I will be tweeting BH response to my 4th anniversary tweets on #Chibokgirls abduction later in the day, after I have finished the usual checks. Watch this space for details
1/ The objectives of my earlier tweets marking the 4 yr anniversary of the abduction of the #Chibokgirls included, one, stir debate. Two, compel Govt and the insurgents to come clean with whatever info they have. Three, ensure the parents have current and accurate information.
2/ Indeed, the anniversary tweets have accomplished the objectives it was set out to achieve. Number one, the media, locally and internationally feasted on the tweets, commentators have analysed the issues I raised, so that's the debate. The debate is still ongoing.
3/ Number two objectives was to compel Govt & BH to speak. The Govt is still unnecessarily defensive, I will come to that later. BH just responded in a manner that bares all the info concerning the status of the #Chibokgirls & the basis of my tweets is to highlight their response
4/ A leading member of the Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad or BH has now clarified the earlier information about 15 girls. Indeed, the 15 #Chibokgirls are available, but known to a particular cell that spoke to me emphatically days leading to the 4th anniversary.
5/ However, two other cells within the larger group has brought additional information, clarifying the earlier information, that there is another 10 girls available to another cell. Outside of the 15 and 10, another 5 amongst the girls are also alive as at early hours of today.
6/ But the set of 5, according to the group today, have apparently become permanently embedded in the doctrines and teaching programs of the Sect and have asked not to be considered amongst those likely be included in any release in the future, if there would be any.
7/ In BH, you do not know what you don't have access to because of the segmentation of authority. It's part of the ethos of criminality to restrict access of lieutenants to critical information. You only know what obtains in the cell you control.
8/ However, the group has confirmed my earlier tweets that all the 15 #Chibokgirls, including the set of five are 'married' and the terms of their release, for those that want to be released, are consistent with the details I provided in my 4th anniversary tweets.
9/ Back to the response of the presidency, it is most disappointing that the government in its might and given the machinery available to it, peremptorily declared to the public that it lacks institutional memory regarding the processes of the #Chibokgirls.
10/ "82 girls were killed" amongst 100's of other hostages that are unheard-of, mainly in crossfires and bombardments, "some died long ago, some more recently," a few are single or 'widowed' and it's unbearable to publish their names here. This is the story of the #Chibokgirls
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This is not a capture. Nearly every village or town ISWAP attacked has a military facility. Meanwhile, as attention has shifted to #ISWAP, #Bokoharam may recuperate, this was how ISWAP became what they are and the factions have given up killing themselves. Read between the lines.
The insurgents no longer have the resources to capture and hold new territories. They are more secure in the limited areas they held and maintained from start. They are using the raining season to build up arms before the dry season, when air and ground troops are hard-hitting.
The insurgents have no doubt embraced the global jihad movements and are now regarded as important players, with growing ties, but the war strategy is local, to confront it requires street knowledge, which internationals don't know about and the govt seems to ignore at its peril.
There is a silent emergency on a long standing human rights violations and abuse in Northeast #Nigeria, where, even security officials estimated the number of those detained or executed for the crime of guilt by association to over THREE THOUSAND in the past 8 to 9 years.
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Hundreds of young men and some women were picked up after a suspected terrorist calls them even once. It doesn't matter what the call is all about or who the caller is to the recipient. The implication can be dreadful to those involved and their families.
Idris Ali was arrested by the DSS in 2013 and remained in custody till date. His 'crime,' a childhood friend of his, got his number and placed a call to him, and because the caller was being trailed by officials, Ali and brother were arrested remained in custody since then.
In January I published an article on the militia in Benue state, where I publicly profiled one of the militia leaders, Aliyu Tashaku. The insights I provided changed the narrative to an extent & mounted pressure on the Governor, leading to arrests. salkida.com/the-nigerian-k…
The report that Benue is host to self-help militias, where a self-confessed member of BH; Tashaku, was recognised by the state as a leader of a vigilante group that hacked and killed scores, under the guise of protecting the people of the state against armed Fulani herdsmen.
I did not seek the approval of anyone or security agencies to write that report, I'm not an employee of any security agency, I'm a journalist. My report is targeted at helping ordinary pple in the streets and those handling the problem or shaping policy, to accurate information.
Whether we like it or not, the so-called R-APC can't be discounted. They are part of the system and if we see realignments of parties like in 2014, they may win and Nigeria will, once again, be set back decades behind any serious country. I am not happy, just stating the fact.
Again, there is nothing like a single northern bloc, the minorities in N/Nigeria had suffered enough. And this time round, there is growing interest for ppl to get PVC and vote out a govt, they feel does not only marginalized them, but has shown zero interest in their well-being.
Another thing that may play into the hands of the opposition is, military campaigns against #BH is reduced to more than 70% in the raining season and there has been a steady surge in attacks in Dec. Jan. Feb. in the last four yrs. This season, coincides with campaigns elections?
Will the Nigerian government do the right thing to either release #JonesAbiri unconditionally or charge him to court TODAY? Two years in detention without trial is a travesty of democracy, that's if #Nigeria is still a democracy?
Our silence is the ONLY reason why Nigerian leaders feel they can do whatever they want, even if it is against the law. Today, it is #JonesAbiri, tomorrow it can be you, or me again? The #Nigerianmedia must come out of its shell and speak against this abuse of power.
#JonesAbiri is detained for II yrs without trial, yet the @NGRPresident & his lieutenants had the audacity to attend #IPIWoCo ceremony, claiming they encouraged liberal media? There is no crime that warrants a person to be confined for II yrs without trial. #FreeJonesAbiri now.
Growing up as a child between #Biu and #Maiduguri in the 80's and 90's left me with vivid memories. There were clear memories of affinity, of love, of trust, of sharing and good neighbourliness. #Maiduguri, to me, is the only place I want to retire to.
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Today, the epitaph - home of peace, mock the state, its citizenry and govt. A crisis we all saw coming and I, in particular, wrote articles and reports in the New Sentinel and the Daily Trust, alerting the state of an impending threat to law and order, long before it occurred.
The official lines, then, was, the crisis "would fizzle out soon." Today, officials are pushing the same narrative. This is the wish of every well meaning citizen, but wishes are not horses. The evidence in Borno, especially rural areas, contrast sharply with official lines.