Opinion I Boko Haram and The Military's Avowal

BOKO HARAM AND THE MILITARY’s AVOWAL

        

Sometime ago, an uncle of mine told me among my siblings during a casual family gathering that one of the prime idiosyncrasies of any security outfit anywhere in the world was over-confidence coupled with pride. He stressed that the aforementioned features invariably “make them to exaggerate as well as embrace victory in advance”, which according to him was a good step if one really means a battle he is involved.

       

In a bid to throw more light, he further said “over-confidence, which is often begotten by pride, has a very strong way of subduing your opponents and could make them surrender even before the battle commences”. In other words, he was actually opining that security agencies strive successfully with the help of the said tools.

         

I was yet to concur with the perspective which he tendered over a decade now, not until barely two weeks ago. It isn’t anymore news that on Saturday, 3^rd February 2018, the Nigeria’s military, precisely the Army, boasted publicly that the world’s third dreaded terrorist group – Boko Haram – had been ‘completely defeated’ by them.

       

The disclosure, which came up during the inauguration of the Nigeria – Cameroon Military Joint mission in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was presented by the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole in the person of Major General Rogers Nicholas. He said “troops under the operation Deep Punch II on Friday dislodged the terrorists at their factional ground, Camp Zero”.

         

In an effort to throw more light, the commander disclosed “my soldiers are in the heart of the Boko Haram enclave. The gallant troops have broken the heart and soul of Shekau’s group, taking over the camp and its environs”. He went further to say “they are on the run and we are pursuing them to wherever they go”.

        

Maj. Gen. Nicholas who urged the fleeing terrorists and abducted persons in the bush to come out and surrender to the troops, promising they would not be harmed or killed, informed that “this time around, there is no place for escape anywhere” as he equally revealed that hundreds of them had already surrendered and about 100 civilians rescued in the process.

        

Intriguingly, just the following day after the announcement, on Sunday 4^th February 2018 to be precise, the ‘completely defeated’ Boko Haram unleashed an attack on Kala village situated in Dalori, Borno State. In the mayhem, a person was reportedly murdered and several houses set ablaze. I couldn’t reconcile that barely 24 hours after we were notified that the Boko Haram had been totally crushed, the extremist sect practically disabused the army of its claim.

         

It’s noteworthy that the avowal came up barely a few weeks after the leader of the jihadist group, Mr. Abubakar Shekau appeared in a latest video. In the 31-minute display, the elusive leader having boasted that his men were in good health, threatened that the battle wasn’t yet over. This is the same man who had for the umpteenth time been reportedly killed by the army.

        

Come to think of it. It’s worth noting that the army’s declaration came just a few weeks after the National Economic Council (NEC) approved the withdrawal of one billion dollars from the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) towards tackling the ongoing battle against the extremists; an approval that had raised tremendous dust and ripples among millions of Nigerians.    

        

Although I never expected the army to sound like defeatists, which they aren’t, it’s noteworthy that that boast was contradictory. We aren’t unaware how the people – particularly those from the North-Eastern part – longed to hear the military announce to the global community that the dreaded sect had been totally crushed, but it’s imperative to comprehend that such report wouldn’t be consequential if any area across the federation is still unsafe as regards terrorism.

          

I personally understand that such information by the army might be a strategy targeted toward provoking the enemy group in order to fish their members out from their various hidden places, but it’s understandable that several other Nigerians wouldn’t be able to interpret the message as such owing to their level of understanding, hence the need for the revered security outfit to acknowledge the reality of individual differences whenever we are bound to take any action or tender any utterance, as the case may be.

        

In line with his campaign pledges, the President Muhammadu Buhari – led administration has thus far since assumption of power convincingly strived to tactically end the ugly existence of the Boko Haram. The Nigerian Army (NA) among other Armed Forces, on its part, has apparently proven its determination to fight doggedly in regard to the ongoing terrorism war. 

         

However, it’s pertinent for both parties leading the war in question – the Federal Government and the military – to comprehend that the extremists can only be said to have been ‘completely defeated’ when every nook and cranny of not just the North-East but the entire Nigeria obviously becomes inhabitable, and our various borders duly safeguarded at all times.

         

In view of the above assertion, I’m strongly of the view that exaggeration might be helpful in winning the war but could on the contrary, do more harm than good. So, it’s therefore high time every stakeholder involved squarely faced the battle as required, so that, our success thus far wouldn’t turn into fiasco. Think about it!

 

Comrade FDN Nwaozor

 Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

  

ShortStory I Naughty He-Goat

 

NAUGHTY HE-GOAT

       “Hi, sweet sis!” Emeka greeted as he walked into Nkem’s bed room.

       “Hello big bros!” She cheerfully responded.

       “I never knew you have a very pretty-looking girl friend.” He observed, still standing.

       “How do you mean?” She verified, lying in her bed.

       “I’m referring to Ada, of course.”

       “Oh,” Nkem exclaimed. “That’s my darling friend.”

       “Interesting.” He added, nodding his head.

        Ada had been Nkem’s best friend right from their childhood. They both graduated from same secondary school some months back, and recently sat for JAMB examination. That very day, Wednesday 17th of April 2013 to be precise, Ada visited Nkem at her home as usual but that was the first time Emeka set his eyes on her.  

         Emeka, a twenty-one year old chap whom was a 200 Level student of Civil Engineering in the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State and on his first semester holiday break, was Nkem’s immediate elder brother. He was about three years older than her.

        “I like her.” He continued.

        “Hmm.” Nkem murmured.

        “I think she’s my dream girl.”

        “Dream girl?” She surprisingly asked. “But you hardly know her?”

        “That’s not an excuse, my dearest sister.” He quickly chipped in.

        “Besides, I don’t think my friend would like a rascal like you.” She teased him.

        “Don’t bother about that,” he said. “Let that be my worry.”

         “I’m exhausted.” Nkem said. “I want to go to bed.” She requested, frowning.

         “Ok, suit yourself.” the lover boy replied, walked to the door and stepped out.

         “This boy must be crazy,” Nkem soliloquized in her bed. “I pray he wouldn’t do anything silly towards my friend.”

      * * * * *         

        “Nkem..!” Her mum whom was seated at the sitting room, called as soon as the door bell rang.

       “Yes mum.” She answered in a high tone from her bed room.

       “Please, come and check who is at the door.”

         Nkem hurriedly stepped out of her room, walked towards the entrance to the lounge and quickly let the door open. She perhaps needed not to verify who was at the door since the guest must have passed through a scrutiny at the gate.

         It was Ada, her best friend. She stepped into the parlour the moment the door was let open. The slim and dark-skinned girl who was average in height, was clad in black trousers, white round-neck polo and brown sandals. That was exactly six days after her last visit.

        “Oh, is you!” Nkem excitedly uttered, closed the door.

          There was no notice about her coming. She probably intended to take Nkem unawares.

          They hugged each other affectionately.

          On her part, her mum whom was still seated on one of the upholstery chairs, looked at them and shook her head in excitement.

          Taking a close study at the teens as they hugged themselves, it’s only a man suffering from acute glaucoma that wouldn’t observe that they were really best of friends.

          “Good afternoon, mum!” Ada greeted, stylishly bowing her head as a mark of respect the moment she walked closer to Nkem’s mum.

          “Good afternoon, my dear.” she responded, smiling. “You are welcome.”

          “Thank you, ma.” Ada appreciated.

          “How are your parents?”

           “They are fine, ma.”

           “And your siblings?”

           “They are all doing great, ma.”

           “Please, make yourselves comfortable.” She urged the duo, stood up and walked straight to her matrimonial room holding a magazine in her right hand. 

           “Thank you, mum.” Nkem happily dished out as her mum walked out of the parlour.

            Immediately, they sat very close to each other on one of the two-in-one upholstery seats in the sitting room.

           “I learnt our JAMB results are out?” Nkem anxiously enquired.

           “Yes, you are right.” Ada replied. “I read it on Facebook yesterday.”

           “Interesting.” Nkem enthused. “Just barely few days ago we sat for the exam.”

           “JAMB is really improving.” Ada added.

           “So,” Nkem said. “When will you check yours?”

           “I don’t know yet.” Ada responded. “I am scared.”

           “Me too.”

           “Maybe we should go together.” Ada suggested.

           “I think you are right.” Nkem concurred. “Let’s go tomorrow then?”

           “Okay, no problem.” Ada consented, paused. “What of your big bros?” She supplemented, referring to Emeka.

            Emeka was Nkem’s only brother, and the first child of their parents. They were only three in number including one other girl, Ndidi who was still in secondary school, Class four precisely.

          “Oh, that one?” Nkem said. “He went to see one of his childhood friends in the neighbourhood.”

         “Okay.” Ada chipped in, nodding her head.

         “I think he would soon be back.” Nkem foresaw.

         “That your brother is lively and accommodating.” 

         “Wow!” Nkem exclaimed in a low tone. “All these for him?”

         “Yes, he is.” Ada reiterated. “The little time I had with him the last time I was here is enough evidence to prove that.”

         “Hmmm.” Nkem murmured. “Don’t tell me you are falling for my brother?” She teased cheerily.

          Ada smiled. “Not what you think.”

           She was opportune to have a good and lengthen chat with Emeka during her previous visit, and that was the first encounter she had had with him.

          After few minutes, at about 4:17pm, Emeka walked into the lounge clad in black baggy jeans, red and green shirt, black canvasses coupled with a red face cap.

         “I told you, he would soon be back.” Nkem reminded.

         “Oh, pretty!” Emeka exclaimed from afar having sighted Ada. “You are here?” He said, gladly stepped closer to them.

         “Yes,” Ada replied. “I’ve spent over thirty minutes here.”

         “Are you serious?” He amazingly tendered, sat adjacent to them.

         “And as a matter of fact,” Nkem interrupted. “We were just discussing you before you arrived.”

         “And what were you guys saying about me?” He curiously inquired.

         “That you are a naughty boy.” Nkem pulled his legs.

           Ada smiled, tapped Nkem on her left lap.

          “Is that true?” He asked Ada.

          “It is a lie.” Ada cleared the air. “Don’t mind her.”

          “Nkem, so you haven’t offered her anything?” Emeka observed after a brief silence, frowned.

         “Oh, I almost forgot.” Nkem said. “I am so sorry dear.” She told Ada, stood up immediately.

         “No qualms.” Ada said, smiling. “Apology accepted.”

          Nkem quickly walked away to gather some drinks for herself and her guest.

          That was a great and golden opportunity for Emeka to accomplish his intended mission.

          “Baby, you are indeed a very beautiful girl.” He complimented her the moment his kid sister walked out.

         “Really?” Ada exclaimed. Amazed.

           It seemed Ada had already developed a soft spot for him, because the compliment was apparently highly welcomed by her person.

         “Of course, you are.” he reiterated. “Honestly since the last time we met, my thoughts have been occupied with you.”

         “Oh, my God!” She voiced out. “Are you serious?”

          The last question was like a challenge to Emeka. He then stood up and quietly relocated to Ada’s seat, exactly where Nkem was seated. This time, his face was deeply focused on hers. “Baby, honestly I am in love with you.” He thought aloud.

         Ada was deeply moved by the statement, which she had never received before in her whole life. Abruptly, she was completely enslaved by lust. She was ostensibly speechless and vulnerable. Her emotions couldn’t withstand Emeka’s deceptive countenance as her innermost system was filled with tremendous sensation. No doubt, her poor self was already in a romantic mood. 

         On his part, he appeared not unlike a predator that had gotten a prey for the day, thus felt like he was already on her.

         Emeka who seemed drunk, hurriedly took her right hand and held it tenderly. “If you give me the chance, I will prove to you how much I love you.” He promised.

         She remained speechless and loosed just like a dummy displayed in a showcase in a certain supermarket.

         Therein, he shifted closer, calmly held her head with his two hands and began to kiss her repeatedly. The moment he removed her stainless white top as the silly journey progressed, Nkem walked in with a tray in her hands containing bottles of drinks and some glasses.

        “What..!” She exclaimed on top of her voice on sighting the ugly and disgusting drama.

         The tray fell on the tiled floor and its contents thoroughly got broke.     

         On their part, Emeka and Ada who abruptly got back to their senses, felt like the world had come to an end; their legs remained gripped on the floor. Ada particularly, couldn’t withstand the unimaginable shame.    

         Their mother, who ran to the sitting room to verify the essence of the alarm, got fainted on sighting the eyesore.

         The rest is history, please.

 

Fred Doc Nwaozor 

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [

ShortStory I Bloody Encounter

 

BLOODY ENCOUNTER

      “Hello!” Buchi exclaimed, standing at a bus stop situated in one of the notorious localities in Lagos State, Oshodi to be precise. The dark skin-coloured young man was clad in blue jeans, green T-shirt, and a pair of black shoes.  

      “Who am I seeing?” Ikem shouted at the top of his voice on sighting Buchi as he was about entering a commercial bus that was headed for Festac town.

        The fair-skinned dude was putting on black three-quarter jeans, multiple coloured polo, and brown leather slippers coupled with a brownish face cap.

         He then ignored the bus. “Buchi na you be this?” He further exclaimed in vernacular, walked closer to him.

        They hugged each other passionately.

         The two were old time friends who attended the same secondary school in Enugu State many years back, and happened to hail from same state. Both buddies were in their early thirties.

       “So you are in this state?” Buchi inquired.

       “Yes,” quoth Ikem. “Since I finished my degree course.”

          Both of them lost contact after their secondary education days due to lack of mobile communication system as at then.

        “Are you serious?” Buchi amazingly exclaimed. “So, which university did you attend?” He added hesitantly.

        “UNN,” Ikem replied, meaning University of Nigeria Nsukka. “But I did my youth service in Niger state.”

        “Interesting.” Buchi said, nodding.

        “And you?”

        “Well, I studied in Uniport.”

         “University of Port-Harcourt?” Ikem verified.

         “Yes,” Buchi answered. “But I served in Ekiti State”

         “So, how long have you been in Lagos?” Ikem hurriedly asked.

          “About three years now.”

          “Wow..!” Ikem exclaimed, amazed. “Same here.”

           “You mean, you have been here for three years too?” Buchi asked, surprised.

         “Of course.’

         “Where do you stay?” Buchi enquired.

          “Festac town,” Ikem responded. “With one of my uncles who works in a bank.”

         “Wow, what a coincidence” Buchi said excitedly. “I reside at Maza-Maza”

          Maza-Maza is situated in the same district with Festac.

        “That makes it more interesting.” Ikem said, smiling.

        “Yes ooh!” concurred Buchi. “You can say that again.”   

        “Are you alone?”

        “No.” replied Buchi. “I am with my married sister.”

        “Any job yet?” Ikem anxiously enquired.

        “For where..?” Buchi replied in vernacular. “Where did you see job in Nigeria?”

         “Na wow oh!” Ikem exclaimed disappointedly. “Only God would save us in this Naija.” He added.

         “So which bank does your uncle work with?” Buchi hesitantly tendered.

         “Platonic.”

         “That’s a nice bank.” Buchi applauded. “So you haven’t gotten a job too?”

         “Hmm,” Ikem sighed. “My brother, leave matter for Matthias.”

         “So what’s your plan now?” Buchi curiously inquired.

         “Well, there’s a friend of mine who asked me to see him tomorrow at Ikeja.” Ikem replied. “He’s into business.”

         “What kind of business?”

         “I don’t know yet, but he often travels abroad.” Ikem said. “And he is densely loaded.”

         “Okay.” Buchi dished out in a low tone, paused “Please, I would like to go with you oh. Man don suffer.” He requested submissively.

         “No wahala,” Ikem agreed. “What are friends for?”

         “Thanks a lot buddy.”

           After some minutes, they boarded a bus that was headed for their respective destinations. They exchanged contacts while in the vehicle.

 

                * * * * * *

         Buchi and Ikem agreed on a meeting point on phone. The following day, they met at the stipulated venue and took off from there to their anticipated destination.

        Ikem had already informed his proposed host via phone that he would be coming with his friend, and the man in question approved the request.

        When they got to the place, surprisingly the man who invited them seemed to be an armed robber. The guests needed not a prophet to interpret the scene to them because all various kinds of weapon and ammunition were displayed right before the gangsters.

          The chief host who was seated amidst his partners in crime didn’t hesitate to disclose the nitty-gritty of the show to them. After the necessary introduction, Ikem and Buchi whom were gripped by fathomless panic were left with no other choice than to join the deadly chorus.

         The gang had earlier planned to rob a bank the following day being 24^th February 1999, and the affected firm was Moonlight Bank; one of the most respected banks in the country. The new intakes were meant to be part of the adventurous outing. 

         On the D-day, they successfully arrived at the bank and were about to commence operation as usual until something tragic transpired. Unfortunately Ikem’s uncle, Mr. Cyprian Okoro – the one he lived with – happened to be present at the said bank. He was scheduled to meet with the Bank Manager on that fateful day for a proposed business transaction.

         Ikem sighted his uncle the moment he walked into the Manager’s office as he was instructed.

        Mr. Okoro stood up immediately on catching the sight of his nephew, profoundly shocked. He couldn’t believe his eyes. “Could this be my own Ikem?” He thought, stood still.

         Both relatives were steadily and astonishing looking at each other, which led the Bank Manager into a more confused state.

         Ikem who was well armed, quickly and nervously gushed out tears as he was left with no options than to pull his virgin trigger on a man he had always seen as not just a father but source of his inspirations. It was indeed a horrific and bloody encounter for the first-time robber. He felt like the world had finally come to an end as he thought over the poignant state of dilemma.

         Immediately, Mr. Cyprian Okoro was shot dead alongside his senior colleague by Ikem.

        The tiled floor was instantly covered with pool of blood.

         It was no doubt the most dreaded experience in the life of Ikem who instantly flew with his accomplices without beholding their prime target, which ten billion naira, let alone making away with it.

        The rest is history, please.

 

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador