Insurgency, humanitarian crises: Realities in the North-East
Defeating the insurgency and rebuilding of the North East were major promises made by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) at the time he took over the mantle of leadership in 2015. This of course came against the backdrop of the deteriorating insurgency situation in the North East then. It will be recalled that, substantial part of […]
Defeating the insurgency and rebuilding of the North East were major promises made by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) at the time he took over the mantle of leadership in 2015. This of course came against the backdrop of the deteriorating insurgency situation in the North East then. It will be recalled that, substantial part of the geopolitical zone was nearly taken over by the insurgents at the time the present Government came to power.
The raging attacks by the insurgents then resulted in about two and half million people displaced from their communities, particularly in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Hundreds of thousands were equally wantonly killed by the insurgents. Indiscriminate bombings was the order of the day then. Millions of people from the affected States similarly found themselves internally displaced within and outside the country.
Also very devastating was, the destruction of schools, places of worship and communities. People in the geopolitical zone like other parts of the North were expectedly disillusioned by the seeming inability of the Government to deal with the situation. The situation spurred them to mobilize resulting in massively voting for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a former military Governor of defunct North Eastern State, General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Jos and a former Head of State in the 2015 Presidential elections.
The belief in the insurgency impacted communities then was, only somebody of the President’s morale standing, courage and background could help stop the senseless destruction by the insurgents and rebuild their ravaged communities. An Issue that swayed the electorate in the North East during the 2015 election was thus the lack of solution to the insurgency in the region.
True to his words, the PMB Government’s major policy direction of defeating of the insurgency and rehabilitation of the region were pursued with vigour right from the onset. Since then, unbelievable successes have been recorded in the fight against the insurgency. Remarkable areas of successes are, the liberating of communities previously occupied by the insurgents in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. The cells and structures of the Sect in almost all places in the geopolitical zone have been decimated. Thousands of people who were abducted and held hostage have been freed.
The attacks on communities, institutions, markets and places of worship that was common place have been stopped by the combined efforts of gallant Nigerian troops of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and security agencies. As at the time of reporting, gradual peace is returning to some of the affected communities. Also hailed as very significant was, the release of some Chibok and Lassa women and girls who were abducted by the insurgents. Equally commendable is, the stopping of the wanton burning down of communities, public institutions and killing of people with IEDs. Suicide bombing which was almost a daily affair have to some extent become something of the past.
Despite the enormous achievements made in the counter terrorism operations, so much however still remains to be done as, the gallant troops and security elements embark on the final push to defeat the insurgents. An area that requires serious attention is, the pursuit of the fleeing insurgents. There are reports that some of the insurgents who were previously holed up in some villages have melted away to some remote locations. This challenge is most pronounced in areas around Sambisa Forest, the Gwoza general area and communities on the shores of the Lake Chad. Other areas are, the Ngoshe-Cameroon border, the kunduga-Bama-Dikwa, as well as, Gamborou Ngala axis.
Equally of serious concern are, unconfirmed reports that, the fleeing insurgents are setting up new camps in the Ngoshe-Cameroon border general area. Other areas where the presence of the fleeing insurgents have been noticed are, Maiduguri-Damboa-Askira areas. Some of the dispersed insurgents have also been sighted in some remote areas around Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. As previously reported, the current situation is not unexpected. The insurgents will definitely search for remote areas where they cannot easily be discovered. They could also move to new areas beyond the North East especially in neighbouring States. These are areas for further exploitations to bring the nightmare to an end.
To bring the insurgency in the North East to an end, the issue should be comprehensively looked at. In this regards, the network of terrorists and their sleeper cells should be watched out for. Also necessary for a total defeat of the insurgents is, locating and recovering their cache of arms. There are reports that, the insurgents are in possession of large quantity of very dangerous weapons hidden in places previously held in some locations in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. Other areas of serious concern are, some places around Sambisa, Lake Chad shore communities, as well as, the notorious Kunduga-Molai areas. There are claims that, some IEDs and dangerous weapons have been buried in Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. There have also been speculations that some IED’s and mines may have been planted in some areas outside Maiduguri Municipal.
The continued use of suicide bombers to attack markets, places of worship and public gatherings to some extent gives credence to these claims. Accordingly, other aspects of the ongoing operations requiring determined efforts is going after the terrorist networks in the West African Sub-region. This is in the light of earlier reports that, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) is making inroads into the region. As previously impressed, this phase of the counter insurgency operation is crucial as there are possibilities of the situation relapsing. As previously advised also, reasonable level of alert by the security agents is required as there could be further attacks by the insurgents like the ones witnessed in Konduga village in Borno State and the one in Dapchi in Yobe State recently. The reported attempt to attack University of Maiduguri is also instructive. The gallant troops of the armed forces must also be commended for ongoing attempt to completely take over the Sambisa Forest enclave.
(To be concluded next week)
Gadzama, a former SSS Director-General, wrote from Abuja.