By: Gideon John Madziga
First of all, prayer. There is lack of prayer here in our Nation Nigeria, if you try to make a conversation with many of our people here in Nigeria you will discover that some; have never prayed for the Nation for peace to reign. In what ever you do always, pray.
Step 1: 100% Media black out on all Boko Haram activities:
As it stands, Boko Haram has won the psychological warfare by instilling fear amongst Nigerians. Boko Haram has used the media to issue threats, spread the details of their successful activities and promise more attacks. As commander in chief, I will ban the name ‘Boko haram’ from being mentioned in any media house, print or electronic. I will use huge resources to bombard the media houses with messages bothering on the peaceful nature of Islam, Security tips, How to identify terrorists, SOS numbers and other anti terrorist routines. If and when Boko Haram strikes, I’ll use all state security apparatus to keep the incident confidential: this may seem ‘wrong’ but sometimes that which you don’t know cannot kill you or instill fear. Like China, I will restrict the activities and access of foreign news organization as it concerns Boko Haram.
Step 2: Increase the population of the Nigerian army:
If Boko haram is busy recruiting foot soldiers, Nigerian army must also be seen to be swelling its ranks. This Boko Haram issue may end up being a long drawn war that will involve other West African nations starting with Mali, Niger, Chad and even Northern Ghana. As commander-in-chief, just like the Americans did after 9/11, I will mobilize young Nigerians into the army for a short service programme which will see them serve in Northern Nigeria over a period of time. We need an armed forces that can cover every nook and cranny of Boko Haram’s strong locations within Nigeria’s territory. It’s also possible that Nigerian troops be ready to strike border towns inside the territories of neighboring countries seen to be harboring Boko Haram elements.
As Commander in Chief, I’ll also place an immediate procurement order of Drones.
Step 3: Federalism:
As President, I will reduce the powers of the centre in areas of revenue allocation ,infrastructure and other economic developmental functions; the states will now handle such. BUT I’ll increase the power of the center a hundred folds in the areas of national security. My government will wield emergency powers to arrest and detain ‘indefinitely’ any individual or group of individuals that pose a security threat to the Nigerian nation.
Step 4: Marshal Plan in Northern Nigeria:
Every unemployed/illiterate youth in Northern Nigeria will be viewed as a security threat. My government in conjunction with affected state governments will establish or revive large scale fortified industries and mega farms where unemployed, uneducated Northern youth will be FORCEFULLY made to work and earn a living. Almajiri schools and moderate Islamic centres will be provided within the premises of these establishments to take care of the inmates educational and religious needs. I bet you, all these guys that come running their mouths at Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ).
GEJ, have no knowledge on how the Boko Haram challenge could be tackled.
These people live among us and no one is willing to divulge information to security agents how can this issue going to end?
Are we saying that parents, villagers, emirs, imams, LGA chairmen of Boko
Haram affected states do not know these guys?
For me however, true federalism with various regions maintaining its
own Police Force recruited from among the locality will resolve it. No one here has any clue as to how to solve Boko Haram issue and yet all we get everyday is insult and curse on Jonathan. Internal terrorism is very difficult to deal with, it is not like America fighting al-queda in Pakistan and Afghanistan all of which are foreign soils, it is not like the Nigerian government. fighting the regular army of Biafra. These are people you do not know but who live among the people. The government needs people with whom Boko Haram live to help with information, are the people doing that? NO. Some civil servants do not know this or perhaps they do, but yet insult the President for in-action. SECURITY
This approach will include the following:
Intelligence: the use of both the SSS and NIA to actively collect and produce actionable intelligence on the group using available assets. The whole idea behind this will be to identify key players within the group, religious and political backers, and financiers, supply ducts for weapons to the Nigerian army and cash for their family to survive, modus operandi of group, future terror attack plans, safe houses and training camps. Intelligence gathering will not be localized, but will include clandestine operations within countries the share our borders at the NE (Chad, Cameroun, Niger), and other countries suspected to have ties with Boko Haram (Somalia, Saudi Arabia, and maybe Pakistan).
Border Patrol: it’s no news that we have very porous borders up north. Providing personal to man the border won’t be easy. So I suggest we copy the same tactics used by the Brazilians and Americans. Apart from setting up border posts, a Quick Response Force (joint Customs & Army) placed at strategic points to react in case of an incursion. these QRF units will be provided with vehicles (Land rovers, Hilux), ATVs, and air support (helos) for both transport (Mi-17s, Bell, or Pumas flown by NAF or Customs Pilots) and combat air support (Mi-35 or Bo-105s). There will also be need to provide air assets to patrol the borders. The Nigeria Army Force (NAF) could acquire more ISR planes, more UAVs equipped with FLIR cameras, and the cheaper helium ballons equipped with FLIR. And if possible, we could retag one of our observation satellites over the borders. Border fences will be erected and equipped with CCTV cameras and motion sensors. And finally, a control centre will be established (possibly within one of the army’s facilities within any of the Border States or at JTF HQ) to coordinate the use and deployment of aforementioned assets.
Direct Action and Counter Terror Operations: will involve the use of security assets, particularly the army’s Special Forces, Police ATS, and DSS operators, to strike fear in the hearts of Boko Haram loyalists. This will include night raids on safe houses and suspected weapons caches, arrest or termination of high value targets. Disruption of supply ducts, and seizure of assets used by the groups. For safe havens across our borders, Intel gathered by the NIA will be used to plan out possible military strikes against these Boko Haram. As the C-in-C, I will make sure I inform and coordinate with sister countries.
Targeted Assassination: we all know that there are a number of “untouchables” behind the Boko Haram terror group, and who can’t be brought to justice. So I will authorize the use of targeted assassination, using deniable assets. Hell, I’ll even blame it on Boko Haram.
SOCIAL APPROACH
One reason Boko Haram has a strong foothold up north is the high illiteracy rate and availability of unemployed youths (almajiris). Therefore, I’ll push Governors to ensure that primary and secondary education is compulsory. Vocational schools will also be established to provide the youths with skills that they can survive on.
I’ll also fast-track the mining of solid minerals and the development of the agricultural sector up north, as this will surely attract more investments and developments desperately needed in these places. And finally prayer is the best lets always be praying for our President, because there are many of his advisers who don’t want him on that seat and as he said there are many Boko Haram in his government, even in Aso Rock. Because when security matter is been discussed in the federal house the sect among them will quickly reveal to their members. My brethren prayer is the best. Let Pastors and Imam organize a prayer day at least twice in a week in their place of worship Churches and Mosques all over the Nation.
By Gideon John Madziga
Email: mr.grntle2@yahoo.com