BY JOHN NWOKOCHA
A recent assessment of the intervention projects initiated and being implemented by Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai scored his Super Camps Strategy very high regardless of what critics of his leadership have said. They have ceaselessly unleashed negative comments against any initiative embarked by COAS. The critics have even gone beyond uttering negative comments and are calling for the sack of service chiefs because of escalating insecurity in the country. Nevertheless, the establishment of the super camps by Gen Buratai is the answer. With its superior power the super camp is adding fillip to the ongoing clearance operations which is already having impactful outcomes.
It is only a matter of time the super camp strategy would proof to be the super concept for winning the war against terrorism in the country. And when proper appraisal of counter insurgency strategies is conducted in the long run all of us will commend Buratai’s courageous decisions. The Chief of Army Staff does have a knack for sound intelligence judgment. He is not scared of implementing ingenious ideas. He is therefore, always clearly ahead of the enemy (terrorists) with his winning strategies. Unfortunately and very sad, his critics and their paymasters with the intent to undermine him would find no reason to commend his bold step.
In its own evaluation of the super camps initiative, the Nigerian Security Tracker said unambiguously: “casualties related to insurgency have significantly decreased”. This implies that Gen Buratai has taken the right step in the fight to flush out terrorists. On a good day even Buratai’s worse critics would agree that the super camp initiative is a super idea.
It is regrettable critics still find time to rubbish sound judgments in intelligence. Whereas they ought to seek public support for the Nigerian army in its efforts to end the existential security threat by insurgents in the north east and north west of the country. For over ten years citizens’ lives and property are constantly threatened by forces of terror by Boko Haram and now a splinter, by the name of ISWAP.
Thankfully, Boko Haram and allied terror forces have been largely caged by Nigerian Army (military). No more will they seize the space prowling with their caliphate ambition. The gallant Nigerian army has put a final stop to their ambition to establish a caliphate across the Nigerian state. No more tense situation in the north east. No more massacre of citizens by the terrorists. And no more will you hear about them occupying parts of the north east and hoisting their flag. The reason is that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists’ key commanders and fighters have been neutralized. Their command structure has been dismantled. So also their intelligence centre has been degraded. Their recruitment capabilities have been greatly weakened. Their lift capacity/mobility, logistics supplies have been substantially paralysed. Their arms and logistics supply chains have been significantly paralysed. The terrorists are now gradually being totally isolated, fixed and suffocated as a strategy of war push forward by Gen Buratai. Also importantly, there are no safe havens for the terrorists to carry out their propaganda.
The public also has a major role to play in the final push by watching out for terrorists’ sponsors, logistics suppliers and report same to the military and other security agencies.
The public would come to realize soon these achievements were possible all because the counter-insurgency strategies launched under the dynamic leadership of Gen Buratai , have turned the heat against the terrorists. For those who know Buratai’s competence in evolving time tested counter insurgency strategy very well, they would not be surprised when he came up effortlessly with the latest strategies that would decimate the enemy.
In his counter-insurgency strategy Buratai in 2017 had announced the construction of the Super Camps also called ‘Fortress Strategy’. The super camps strategy is driven chiefly by the need to protect the military against constant ISWAP raids on military barracks in rural areas. Under the new strategy military personnel will be based in a few well constructed super camps which ISWAP cannot overrun. In this context COAS deserves commendations for having the plight of the troops in mind in establishing these camps.
Military pundit will agree that, the super camp concept is beyond the pursuit for troops’ protection. Certainly, it is a noble strategy of war that provides concentration of forces, equipment and resources enough to provide capacity to project force against daring enemies. Besides, it provides speed as the troops are in a staging position – mostly mobile on patrols. In the same vein the Super Camp strategy offers element of surprise hence troops are mostly mobile and so it is difficult to predict their moves or next line of action.
Add this to other reasons you can tell that the days of constant attacks on the military by ISWAP terrorists are over. From this perspective the super camp is a welcome respite from the devastation occasioned by the terrorists’ attacks the military has been facing over the years. The initiative certainly is serving its purpose. The decrease in deaths related to insurgents’ attacks on our soldiers is a good indication. It is an incontestable proof that the super camps undertaking is an action whose time has come. Since its implementation there been less confrontations and hostilities between the military and ISWAP terrorists and therefore fewer deaths of soldiers and helpless civilians who were constantly mowed down or abducted by forces of ISWAP or Boko Haram or the combined forces of both. Being that it has a potential to reduce ambush on military patrols as well as check the incessant obstructions of troops movements the super camps have begun to justify the decision of COAS in a profound way. It is beyond argument that the super camp strategy of Buratai preserves lives and can guarantee more permanent peace.
It would be observed that 20 super camps had been launched. While making this disclosure Gen Buratai, had said the Super Camp was the way to victory, he stressed that the Nigerian Army was expanding on the idea to defeat the insurgents.
Describing the concept as “the concentration of formidable fighting forces in strongholds that have the capacity for swift mobility, in one of his public interfaces, Buratai threw more light on the whole idea saying: “This requires the forces to be proactive, dogged, and capable of making bold offensives at all times to defeat the adversary by denying freedom of action”.
Unlike before, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists can no longer carry out spectacular attacks on military units and other locations like markets, schools, worship centres in the cities. They can no longer attack cities and large communities and can’t move freely. They have no freedom of movement and action anymore.
It is interesting to note that in the whole of the North east, the Nigerian Army, with the support of other security agencies was able to substantially degrade and clear the terrorists from all the states of the North east, except Borno state where the army has succeeded in flushing them out of major cities like Maiduguri, Monguno, Baga, Demboa, Gwoza, Konduga and Bama, among other areas. Any terrorists’ activities recorded in any state of the North east is masterminded by hibernating terrorists from Borno state, where they came out from, commit havoc and go back.
Notwithstanding that in Borno state the terrains are largely remote, difficult to access and often deserted interior localities, the terrorists have been extensively decimated and flushed out. They have been considerably fixed and isolated to deep rooted, remote villages. And it is just a matter of time, the Nigerian Army, under the super camp zeal of Gen Buratai will definitely catch the few remaining terrorists where ever their hide outs exit are in Borno state and beyond. The recent destruction of Darulslam/Boko Haram terrorists camps in Kogi and Nasarawa states are good examples.
It is troubling that in Borno state many interest groups of citizens are pulling from different directions giving the impression that that the Nigerian military is overwhelmed instead of commending the troops. Although the activities of terrorists in Borno state make the case of Borno particularly pathetic and unfortunate, the state has recorded significant presence of military fighters and facilities more than others north east states formerly under the siege of terrorists. It should be a curious issue that with the heavy presence of military fighter Borno state still witnesses activities of terrorists. Many factors could be responsible for this. Prominent among them is infrastructure deficit, – poor road network and many ungoverned spaces. Another is high level unemployment, to mention a few. Unarguably, a state with these endemic socio-economic challenges is but a breeding ground and safe haven for unfortunate activities.
These are profound findings, therefore, those who emerge on the scene often times issuing statements branding the Nigerian army with names tantamount to opprobrium should make a quick U-turn and support the army in the fight to end terrorism and banditry across the country.
NWOKOCHA Writes from Abuja.
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
I used to be able to find good information from your articles.
After exploring a number of the articles on your website, I really appreciate your way of writing a blog. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know your opinion.
Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it.
You’ve made some decent points there. I checked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
Good day! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I am returning to your blog for more soon.
Wonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our website. Keep up the good writing.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this website needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the information!
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to publish more on this subject matter, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people do not discuss these subjects. To the next! All the best.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Many thanks for providing these details.
It’s hard to find experienced people about this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Hello there! This blog post could not be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
bookmarked!!, I love your website!
You’re so cool! I don’t suppose I have read something like this before. So wonderful to find another person with some genuine thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality.
Hi, There’s no doubt that your site could be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent website!
I seriously love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my own site and want to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Thanks!
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to make a really good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.
Great article. I will be going through some of these issues as well..
Hello there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have got right here on this post. I am returning to your site for more soon.
Great info. Lucky me I came across your website by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article plus the rest of the website is extremely good.
Aw, this was an extremely good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
You made some good points there. I looked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.
Good web site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
I quite like reading an article that will make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment.
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for something regarding this.
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the website is also really good.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this during my search for something regarding this.
Everyone loves it when individuals come together and share views. Great site, keep it up!
I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!
I blog frequently and I genuinely appreciate your content. The article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
This is the perfect blog for anyone who would like to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that has been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff, just great.
I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post…
It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people about this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to return once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Hello, I believe your blog could be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic site!
I quite like looking through a post that can make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment.
Great blog you have here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Hi there, I believe your site might be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, fantastic site!
Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
May I just say what a relief to uncover someone that genuinely knows what they are discussing on the web. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people should look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you’re not more popular because you surely have the gift.
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you.
It’s difficult to find experienced people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article plus the rest of the site is very good.
I absolutely love your website.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my very own blog and would like to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called. Appreciate it.
Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!
Great post. I am facing some of these issues as well..
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for providing this info.
You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through anything like that before. So great to discover someone with some original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a little originality.
You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the web to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
Your style is very unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing this information.
Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.
I blog quite often and I seriously appreciate your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
This is the right site for everyone who wishes to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a subject which has been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It’s the little changes that will make the greatest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
You have made some good points there. I checked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.
Your style is unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this web site.
This is the perfect webpage for anybody who hopes to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject that’s been written about for decades. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful.
Hello! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have got here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon.
Having read this I thought it was extremely informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is useful. Thanks for sharing.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
I enjoy reading through an article that can make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment.
I seriously love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own personal website and want to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Thank you.
There’s definately a great deal to find out about this topic. I love all of the points you have made.
Saved as a favorite, I love your blog.
Very good post. I’m experiencing a few of these issues as well..
Saved as a favorite, I really like your website!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal blog now 😉
I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
Spot on with this write-up, I truly believe this website needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the information.
I really like reading through an article that can make people think. Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment.
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article! It’s the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this issue here on your website.
Howdy! I simply want to give you a big thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
Hello there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you’ve got here on this post. I’ll be returning to your website for more soon.
I was excited to uncover this site. I need to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!! I definitely appreciated every little bit of it and I have you saved to fav to check out new things on your blog.
May I just say what a comfort to discover a person that really knows what they’re talking about on the net. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people should look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you aren’t more popular since you definitely have the gift.
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
This post is very helpful! I appreciate the effort you put into making it clear and easy to understand. Thanks for sharing!
I was able to find good information from your articles.
Hello there! This post could not be written any better! Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I’ll send this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Good information. Lucky me I discovered your site by accident (stumbleupon). I have book-marked it for later!
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest websites on the web. I’m going to highly recommend this blog!
Excellent site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the site is very good.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It’s the little changes that will make the largest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
Hi! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent info you have got here on this post. I will be returning to your website for more soon.
Hello! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have right here on this post. I am coming back to your website for more soon.
Fantastic post! The information you shared is really valuable and well-explained. Thanks for putting this together!
Introducing to you the most prestigious online entertainment address today. Visit now to experience now!
After looking at a number of the blog articles on your blog, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know your opinion.
Introducing to you the most prestigious online entertainment address today. Visit now to experience now!
Saved as a favorite, I love your web site.
Introducing to you the most prestigious online entertainment address today. Visit now to experience now!
I enjoy reading an article that can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment.
May I simply just say what a relief to find somebody who genuinely knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people must look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular given that you definitely have the gift.