#BBOGCountdownTo6Weeks: Week 1 Statement; 14 to 20 February 2015

Last Saturday, 14 February 2015, we of the #BringBackOurGirls movement began a monitoring initiative known as #BBOGCountDownTo6Weeks. It is our daily countdown to the 6 weeks that aligns with the time frame the Federal Government gave for collaborating with neighboring multinational forces to end the Boko Haram insurgency, reclaiming all the territories occupied by the insurgents and  bringing back our #ChibokGirls. The timeline formed the basis for the shift of the 2015 election schedule by INEC. As an advocacy that has painstakingly over the last ten months called for a massive offensive against the terrorists that abducted our 219 #ChibokGirls, we welcomed the new offensive even though we regretted that it took so long for our Federal Government to galvanize such effort. It was the failure to respond decisively and speedily particularly in 2014 that led to the counter insurgency war becoming  entangled with the country’s electoral cycle and politics. That being said, we wish to reiterate that welcome, endorse and fully support what can rightly be called the most tangible action so far launched against insurgents by our Federal Government.

Our Citizens group has been most hopeful of the victory achievable if diligent commitment were given to the counter insurgency strategy from the outset of the menace but especially following the abduction of the secondary school girls of Chibok in April 2014. As an expression of our sustained hope that our nation can win this war against our common enemies, we therefore enthusiastically launched our Citizens monitoring tool to enable us actively follow developments, collate all relevant information, organize, analyze and disseminate them over the 6 weeks period. Our monitoring initiative is in effect a vigilance tool that places searchlight on the counterinsurgency/rescue operations as conveyed by the Federal Government. We want to know: Are we making progress or not with the operation and collaboration of our neighbors? Are we reclaiming our territories from the enemies? Are we weakening/destroying the strength and base of the enemies?  Are we closer to having our #ChibokGirls and other abducted citizens returned  back or not? Are we closer to restoring peace, safety and normality in Northeast Nigeria or not?
To that extent over the next six weeks, we shall produce Weekly Reports from media coverage by news sources across the world. It would include:
I. All efforts by our Nigerian military and the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) with these 6 weeks
II. All security issues in the Northeast
III. All Boko Haram activities
IV. Any news relating to our #ChibokGirls, their families, and so forth
We committed, and will ensure to report same on our website at [here we provide the link] every weekend within this 6-week timeframe, as we give the weekly briefings.
In this Week 1 of the daily #BBOGCountdownTo6Weeks– 14th to 20th February 2015 the following are the observations, comments and concerns, following our analysis:
1. President Goodluck Jonathan had expressed hope about the counterinsurgency effort, especially with the MNJTF within these 6 weeks yielding the results of restoring a normal life to the Northeast, and of having our #ChibokGirls back. On a few occasions this week he repeated and reiterated same, and in fact, narrowed it down to 3 weeks. Likewise, the military through the Chief of Air Staff, and the Director of Defence Information gave thesame commitment towards the 6 weeks. Sadly however, some Presidency spokespersons discountenanced this, and denied that the President ever made such a commitment
This is unfortunate and must never repeat. We cannot have Presidency officials sending conflicting signals on the renewed offensive.  At this time the entire country must join forces to ensure victory contrary to the antagonism with which the Federal Government responded to appropriate citizens demand for effective response to the tragedy of terrorist activities especially as it relates to our movement’s advocacy for #ChibokGirls.
We must all bear in mind that the daily reported deaths are not mere figures, but real human lives. That the thousands living in sub-normal conditions in various internally displaced persons, IDP; and refugee camps and settlements want to go home to a normal and peaceful life. We must always share the burden of parents who have been waiting every minute nonstop for 10 months, and remember those who died in anguish of the trauma. It must be appreciated that the expectation is so high that some have already begun mooting what/how their reaction of the good news will be that day.
2. All reportage of the Nigerian military’s triumphs currently quotes a single source— the defence spokesman, Major-General Chris Olukolade. The news reports  refer to the Spokesperson’s press releases  and not on the strength of any independently verified information or direct media investigation. We therefore demand that the Defense Headquarters takes immediate steps to provide alongside its releases as much on the ground evidence of its battlefront actions and successes; that is, verifiable images and audiovisuals from the battle grounds.
For instance, the Chadian military’s liberation of Dikwa in Borno (Northeast Nigeria) left no one in doubt with abundant visuals of their victory, reported independently. Not quoting a Chadian military spokesperson. This stirred up a victorious spirit and  stronger confidence in the operations.
We also wish that our media would media would dedicate its resources to provide independent investigations and confirmations of the activities.
3. The people of Niger did a demonstration against Boko Haram, and urged their government to crush them. Interestingly, this was led by their Prime Minister. This demonstration involved civil society and citizens’groups, political parties, religious groups, and all Nigeriens.
It is instructive to note that the fight against terrorist involves everyone; it is only in togetherness that the common enemy can be defeated. This involves seeing citizens’ advocacies as allies, not antagonists; and also setting aside all perceived and real differences.
Our activities in May 2014 when we met with the National Security Advisor’ s Office, the Chief of Defense staff team, the Governor of Borno State and the President’s delegation were meant to achieve the citizens- government collaboration. Regrettably, the Federal Government ab initio adopted an antagonistic stance toward our demand for accountability and made squandered the goodwill for such collaboration.
Yet, On 16 December 2014, when terrorists attacked a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, the Prime Minister endorsed the citizens’ demonstration. He also called a meeting with the opposition parties, and all the different interests the very next day, in order to forge a united front to decimate their common enemy.
4. With the spate of fresh attacks by Boko Haram still going on, we wonder if the Military Intelligence is lagging in predicting, identifying and preventing such? Especially in light of the victories being reported.
5. We are equally concerned that the insurgent terrorists now use aircraft, so far to distribute flyers. This raises many questions, and should be a scare is Boko Haram have access to and fly fighter jets and helicopters. (Note: The military did not deny their use of aircraft to distribute flyers).
6. Official military sources revealed that the offensives are meant to keep Boko Haram at bay, because the MNJTF is yet to meet to commence a proper attack on them. That any of such concerted effort shall be March ending.
This makes us wonder on what empirical basis our government arrived at the 6 weeks they set, and in fact, the 3 weeks the President assured of?
7. Our government and the military must come to terms and appreciate that presently, they have an integrity/credibility deficit, due to the litany of misinformation, disinformation, inconsistencies and outright falsehoods in the past.
For instance, the territories being reported to be retaken from Boko Haram today were vehemently denied to have been annexed by Boko Haram. How does on ‘retake’ what was never taken in the first place.
President Jonathan had given a 3-month timeline for ending Boko Haram insurgency, when he told the Yonhap News Agency in Seoul Korea on 27 March 2012, that their story will be over by the middle of 2012.
After the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls on 14 April 2014, he said in May that he had deployed 20 000 troops to look for them. This was false. (Note: For a comprehensive listing of the government’s falsehood regarding the rescue of the #ChibokGirls, kindly go to http://bringbackourgirls.ng/chronicle-of-false-narratives-and-inconsistencies-by-the-nigerian-government-over-the-rescue-of-the-abducted-chibok-schoolgirls/ ).
Correcting the integrity/credibility deficit, communicating correctly and enabling independent media do do their independent media play their role transparently rallies even more support from the citizens and provokes patriotism. Which will in turn boost the morale of our troops.
Conclusion
In the course of this second week of our #BBOGCountdownTo6Weeks, we take out special time to remember our 59 schoolboys of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi; murdered by the terrorists in their school on 25 February 2014. May their gentle souls rest in peace, and may the families and loved ones receive succour.
We eagerly look forward to an end of the victory of our military and the MNJTF, and the end of terrorist oppression, the return of our #ChibokGirls and the return of normality, peace and safety to the Northeast. And a time when such an ordeal shall never be experienced.
We are very proud to salute our gallant fighting men and women of the military and the MNJTF, (not forgetting the Civilian JTF), in the frontline of battle and wish them resounding success in the weeks ahead.
GOD Bless Nigeria.
Oby Ezekwesili
Hadiza Bala-Usman
Hosea Abana Tsambido
Dauda Iliya
Saudatu Mahdi
Maryam Uwais
Jibrin Ibrahim
Bukky Shonibare
Aisha Yesufu
Maureen Kabrik
Miriam Ikunaiye
Florence Ozor
Olatunji Olanrewaju
Rotimi Olawale

For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls