Boko Haram On The Retreat In Nigeria - ADA News - September 15th, 2019

[Capt Boyle]

Boko Haram On The Retreat In Nigeria

ADA News - Dateline September 15th, 2019

 

For the first time in over a year, Nigeria has gone a month without a terrorist attack on any of its major cities. This milestone, while not a decisive defeat of Boko Haram in the region, is part of a series of victories the government has touted as a sign of significant progress. This is a major success for the African nation, which less than six months ago was considering suspending elections in the Northeastern part of the country due to the heavy fighting. With the aid of a combined American-British peacekeeping force under Operation Alberta, Nigerian troops have pushed Boko Haram deep into the countryside, where the jihadist group has been forced to resort to “lone-wolf” attacks on villages and army posts. Nigerian officials have stated that while several villages do remain under Boko Haram’s control, it is only a matter of time before the group is forced out of the country altogether.

 

Pictured: Nigerian soldiers standing guard in the town of Diwka

 

The war is not yet won however, as last week's attack on a British Army helicopter proves. On Tuesday, Brigadier General Anthony Melchett confirmed the loss of both pilots and a soldier from 16 Air Assault Brigade in the shootdown, which Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for. Her Majesty's Government issued a statement honoring the soldiers, stating that  “the forces of democracy will never stop fighting tyranny” and that the terrorist group’s days were numbered. The British and American forces have largely been in a support role for the fighting soldiers, but fifteen, nine British and six Americans, have lost their lives during Operation Alberta.

 

There is also growing concern about where the scattered Boko Haram fighters will end up, as the borders are little more than lines on a map in most parts of Northern Nigeria, with little to no official presence. The African Union has called for a vote next Thursday to assemble a military task force to help guard the Cameroonian and Chadian borders, though the recent instability in Chad has left some wondering if the country will be willing to allow a foreign military to operate within its borders. The influx of ISIS fighters from Syria and Afghanistan towards Africa is also troubling, though it does not appear that Boko Haram has received these possible reinforcements, which has left analysts wondering where they are going.

 

For the time being, however, Nigeria is relishing in its victories. Restaurants in Abuja and Lagos have begun offering security forces personnel discounts on drinks and meals, while the Nigerian President Ekundayo announced that preparations for a day of celebration were underway in the capital. Many in the West are also hopeful that the retreat of Boko Haram will enable the government to further establish its still-struggling democracy, as well as decrease the commitments they’ve made to the region. 

 

By Jan Smuts