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Fight Against Terrorism: CSOs Thumbs-Up Service Chiefs, Nigerian Army

Published

6 years ago

March 9, 2020

Recently, the media, as well as public discourse, has been inundated by calls for the sack of the service chiefs. Nigerians at the forefront of these calls including members of the National Assembly gave the security situation in the country including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as reasons.

But following a thorough assessment of the war against insurgency in the Northeast, over five hundred representatives of different Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have passed a vote of confidence on the service chiefs, lauding the efforts of the military.

This decision was reached at a high-level meeting to appraise the situation and the rationale behind the call for the change of service chiefs amidst ongoing fight against terrorism.

The meeting which was tagged: “An Appraisal of the Performance of the Service Chiefs in the Fight against Insurgency in Nigeria,” was attended by no fewer than 500 representatives of various CSOs from all the states of the federation.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting by the President of Coalition of Civil Society Group, Mr. Etuk Bassey Williams, he dismissed the call for the sack of service chiefs, having seen tangible evidence of the progress of Nigerian troops at the frontline.

Williams noted that given the dexterity with which the Military is curbing insecurity in the Northeast and other parts of the country, complete victory over the insurgents is insight. He insisted that the Military has made remarkable achievements when the current state of insecurity is juxtaposed with what it used to be.

“Today, incidences of bombs detonating at our Worship Centres, Markets, Motor parks, Government buildings, and other strategic places have disappeared and is no more a recurring event except for a very few insignificant cases.”

Painfully, Williams cited the following: “Abuja Police Headquarters bombing which was believed to be the first suicide bombing in Nigeria’s history. The attack occurred on 16 June 2011, at the premises of the Louis Edet House in Abuja by Boko Haram, left at least six people dead.

“The 2011 Abuja bomb explosion on Friday, 26 August 2011, at the United Nations building in Abuja Nigeria’s capital which killed at least 21 and wounded 60.

On 14 April 2014, a bomb exploded at a crowded bus station in Nyanya, Abuja, killing at least 88 people and injuring at least 200.

“On December 2010, Boko Haram bombed Jos, killing 80 people; they were also blamed for the New Year’s Eve attack on military barracks in Abuja.
“In December 2011, multiple bomb attacks on Christmas day, left dozens killed.

“The January 2012 wave of violence across Northern Nigeria; Kano bombing killed at least 180.”

He noted that the frequency of attacks was phenomenal in the past but that has become a history today since the coming of the present service chiefs.

“It was observed that Nigerians in the city centers are no more keeping vigil in anticipation of a likely attack by the Boko Haram terrorists, the agony of insecurity and fear of the unknown has eluded the major cities except the fringes of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

“It is true that a lot has been achieved by the present crop of service chiefs, not just in the battlefield but also in disabusing the forcefully recruited members of the Boko Haram as many have repented and have willingly surrendered to the Nigerian Army.

“Unlike before, the Nigerian Military has prioritized training and equipping of its Soldiers with modern military hardware. More than ever before the welfare of our military personnel has gained more attention.

“It is true that the terrorists are no more in control of any territory and today Boko Haram is being ousted from the last stronghold in the Sambisa forest effectively reducing and disorganizing the group.

“It is true that thousands of captives have been freed from the hands of the insurgents and many of the insurgents are surrendering to the Nigerian Army as a result of intensive effort and gallantry.

“The renewed vigour and tact engendered by the service chiefs and particularly the chief of Army Staff: Lt Gen, Tukur Buratai has yielded a very appreciable success in their effort to completely defeat Boko Haram.

Williams acknowledged the fact that some people might not appreciate the effort of the military in the fight against insurgency but said it is quite interesting that all Nigerians celebrate the reduction in the frequency of attacks, the magnitude of impact and casualties recorded under the present service chiefs.

The CSOs said owing to the many progress of our gallant troops who are closing in on total victory against the insurgents, it is pertinent that they are appreciated and commended.

“We salute the courageous effort of the military, and call on Nigerians to pray and wish that the enthusiasm to make Nigeria again will not be in vain.

“We mourn with the bereaved and salute the sacrifices made by the gallant soldiers who laid the lives for our comfort peace.

“We celebrate your gallantry, commitment and patriotism to your fatherland; the successes against the insurgent are a testament to the capacity of the service chiefs, especially Lt Gen, Tukur Buratai: the chief of the Army Staff.”

Also, the CSOs urged all Nigerians to shun views or positions motivated by ethnic or political interest and support the service chiefs and the entire military with prayer and useful information to enable them to end the insurgency and return peace to the affected areas.

Experts have also thrown their weight behind the continued retention of the service chiefs especially now that Boko Haram Insurgents have been degraded to a very large extent.

AljazirahNigeria recalls that former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, recently commended the Chief of Army Staff and his gallant troops for a display of sheer “gallantry and patriotism” against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

According to Mr. Tsav, Buratai has once again silenced his critics and proven beyond a reasonable doubt that he is worthy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s trust and that of Nigerians despite the conspiracy.

Scores of insurgents lost their lives on Wednesday after the gallant troops repelled an attack in Damboa, a town 85 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The Nigerian soldiers were unscathed from a five-hour gun duel which left dead bodies of the insurgents and their 19 abandoned trucks littered on the ground.

Being a security expert himself, Alhaji Tsav likened the Nigerian troops to its American counterparts with zero tolerance for terrorists. He expressed pride in their consistent show of bravery and courage amidst distraction by paid critics behind negative scripts.

Mr. Tsav added that this may not have been achieved without Lt. Gen Buratai’s focused leadership and tenacity, who he says has done enough to earn his respect and that of all Nigerians.

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

4 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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