Feature

Why Zulum wants permanent military bases in troubled spots in the state

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Why Zulum wants permanent military bases in troubled spots in the state

Bodunrin Kayode

Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum recently called for the establishment of permanent military bases in Sambisa and other known troubled spots in the state. The call was obviously one aimed at ending the insurgent war which has eaten over 15 years of the GDP of the once commercially vibrant state which should have grown more than it is now. Borno should have been competing with Kano if not for the destruction of the state by Boko Haram.

For keen observers of the insurgent war in the north east of Nigeria, “known” means that the insurgents are still milling around specific areas of the topography of the state and residents see them and avoid their locations. They have obviously been cleared from a large chunk of Borno State but still loiter around the Tumbus islands for instance. The islands are so many that nobody has record of the exact number of them since God put them there with loads of fish and crude oil underneath. The Nigerian Navy has equally not been able to make much impact progress either because of the massive thickness of hyacinth on the top of the water or lack of the right equipments which itself is a major challenge. Some security observers who spoke to this reporter on anonymity feel the navy is just being lackadaisical because it’s a lake and what if it dries up one day? But these are not tenable excuses for them not to be able to dominate their environment from Baga to the last island on the Nigerian border.
And that is why a permanent base of the Nigerian Navy must be built that will dominate the environment long after the war has ended. There presence in Baga is still very skeletal compared to the work load ahead. One agrees with Governor Zulum on this because the Nigerian section of the islands must be well secured if tourists must come in long after the war is put behind us.

The insurgents really don’t have the guts anymore to barge into the capital Maiduguri neither do they disguise and visit relatives regularly like before as sources tell us they still do in Ngamdu, Jakana and Kareto. Even the relatives some of them visit before are under watch by the intelligence services making life difficult for such relatives who used to get gifts and phone calls from them. But going by the observation of the civilian jtf boys who fight along with the troops, they are still inside the density of the savanna at alageno forest. But more noticeable is their presence on the Mandara mountains which has given them cover for a long time sending discomfort to the people of Gwoza. They always go back to Sambisa even after being chased out which is why one of the biggest permanent barracks must be built inside the place for elite forces as soon as possible.

Zulum made the statement during the last Chief of Army staff conference which took place in the 7division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri Borno State. Even though the Army top brass did not make any open acknowledgement to the suggestion, it obviously may have rang a bell within the ranks of defense policy makers and the Commander in chief of the Armed forces, President Bola Tinubu who were present during the occasion.

The establishment of a special forces military base in the Sambisa forest for instance will assist in ending the lingering insurgency which has paralyzed development in the entire Borno State and North East Nigeria. As a matter of fact, this is exactly where special forces trained for counter insurgency should be asked to pin down now before the war ends. There are so many natural resources placed under the ground by God apart from oil which has been confirmed in adjoining areas for troops to be pinned down permanently under the 7 division of the Nigerian Army, the Airforce and Navy components. Imagine the Airforce with one of the biggest bases in the country on the Mandara mountains which can enable them to see anyone entering the country on espionage mission. By the time the right resources are put together to mount sophisticated platforms, a complete surveillance of the border territorial areas can be guaranteed.
Nigeria’s hundreds of porous borders will begin to get special attention to ward off the next set of aggressors.

Looking back with hindsight, even though the military has been able to retrieve a large chunk of the nation’s territory from the hands of the insurgents in Borno Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states, it is obvious that it is not yet uhuru for the ordinary resident because the insurgents keep tormenting them by instilling fear and making life difficult for them in the hinterlands. That is why it is difficult to predict when the war will end even after 15 years of this lingering asymmetric war. A war that has caused so much pains for Nigerians and our troops. Hundreds of our troops have paid the supreme sacrifice in the last 15 years and the counting continues. And that is why it makes sense for the three arms of the military to take over these sensitive territories and pin down permanently. That to me is what Zulum meant by the creation of bases in the comfort zones of the enemy and pitching our elite troops against them once and for all. After they must have been cleared the expansion of the base with all the sophistication of a modern army will begin to fall in place.

Also the relaxation of troops seen by observers is like getting 60 percent marks in an examination and just when you want to relax with your pass, you are told that the external examiner is saying that you are not worth more than 40%. A lot of gains were made by the present Defense Chief General Chris Musa while he was theatre Commander. Many more were added when he became the Chief of the Nigerian infantry under the management of Lt. General Farouk Yahaya. Major General Ibrahim Ali who took over the theatre after General Musa also did his best in the kinetic and non kinetic aspects but they all suffered from the same malaise of not having enough boots on the field because there were no strong bases around these strategic locations to assist. Bringing troops from all the way maiduguri is usually a long process when one considers the dangerous roads constantly endangered by improvised explosive devices (IED’s).
Equipment matters in war but when you don’t have enough boots on the ground in some areas, it is a disadvantage in non conventional wars like this. As a matter of fact if there were bases on those three designated areas of lake Chad, Mandara mountains and Sambisa forest, this war would have long been concluded at this axis and the bandits would not have been emboldened at the north west axis of the country by boko haram or Islamic state of west Africa (iswap) within the Bay states. The iswap have more refined rules of engagement but any armed person in uniform is a common enemy.
The north east end of the country is a vital portion which is why the Commander in Chief President Tinubu must listen to this timely call of the Chief security officer of Borno State who is Governor Zulum to establish these bases to end this war once and for all.

Indeed, a large chunk of the boko haram insurgents and their Commanders have been decimated including the notorious Shekau but the inability of the security agents to finish the job has given the insurgents enough operational space to re-strategize and return to vacuums left unfilled by the security forces. Creation of these bases would be done as soon as defense headquarters makes up its mind to do so. As for progress made in the war, one expected the last theatre Commander to have improved on what his last two predecessors did but unfortunately he was very weak in the kinetic and paid more attention to the non kinetic aspect of his job.

Why Zulum wants permanent military bases in troubled spots in the state

Feature

REJOINDER: On the Call for Vice President Shettima to Resign – A Premature and Misguided Proposition

Published

3 days ago

June 25, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

REJOINDER: On the Call for Vice President Shettima to Resign – A Premature and Misguided Proposition

By: Dan Amana

The attention of well-meaning Nigerians, party loyalists, and progressive stakeholders has been drawn to recent comments credited to Mallam Salihu Isa Nataro, a chieftain of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in which he called on Vice President Kashim Shettima to resign his position as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While every citizen is entitled to free expression, it is important to respond when opinion borders on political misjudgment, poor timing, and an inaccurate reading of the political climate and leadership dynamics within the APC.

First, Vice President Shettima enjoys the full confidence and partnership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and continues to discharge his duties with the competence, loyalty, and vision that have defined his public service for over two decades. His contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda are not only strategic but foundational—especially in areas of national security coordination, economic policy, and intergovernmental diplomacy.

To suggest that the Vice President “resign” for optics or to appease speculative 2027 calculations is both premature and unnecessary. The Vice President is not an accidental passenger in this administration; he is a co-architect of its foundational vision, having stood firmly by the President during the most turbulent moments of the 2023 campaign, and has since been a pillar of national cohesion and administrative stability.

Mallam Nataro’s commentary, though perhaps well-intentioned, unfortunately reflects a misunderstanding of the inner workings of government, party loyalty, and constitutional duty. Leadership is not a reality show of musical chairs, where individuals step aside to make room for ambition or sentiment. The office of the Vice President is not a bargaining chip for regional appeasement but a sacred trust between the Nigerian people and their elected leaders.

More so, APC is not a party of impulsive decisions. It is a movement grounded in strategy, inclusivity, and long-term national development goals. As such, speculative maneuvers aimed at altering the current power structure—midway into a constitutionally mandated tenure—are both distracting and destabilizing.

We also caution against using the North-East geopolitical zone as a token in political negotiations. The region has borne its share of national burdens, and the emergence of Vice President Shettima is a symbol of the APC’s commitment to inclusion, capacity, and national healing. His leadership continues to inspire hope among millions across the region and the nation at large.

In conclusion, we urge party elders and opinion leaders to focus their energies on strengthening governance, deepening internal democracy, and supporting the President and Vice President in delivering on their mandate to Nigerians. Calls for resignation at this critical stage only serve the interest of political opportunists—not the Nigerian people.

Let it be clearly stated: Vice President Kashim Shettima remains focused, committed, and unshaken in his service to Nigeria under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Together, they will continue to lead Nigeria toward peace, prosperity, and purpose.

REJOINDER: On the Call for Vice President Shettima to Resign – A Premature and Misguided Proposition

Feature

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

By: Inuwa Bwala.

Nobody is trying to force the Vice President Kashim Shettima on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a running mate in 2027.

While it remains Mr President’s prerogative to pick a working partner, it remains a fact that, he should have known the value of Kashim Shettima, having worked with him at very close quaters in the last two years.

Far beyond this, the President is so committed to his covenant with his vice and does not need the ongoing circus show to stick to it.

Those orchestrating for a change in the ticket are perhaps afraid of the evident cause for continuity, hence the desperation to create a make belief that the Vice Presidential slot is open for contest.

Several attempts have been made to drag Shettima and his supporters into needless controversies so as to make an issue out of their blind postulations.

And ever since I got the winds about plans to make an issue out of the perceived plot to substitute the Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 Presidential elections, I knew it is a matter of time for backlashes, as witnessed at the APC Zonal rally in Gombe on Sunday.

Reading the body languages of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and his praise choristers, everyone within the hall knew that, there was a grand conspiracy to downplay Kashim Shettima’s position in the endorsement: which was the primary motive for the rally.

And while the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje was quick to play safe sensing the possible consequences, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and the Zonal Vice Chairman Mustapha Umar were not so wise to recognize danger.

The governor escaped with jeers, but the APC vice chairman was not so lucky: he received the beating of his life from irrate delegates.
Those who try to link Borno state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, with the mob reaction to the failure to endorsed Shettima were just being mischievous, as it was spontaneous

Those who witnessed it told me that, both Governor Yahaya and the APC Zonal chairman had ignored calls from delegates to recognize Shettima as an inseparable part of the ticket, which resulted in the jeers for Yahaya and the beating for Mustapha.
While it is not trying to justify the attendant violence and disruption of the rally, one should not fail to point out to leaders, the wisdom in harkening to popular demands at an occasion like this.

Of course, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State could not have done anything at the particular stage, even if they did not approve of the violence.
Common sense dictates that, as the political atmosphere becomes increasingly charged in the face of perceived plans to shortchange Shettima, who has endeared himself to Nigerians, speakers at such functions should learn from theGombe experience.

KASHIM SHETTIMA: THE SOUR SIDE FOR A CONSPIRACY

Feature

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency

Published

1 month ago

May 26, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency
By Raphael Oni

The retirement age in Nigeria has sparked intense debate, with various government agencies and institutions operating under different retirement ages. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness, equity, and the need for a unified approach. Recently, the organized labour sector, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), has emphasized the need for a consistent policy across all government agencies and institutions.

The Current State of Retirement Age in Nigeria

Different government agencies and institutions in Nigeria have varying retirement ages, including:

National Assembly Service Commission: 65 years
Judicial arm of government: 65 years for judges
Foreign Service: 60 years for officers
Nigeria Police Force: 60 years for personnel
National Pension Commission (PenCom): 50 years, extendable to 60 years with approval

This disparity raises questions about fairness and equity. Why should employees in different agencies have different retirement ages? A uniform policy would ensure equal treatment and dignity for all employees.

Benefits of Harmonization

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria would bring several benefits, including:

Consistency and fairness: A uniform retirement age would ensure equal treatment for all employees.
Simplified administration: A single retirement age would simplify administrative processes and reduce confusion.
Improved planning: A consistent retirement age would enable employees to plan their careers and retirement more effectively.
Enhanced morale: A fair and equitable retirement policy would boost employee morale and productivity.

International Best Practices

Many countries have a uniform retirement age for public servants, such as:

United States: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
United Kingdom: 65-68 years (depending on the scheme)
Canada: 65 years (with option to retire earlier with reduced benefits)
Australia: 65 years (with plans to increase to 70 years)
Morocco: 60 years (with discussions to raise to 65)
South Africa: 65 years (new reform)

Proposed Harmonized Retirement Age for Nigeria

Based on international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context, a harmonized retirement age of 60-65 years could be considered. This would allow employees to retire with dignity and adequate pension benefits while ensuring sustainable pension obligations.

Agency-by-Agency Analysis

Foreign Affairs: Harmonizing retirement age would ensure equal treatment for Foreign Service officers.
National Assembly Service Commission: Harmonization would ensure consistency across all government institutions.
Judicial: Given the importance of judicial experience, the retirement age may be justified, but harmonization would ensure equal treatment.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementing a harmonized retirement age policy would require careful consideration of:

Pension sustainability: Ensuring sustainable and adequately funded pension obligations.
Employee morale: Balancing the needs of employees affected by changes to their retirement age.
Economic context: Considering the economic implications of a harmonized retirement age policy.

Conclusion

Harmonizing retirement age in Nigeria is a necessary step towards ensuring fairness, equity, and consistency across all government agencies and institutions. A uniform retirement age policy would promote simplicity, improve planning, and enhance employee morale. The government should consider adopting a consistent policy that applies to all, taking into account international best practices and Nigeria’s economic and demographic context.
Raphael Oni a seasoned journalist, Editor-in-chief of Diplomatic Extra, a Specialized Magazine

Harmonizing Retirement Age in Nigeria: A Call for Consistency