As the Federal
Government prepares to increase the number of troops being sent to war-torn
Mali, to join forces with other foreign armies to flush out armed rebel groups
in northern part of the troubled West African country, a Defence intelligence
report has revealed that Nigeria’s violent group, Boko Haram, has been
mobilising and sending fighters to support their comrades-in-arm at the Malian
war front.
Government prepares to increase the number of troops being sent to war-torn
Mali, to join forces with other foreign armies to flush out armed rebel groups
in northern part of the troubled West African country, a Defence intelligence
report has revealed that Nigeria’s violent group, Boko Haram, has been
mobilising and sending fighters to support their comrades-in-arm at the Malian
war front.
It was gathered that Boko Haram, whose operational bases and
training ground have been traced to Mali, as Saturday Sun reported on October
27, 2012 and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, knowing that
the routing of the Malian rebels in the northern part of the West African
country would affect them have been mobilising fighters, who would be ferried
out of Nigeria to Mali to join the rebels.
training ground have been traced to Mali, as Saturday Sun reported on October
27, 2012 and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, knowing that
the routing of the Malian rebels in the northern part of the West African
country would affect them have been mobilising fighters, who would be ferried
out of Nigeria to Mali to join the rebels.
Sources revealed that it was in order to frustrate the Federal
Government’s military expedition in the West African country that the group
attacked Malian-bound soldiers in Kogi. In the attack, two soldiers, among
those going to Mali, were killed. Also, the group is gathering its suicide
bombers and other fighters in Nigeria, with a view to sending them to Mali to
join the rebels.
A defence source told Saturday Sun: “Fresh intelligence shows
that “Boko Haram has not only mobilised fighters to join their people in Mali
but are still working hard to send more, which also explains why foreign and
Malian troops have faced unexpected stiff resistance from the rebel fighters
who appear more in number and well-equipped for the battle.”
that “Boko Haram has not only mobilised fighters to join their people in Mali
but are still working hard to send more, which also explains why foreign and
Malian troops have faced unexpected stiff resistance from the rebel fighters
who appear more in number and well-equipped for the battle.”
The source added that as a result, all law enforcement agencies
have been alerted to be “double vigilant at the borders, especially Nigeria’s
borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon so as to check and prevent certain
movements out of the country.”
have been alerted to be “double vigilant at the borders, especially Nigeria’s
borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon so as to check and prevent certain
movements out of the country.”
This also tallies with the submission of United Nations
Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, who briefed the
Security Council on Mali on Tuesday, when he said that, as of last Sunday, 855
troops had been deployed for the African force from Benin, Nigeria, Senegal,
Togo and Niger.
Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, who briefed the
Security Council on Mali on Tuesday, when he said that, as of last Sunday, 855
troops had been deployed for the African force from Benin, Nigeria, Senegal,
Togo and Niger.
“The capabilities of the armed groups occupying northern Mali
have proved to be strong, as they are better equipped and trained than
initially anticipated,” Feltman told the council, adding: “There is general agreement
among key stakeholders in Bamako that the envisaged AFISMA strength of 3, 300
personnel needs to be increased in order for it to engage effectively in
offensive operations and enhance force protection.”
have proved to be strong, as they are better equipped and trained than
initially anticipated,” Feltman told the council, adding: “There is general agreement
among key stakeholders in Bamako that the envisaged AFISMA strength of 3, 300
personnel needs to be increased in order for it to engage effectively in
offensive operations and enhance force protection.”
Nigeria is sending 1, 200 out of the initial 3, 300-member
African force, known as AFISMA, expected to route the Malian rebels from their
stronghold in North of the West African country. There are, however,
indications that Defence authorities will get President Goodluck Jonathan’s nod
to increase the number of troops to double the figure in the days ahead because
of Boko Haram’s mobilisation effort in support of the rebels.
African force, known as AFISMA, expected to route the Malian rebels from their
stronghold in North of the West African country. There are, however,
indications that Defence authorities will get President Goodluck Jonathan’s nod
to increase the number of troops to double the figure in the days ahead because
of Boko Haram’s mobilisation effort in support of the rebels.
It will be recalled that President Jonathan, on Tuesday, in an
interview with Reuters in Geneva, had confirmed that Boko Haram was training
its members in Mali, adding that the group was not only a threat to Nigeria but
also Africa, as a continent. He said Nigeria was committing so much to
intervene in Mali because of the links between the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko
Haram and al Qaeda’s North African wing in Mali.
interview with Reuters in Geneva, had confirmed that Boko Haram was training
its members in Mali, adding that the group was not only a threat to Nigeria but
also Africa, as a continent. He said Nigeria was committing so much to
intervene in Mali because of the links between the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko
Haram and al Qaeda’s North African wing in Mali.
“We believe that if we stabilise northern Mali, not just Nigeria
but other countries that are facing threats will be stabilized,” Jonathan said,
adding that Boko Haram members “have no boundaries. They don’t respect international
boundaries. Today, they are in Mali and in Niger tomorrow, then Cameroon and
Mali.”
but other countries that are facing threats will be stabilized,” Jonathan said,
adding that Boko Haram members “have no boundaries. They don’t respect international
boundaries. Today, they are in Mali and in Niger tomorrow, then Cameroon and
Mali.”
While buttressing the level of resources Nigeria is committing
to the Malian war, Jonathan said: “Nigeria controls 55 per cent of
the economy of West Africa and Mali is a West African country, so we
expect the Nigerian contribution to take that proportion. If we don’t show that
leadership, other countries may not come up strong.
to the Malian war, Jonathan said: “Nigeria controls 55 per cent of
the economy of West Africa and Mali is a West African country, so we
expect the Nigerian contribution to take that proportion. If we don’t show that
leadership, other countries may not come up strong.
“We cannot pull out until we have solved the problem. I cannot
tell you when we will solve the problem, but Nigeria is totally committed and
we remain committed until the crisis is resolved.”
tell you when we will solve the problem, but Nigeria is totally committed and
we remain committed until the crisis is resolved.”
Jonathan’s revelation confirmed Saturday Sun exclusive report on
October 27, 2012, which stated that a world super power nation had provided
Nigeria with intelligence support, which reveals that Boko Haram leaders,
including the most wanted Abubakar Shekau, were not only based in northern
Mali, but also planned and launched its deadly operations from there.
October 27, 2012, which stated that a world super power nation had provided
Nigeria with intelligence support, which reveals that Boko Haram leaders,
including the most wanted Abubakar Shekau, were not only based in northern
Mali, but also planned and launched its deadly operations from there.
Meanwhile, the cost of the military intervention in Mali is
already causing disquiet within the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Defence. A
three-star military office, who is a member of the nation’s Joint Intelligence
Board (JIB) told Saturday Sun: “There are grumblings within the military over
what the Malian intervention will be costing Nigeria, in view of the
unequivocal commitment of Mr. President that Nigeria will be providing 55 per
cent of the cost of the war and the position of the UN Secretary General, Ban
Ki-moon, warning the world body against providing any form of funding or
logistical support to the African military intervention force in Mali.
already causing disquiet within the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Defence. A
three-star military office, who is a member of the nation’s Joint Intelligence
Board (JIB) told Saturday Sun: “There are grumblings within the military over
what the Malian intervention will be costing Nigeria, in view of the
unequivocal commitment of Mr. President that Nigeria will be providing 55 per
cent of the cost of the war and the position of the UN Secretary General, Ban
Ki-moon, warning the world body against providing any form of funding or
logistical support to the African military intervention force in Mali.
“The fear is that the French troops will throw the bombs and
pull out of the operation, hand over every other thing to Nigeria and where do
we get the money to sustain thousands of troops there till full normalcy is
restored? Besides, there is the fear that funds and attention needed by the
various Joint Task Forces in the North and Niger Delta regions may be diverted
for the Malian operations.”
pull out of the operation, hand over every other thing to Nigeria and where do
we get the money to sustain thousands of troops there till full normalcy is
restored? Besides, there is the fear that funds and attention needed by the
various Joint Task Forces in the North and Niger Delta regions may be diverted
for the Malian operations.”
The military source further attributed the complaints within the
Security Council to the sudden decision to deploy troops to Mali, as against
the initial position of providing logistical support to the Malian military
authorities to engage the Toureg rebels.
Security Council to the sudden decision to deploy troops to Mali, as against
the initial position of providing logistical support to the Malian military
authorities to engage the Toureg rebels.
“There are concerns that we will not only commit billions of
scarce funds to the war but we may be losing troops more than envisaged because
the initial agreement with the head of the Malian military, Capt Sanogo is to
support them to enable them to fight their own war themselves. That has not
been changed till the sudden deployment of troops.
scarce funds to the war but we may be losing troops more than envisaged because
the initial agreement with the head of the Malian military, Capt Sanogo is to
support them to enable them to fight their own war themselves. That has not
been changed till the sudden deployment of troops.
“Besides, there is a complex mixture of the activities of the
islamist groups in Northern Mali and the genuine agitation by the Touregs for a
separate state, which has been on since about 1967. These two will have to be
properly separated for our troops to be able to identify who they are going to
be fighting, otherwise the situation may end up being worse than the case in
Afghanistan and Iraq, where, years after foreign military interventions,
bloodletting has never stopped for a day,” the source added.
islamist groups in Northern Mali and the genuine agitation by the Touregs for a
separate state, which has been on since about 1967. These two will have to be
properly separated for our troops to be able to identify who they are going to
be fighting, otherwise the situation may end up being worse than the case in
Afghanistan and Iraq, where, years after foreign military interventions,
bloodletting has never stopped for a day,” the source added.
Saturday Sun had reported on October 27, 2012 that the
operational base of Boko Haram had been traced to Mali. The report, entitled:
“Uncovered – Boko Haram base traced to Mali, stated: “The search for a lasting
solution to the perennial campaign of violence by the Islamist sect, Boko
Haram, has taken President Goodluck Jonathan and his National Security Adviser
(NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) to Bamako, the capital of Mali, for a secret
meeting with the civilian and military authorities in the troubled West African
country, following a strong intelligence report which shows that Mali’s
northern region is being used as the operational base of the dreaded sect.
operational base of Boko Haram had been traced to Mali. The report, entitled:
“Uncovered – Boko Haram base traced to Mali, stated: “The search for a lasting
solution to the perennial campaign of violence by the Islamist sect, Boko
Haram, has taken President Goodluck Jonathan and his National Security Adviser
(NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) to Bamako, the capital of Mali, for a secret
meeting with the civilian and military authorities in the troubled West African
country, following a strong intelligence report which shows that Mali’s
northern region is being used as the operational base of the dreaded sect.
“The presidency had, in a statement by presidential spokesman,
Reuben Abati, announced on Wednesday, October 17 a two-day working visit
by President Jonathan to Niger Republic and Mali. While the president was
scheduled to attend a meeting of the High Authority of the Nigeria-Niger Joint
Commission, in Niamey, with President Issoufou Mohammadou of Niger Republic to
revitalise and reposition the 41-year-old commission, as a primary platform
towards addressing emerging cross-border challenges, the statement added that
on his way back on Friday, October 19, he would make a stopover in Bamako, the
Malian capital, for further consultations on efforts by ECOWAS and the UN
Security Council, to restore normalcy to that country.
Reuben Abati, announced on Wednesday, October 17 a two-day working visit
by President Jonathan to Niger Republic and Mali. While the president was
scheduled to attend a meeting of the High Authority of the Nigeria-Niger Joint
Commission, in Niamey, with President Issoufou Mohammadou of Niger Republic to
revitalise and reposition the 41-year-old commission, as a primary platform
towards addressing emerging cross-border challenges, the statement added that
on his way back on Friday, October 19, he would make a stopover in Bamako, the
Malian capital, for further consultations on efforts by ECOWAS and the UN
Security Council, to restore normalcy to that country.
“Saturday Sun, however, gathered from diplomatic and presidency
sources that the meeting in Niamey was a mere decoy for President Jonathan to
‘seek collaboration and cooperation of both the military and civilian
authorities in Mali on how best the operational base of Nigeria’s Boko Haram in
the north of Mali, which is under the firm control of Islamist groups and
Tuareg rebels, who took control of the region following a coup in March.’
sources that the meeting in Niamey was a mere decoy for President Jonathan to
‘seek collaboration and cooperation of both the military and civilian
authorities in Mali on how best the operational base of Nigeria’s Boko Haram in
the north of Mali, which is under the firm control of Islamist groups and
Tuareg rebels, who took control of the region following a coup in March.’
“A reliable diplomatic source revealed that rather than making
just a stopover in Bamako, as announced by Abati in his statement, “the
Nigerian president actually left Niamey, Niger Republic on Thursday, October 18
and went straight for the main goal of his trip, which is to hold talks with
the Malian authorities, as part of efforts to dismantle the main structure of
Boko Haram in the North of the country (Mali).”
just a stopover in Bamako, as announced by Abati in his statement, “the
Nigerian president actually left Niamey, Niger Republic on Thursday, October 18
and went straight for the main goal of his trip, which is to hold talks with
the Malian authorities, as part of efforts to dismantle the main structure of
Boko Haram in the North of the country (Mali).”
It was gathered that a recent intelligence support for Nigeria
had confirmed that Boko Haram militants were being trained and armed in
northern Mali, where the leader of the sect, Sheik Mohammed Shekau, is also believed
to be hiding and coordinating attacks on Nigerian targets.
had confirmed that Boko Haram militants were being trained and armed in
northern Mali, where the leader of the sect, Sheik Mohammed Shekau, is also believed
to be hiding and coordinating attacks on Nigerian targets.
“Based on this, the diplomatic source revealed that Nigeria
became more interested in the politics and political stability of Mali. The
military junta in Mali, headed by Captain Amadou Sanogo, had seized power on
March 22, accusing the democratic government of President Amadou Toumani Toure
of failing to deal effectively with a Tuareg rebellion that had started in
January. Islamist groups then took advantage of the chaos and seized all the region’s
major towns, including the historic city of Timbuktu. Former parliament
speaker, Diouncounda Traore later emerged as interim president, following
international pressures on the military junta to relinquish power.
became more interested in the politics and political stability of Mali. The
military junta in Mali, headed by Captain Amadou Sanogo, had seized power on
March 22, accusing the democratic government of President Amadou Toumani Toure
of failing to deal effectively with a Tuareg rebellion that had started in
January. Islamist groups then took advantage of the chaos and seized all the region’s
major towns, including the historic city of Timbuktu. Former parliament
speaker, Diouncounda Traore later emerged as interim president, following
international pressures on the military junta to relinquish power.
It was further gathered that President Jonathan’s last week
visit was to consolidate on recent visits and discussions by the NSA and some
top officials of the defence and foreign affairs ministries to Mali. Part of
the discussions, at the meeting, between President Jonathan and Mali’s interim
president Traore, was ‘to stabilise the civilian regime of Traore, mobilise
African and ECOWAS forces to Mali, with a view to flushing out all islamist
groups and rebels, including Boko Haram leaders that had taken control of North
of Mali.’
visit was to consolidate on recent visits and discussions by the NSA and some
top officials of the defence and foreign affairs ministries to Mali. Part of
the discussions, at the meeting, between President Jonathan and Mali’s interim
president Traore, was ‘to stabilise the civilian regime of Traore, mobilise
African and ECOWAS forces to Mali, with a view to flushing out all islamist
groups and rebels, including Boko Haram leaders that had taken control of North
of Mali.’
“In a separate discussion with Captain Sanogo, President
Jonathan was said to have offered him a political asylum in Nigeria to pave the
way for Traore’s full control of Mali’s armed forces, which are still loyal to
Sanogo. ‘If the Nigerian government can get Traore relocated to Nigeria, the
stability Nigeria needs in Mali to fight its own enemy hiding and operating
from our territory would have been achieved half-way,’ a diplomatic source
privy to the development told Saturday Sun.
Jonathan was said to have offered him a political asylum in Nigeria to pave the
way for Traore’s full control of Mali’s armed forces, which are still loyal to
Sanogo. ‘If the Nigerian government can get Traore relocated to Nigeria, the
stability Nigeria needs in Mali to fight its own enemy hiding and operating
from our territory would have been achieved half-way,’ a diplomatic source
privy to the development told Saturday Sun.
“It was, however, not yet clear at press time whether Traore has
accepted the offer of asylum from President Jonathan. ‘What is certain is the
success of the war against Boko Haram depends largely on the stability in Mali
and the ability of the African and the entire international community to
dislodge all rebels and Islamist groups operating in northern Mali because if
you observe closely, they share the same religious ideology and modus operandi
with Boko Haram militants. If you follow developments there, you will notice
that the Islamists have imposed a harsh interpretation of Sharia in the areas
they control in the north of Mali and there are reports of people being stoned
to death and having their limbs amputated,’ the source added.”
accepted the offer of asylum from President Jonathan. ‘What is certain is the
success of the war against Boko Haram depends largely on the stability in Mali
and the ability of the African and the entire international community to
dislodge all rebels and Islamist groups operating in northern Mali because if
you observe closely, they share the same religious ideology and modus operandi
with Boko Haram militants. If you follow developments there, you will notice
that the Islamists have imposed a harsh interpretation of Sharia in the areas
they control in the north of Mali and there are reports of people being stoned
to death and having their limbs amputated,’ the source added.”
Source: Sun
