Why is Buhari Killing Defenseless People of the South-South While Ignoring Murderous Boko Haram in the North East?

                                                      By Jonathan Ekene Ifeanyi

"Villagers who were not engaged in any criminal activity came out to wave to the aircraft when suddenly the gunship opened fire. Those who ran into their houses were roasted when the gunship came back and napalmed the whole village."

In 2013 Major-General Mohammadu Buhari described the war against the Boko Haram sect as simply injustice against the North. Buhari spoke as “Guest of the Week” on Hausa programme of Liberty Radio, Kaduna. He said special treatments were given to the Niger Delta militants by the Federal Government, while the Boko Haram members were being killed daily and their houses demolished. Buhari said he was not in support of the emergency rule declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states because President Goodluck Jonathan failed from the onset in addressing the nation’s insecurity. Shockingly, Buhari said the security challenges confronting the country started in the Niger Delta where he alleged that politicians desperate to retain their positions recruited youths and armed them to win elections by force.

He said:

“What is responsible for the security situation in the country is caused by the activities of Niger Delta militants. Every Nigerian that is familiar with happenings knows this. The Niger Delta militants started it all. What happened is that the governors of the Niger Delta region at that time wanted to win their elections, so they recruited youths and gave them guns and bullets and used them against their opponents to win elections by force. After the elections were over, they asked the boys to return the guns, the boys refused to return the guns. Because of that the allowance that was being given to the youths by the governors during that time was stopped. The youths resorted to kidnapping oil workers and were collecting dollars as ransom. Now a boy of 18 to 20 years was getting about $500 in a week. Why will he go to school and spend 20 years to study and then come back and get employed by government to be paid N100,000 a month—and that is if he is lucky to get employment?

“So kidnapping became very rampant in the South -South and the South-East. They kidnapped people and were collecting money.

“How did Boko Haram start? We know that their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, started his militant and the police couldn’t control them and the army was invited. He was arrested by soldiers and handed over to the police. The appropriate thing to do, according to the law, was for the police to carry out investigations and charge him to court for prosecution, but they killed him; his in-law was killed; they went and demolished their houses. Because of that, his supporters resorted to what they are doing today. You see in the case of the Niger Delta militants, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua sent an airplane to bring them, he sat down with them and discussed with them; they were cajoled and they were given money and granted amnesty. They were trained in some skills and were given employment, but the ones in the North were being killed and their houses were being demolished. They are different issues. What brought this? It is injustice.” These favourable statements about the Islamic terrorists who have so far murdered about 20, 000 innocent Nigerians and displaced about 1.5 million people—and unfavourable statements about the people of the South-South and the South-East—were made by Mohammadu Buhari, yet when he contested for the post of president in 2015, he was massively voted for by the gullible and unthinking Nigerian people, including many Igbo “Christians”. Of course, this happened partly because of the lies told by Buhari and his Islamic party, the APC, during their period of campaign—the state of insecurity in the country, particularly, was their primary instrument of political propaganda during that period. In Borno State, for instance, Buhari stated emphatically that if elected, Boko Haram would be a thing of the past. His exact words: 

“I’m happy that I received befitting welcome. If elected, I will focus on tackling the persistent insecurity affecting the northeast. It is not easy as the damage has been done. Your royal highness, God willing, if APC government is elected, all towns under Boko Haram control will be liberated and rebuilt.”

In his inaugural speech on May 29, 2015, Buhari told the world this:

"At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. ...We can fix our problems. The most immediate is Boko Haram’s insurgency. ... But we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive. . . .For now the Armed Forces will be fully charged with prosecuting the fight against Boko Haram. . . We shall improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human right violations by the Armed Forces. Boko Haram is not only the security issue bedevilling our country. The spate of kidnappings, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers clashes, cattle rustlings all help to add to the general air of insecurity in our land.”

But what have we witnessed so far after his being elected? The worst indeed! Instead of ebbing, the deaths and destruction caused by Boko Haram are simply galloping currently compared to the pre-May 29 era. There have been over 30 terror-related attacks since the election of General Muhammadu Buhari on March 28, 2015. So far, just within two months since he assumed office, about 700 innocent people have been killed either through bombings, or beheading, or shooting. Precisely, here are some of the figures, as reported by some newspapers:

May 30, 2015: At least 13 people were killed during an attempted night invasion of Maiduguri by the Islamic terrorists. May 30: About 26 people—perceived to be Muslim infidels by Boko Haram, that is, Muslims who are against the activities of the Islamic terrorists—were killed in a bomb attack on a Mosque near Borno market. May 31: Four people were killed at Gamboru market in Maiduguri. June 2: 17 people were killed at Maiduguri Abattoir. June 3: Four people were killed in an attack on mechanical workshop on Baga Road, Maiduguri. June 4: A female suicide bomber killed two near a military checkpoint in Maiduguri. June 5: 40 people were killed in a suicide attack on Jimeta Night Market, Adamawa State. June 7: 3 people were killed in a suicide attack on Baga/Monguno Highway. June 11: 37 people were killed in separate attacks on six villages in Borno State. June 15: Twin suicide bomb attacks killed 11 persons in Potiskum, Yobe State. June 17: Accidental explosion killed 15 persons in Monguno. June 22: 8 people were killed in twin suicide attacks on Baga Fish Market, Maiduguri. June 23: 15 people were killed in suicide bomb attack on Nannawaji Village, Gujba Council of Borno State. June 23: 20 people were killed in an attack on Debiro, headquarters of Hawul Council of Borno State. June 27: 5 people were killed at a General Hospital in Molai, Borno State. June 30: 48 people were killed in Mussaram I and Mussaram II, near Monguno. July 1: 98 people were killed in Kukawa Village. July 2: 11 people were killed at Malari village along Bama/Konduga highway. July 3: 29 people were killed in Mussa Village, Askira-Uba Council of Borno State. July 5: 51 people were killed in a bomb explosion in a church in Jos, the Plateau State capital. July 7: 26 people were killed in a bomb blast in Zaria, Kaduna State. July 12: A bomb scared worshippers at the ECWA “church” in Tundunwada area of Jos, Plateau state. A package that looked like a bomb, found in the church’s toilet, exploded, creating fears and panic of a possible Boko Haram attack. July 12: Boko Haram killed 11 people in Yobe, and took over the highway in Damat. July 13: At least 43 people were killed in attacks by Boko Haram in a remote region in the country's northeast, according to police and residents. The attacks happened Friday on the villages of Kalwa, Misala and Gwollam and people were either shot dead or stabbed, said Aderemi Opadokun, Borno state police commissioner. July 13: Two bombs planted by suspected Boko Haram fighters went off at a bar in a northern town in Cameroon, killing at least 14 people. Col. Didier Badjeck said three Chadian soldiers were among those killed in Fotokol, a town on the border with Nigeria's Borno state. He said no Cameroonian soldiers were hurt. Resident Abdoulaziz Bambam said the death toll may rise because more bodies were being recovered. July 14: Boko Haram gunmen killed dozens of people in four villages in northeast Nigeria, slitting some residents’ throats and opening fire on others. “Boko Haram gunmen came into our villages at night, killing 43 people,” said Sheriff Kulo, from Kilwa village near Monguno, who escaped to the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. July 17: Multiple suicide bombs planted by Boko Haram killed 64 people in the north-eastern Nigeria. July 26: A girl aged about 10 carried out a suicide bombing in north-eastern Nigeria, killing at least 16 people, police said. The attack took place near a crowded market in the city of Damaturu in Yobe state. About 50 people were wounded.

All these figures are in no way accurate—so many deaths have been unreported! Journalists often report only what they were able to see or hear, ignoring the rest of the stories!

For instance, AFP reported one of the killings this way:

“...The latest carnage in series of attacks that have claimed more than 200 lives in just three days happened Friday. According to an AFP tally, no fewer than 650 people have been killed since President Muhammadu Buhari took over in May.

“Local resident Haladu Musa, who fled the attack, told how ‘large numbers’ of fighters poured into the village, overpowering government forces deployed to prevent the insurgents reaching Maiduguri.

“Then, as people began to flee, a number of female suicide bombers started blowing themselves up in their midst, killing large numbers of people, he said.

“Most of the casualties came from the suicide bombings,” he said, without being able to give a precise figure for the dead and injured.

“A total of six suicide bombers detonated themselves… killing scores of people while some people were also wounded. A soldier also died,” the Nigerian army said in a statement without specifying the sex of the bombers.

“The army said a jeep full of improvised explosive devices was recovered by troops, adding there was an ongoing search “for any bombs that might have been hidden or left unexploded in the area.”

“Musa said the militants looted shops and torched “almost half the village” before eventually being repelled after the military sent in reinforcements.

“Danlami Ajaokuta, a civilian vigilante helping the military battle Boko Haram, who also witnessed the attack, spoke of heavy casualties.

“The main concern now is to evacuate and attend to the injured and later recover the dead bodies now lying in the village,” he said, adding that more than 100 injured had been taken to the hospital....”

And so on! Boko Haram, which is fighting to establish a hard-line Islamic state in northeast Nigeria and has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group, has intensified its campaign of violence since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on May 29, and these attacks, unfortunately, are no longer being reported by the Nigerian prominent newspapers massively controlled by the ruling party. The militants have committed unimaginable atrocities all in the name of fighting for their idol and wicked god called Allah! They have beheaded so many Christian men, shot women in their homes and dragged men and boys from their beds to kill them in the dead of night. As I write, Boko Haram is still killing innocent people in the north-eastern Nigeria—aiming ultimately to, if possible, wipe out the entire Christians from the country, to destroy atheistic western democracy and establish an Islamic caliphate, and to Islamise the whole nation thereafter.

Buhari’s priority, as Prof. Chinweizu has rightly observed,
 “is Genocide-for-oil, not Boko Haram, or corruption or
 the fuel, power shortages etc. that he claimed.”

And what has Buhari’s government been doing about all this?  Nothing indeed!

Boko Haram leader, Abubakah Shekau

Buhari’s priority, as Prof. Chinweizu has rightly observed, “is Genocide-for-oil, not Boko Haram, or corruption or the fuel, power shortages etc. that he claimed.”

Buhari’s mantra of “change” turns out to change from fighting Boko Haram to napalming defenceless villagers in the oil producing Niger Delta. 

In his inaugural speech Buhari said:

"The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the Government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place. I call on the leadership and people in these areas to cooperate with the State and Federal Government in the rehabilitation programmes which will be streamlined and made more effective. As ever, I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians. I extend my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people."

Then—just 3 weeks later, even before announcing his cabinet, we got the news: ‘War against oil Thieves: Buhari Orders Attacks in Akwa Ibom Creeks, Kills 350’

It has been confirmed that Nigeria Air Force, under the directives of the Buhari-led administration, raided Ikot Obiokut, a border community in Cross River state for reasons not yet clear to observers. According to sources, “one villager who escaped the massacre by swimming across the creek reported that they were going about their normal business when suddenly the gunship flew over the village. Villagers who were not engaged in any criminal activity came out to wave to the aircraft when suddenly the gunship opened fire. Those who ran into their houses were roasted when the gunship came back and napalmed the whole village. Uwem, the survivor, is now living in fear of his life.”

An anonymous reporter confirmed that raid by Hind helicopter gunships using incendiary bombs massacred over three hundred villagers and about twenty militants! See: ‘War against oil thieves: Buhari Orders Attacks in Akwa Ibom Creeks, Kills 350’

One observer who wishes to remain anonymous said: "It seems the present Federal Government is avenging for the killed Boko Haram terrorists."

Is this massacre of Niger Deltans what Buhari regards as “[extending] my hand of fellowship to them so that we can bring peace and build prosperity for our people”?  But why is he doing this? Here’s why:

“What is happening in the Niger Delta is pure criminality of the highest order, arising from total disregard for constituted authority. In Iraq, thousands of people lost their lives because of an insurrection against the government during the reign of former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. We can do away with 20 million militants for the rest 120 million Nigerians to live.” (An incitement to genocide by Bala Ibn N’Allah of Kebbi State, a Caliphate member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, The Guardian, Thursday, May 28, 2009).a historical backgrounder to all this, go to:

In 2005, Boko Haram was adopted and sponsored by Buhari’s fellow Caliphate politicians as their Jihadist army for re-conquering power in Nigeria. Having retaken power with the help of Boko Haram, they have swiftly resumed their interrupted project of making war on the people of the Niger Delta whose oil the Caliphate insists does not belong to the people of the Niger Delta but to “the North”—i.e. the people of the Caliphate’s home territory.

It should also be noted that the same Buhari had early this month relocated over 49 Boko Haram inmates from the North East to Aguata Prison in Ekwuluobia, Anambra State—a predominantly Christian region. Why did he do this? Many gullible Igbos never asked. But we thank God for some few personalities, like the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Elder Chris Eluemuno, who immediately called on Mr Muhammadu Buhari to rescind his decision.

Eluemuno demanded the immediate relocation of the inmates in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the country. Speaking with newsmen at his country home, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Elder Elumuno said:

“Our position is that it is not acceptable to us having them here, if what President Mohummadu Buhari has to give us as dividend of democracy is Boko Haram terrorists, it is very, very unfair. Aguata prison in Ekwulobia is not a maximum prison, it is an ordinary prison and if the Federal Government meant well for us, Igbo, it is not terrorists that they will bring to us, it is not acceptable to us and we are asking them to think again and look for a better place and send them there. Let him build a camp and put them there if there are not enough accommodations in the North East prisons, the prison in Ekwulobia does not have maximum security, there are maximum security prisons all over the country. Successive Federal Governments of Nigeria have always taken the Igbo for granted and pleaded that nobody should push the Igbo to the walls to incur their wrath, we are asking him to please, remove the suspects from Anambra State.”

Anambra State governor Willie Obiano also assured the people of the State that the terrorists will be relocated. But as I write, the terrorists are still in Anambra State. See: http://www.naij.com/494753-boko-haram-prisoners-still-in-anambra-prisons.html