The intervention of Russia in Nigeria's
security challenges has proved crucial in dealing with difficult
situations and helping with the very important and timely fight against
the deadly Boko Haram insurgents, reveals a special report by Thisday.
It was first was the three years civil
war (1967-70) and presently, the supply of the right arms and ammunition
that have helped to turn the tide of war against the Boko Haram
terrorists in the north-eastern part of the country.
Investigations have revealed that following the reluctance of America
and the suspicious response of the West to Nigeria's counter-terrorism
and counter-insurgency efforts, the Nigerian government turned to the
East for help.
Thisday quoted presidency sources who revealed that the botched $15m
arms deal, which exposed America's hypocrisy, forced Nigeria to look for
alternative sources of arms supply.
According to one of the sources, the outcome of such strategic move is
the acquisition of the right kinds of armoury that has helped to change
the game against the terrorists with the recent liberation of many towns
and communities from the stronghold of the insurgents.
They noted in particular that the role of Mine Resistant Ambush
Protected (MRAPS) Vehicles from South Africa and Russia was crucial in
the recent liberation of Baga where terrorists' mines proved ineffectual
against the military onslaught.
The top intelligence source commended the National Security Adviser
(NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), for taking the bold initiative
in the desperate efforts that brokered the deals with Russia, South
Africa, and China, amongst others.
"When the Americans refused to assist and we found out that they were
playing games with us, citing human rights violation, several countries
were willing to assist. You already know how Israel wanted to assist,
and still do. Now Russia, China and some others have been cooperative.
"This does not mean we have done away with our American and Western
allies but our national security comes first and any useful assistance
will suffice", the source said.
In the same vein, a security source said that the "game changing
tactics deployed by the Federal government to boost the efforts of the
military against the insurgents has been greatly enhanced by these new
deals in both the Army and Air Force".
"Apart from the arsenal and equipment in the regular inventory of the
military which were procured and put into action to combat the
insurgents, some specialized and high grade weapons and equipment as
well as tactics proved to be a game changer in the efforts of the
military", the source said.
Thisday further reported that the list of procurement of high grade
military arsenal in the Nigeria Army includes the "T-72 Russian-made
tanks deployed to support troops’ advance at all axis, RM 70 multiple
rocket launchers, and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAPS) vehicles
from South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic.
"For the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), we have the MI35 attack helicopters
from Russia and associated weapons and accessories, Agusta 109 support
helicopters, Super PUMA helicopters from France, F17 Bombers with
precision guided munitions, and the ever present Alpha Jet bombers".
In addition, the source noted that special procedures were also
designed to inflict maximum misery on the terrorists "such as the
operations of Special Forces – used for specialised operations such as
cut-off operations, town clearing, helicopter support operations".
"We also have specialised night helicopter operations that seriously
degraded Boko Haram leadership, round the clock aerial surveillance by
strategic surveillance platforms, which provides round the clock
intelligence to ground troops before, during and after operations.
"This is also followed up with specialized ground to air communications
between surveillance platforms, aerial attack platforms and ground
troops".
According to an earlier report in Thisday, a change of battle plans,
regional alliance, and especially the acquisition of the right weapons
has helped to change the battle situation in the ongoing
counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency offensive against the Boko
Haram terrorists.
It noted that since the latest arrangements, the terrorists have lost
strategic towns including Mongonu, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa and other
surrounding communities, all thanks to the game changing weapons and
arrangements.
Accordingly, with the official confirmation of Baga's liberation due to
the game changing strategies, it’s a matter of days or a few weeks for
the remaining frontiers in Borno State such as Bama, Sambisa and Gwoza
to be recaptured.
The source singled out two of the major game-changing factors that
turned the tide of the battle to include the regional agreement with the
countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to destroy Boko Haram safe
havens within their contiguous boundaries, as well as the stockpile of
new sophisticated weapons like drones, battle tanks, attack helicopters
and night vision technology.
Actually, the source noted, major issue people are asking is that if we
have not been able to deal with these issues in the last two to six
years how can we resolve same now?
According to the source, the answer is simple, adding, before now there
was no agreement or cooperation with our neighbours; even the hot
pursuit arrangement was not honoured but now they have all agreed.
"The first thing is the sincerity and commitment of our neighbouring
countries on the task of eliminating the terrorists", the source said.
Two, the source added, for the first time, the Nigerian military has
stockpiled all armaments not brought in bits and pieces but some brought
at once with bigger transport aircraft.
The source said: "They brought some of these game changing tanks and
armoured vehicles. The APCs, T-72 battle tanks, T55 armoured tanks with
mine sweeping capabilities, which are used in Baga and currently in
Sambisa and Gwoza; and the attack helicopters, especially the Cobra
equipped with night vision capabilities have turned the tide against
Boko Haram.
"There are more use of drones but we don't want to name all of them for
security reasons because Americans that don't want us to have these
weapons may have a different motive. Look at when one of the drones was
sighted in Adamawa, the US were said to be angry, asking how we were
able to secure them".
"The beauty of it is that these drones are doing very well and has
enhanced our capacity and battle success. We are now having more drones;
China, Russia and other countries have been helping out in this regard.
We mainly Surveillance drones that can convey real war situation, and
can maneuver the terrorists. It’s actually these drones that helped to
identify the terrorists’ camps".
Also, a military source disclosed, there is intensive training and retraining of the troops in non-conventional warfare.
Speaking further, the source explained that "the counter-terrorism and
counter-insurgency training being given to some of our forces are
beginning to bear fruit in addition to arrival of more special forces to
join the fight.
"Boko Haram were more active before in the night but with the
acquisition of night vision technology our troops have had the upper
hand".
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