FACTS About War Against Boko Haram Nigerians are Oblivious of
You know the Nigerian military is doing a darn good job when despite facing one of the world’s largest and deadliest terrorist group, 90% of Nigerians have not experienced what amounts to be the longest war in our history.
Here are facts about the insurgents:
* At its peak Boko Haram was the second largest terrorist group in the world, with an estimated 35,000 fighters. If Boko Haram had its own flag, it will be the 3rd largest fighting force in West Africa after Nigeria and Chad.
* In 2015 Boko Haram outstripped ISIS to become the “deadliest” terrorist group in the world. That same year the jihadi group occupied and controlled an area the size of Belgium.
- The majority of Boko Haram fighters were not Nigerians. Many captured insurgents spoke French…the Creole version of French…analogous to our pidgin English.
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2014/2015 was significant year in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Chadian air force carried out unilateral airstrikes in Borno without informing or seeking authorization from the Nigerian government. The President tried to save face by saying the airstrike was part of an agreed upon framework and authorization was granted. Only for Idris Derby to invite the media for a press conference and rebut the statement, insisting, almost bragging he did never sought authorization.
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A wounded and demoralized Boko Haram was spared from total annihilation when a week before a Final Offensive, a SCAM ceasefire deal was proposed by Idris Derby, who convinced the Nigerian government to cancel the offensive (against the wishes of the army) and come to the table for rounds of talks, only to discover it was nothing but a ploy to buy Boko Haram time to recover after which Idris Derby went into hiding.
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Personal aid to Idris Derby, Baharat Gnoti was caught by border guards with 22 SA-7 SAMs he was to deliver to Boko Haram in Borno.
- Boko Haram received $3 million from France in ransom payment, and tried to hide it from the Nigerian government. That’s N1.3 billion today; the deal also included Cameroon releasing five top Boko Haram commanders in their custody. This was an accident discovery. There’s a good chance Boko Haram have received as much as $10 million covertly. Unlike in Syria where it took coalition of 62 countries to defeat ISIS, or A-STAN that receives $80 billion worth of military equipment the U.S, or Iraq with surplus of U.S equipment, Nigeria single handedly contained the deadliest terrorist group in the world.
How about international support? While leaders of the world’s most powerful nations linked arms to lead more than a million French citizens through Paris to show support in an unprecedented march on a scale not seen since the liberation of France from Nazi German in 1944.
With Nigeria It was the polar opposite. So while A-STAN was receiving billions in military aid, Nigeria’s attempt to buy AH-1 Viper helicopters from Israel was blocked over doubts Nigeria had the technical wherewithal to operate such complex machines and human rights concerns. While $500 million was released to train FIFTY “moderate terrorists” in Syria, to fight the Assad regime, Nigeria’s Super Tucano deal was consistently being suspended at the slightest provocation.
Such is the stark difference. So never forget. The Nigerian military has come a long way. Defied all odds, braved through adversity, sabotage and a deliberate attempt to undermine the nations war effort. If Nigeria wasn’t black it would have received rave reviews and adulations.
Credit: Defense News Nigeria
