Columns

Binoculars: Of security, military, intelligence and non-kinetic Comradeship against a common enemy in the north east war theatre

Published

3 years ago

July 23, 2022

Binoculars: Of security, military, intelligence and non-kinetic Comradeship against a common enemy in the north east war theatre

By: Bodurin Kayode

One thing I have learnt in the North Eastern Nigeria war theatre is the fact that both the kinetic and the non-kinetic players are one as a team. We do not have a superior partner against an inferior partner. Just leaders. This is because we have accepted the grim reality of the fact that the bullet that kills the General is the same bullet that can send the private worrier in any organization to his early grave.

You could see it clearly in the way the military, which is the toughest kinetic organization managing the insurgency, has been embracing others in the non-kinetic realm into the theatre.

I was in a police forum recently where the command bomb controller was explaining how they detonate bombs and IEDs and it was not different from the way the military did it in the same Mallam Fatori council area of northern Borno.

What I am saying is that both the military and the non-kinetic sector including the intelligence services and the media have been drafted into the war to fight a common enemy. So if one partner feels offended in any way about the way the other does his thing then the onus is on him to call the person and use civil language to make his complaint and the solution will be reached for the common good. Not to use crude language regardless of how angry one partner is.

DO WE HAVE ANY SUPERIOR PARTNER TO THE REST OF US?

The answer to this is a capital no.What we have is a common enemy that must be crushed. And that is Boko Haram and their cousins.

So if we have a common enemy it means we are all agents of the state having the right to do the right thing at all times. The Directorate of State Security partners can claim that it is only them that have the right to protect the state but that would apply to states where we don’t have known enemies looking down on us. They surely can’t do it alone in the Maiduguri war where everyone is a target. They need all of us.

I had a sordid encounter with one overzealous Rabiu of the DSS working with the north east Development Commission (NEDC) after he had intimidated some of my colleagues to warn me simply because he didn’t know me personally.

What happened? I was trying to join the convoy of the NEDC on a commissioning mission from Borno Mass literacy like other people but their white J5 bus nearly knocked my car in the process. I think the driver himself was obviously an operative, then slowed down to ask me to move. By the time we got to the neighboring military secondary school, Rabiu marched rudely to me with an armed police man to intimidate me. I wondered why a decent operative with his senses will want to talk to a journalist and will now ask a police man to escort him to display a show of force. That was wrong. I was standing chatting with some informants trying to get some information and there was Rabiu with an officer Sunday of the Nigerian Police possibly to intimidate me. Sunday obviously reluctantly was drafted to create a scene on an unarmed reporter.

RABIU’S RUDE BODY LANGUAGE

No matter what I may have done wrong by my decision to burn my petrol for my friends in the NEDC, instead of following anyone, there was no justification for the rude language he used on me. I could even feel the realm of the dangerous “inferiority complex” he had in him for journalists when talking to me. He is obviously one of those who joined that service for the use of the weapon and not for intelligence purposes which they are supposed to be wired for. He was virtually talking down on me as if I would have been his mate if I was in that service. Insultingly.

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And then I humiliated him further by just smiling and I responded by saying, don’t bother yourself. I will not join the convoy again since I am so small or less important to the people who are not VIPs who he is guarding and who are also in the convoy. I could see the surprise in the eyes of officer Sunday of the Nigerian Police who escorted him possibly to show his force but saw me armless. Since he was too timid to come and see me himself and used a much more civil language to talk to me instead of whining like a hyena at the top of his voice. Immediately he walked off back to where the VIPs were and left me and another colleague watching the assignment.

Dogara, a young reporter of the channel’s TV who witnessed the entire wrong the guy meted out to my persona, went livid with rage. I just smiled and told him that as long as someone I respect is the boss of Rabiu, I will not return the rudeness he gave me back to him. Dogara looked at me and wondered if a known non-conformist like myself had gone soft and vowed that if he was the one he would have responded. I begged him to forget the antagonism of Rabiu because he was obviously sent. Ask Dogara when you see him. He saw the other side of me yesterday.

I never had the opportunity to meet Sadiq who is Rabiu’s direct boss before I left the NEDC but I will surely meet him one day to teach Rabiu how we behave in the theatre. He has no right to talk to me disrespectfully as if I was the enemy regardless of what wrong he thought I may have done based on their training and understanding which I am yet to be educated about. Rabiu is a very rude operative who needs training on the role of a journalist. He is not different from another who threatened to shoot myself and Franco sometime this year while driving into the government house. Our offense was because of a similar thing. When you come to a place and you don’t know certain people, you ask guys on the ground who they are and not to bully them unnecessarily. We got out of my car and marched to him and an argument started between the police who knew us and the new man who came from the Presidency. It was so funny. At the end of the day, the police officer who understood civil uniformed relationship asked us to go when the DSS guard started ranting about shooting at us. Franco and I walked back to my car and drove to our assignment. I actually reported the matter to the Governor’s chief detail who promised to look into the matter.

JOURNALISTS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT

There is nothing contemporary that serious journalists do not know about security management and how to report with the advantage of the state at heart. The only difference in our job descriptions is the weapons they carry and high class equipment they use to get their own information. If we had a National Guard by now, most of the aspects of the state the DSS dabble into will not be necessary. But we missed that because some Generals sources convinced IBB that the guards will rival the Army. I don’t see the fear of rivalry at all. If the CIA and the FBI are not rivals all these years, why would a Nigerian national guard rival the Army? Well that is for another day’s Binoculars.

Sadly I always drum this into the ears of my colleagues who had one brush or the other with these people in the course of their duties.

The State Director in Borno here Oga Muritala as I call him is a fine gentleman. Always calm and gentle but you can’t take him for granted. I don’t have much interaction with his deputies other than hello when we cross paths or when I visit. But I have friends among them even in the lower ranks. They help me with my job. The reason why I couldn’t respond to Rabiu right down there on the ladder is that if we had a squabble and I placed him where he belongs, my friend Oga Muri may begin to have a second thought about the young reporter he knew 25 years ago while he was the Chief detail of the Governor of Zamfara state Ahmed Sani. Each time Yerima Bakura wanted to see me then as the reporter of the vanguard, this man was already waiting to usher me in. I remember his smiles with his walkie talkie in his hand. Always smiling and welcoming till this day when I meet him. Asking about my health and family.

When Yerima Bakura ushered me into his home with his kids milling around while we ate “twoo shinkafa and mia kuka” traditional Hausa food together. Oga Muri was there though distantly and never saw me as a threat. I left Gusau as a happy man. If I wasn’t a threat to Oga Muri then, when we were both very young, why would Rabiu be ranting all over the place as if I have suddenly become his personal threat? Someone should teach him civility with journalists or else something will happen to him that will puncture his arrogance.

I think the onus is on his direct boss in the NEDC Sadiq and my friend Oga Muri to instill our way of doing things to Rabiu and his likes who still behave like we are in the days of the NSO to calm down and respect the fact that the bullet that will kill a private operative is the same bullet that will kill an agent of a sergeant equivalent and it is the same that can send even the DG of their organization to the great beyond. No mortal has power over death so let’s be each other’s keeper.

Let’s learn to be civil in what we do in the war theatre. That will surely keep the kinetic and the non-kinetic together to fight the common enemy. And that is Boko Haram, ISWAP and even the Bandits. The Journalist has never been the enemy and will never be.

Binoculars: Of security, military, intelligence and non-kinetic Comradeship against a common enemy in the north east war theatre

Columns

Mangun Gruesome Killings: What is the Rational Behind this Act?

Published

5 days ago

June 30, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Mangun Gruesome Killings: What is the Rational Behind this Act?

By: Balami Lazarus

When I heard of the killings of the innocent travelers that happened at Manjul in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, who are my brothers and sisters? I sat down and began to think, trying to reason out why and what the rationale is behind these killings. My thought raised so many questions regarding this brutal murder, ruling out some motives. But political motive kept whispering, telling me the rationale is politically motivated considering the quantum of killings on the Plateau in places like Bokkos, Bassa, and Mangu, which has become a vicious cycle in these areas. And in addition, there were utterances from some politicians complicating issues.

I hereby condole with the families of my brothers and sisters from Zaria-Basawa, Samaru, Hayin Dogo (Kallo Kura), and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) community main campus Samaru who lost their lives in the Mangun brutal killings of 20th June, 2025, on their way to Qua-anpan for a wedding. May their souls rest in peace.

The killings of these innocent Nigerians were carried out with no reason or cause, neither threat nor provocation of any kind, much lessreligion or ethnicity, as some irrational persons want us to believe. I stand and write with the power of the pen to say in print that the sentiments aforementioned are far and kept away from such unfortunate incidents, which have been peddled around by some enemies of peace and progress on the Plateau.

It is on record that so many Nigerians have condemned in totality the killings of these innocent travelers. While the government and the good people of Plateau State have long condemned this act in strong terms. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s administration has properly condoled and sympathized with the government and people of Kaduna State, including the management and staff of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. In his effort as the executive governor, Mutfwang is working tirelessly to see that justice takes its course on those involved in this crime. Besides, his administration is making an effort to compensate the affected families, according to sources.

It might surprise some readers why I emotionally addressed those murdered as my brothers and sisters from Zaria-Basawa, Hayin Dogo (Kallo Kura), Samaru, and ABU main campus, which are integral parts of the Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. I am an indigene of Zaria, having been born and bred outside the ganuwa (city walls) of the ancient Zaria city in Gaskiya, Kongo, ABU main campus, and Samaru, all addressed as Zaria, where I had my childhood spree. Therefore, I will not be queried by identifying with the deceased and their families as my own people, for we are linked one way or the other.

Let me hereinafter tell you why I suspect political motive was behind these killings of the travelers in Mangun-Mangu. I partly grew up on the Plateau, shuttling between Jos and Sharam in Kanke Local Government Area as a student and still living in Jos. Moreover, I have some good understanding of the people, their sociopolitical and economic happenings, and their dynamics on the one hand. And I once led a political group on the other. The utterances of some politicians and their cohorts/allies are questionable because they are not happy with the people-oriented projects of the Caleb Mutfwang administration. And that they were accused of sponsoring the killings going on in the state. The case of Mangun, 20th June, 2025, holds water going by the alleged accusations and the kind of politics playing out in Plateau State.

Findings have revealed that there were interventions by some youth leaders, elders, and vigilantes who risked their lives trying to stop this group of rascals from carrying out the killings and burning of the bus belonging to ABU conveying the victims for a wedding at Qua-anpan. In fact, some were burnt—men, women, and children. Others were rescued with various degrees of injuries. Reports put the total dead at 8 persons. While 12 were injured, some survived. The good news making rounds is the arrest of over 20 suspects believed to be behind these gruesome killings of the Zaria travelers.

Thus, this incident has no doubt painted Plateau State in a bad light as one of the major flashpoint states where killers of innocent travelers reside. Well, I will not blame them because this is not the first. However, this particular one is painfully shrouded in a bitter political atmosphere between some gladiators who are not at peace with the positive developments in the state. Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as the change driver.

Yes, there are insecurity challenges on the Plateau, where apprehension and naked suspicion are everywhere, prompting the citizens to be extremely cautious and always on alert. However, if young men can channel their collective energies as a force towards the insecurity bedeviling the state instead of engaging in political thuggery, drugs, and criminality, there will be a change in their lives and the entire system.

Balami, a publisher/columnist. 08036779290

Mangun Gruesome Killings: What is the Rational Behind this Act?

Columns

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

Published

2 weeks ago

June 20, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

By: Balami Lazarus

Osama. Does it ring a bell? Yes, it does on the Plateau. The Osama I am writing about is that individual who is known for his good works for humanity on the radio and outside the studio. Osama is a gentleman but is outspoken and has a mind of his own.

My Osama in this context is a personality, a brand, and a trademark. Osama is a broadcaster, radio presenter, and popular comedian on stage and in the entertainment industry in Jos-Plateau and beyond. Since the writing is sailing, I will later reveal the identity of who this young man is and why he is so passionate about good governance.

The fights for human rights, social justice, and good governance have been the cries and topic of discourse of so many Nigerians, especially good governance. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights activists are the leaders in these struggles, whereby their roles cannot be overemphasized. The quantum of spoken words, public lectures/enlightenment programs, workshops, seminars, etc., has not brought many changes in our systems because there was little or no action by you and me as Nigerians.

I remembered when I was very active in the struggle for human rights and social justice. As Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of Democratic Alternative (DA), we were much concerned with democratic alternative processes and social justice with a whiff of good governance, and this has been the case for some NGOs, as I know.

I came to understand from my experiences that, as a country, we have good public-oriented programs, but our major challenges are implementation and follow-up that come with too many talks but no individual action or collective responsibility because many Nigerians are fearful, and this has made me a one-man advocate/crusader for human rights and social justice. Like the subject of this work.

Now back to the subject. Osama is a brand package, fearless advocate, and mouthpiece for good governance on the Plateau through Town Hall, a popular radio program aired by JFM 101.9 FM. Jos is widely listened to. He was born as Ehis Akugnonu. But Osama has overtaken his certified name. Therefore, my continued use of Osama is justified in this work because I realized that many times your other name (also known as) tends to dominate and overshadow your real name.

Osama is redefining the fight for good governance by personal efforts through follow-up and speaking on them, putting the government on their feet to improve and do better. ‘I am for good governance, and I will continue to speak on this matter.’ He is purposefully driven by his passion for good quality and better systems to have an enabling environment where the systems are working for progress and development.

Balami, a publisher/columnist 08036779290

Osama, For Good Governance and Social Justice Through the Radio

Columns

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying Ignoring Red Flags and The Panacea (2)

Published

4 weeks ago

June 10, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying Ignoring Red Flags and The Panacea (2)

By: Balami Lazarus

I saw it coming. As a writer, my works and I have been verbally attacked several times. I raised an eyebrow at how some readers react by using bad language on issues, opinions, and views. Well, that is their way of expression when they are displeased, but I feel it is grotty.

And here is the conclusion of the “controversial piece,” as one caller puts it. For me, there is nothing controversial about this discourse but the truth of the grotesque happenings in married homes. And the way out, as I earlier wrote, is divorce.

Recently there has been an inflation of brutal murders in marriages; those killed are mostly women and children, and fewer men. What justification does one have to continue in a marriage where there are threats, violence, and unhappiness generated by the presence of either the husband or the wife? And unknowingly one becomes prey hunted by an in-house predator.

Sharks areamong the most intelligent aquatic animals. Their sense of smell is very sharp; they can smell and detect blood or any red object in water from a far distance and come for it at near the speed of light. Therefore, women’s body chemistry is like that of sharks; they sense and notice things easily. But what is wrong with many of them in marriage that they are unable to detect landmines or red flags early in their marriages? Where there is a threat to life with the intention to hurt, harm, and/or cause grievous injury or death, that is when they realize they are living in gross bondage if they are lucky to come out of it alive.

As students at Pluto College Sharam in Kanke-Plateau State, we were told and made to understand as boys to treat our girl students with love and care and be there for them when the need arises. That was one of the lessons that came from the late Dr. Sumaila Ndayako (Rector), as he was known and called. As boys, we dared not humiliate, insult, or threaten them in any way; rather, we were to take them as our sisters by extension. This has taught me to respect and care for the opposite sex.

Moreover, my association, membership, and experience with some human rights organizations have enlightened me with rights, liberties, and freedom garnished by respect for individual differences, rights and privileges, consent, and action. With this knowledge put together, I consider marriage never a do-or-die affair but a privilege with consent to be a husband to a woman who also has rights/consent to be a wife and live in matrimony. Why then humiliation, abuses, and domestic violence?

I have observed in my experience as a married man that if you take away some women from their husbands, they will die, and vice versa. Despite the domestic violence and abuses inflicted on either party, he/she is willing and prefers to die in such gothic marriage situations because one among them has a deep spiritual attachment to the marriage. This is common in Christendom, where “till death do us part.” My question here is, what kind of death? Intentional, accidental, or natural? This created injunction clause does not hold water in life-threatening marriages.

Living in a shark-jaws marriage, I always blamed women who had seen the red flags but refused to leave such marriages and the house-husband (husband). I further came to understand that patience and the pretext that all is well have caused damage to both spouses in terms of emotional and traumatic agonies and some to their graves.

Therefore, spouses that are trapped in this valley of death with its quagmire should know that marriage is a thing of choice. Likewise, divorce is permissible as a panacea for both to be alive to breathe freely.

Balami, a publisher/columnist, 0803677929

In Marriage Nest, Spouses Are Dying Ignoring Red Flags and The Panacea (2)