Military

By Uzair Adam Imam

Former Minister of Defence and National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Sen. Musa Kwankwaso, has emphasized the capability of the military to effectively address the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria, provided with the requisite support.

Speaking to journalists after the NNPP National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, Kwankwaso underscored the pivotal role of the Federal Government in addressing the security crisis while urging Nigerians to actively contribute by providing crucial information to security agencies.

Drawing from his extensive experience in security matters as a former Minister of Defence and Chief Security Officer of Kano State, Kwankwaso emphasized that the gravity of the situation necessitates the involvement of the Nigerian military.

He stressed that alternative security measures, such as state-led initiatives, fall short of addressing the magnitude of the crisis.

Highlighting the dire consequences of the security challenges, including disruptions to agricultural activities and rampant abduction of innocent civilians, Kwankwaso urged collective efforts towards restoring peace and security in the country.

Asserting his party’s readiness to tackle the nation’s problems, Kwankwaso positioned the NNPP as a beacon of hope for Nigerians disillusioned by the failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Echoing Kwankwaso’s sentiments, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf urged unwavering dedication among party members, emphasizing the need for wholehearted commitment to the NNPP’s vision for a better Nigeria.

By Uzair Adam Imam

In response to the tragic attacks resulting in the loss of over 200 lives across Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State, President Bola Tinubu has authorized the immediate establishment of a military barracks in the state.

The designated site for the barracks is Miller Farm (Gada Biyu) in the Mbar District within the Bokkos Local Government Area.

President Tinubu has tasked General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, with overseeing the swift implementation of this measure to address the security challenges plaguing the region.

The Daily Reality reported on the recent rise in insecurity in the state, which has also claimed the lives of innocent people and resulted in the destruction of properties.

Our reporters gathered that the development has instilled lingering fear and tension in the minds of residents.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The military high command has announced its intention to request a meeting with Rev Timothy Daluk, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

This decision comes in response to recent comments made by Daluk, accusing the Nigerian military of orchestrating violence against Christians and endorsing property destruction in Mangu. 

Despite Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s declaration of a curfew, reports continue to surface about the ongoing killings of innocent people and the burning of houses, mosques, and churches in Mangu. 

In a viral video, Rev Timothy Daluk explicitly pointed fingers at the military, alleging their involvement in displacing Christians and facilitating militia attacks on their homes. 

He stated, “I am here to report the situation happening in Mangu Local Government for the whole world to understand. What is happening in Mangu at this particular point in time, the military are the ones sending our people away for the militia to burn their houses.” 

Responding to Daluk’s accusations, Major-General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, addressed journalists at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. Buba assured that the military was in the process of reaching out to Rev Timothy Daluk to substantiate his claims. 

He noted the military’s commitment to fulfilling its duties professionally and adhering to the best international standards, pledging a thorough investigation into the allegations.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

One hundred and twenty (120) villagers were reportedly struck dead at Tudun-Biri, Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State, by the Nigerian Army on Sunday night, 3rd December, 2023, as they celebrated the Maulud an-Nabiyy. The Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the attack. In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Tuesday, 5th December 2023, the group described the incident as sad and unprofessional. MURIC also demanded proper investigation and compensation for the victims. 

The full statement reads:

“Army drones killed 120 innocent villagers at Tudun-Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, 3rd December, 2023.  The victims were celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when the ugly incident occurred. 

“Although the Nigerian Army has accepted responsibility for the attack. We strongly condemn the killing of unarmed and innocent villagers. The incident reflects carelessness and a lack of professionalism.

“MURIC demands full investigation into the circumstances surrounding this disaster. Those found responsible for the callous murder of these innocent Muslim villagers must be made to face the full wrath of the law. 

“We also demand full compensation for lives lost and properties destroyed in this thoughtless attack. Live is sacred and soldiers should not turn innocent civilians to lawful targets of their killing machines.”

By Aliyu Nuhu

Call me a military apologist, l don’t care. Democracy is a big let down in Africa. It is an anathema to its growth. You can say all the virtues and beauties of democracy, but the truth remains that Africans and Nigerians are too indiscipline, tribalistic and bigoted to let it work. In fact some of the conditions needed to make democracy work are not yet attained in Nigeria. They are; large middle class and some level of educational attainment among the citizens. On every failure we blame the West. Now tell me it was the West that advised us to promote Almajiri education to state virtue or told Dasuki not to buy the weapons. Tell me it was the West that told us never to punish anyone for stealing. Even when the western countries jailed their nationals in scandals that had to do with us, we promoted our own criminals to position of leadership and blamed the West for our inadequacies.

The Wilbros, Halliburton and Siemens scandals had portrayed us as an unserious nation. Democracies in Uganda, Congo DRC, Republic of Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, CAR,Togo, Angola and Cameroon are better left to history books and historians. In Nigeria, the kind of leaders we saw in the past 23 years are making me to have nostalgia for the military.

The nation did not stagnate under military. There was less crimes because as a nation, Nigeria had the capacity to punish criminals then. The military executed armed robbers, drug traffickers, murderers and terrorists; including their sponsors. Today as we entered our most violent period in peace time, civilians have not been able to carry one death sentence even as terrorists are blowing the nation to pieces on daily basis. No military government will tolerate school abduction and ransom payments the way we see it today. State government officials organize bandits to kidnap students and they withdrew money for ransom and have the students returned after few days.

Armed robbers, kidnappers and ritual killers are living in utopia. The state is on perpetual holiday in dealing with violent crimes. Even with all they stole in the past, at least the military leaders built Third Mainland Bridge and Abuja. No government under this dispensation can build a bridge the length and breadth of the Third Mainland or build a brand new city like Abuja, not even on paper. The military created the states and local governments and demarcated their boundaries. All our social and economic infrastructure were built by them including all the refineries and LNG.

General Abacha in particular, spent 70% of his budgets on capital projects and we are still plying his PTF roads. With all the billions civilians received since 1999, they have failed to repair Lagos-lbadan express or Benin – Ore Road. But Babangida built Abuja – Kaduna – Kano dual carriageway in under 2 years. The road saved lives. In 23 years Abuja – Lokoja express is still under construction. Meanwhile it was Abacha that rehabilitated Port Harcourt – Enugu express and built Aluminium Smelter company in Ikot,-Abasi while Obasanjo built Aladja steel rolling Mills.

The military have really tried and most of our today’s enjoyment as a nation is directly tied to their hard work before and now!