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BBC: Tinubu got it right on territories reclaimed by Buhari— Buratai

Published

3 years ago

December 19, 2022

Sahara Weekly

BBC: Tinubu got it right on territories reclaimed by Buhari— Buratai

What is your take on the current military’s tactics in decimating banditry and terrorism in the country?

Answer: I’ll say, let them maintain it and keep up the aggressive assaults. Additionally, collaboration and synergy with other sister agencies is crucial. They must avoid being distracted and keep their attention on their task.

How would you describe the fight against terrorism in the country since you left office as the COAS?

Answer: Well, you must understand that the military is not a one man show; even when I was in service, I worked with a team, and I am happy to say that many of them are still in service. The current COAS served under me as Theater Commander of OP LAFIYA DOLE now OP HADIN KAI. By and large, I will say that they are doing well. Whatever little success we were able to achieve during my tenure, we did it together; it was a collective effort.

The 2023 general election is just by the corner; what advice do you have for the military to ensure a hit-free poll as far as security is concerned?

Answer: They must stick to their constitutional role and remain apolitical. I understand that the military may be called in to assist the civil police at some point, but only when things are about to get out of hand. I think the electorate must not succumb to fear or intimidation; they should come out and exercise their civic duty. At the same time, all of us must be vigilant; if you see something suspicious, try to say something to the right authorities.

According to PRNigeria the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu created an impression that the Buhari-led administration had inherited seventeen local governments and about four states which were under the control of foreign Jihadists in 2015. What is your take on this?

Answer: The conclusion and verdict of PRNigeria is false, wrong, and inaccurate. I was the first COAS to serve under President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and even before my appointment as COAS, I was the Force Commander, MNJTF, so I should have correct information and the situation of things in the North-East and Borno State, which is my state of origin. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu got it right. As of July 2015, the following LGAs were under Boko Haram in Borno State: Dikwa, Marte, Gamboru Ngala, Kala Balge, Guzamala, Damasak, and in Yobe State, we have Gulani and Gujba. The terrorists also partially occupied Kukawa,Gajiram, Kaga , Mafa, Bama, Gubio, Chibok, Gwoza, Damboa, and Nganzai. The wrong impression created by PR Nigeria should be corrected. I understand that they were misinformed, but this is the correct information.

What is your reaction on the report by PRNigeria that foreign technical experts, including mercenaries, assisted greatly in the recovery of the occupied territories in North-East?

Answer: If it does in fact occur, it did not occur during the time that I was in charge.

You actively supported one of the candidates in the presidential primaries of the ruling party. And you are on the side of your party’s presidential candidate in this election. Yet, you have always insisted, “I am not a politician.” How do you explain this position?

Answer: Our lives are in phases and chapters. When I said, “I am not a politician,” that was the truth and nothing but the truth. I was not a member of any political party then. I was a soldier who was under oath to protect and defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria. But as you know very well, that phase of my life is now gone. There is a time to join the Army and serve as a soldier, and there is a time to leave the Army and return to civilian life. I am a democrat; that’s why, when I was in the Army, I tried to keep soldiers out of politics and allow the people to choose their leaders as they wanted. We also protected this democracy. So now that I am a civilian, I think it won’t be out of place if I heed the call of destiny and enter politics. That doesn’t mean I will run for political office. My plan is to form a government with some Nigerians who I believe have good intentions for the country. I initially supported Rotimi Amaechi because I believed in him, but we lost the primaries. However, since the party is supreme and God has willed that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will be the flagbearer of the APC, it is expected that I should support him to win the elections. This is what I am doing. And this is not a new thing in Nigeria or the US. Generals Shehu Yar’adua, Obasanjo, and Ibrahim Babangida, as well as Aliyu Gusau, David Jemibiwon, Abdurahman Danbazau, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, all played politics after their service in the military. There is no doubt; stakeholders and imminent Nigerians thought that I could add value and so invited me to join them to move the country forward. One thing I want to tell Nigerians is that I will surely add value. There is no doubt about that.

Your name isn’t going to fade away anytime soon from the Nigerian Army, both in terms of exploits and enduring legacies. How do you feel about your stewardship?

Answer: Honestly, it humbles me. We wanted to achieve much more than we have, but, you know, things don’t always work out as planned. But it’s nice to hear soldiers and officers talk positively about us. We did what we thought was best for the army and the wellbeing of Nigeria. As COAS, I worked virtually around the clock daily. Sometimes I just sleep for a few hours.

What do you see as the place of regional cooperation in addressing the security challenges in Nigeria?

Answer: Regional cooperation is strategic in addressing security challenges because our borders are porous and our people are interconnected. Some people in south-western Nigeria have blood relatives in the Benin Republic. Those in the North East have relatives in Chad, Cameroon, and the Niger Republic, as well as in Sokoto and other places. So it is easy for criminals to move into Nigeria from these neighboring countries. What affects our neighbors can easily affect us. Not just us, but the entire ECOWAS membership. When the Boko Haram insurgency started, some people thought it was a Nigerian problem alone, but it has now spread to Burkina Faso and Mali. So, regional cooperation is needed to tackle the issue of small arms proliferation, help with intelligence gathering, and conduct COIN operations. For example, the MNJTF is helping to deal with Boko Haram and ISWAP in a good way.

There is the story of your long connection to President Buhari, beginning with his deployment as Military Governor of North East State. Can you help us recall this and its culmination during your time as Force Commander of MNJTF and COAS?

Answer: Yes, President Buhari and I have come a long way because destiny connected us in 1975, when he was the military governor of Borno State and I was a Form One student at Teacher’s College Maiduguri. He used to come to the school in the evenings to watch us play football. When I was running off the pitch to get the ball after hitting the ball so hard that it knocked down one of our classmates, the then-Colonel Buhari said to me, “You this boy! The army is what suits you best.

One thing led to another, and I was transferred to Teacher’s College Potiskum, while then-Col Buhari left Borno to serve as Petroleum Minister in the government of General Olusegun Obasanjo. I finished Teacher’s College, taught in a primary school at Buratai, and then joined the NDA in 1981. I got commissioned in December 1983 and heard that Major General Buhari was now the new Head of State. I proceeded to Elele in Rivers State, and that was it until sometime in 2015, when he visited Ndjamena as the newly democratically elected President of Nigeria. At that time, I was the Force Commander, MNJTF. When he returned to Nigeria and wanted to appoint his service chiefs, he appointed me as the 20th COAS. So he has been my leader and mentor in the past, now, and always.

What advice is best for the young officers and soldiers on the frontlines of service to the nation?

Answer: I have written and published a book known as Thoughts and Principles on Leadership. I am recommending it to all military officers to read. But that notwithstanding, my candid advice to young officers and soldiers is to remember the seven core Army values: their unit, the Army, God, and country. They must remain patriotic and keep on developing their skills and improving their competence.

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society

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

Published

22 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

By Ifeoma Ikem

A property dispute within the Omotayo-Ojo family has taken a dramatic turn following a controversial demolition exercise at a residential building in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State, which reportedly left tenants displaced and led to the detention of some police officers allegedly involved in the operation.

The property, located at 23B Loveall Street, Ikosi-Ketu, has been the subject of a prolonged ownership tussle since the death of its owner, Chief Oludola Omotayo Ojo, the Babaalaje of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, in 2019.
Residents said tension erupted when a group of individuals, accompanied by security operatives, stormed the premises and commenced demolition activities.

According to eyewitnesses, portions of the building were pulled down while tenants rushed to salvage their belongings from affected apartments.

The residents alleged that windows, doors and roofing sheets were damaged during the exercise, exposing parts of the building to the elements and causing significant losses to occupants.

At the centre of the dispute is Mrs Mojisola Omotayo Ojo Alolagbe, who claimed that the property was allocated to her by her late father during his lifetime as a source of financial support.

She alleged that some family members had persistently challenged her ownership claim despite ongoing legal proceedings relating to the administration of the deceased’s estate.
Alolagbe further claimed that the latest incident was part of a series of attempts to wrest control of the property, citing previous cases of alleged vandalism and partial demolition in November 2025, January 2026 and February 2026.

The situation escalated further when reports emerged that police officers allegedly involved in the demolition were later apprehended and conveyed in a Black Maria vehicle over questions surrounding the legality of their participation in the operation.

Sources familiar with the matter said those behind the demolition had initially claimed to be acting on approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Lands. However, the authenticity and extent of such approval could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The development has generated concern among residents and community members, who questioned the involvement of security personnel in what they described as a civil matter.

Some tenants, who said they had recently renewed their tenancy agreements, lamented the destruction of their property and appealed to the authorities for protection and possible compensation.

They also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the demolition, insisting that the rights of all parties involved should be protected.
Stakeholders have urged the Lagos State Government, security agencies and the judiciary to intervene and ensure that the dispute is resolved through lawful means to prevent further escalation.

The controversy has continued to draw public attention, raising concerns over property rights, estate administration and the role of law enforcement agencies in civil disputes.

society

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

society

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.