Security
Afghanistan: Taliban’s starting from where they left it 20 years ago
Afghanistan: Taliban’s starting from where they left it 20 years ago
By: James Bwala, Maiduguri
Taking over the Afghan’s seat of power in a bloodless manner raises a lot of questions for many security and political analysts around the world. The fall of a country like Afghanistan to a terrorist organization (The Taliban) should not be an easy one looking at the 20 years of military training and equipment at the disposal of the Afghan military.
They (The Afghan military) were supposedly trained by one of the best if not the best in the world. But for a country like Afghanistan to collapse days after the US Marines pull out reveals a lot about the many faces of the war that ends where it started. NEWSng looks at people’s reaction to the trading stories on Afghanistan days after the collapse of Asharaf Ghani’s presidency.
Ibrahim Danladi in his submission believes that for the Taliban to have it easy with more 300,000 well trained Afghan’s soldiers on the ground is nothing but a point to the fact that, either the country has no plan for western democracy or President Asharaf Ghani was actually a member of the Taliban to have given in so cheaply.
” If you have been a follower or have been following the incident of the President of Afghanistan since coming to power you may agree with me that he has a lot of inclinations to the Taliban’s believes. I do not know whether he is an extraction of the Taliban or not. I work with an international organisation and have worked in Afghanistan for three years on the Musharaf regions. Afghan is a rich country with a lot of untapped mineral resources. The Afghan forces are well equipped military but for this to happen so easily is something I could not understand.y worry is that poor individuals are going to go back to the history they never wish to recall.”
Mathew Okoli, a security analyst and keen follower of the development in Afghanistan has said that he was surprised as any other individual would because no sovereign nation with the kind of supposedly military that Afghanistan have today will allow itself to go down the way the world has witnessed in the case of Afghanistan.
According to him, “the pulling out of Afghanistan by the US government was not only about the billions of dollars being lost in that futile war as some have observed. It is also about the world view of the Americans as world bully, especially from the Islamic world. It is about democracy and the system it derived. It is about the immediate past administration under Donald Trump and the current administration in America. It is both the politics and religion in play. And it is about American interest.
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“The Americans are done with their interest in Afghanistan. They have gotten what they needed for centuries to come going by some arguments trading. However, Afghanistan has fallen, why it was too soon is what the world seemed to be finding with citizens fleeing the country. The Taliban are in Kabul, they have taken over the seat of power and are celebrating inside the presidential palace. How did it happen? For me, I see an insider job. “
Dr. Nurudin Ahmad a Nigerian Community medicine expert, who also served with an international organisation and have shuttled between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the last five years submit that he was not surprised that the country would collapse the way it does.
” I have seen it coming. There are a lot of Taliban living in the city in Afghanistan long before now. Some of them were given amnesty by the Asharaf Ghani’s presidency. I have worked with some of them in Kabul and the Afghan’s citizens know about this. It is not a hidden thing. Most of these supposedly former fighters are the same people who aided the taking over of the cities from government forces. There are many stories coming from the people. I left Afghanistan since the Covid-19 pandemic sets in but I know the country is likely to collapse since the news begins to filter about the pulling out of the American troops. It was not meant to be so sudden, I mean the pulling out of the American troops but this present administration in American also has its own political weaknesses to have allowed this mess currently ongoing.” He said.
Speaking on the recent events at Kabul International airport, Dr. Ahmed Baidu, a University Don wrote on his Facebook page and liken the situation to the rush hour at Oshodi park in Lagos.
“Recent events at Kabul’s International Airport reminded me of the rush-hours at Oshodi, Lagos in 90s where people scampered and chased Molues to their various destinations. So disheartening that the bad corruption of Ghani’s led adminisration and American neo-colonialism led to the collapse of social structure which resulted in the victory of the Taliban in Afganistan.
“Asharaf Ghani’s ineptitude towards the Afghans’ welfare and their social security helps to spread hatred among society’s classes due to injustice and inequality. The ousted President deprived the right Afghan citizen from holding high positions, which increases hatred and affects national patriotism and cooperation between State’s institutions and tribal leaders in the fragile country.
“At last we all saw how the oppressors and oppressed (victims) of the bad governance were chasing plane like Molue at Oshodi Lagos. The moral lesson is that let our political leaders know that corruption and selfish style of leadership are the perfect tools for undermining national security and the social ladder that can promote patriotism directly or indirectly; In the end, we can all be victims of corruption’s economic and political repercussions like Afghanistan if we are not careful. When citizens have mistrust in the rule of law, surely such can led to weakening democratic reform which in turn damages political stability of any nation including our dear nation.”
Abdullahi Hafis described the 20 years of America’s invention of Afghanistan as the saddest war in world history. According to him, the Americans have been chasing shadows all this while and in the end, they gave back the land to the owners.
“More than two trillion dollars has been expended in the war in Afghanistan so much that can change humanity but all put to return over two thousand American soldiers back home on coffins. Afghanistan remains backward with the Taliban starting from where they left it 20 years ago. I think the lies about this tragic mess should stop at this. Russian came and left in shame, the Americans followed who is next?” He asked
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Right Commission has urged security agencies to provide adequate protection for individuals exercising their right to protest.
The advised was given on Monday in Abuja, following Twarnings by the government and security agencies against the planned protest against hardship by Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at a press conference, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, also urged the Federal government to provide adequate security for the journalists that would be covering the protest.
Ojukwu asked the Federal Government to put in place a mechanism to hold security agencies accountable for any abuses committed during protests and warmed against any form of barriers during the protest.
He advised protesters to carry out their protest within the ambit of the law.
He said: “We call on the federal and state government to ensure that the October protests are peaceful and that the protesters are given the necessary support and leverage to conduct themselves in civilized manner, including protecting them from counter-protesters and mobs.”
He also added that both federal and state government and their institutions are obliged to facilitate peaceful assemblies.
“This includes ensuring safety, providing necessary infrastructure, and taking measures to prevent disruptions from counter-demonstrators or hostile forces.
“Government should provide adequate protection for protesters against violence or intimidation as well as facilitate peaceful assemblies through appropriate measures.
“Government must put in place effective Accountability Mechanisms for holding the law enforcement and security agencies accountable for any abuses committed during protests. This includes investigating incidents where excessive force was used or where protesters were unlawfully detained.
“Government must deploy its apparatus for the protection of private and public properties as well as the lives of protesters and non-protesters before, during and after the protests.”
He insisted that the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right recognized internationally, regionally, and at national level.
He noted that “In Nigeria, this right is enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and further strengthened by international and regional human rights instruments. Section 40 provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.
“Furthermore, article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) provides that “Every individual shall have the right to assemble freely with others.
“The right to peaceful assembly is the cornerstone stone of our liberty and an essential instrument for promoting the values of democracy and good governance. Protests are legitimate means of voicing dissatisfactions and participating in shaping citizen-centred governance and development outcomes.”
He stressed that the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Human Rights Council have put in place a set of principles which should guide the promotion and protection of the right to peaceful assembly.
The principles he said include: “Non-discrimination: All individuals should be able to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly without discrimination based on race, gender, political affiliation, or any other status.
“Legitimate Restrictions: While freedom of association and assembly is fundamental, it can be subject to restrictions. However, such restrictions must be lawful, necessary in a democratic society, and proportionate to the aim pursued. This means that any limitations imposed by Nigerian authorities must not infringe upon the essence of these rights.
“Protection from Violence: The state has an obligation to protect individuals exercising their rights from violence or intimidation by third parties. This includes ensuring that protests can occur without fear of repression, prosecution or violent backlash.
“Notification Requirements: Requirements for pre-notification of law enforcement should not serve as barriers but rather facilitate peaceful protests. Notification requirement should not be burdensome and not hinder the exercise of this right.
“Use of Force: Any use of force by law enforcement during protests must adhere strictly to principles of necessity and proportionality. Excessive use of force against protesters, including shooting or the deployment of tear gas is a violation of human rights and dignity.”
He said: “Exercise your right to peaceful protest within the ambits of the law, be very civil and respect the rights of others.
“Avoid violence, destruction of property, and harmful behaviour, this is detrimental to nation building, the destruction caused may take fortune to regain which will be a great set back to our development.
“Cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety by conducting yourselves with highest sense of modesty and civility.
“Refrain from hate speech and divisive rhetoric, abusive words and foul language.
“Respect the rights of others, including those who may hold differing opinions, that is the beauty of democracy.
“Ensure that your actions do not infringe on the rights of non-protesters, as everybody must not be on the street protesting.
He promised that the NHRC will be monitoring the protests across Nigeria and will ensure that state and non-state actors violating the right to protests and other associated human rights will be held accountable.
For the security operatives, Ojukwu urged them to “Respect the rights of protesters to peaceful assembly and expression as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and other Regional and International Instruments that Nigeria is a Party to.
“Avoid excessive force and ensure proportionate response to situations, do no harm and do not force the protesters to react in a manner that is riotious.
“Protect journalists and media personnel from harassment, allow them to carry out their duties as the fourth arm of the government and as enshrined in the constitution.
“Facilitate dialogue between protesters and relevant stakeholders, this will rather assist you in discharging your role seamlessly, do not look at them as your enemies.
“Ensure that arrests and detentions are carried out in accordance with the law and not because you merely want to deal with people.
“Provide necessary assistance and support to vulnerable individuals, do not overlook any opportunity to render help.”
Protest: NHRC Asks Security Agencies to Provide Adequate Protection for Protesters
Nigerian Troops eliminate 8 Boko Haram Terrorists in Raid in enclaves
By: Zagazola Makama
The troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in conjunction with hybrid forces and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), nutrialised eight Boko Haram terrorists when it raided the terrorists enclaves in Bula Marwa in Bama Local Government area.
It was gathered that the troops recorded the feats on July 28, 2024, when it made contact with the terrorists and neutralized eight of them ahead of Siraja village, forcing others to flee.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops subsequently exploited the general area but made no further contact.
The sources said that the operation resulted in the recovery of one Anti-Government Launcher (AGL) and one MK 4 rifle, as well as a bag containing a pair of desert camouflage uniforms and other terrorist uniforms.
Nigerian Troops eliminate 8 Boko Haram Terrorists in Raid in enclaves
News
Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups
Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups
By: Zagazola Makama
A joint operation between the troops of 21 Armored Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a large consignment of illicit substances destined for Boko Haram Terrorists in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that acting on intelligence, the joint team launched a swift and decisive operation to disrupt the supply of illicit substances to the terrorist groups.
The operation, which was carried out following a tip-off, resulted in the recovery of 163 bags of the substance, equivalent to 2.5 tons in a warehouse in Konduga.
The suspected illicit substances, known as “Goom” or “Akusukura”, is a deadly psychoactive substance that represents a serious threat to public health and poses a challenge for drug policy.
The substance, which is of different varieties, is used in both liquid and powdered form by people who mostly seek to raise their levels of psychological or nervous activity in the body, or put it in simple terms, get high.
The recovered items were handed over to the NDLEA team leader, and the area was cordoned off by the military.
The operation highlights the effectiveness of interagency collaboration and the commitment of the military and NDLEA to keeping Nigeria safe.
Joint Military-NDLEA Operation Seizes 2.5 tonnes of Illicit Substances Bound for Terrorist Groups
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