigilant as the go about their lawful business /4
Vindication.
GEJ meeting with Chad, Insurgents running out of ammo, 1st and 3rd now joining the fight. I really don’t need to read a ‘tea leaf’ (or watch a 1 minute video for that matter) to know that BH is in trouble. They run into Chad nor get fresh supplies through that route, Cameroun is now upping their game and NAF is beginning to bare its fangs…..except there is a last minute enexpected development this ‘conventional war’ should be over soon
Maybe, just maybe, the army and airforce are getting their acts together at the right time.
Note the DHQ comments of “Highly coordinated air and land ops”.
Pincer movements+ Blitzkrieg.
In fact, i go donate my “blockos” if those boko morons manage escape the envelopment.
E don be 4 them…
NA, abeg naaa, make una make me dance skelewu 4 this mata.
Gentlemen, we appear to be entering one of the most decisive phases of this conflict…
Getting somewhat concerned mainly main stream media reporting that Maiduguri is surrounded by Boko. I have made a number of calls and not getting any conclusive information.
This is clearly one of the most critically decisive fazes of this conflict, this is now conventional warfare. It will be close quarters and air support will have limited advantage, now only if we had a good number of well armoured IFV’s stabilised with 30mm remote weapons stations, this battle would be essentially over in hours.
Good hunting and God speed to the NA.
The underlying stemght of terror is their obscurity, you can never defeat an enemy you dont see. These terrorist allow success get to their head and make terrible mistakes seizing territory which they must fight to defend and which plays into the hands of a conventional army. ISIS in Iraq is learning this the hard way.. Boko Haram too will know what its like to hold unto a territory against in a face to face fight not hide and shoot. Where are our Carl Gustavs guns? The U.S just ordered 6 thousand (Yes 6,000) Carl Gustav Guns,.. we have this gun right? i think?
We had less than 50 Karl Gustavs. I believe that mistake is being corrected.