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An Open Letter To The Chief Of Army Staff

February 21, 2014

Dear COAS,

1.   First of all, I want to congratulate you on your appointment to the highest office any commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army (NA) can aspire to. Being Chief of Army Staff (COAS) points to the fact that you have paid your dues and eminently qualified to be in the driving seat at this critical moment in the history of our country. I am even the more delighted that since General Victor Malu, this is the first time an Infantry officer, ‘a battle tested one for that matter’ is assuming the headship of the NA. Something inside me keeps ringing a bell that the fight against terrorism in the NE will take a positive turn around. Sir, believe me that most of us who had the privilege to serve the NA are pained and concerned with the intransigence and audacity of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Dear COAS,

1.   First of all, I want to congratulate you on your appointment to the highest office any commissioned officer in the Nigerian Army (NA) can aspire to. Being Chief of Army Staff (COAS) points to the fact that you have paid your dues and eminently qualified to be in the driving seat at this critical moment in the history of our country. I am even the more delighted that since General Victor Malu, this is the first time an Infantry officer, ‘a battle tested one for that matter’ is assuming the headship of the NA. Something inside me keeps ringing a bell that the fight against terrorism in the NE will take a positive turn around. Sir, believe me that most of us who had the privilege to serve the NA are pained and concerned with the intransigence and audacity of the Boko Haram insurgents.

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2.   The success of any military institution or campaign is a direct function of the caliber of the commander. Conversely, this translates to the fact that there are ‘no bad soldiers but bad commanders’. Some of us may no longer be in service but we still keep up with issues affecting the services. With your appointment, there is presently an overwhelming high spirit amongst the officers and men that a thoroughbred professional is now in-charge of the NA. The high morale is suggestive that the history and heritage of the NA will be protected at all cost. It is time sir, to halt the senseless attacks on our innocent citizens by Boko Haram insurgents. Pardon me if I have chosen to join the very unmilitary legion of letter writers.

3.  Whatever may be the constraints your troops are encountering I am convinced beyond doubt that Boko Haram insurgency can be defeated by the NA if the COAS leads from the front. This is not to say that the COAS is expected to lead when battle or hostilities is joined. Rather, the COAS should endeavor to go two or three steps down to keep abreast with the feelings and thinking of the officers and men. Unconfirmed reports of disenchantments amongst troops, fifth columns and other blame games are worrisome; deserving of your direct attention. Sincerely speaking, the temporary relocation of Army Headquarters (AHQ) from Abuja to Bauchi; close to the epicenter of Boko Haram will redefine the war on terrorism especially, on the morale of the troops.

4.   Before relocating the AHQ, an urgent need also exist to request the C-in-C to redefine the Tasks Order for defeating terrorism. Treating the current efforts in the NE as part of the traditional role of the military aid to civil authority as provided for in the constitution is no longer tenable and cannot guarantee quick success. In essence, the present partial state of emergency should be reviewed. This is in view of the fact that the menace of Boko Haram has assumed a proportion that can be liken to an outright war. Their modus operandi in recent times has gone beyond mere subversion to threatening our existence as a country. Regardless the plethora of commentaries that may suggest otherwise, there is an urgent need to impose a full (blanket) state of emergency in Boko Haram strongholds; complete with the suspension of elected officials. Emergency period all over the world comes with the loss of certain rights of citizens guaranteed by the constitution. Of course, Nigerians at the receiving end of the Boko Haram atrocities will be better off losing some rights than their lives.  

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5.   There has been a lot of misinformation on the reportage of Boko Haram activities without any concern for the impact or effects of such reports on the troops. Some commentators are simply trying to establish their credentials as experts in an issue they know nothing about. Some are even too ignorant to understand that the military as an institution possesses a highly literate human resources.  I am sure that you are already aware of the hype about the absence of Intelligence which is not true, as well the superior weapon holding of the insurgents over the NA. I will not dwell on the weapon holding because no military commander in history has ever had sufficient men and equipment to pursue a task. So far, the most potent weapons Boko Haram has employed which could be easily neutralized are Machine Guns (MGs), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and Anti Aircraft (AA) guns in infantry roles. There is no reason whatsoever to believe that such weapons are superior to what is in the holding of the NA.

6.  The less understood aspect of these negative commentaries is the latent systematic disinformation in support of the insurgents. Also, the recent comments by a high official of the government that certain international conventions regulate the NA from routing Boko Haram insurgents was at best reckless and unacceptable.  It should be emphasized that the laws of war does not by any means turn war into a fashionable human activity. The UN Chapter VII, Article 42 allows for any “action by air, sea or land as may be necessary to maintain or restore peace and security”. The laws of war only seek to regulate wanton cruelty. Acceding to treating Boko Haram with kid-gloves will amount to making their cause acceptable and lasting. Sir, I urge you to please discountenance distractions from public commentators. 
 
7.   To obtain the best within limitations, it is obvious and necessary that other potent weapons outside military equipment be deployed to fight terrorism in our country. The time has come to combine psychological operations with the current efforts of the troops. It is an important and effective instrument to mobilize and influence the behavioral pattern of the populace including the insurgents in a conflict environment. Psyops is extensively applied in warfare especially against insurgents and many countries have integrated psyops in their military operations. In 1983, the NA established a Psyop Group as an arm (unit) of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC).  Not much has been heard of this group in the fight against Boko Haram. The NAIC précis on psychological operations defines psychological operations as “….warfare that embraces those political, military, economic and ideological actions planned and conducted to create in hostile, neutral or friendly foreign or local groups the emotions, attitudes or behavior to support the achievement of national objectives……..It also influences policy decisions, the ability to govern, the ability to command, the will to fight, the will to obey and the will to support.”

8.   Without doubt, effective psychological operations will reverse the present trend that allows the infamous activities of Boko Haram to define the headlines in our media. It will also minimize the weaknesses and limitations while also maximizing the strength and capabilities of our military. We must never forget the classroom teachings on terrorism that states, “…. intensity of acts of terrorism may increase but does not translate into victory and nothing should be left unattended”.  The major purposes of psyops are twofold as outlined below:

        a.   In support of military operations i.e.
              (i)  To weaken the will of the enemy
              (ii)  To enforce the feelings of the loyal
              (iii) To gain support and cooperation of the uncommitted.
         b.   In support of national policies at home and abroad.

8.   Finally, I cannot end this letter without mentioning an issue which is obviously not new to you, sir. One fact nobody can discount about the avoidable and un-necessary causalities we recorded in Liberia and the Sierra Leone (ECOMOG) campaigns was the tactical deployment on the ground. We were too thinly spread to allow for concentration of efforts; a vital principle of war. To me, it was more of over confidence in our ability than an error. The NA concept of defensive operation emphasis series of interlocking and mutually supporting measures to guarantee the security of both troops and the defended locality. Having served in Maiduguri in the past, I am aware of the vast land mass that must be covered by troops if we are to stem further Boko Haram attacks. 

It is therefore suggestive that more boots are needed on ground. The time has come to reappraise our commitments to world peace and security while the home front is on fire. It is only when our home land is secured that we can contribute our troops to keep the peace elsewhere. Besides, the availability of reserves is a very vital component of task execution in the military. It is time to bring our boys and girls back home from distant lands. Goodluck sir!

I remain your loyal officer as always.

Innih Akpan
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
UNAMID
Darfur-Sudan
Email:  [email protected] 

 

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters 

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