A former senior officer of the Nigerian Military, Main Basic John Enenche (retd.), has strongly defended current United States airstrikes focusing on ISIS enclaves in northwest Nigeria, insisting that opposition to the motion is pushed by egocentric pursuits fairly than nationwide concern.
Enenche described the strikes as well timed, mandatory, and lengthy overdue, arguing that Nigeria has suffered for many years from terrorism, banditry, and violent extremism with out reaching a decisive breakthrough.
He stated the intervention alerts a turning level within the nation’s long-running safety disaster.
Talking throughout a tv interview, the retired basic stated the airstrikes, carried out in Tangaza Native Authorities Space of Sokoto State, confirmed severe worldwide dedication to Nigeria’s struggle towards terrorism.
He famous that the impression of insecurity has gone far past lack of lives, extending to {economic} collapse, displacement of communities, and long-term instability.
“I’m very completely happy in regards to the improvement within the sense that this is a matter that has lasted for over twenty years. We have now misplaced so many individuals, harmless folks, regardless of attempting numerous options: diplomatic efforts, dialogue, even bargaining and speaking to bandits and terrorists as if there was no different answer,” Enenche stated.
Drawing from private expertise, he recalled his time serving in affected areas greater than 20 years in the past and described the destruction he witnessed.
In keeping with him, insecurity shouldn’t be seen solely from a army angle however as a broad threat affecting human lives, livelihoods, and nationwide improvement.
“As a army man who fought in that space over 20 years in the past, I noticed with my very own eyes the casualties, the craze and the devastation. While you speak about safety, you might be speaking about human beings, human safety, {economic} safety, cyber safety. It impacts everybody,” he stated.
Enenche praised the US for overtly backing Nigeria, stating that clear assist from a world energy sends a robust message to terror {groups}. He linked the motion to earlier assurances from the U.S. management to help Nigeria in tackling insecurity.
“America has come out boldly to say, ‘We’re going to enable you to’. President Donald Trump got here out and stated they may help Nigeria. For me, that is the start of excellent issues to come back for this nation,” he said.
Responding to critics who worry that U.S. involvement might drag Nigeria into extended overseas battle, Enenche dismissed such views as defeatist.
He argued that worldwide cooperation has labored for Nigeria up to now and shouldn’t all of the sudden be seen as harmful.
“The place some folks see negatives, we must always see positives. Those that continually challenge worry and pessimism, I see them as enemies of this nation. Why didn’t we are saying this when Nigerians went to Liberia, Sierra Leone or Congo? Anytime Nigerians cooperate and act as a staff, we get outcomes,” he stated.
He, nonetheless, harassed that Nigeria should take full duty for securing its territory.
In keeping with him, overseas companions might present air assist and intelligence, however the Nigerian army and authorities should deal with floor operations with seriousness.
“They might not put boots on the bottom, however we should do the foot-on-ground work. We should deploy the required assets, and that’s the place state governments and native governments should assist this effort,” he stated.
On doubts surrounding the intelligence behind the strikes, Enenche stated the extent of precision clearly confirmed superior surveillance and focusing on capabilities past what Nigeria presently possesses.
“Have a look at the capability, have a look at the weapons used. Do we’ve that functionality? This was intelligence-driven and exact. These terrorists don’t need to be adopted to their staging or meeting areas,” he stated.
The previous military spokesman additionally warned that corruption and poor governance might weaken the positive factors if not addressed decisively. He urged the Federal Authorities to confront inside sabotage inside the safety system.
“We have now to sort out corruption and poor management alongside this effort. There needs to be no sacred cows. From the best rank to the bottom corporal, anybody discovered complicit needs to be handled decisively. Heaven won’t fall,” he stated.
Enenche added that worldwide army cooperation usually operates on mutual curiosity and shouldn’t be misunderstood. He stated transparency is necessary, however secrecy in safety agreements is usually unavoidable.
“A clever nation at all times places one thing on the desk and appears at returns on funding. There may be nothing fallacious if some agreements are usually not made public. What issues is that Nigeria additionally places its home so as,” he stated.
He additional known as for expanded use of know-how, particularly drones, to keep up stress on legal {groups}. He urged that collective funding by northern states might assist a strong surveillance and strike system.
“Since we launched surveillance drones in some areas, legal actions lowered considerably for like six months. We have to broaden this. If the 19 northern states are contributing N1bn month-to-month, that N19bn can be utilized to ascertain drone stations with surveillance and even deadly capabilities, as permitted,” he stated.
Addressing rising opposition to the strikes, Enenche accused critics of undermining nationwide curiosity. He particularly focused people and {groups} condemning U.S. involvement.
“Anybody opposing this effort is anti-Nigerian. Both you haven’t misplaced a cherished one, or you might be benefiting instantly from the insecurity. Even whether it is my brother, my spouse or my youngsters, I’ll accuse them. The federal government ought to act decisively towards such folks,” he stated.
He additionally rejected claims that Nigeria’s sovereignty or picture could be broken by overseas army assist, insisting that saving lives should come first.
“Is that this the primary time Nigeria’s picture has been broken? No. We have now already been labelled corrupt. But when this motion saves lives, then the tip justifies the means,” he stated.
Enenche concluded by urging Nigerians to unite behind the safety effort, warning that each exterior terrorists and inside collaborators should be confronted for the nation to maneuver ahead.
“The federal government and the folks should assist this effort collectively. We should cease this monstrous menace, each the exterior terrorists and the interior collaborators, if Nigeria is to maneuver ahead,” he stated.
In the meantime, Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has known as on President Bola Tinubu to droop all army cooperation with the US following the airstrikes.
Gumi warned that American involvement might escalate instability and weaken Nigeria’s sovereignty. The cleric has beforehand confronted criticism over feedback seen as sympathetic to armed terrorist {groups}.