THERE
is a growing disquiet in northern Nigeria over the commencement of operations
of American drones now stationed just across the border in the Niger Republic.
is a growing disquiet in northern Nigeria over the commencement of operations
of American drones now stationed just across the border in the Niger Republic.
Drones
are unmanned, remotely controlled aerial vehicles fitted with guns and missile
launchers.
are unmanned, remotely controlled aerial vehicles fitted with guns and missile
launchers.
Investigations
in the last two weeks showed that northerners in North-West and North-East
regions are worried about the presence of the drone base in Niger Republic and
the implications of likely drone attacks on Boko Haram targets in their states.
This, it was learnt, was the reason behind the current pressure on President
Goodluck Jonathan to grant amnesty to the insurgents.
in the last two weeks showed that northerners in North-West and North-East
regions are worried about the presence of the drone base in Niger Republic and
the implications of likely drone attacks on Boko Haram targets in their states.
This, it was learnt, was the reason behind the current pressure on President
Goodluck Jonathan to grant amnesty to the insurgents.
Many
Arewa leaders are said to be particularly worried that recent killing of
foreigners and increasing kidnapping of expatriates may in due course justify
international intervention in the ongoing Islamic insurgency in northern
Nigeria.
Arewa leaders are said to be particularly worried that recent killing of
foreigners and increasing kidnapping of expatriates may in due course justify
international intervention in the ongoing Islamic insurgency in northern
Nigeria.
Niger
Republic has just announced the arrival of US MQ-1B Predator unmanned drone
aircraft on its territory. The spokesman of the Nigerien government, Marou
Amadou, was quoted as saying that the American drones would enhance the
capacity of Niger in terms of intelligence and help combat the threat of Boko
Haram Islamists operating in Northern Nigeria.
Republic has just announced the arrival of US MQ-1B Predator unmanned drone
aircraft on its territory. The spokesman of the Nigerien government, Marou
Amadou, was quoted as saying that the American drones would enhance the
capacity of Niger in terms of intelligence and help combat the threat of Boko
Haram Islamists operating in Northern Nigeria.
“It is
very crucial for us to possess this kind of aircraft to better secure our
borders. Our intelligence capacities are very weak,” the spokesman was
quoted as saying.
very crucial for us to possess this kind of aircraft to better secure our
borders. Our intelligence capacities are very weak,” the spokesman was
quoted as saying.
Amadou
added that without the drones and the reconnaissance flights, the Nigerien army
would not be able to ensure the security of the border, which is a large one
and not far from where the Malian military operations are currently carried
out.
added that without the drones and the reconnaissance flights, the Nigerien army
would not be able to ensure the security of the border, which is a large one
and not far from where the Malian military operations are currently carried
out.
Security
experts had variously reported that the drone aircraft had extensive coverage
area, a capability said to have put the entire northern Nigeria under coverage
of the sophisticated unmanned craft.
experts had variously reported that the drone aircraft had extensive coverage
area, a capability said to have put the entire northern Nigeria under coverage
of the sophisticated unmanned craft.
The
reality of drone station next door is also said to be known to many in the
North as Aljazeera television, said to be the most popular in the region,
covers drone warfare in Pakistan on regular basis.
reality of drone station next door is also said to be known to many in the
North as Aljazeera television, said to be the most popular in the region,
covers drone warfare in Pakistan on regular basis.
Saturday
Tribune investigations further showed that leaders from the North had
calculated that an amnesty for the Islamists would facilitate the resolution of
the insurgency and thus save the region any future possibility of drone action
on Nigerian territory, with or without the approval of the Nigerian government.
Tribune investigations further showed that leaders from the North had
calculated that an amnesty for the Islamists would facilitate the resolution of
the insurgency and thus save the region any future possibility of drone action
on Nigerian territory, with or without the approval of the Nigerian government.
A
leader from the region, who spoke with the Saturday Tribune on Thursday, noted
that while the United States cannot treat Nigeria like Pakistan or Yemen,
“nothing can be put off the table if the insurgency continues,” adding “that is
why we are worried.”
leader from the region, who spoke with the Saturday Tribune on Thursday, noted
that while the United States cannot treat Nigeria like Pakistan or Yemen,
“nothing can be put off the table if the insurgency continues,” adding “that is
why we are worried.”
While
the American government has described the drone craft in Niger as unarmed, the
gradual expansion of its military activities around Nigeria is seen as
encircling Nigeria from both Niger and Cameroonian sides. A contingent of
American military just commenced joint exercise with the Cameroonian armed
forces.
the American government has described the drone craft in Niger as unarmed, the
gradual expansion of its military activities around Nigeria is seen as
encircling Nigeria from both Niger and Cameroonian sides. A contingent of
American military just commenced joint exercise with the Cameroonian armed
forces.
It was
reported that Islamic militants are operating in Northern Cameroon with a
Cameroonian Boko Haram commander. Recently, some French citizens were kidnapped
in northern Cameroon and taken to northern Nigeria.
reported that Islamic militants are operating in Northern Cameroon with a
Cameroonian Boko Haram commander. Recently, some French citizens were kidnapped
in northern Cameroon and taken to northern Nigeria.
The
climate of fear in the North is said to have been compounded by a statement
credited to the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCuley, that Islamists move
freely between Nigeria and northern Mali – regarded as an indirect comparison
between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
climate of fear in the North is said to have been compounded by a statement
credited to the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCuley, that Islamists move
freely between Nigeria and northern Mali – regarded as an indirect comparison
between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The
ambassador, who did not elaborate on the utility of drones vis-a-vis Nigeria
and Niger Republic, was also said to have confirmed many official reports
linking the Nigerian Boko Haram with al-Qaida international networks.
ambassador, who did not elaborate on the utility of drones vis-a-vis Nigeria
and Niger Republic, was also said to have confirmed many official reports
linking the Nigerian Boko Haram with al-Qaida international networks.
Meanwhile,
there are indications that tribal affinity between Niger and northern Nigeria
is already creating a common sense of fear and solidarity between citizens of
the two areas. Racially affiliated tribesmen moving into and out of the two
countries are said to be afraid of the drone base and its consequences for the
future.
there are indications that tribal affinity between Niger and northern Nigeria
is already creating a common sense of fear and solidarity between citizens of
the two areas. Racially affiliated tribesmen moving into and out of the two
countries are said to be afraid of the drone base and its consequences for the
future.
Reports
confirmed by the US embassy in Niger Republic showed that there have been
several cases of low level demonstrations against Western interests since the
drone base was announced. This has prompted the embassy to issue a warning to
its citizens in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.
“This message is to inform US citizens of recurring protests in and around
Niamey. There have been cases of protesters throwing rocks and burning
tyres at cars, and some indications show that protesters may have targeted
Westerners. The embassy is temporarily restricting all non-essential travel of
its employees, including travel within the city of Niamey, based on the fluid
security situation.
confirmed by the US embassy in Niger Republic showed that there have been
several cases of low level demonstrations against Western interests since the
drone base was announced. This has prompted the embassy to issue a warning to
its citizens in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.
“This message is to inform US citizens of recurring protests in and around
Niamey. There have been cases of protesters throwing rocks and burning
tyres at cars, and some indications show that protesters may have targeted
Westerners. The embassy is temporarily restricting all non-essential travel of
its employees, including travel within the city of Niamey, based on the fluid
security situation.
“The
embassy reminds US citizens that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can
quickly turn confrontational and escalate into violence,” it said, urging US citizens
to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they
appear to be peaceful, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any
demonstrations.
embassy reminds US citizens that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can
quickly turn confrontational and escalate into violence,” it said, urging US citizens
to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they
appear to be peaceful, and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any
demonstrations.
A
letter to the US Department of State from the Nigerian Embassy in the US July
last year contained concerns that the American government could deploy drones
in northern Nigeria with innocent people as victims.
letter to the US Department of State from the Nigerian Embassy in the US July
last year contained concerns that the American government could deploy drones
in northern Nigeria with innocent people as victims.
“The
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presents its compliments to the
United States Department of State and has the honour to acknowledge the news of
the implementation of Section 1B Executive Order 13224, by which the State
Department declared Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi
as specially designated global terrorists. The designation, according to the
order, is designed to diminish the capacity of these men who are members of
Boko Haram to execute violent attacks.
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presents its compliments to the
United States Department of State and has the honour to acknowledge the news of
the implementation of Section 1B Executive Order 13224, by which the State
Department declared Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi
as specially designated global terrorists. The designation, according to the
order, is designed to diminish the capacity of these men who are members of
Boko Haram to execute violent attacks.
“While
the facts contained in the order are not in dispute, the embassy hereby
expresses its sadness that the Boko Haram episode has led to such a
declaration. The embassy, however, wishes to assure that the government of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria is firmly resolved in its determination to bring an
end to the destructive activities of this group. We shall continue our efforts in
this direction with the active cooperation and assistance of our friends and
allies, especially our host government.
the facts contained in the order are not in dispute, the embassy hereby
expresses its sadness that the Boko Haram episode has led to such a
declaration. The embassy, however, wishes to assure that the government of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria is firmly resolved in its determination to bring an
end to the destructive activities of this group. We shall continue our efforts in
this direction with the active cooperation and assistance of our friends and
allies, especially our host government.
“The
embassy, however, wishes to appeal that whatever action that is eventually
taken against these individuals, their immediate neighbours who have felt most
the impact, but are very much vehemently opposed to the activities of Boko
Haram, should not be affected. The embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the United States Department of State
the assurances of its highest consideration.”
embassy, however, wishes to appeal that whatever action that is eventually
taken against these individuals, their immediate neighbours who have felt most
the impact, but are very much vehemently opposed to the activities of Boko
Haram, should not be affected. The embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the United States Department of State
the assurances of its highest consideration.”
It was
learnt during the week that Nigeria made the appeal having realised that
several persons in other countries similarly classified in recent years as
terrorists under Order Section 1B Executive Order 13224 were hunted down by the
United States with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, otherwise called drones. Analysts
cite the killing, through drone attacks, of American-born cleric, Anwar
al-Awlaki, who was similarly classified under Order 13224 as a proof that America
could have a similar plan up its sleeves.
learnt during the week that Nigeria made the appeal having realised that
several persons in other countries similarly classified in recent years as
terrorists under Order Section 1B Executive Order 13224 were hunted down by the
United States with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, otherwise called drones. Analysts
cite the killing, through drone attacks, of American-born cleric, Anwar
al-Awlaki, who was similarly classified under Order 13224 as a proof that America
could have a similar plan up its sleeves.
At
about the time the US Department of State announced the classification of the
Boko Haram leaders as terrorists, The Guardian of London reported that there
had been concerns on the huge collateral deaths from drone attacks ordered by
the United States.
about the time the US Department of State announced the classification of the
Boko Haram leaders as terrorists, The Guardian of London reported that there
had been concerns on the huge collateral deaths from drone attacks ordered by
the United States.
For
instance, Al Awlaki’s 16-year-old son was killed along with him when he was
attacked by a drone. In August 2009, a drone attack on leader of the Pakistan
Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, not only killed him, it also killed his
father-in-law, his mother-in-law, his wife, his uncle and eight others.
instance, Al Awlaki’s 16-year-old son was killed along with him when he was
attacked by a drone. In August 2009, a drone attack on leader of the Pakistan
Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, not only killed him, it also killed his
father-in-law, his mother-in-law, his wife, his uncle and eight others.
The
London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which runs a drone-monitoring
project, estimates that the United States has used drones against targets in
Pakistan up to 332 times in the past eight years, with a huge jump in activity
under President Barak Obama. The bureau believes up to 800 civilians may have
been killed in the attacks. It has also monitored scores of drone attacks in
Yemen and Somalia.
London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which runs a drone-monitoring
project, estimates that the United States has used drones against targets in
Pakistan up to 332 times in the past eight years, with a huge jump in activity
under President Barak Obama. The bureau believes up to 800 civilians may have
been killed in the attacks. It has also monitored scores of drone attacks in
Yemen and Somalia.
Saturday
Tribune was told that northern leaders are rushing to plead for amnesty for the
militants to avoid a spill over of the growing demonstrations in Niamey into
volatile northern cities.
Tribune was told that northern leaders are rushing to plead for amnesty for the
militants to avoid a spill over of the growing demonstrations in Niamey into
volatile northern cities.
“The
drone thing is a source of concern. We want the insurgency to end to avoid this
drone problem. We are in a bad state already; we don’t want it to get worse,” a
moderate Islamist from Bauchi said.
drone thing is a source of concern. We want the insurgency to end to avoid this
drone problem. We are in a bad state already; we don’t want it to get worse,” a
moderate Islamist from Bauchi said.
Source: Tribune
