For the first time in 50 years, since independence, British military forces took direct military action against Nigerians on Nigerian soil. Marking another stage in the gradual disintegration of a now all but failed Nigerian state.

Now let's be clear about one thing, Boko Haram are blood thirsty terrorists who represent a threat that must be confronted. But a man who invites another man into his house to discipline his unruly children should not be surprised, nor complain when his saviour ends up in bed with their mother. \

There are many plausible arguments supporting the mission by British special forces, many have been aired on this board. None stand up to serious scrutiny.

The main one, quickly trotted out by those who have seen too many commando films is the supposed superior training of western special forces. There is no doubt western special troops have more advanced training than their Nigerian counterparts, but as this failed mission showed, what is most important in these missions is not the glamorous shootout - but the hard, dirty, unglamorous graft to gather the necessary intelligence to mount one. This requires hours of observation and surveillance by concealed operatives who can work the terrain almost incognito.
Evidently Nigerian troops have an advantage here seeing they er, look like and speak like everybody else in the city of Sokoto, so can observe without being observed.

Surprise is key in maters like this, even during the operational phase.which means soldiers who can fit in to the surrounding environment have a better chance of success than those who stand out. As incompetent as the Nigerian police are, they specialise in trapping heavily armed robbers, by merging into the environment as beggars, danfo drivers, or even street hawkers. Surely it could not be beyond the wit of our security operatives to have tried to infiltrate the compound first using operatives disguised as beggars, imams etc, rather than go in first with an armoured tank as they apparently did

it is primarily for this reason , the ability to merge into the environment that the British SAS had their greatest success in Northern Ireland against the IRA, seeing that there is no great cultural, linguistic or physiological difference between English and Irish people, allowing the specials forces to observe and approach theirn targets achieving the crucial element of surprise

In Iraq and Afghanistan, the well trained SAS have largely failed  to obtain the same successes as they did in Ireland  were they could easily work undercover,
However the biggest danger with this foohardy intervention by David Cameron is that by this action he has achieved the very objective the terrorists have been fighting for, humiliating and undermining a spineless and supine  Nigerian government by portraying them as weak, ineffectual and incapable of protecting their own people.

Some including on tn his board argue that is the very reason why we should rely more on western direct intervention. But this is lazy and defeatist reasoning.
We live in a democratic society, people, hundreds of them died fighting for democracy in this country- If an elected government  cannot protect its own people then the simple solution is that it should RESIGN CALL AN ELECTION AND LET THOSE WHO CAN DO THE JOB STEP FORWARD TO DO IT. That is the meaning of democracy.

It is only in Nigeria where leadership is seen as a title not a responsibility that a Government can confess its inability to protect its own people and still cling to power and demand the respect and obedience of the same people it has let down and betrayed.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
Those demanding foreign intervention to deal with Boko Haram need to be careful what they wish for.
The British and American anti terrorism CV's are not all that they are cranked up to be. wherever they go to intervene against Islamic terrorists they worsen the problem, not provide any solution.

Before the US/UK invasion of Iraq, suicide bombings were unknown, 10 years after it is estimated that almost 10000 people have blown themselves up in Iraq. Bombings and killings still continue in Iraq and the British and Americans who spareked this off - they're back home having a pint in the pub

In Afghanistan the presence of western forces there - the most powerfull armies in human history has failed, totally after 10 years  to pacify an insurgency of cobblers and goat rearers. The Taliban are stronger now than they were 10 yeqrs ago when the war started. Life is not a hollywood film where the square jawed Caucasian male guns down the baddies, walks into the sunset with the girl to the cheers of the libearted natives. Virtually everywhere the west have intervened against Islamic militants they have made matters far worse.

The abortive rescue  mission against Boko Haram has now raised its profile, they can now boast of having taken on and held their ground against the best in the business,. That can only serve to get them more recruits, more money and a higher profile. What is happening in Nigeria is not global jihad - it is politics by other means. As I have argued on these baords before, Boko Haram are the provisdional wing of the Northern Oligarchy. who are using them for leverage - to secure through terror and intimidation what they have been unable to get through a popular mandate - power

The campaign is to force the west and the local elite to hand back power to the Northern emirs  by a threat of making the country permanently ungovernable if they dint. if they cave in acede to this blackmail e.g by making Atiku orm Babangida president - the terror will stop as suddenly as it started.I am shocked people can't see through this obvious trick. Calling in the British army plays into their hands by amplifying their message that GEJ's government has lost control
Tthe response is to call their bluff. and go after their sponsors. Throw Babangida, Buhari, Atiku Sanusi et all in the dock, put them on trial for their lives and above all confiscate to the last pennies the wealth of anybody sponsoring Boko haram - hit them where it hurts. their houses, Private jets, flash cars, bank accounts Stop awarding federal contracts to any contractor from any state where Boko Ha ram is active and killing inicnet people

Grow some balls and rack up the pressure on the northern elite and they will wilt. They have too much to loose not to back down. If the country breaks up - they will be the ones left with the sands of the sahel and nothing more.
Foreign intervention will play into their hands by allowing them claim the mantle of patriotism - defending the country against western imperialism. This will only increase their popularity and profile and recruitment

I will leave with the words of a Russian General who fought and lost in Afghanistan after invading the country in 1979

When we came in many wellciomed us and those who did not were scattered in a few villages  10 years later there were 100000 armed rebels in the hills around Kabul


CAMERON NEEDS A FOREIGN POLICY DIVERSION

David Cameron has major domestic problems in the UK  WITH HIS COUNTRY FACING ITS WORST ECONOMIC CRISIS IN 70 YEARS.
He needs a diversion . Like Thatcher was provided in a similar situation by the Falklands. Thar's why for the last month or so he has been swaggering around the globe looking for a scrap. flushed with success in Libya, he's been demanding intervention in Syria, calling for a conference as a prelude to attacking Somalia and provoking the Argentines in the Falklands  and now Brave Dave has come to Nigeria looking for a cheap military victory without a care for the live of his own citizen or even seeking permission from his European partner before rescuing the citizen of another country.

He would wreck this country and once the crisis begins to affect his own  electorability will pack up and go - that what they did in Iraq, that's what they did in Afghanistan that is what they will do in Nigeria if we give them the chance.

They will go back to laugh at us in their pubs while we kill each other indefinetely

Na today another country they go another country to rescue their citizens in hostage situations?

The people of the Sokoto Caliphate bit off too much than they can chew.

The world had turned a blind eye to the atrocities that were being committed by your people against innocent Christians from the South but now you messed with the wrong group.

I will ask again, as I did on the topic of the failed rescue mission, who are the components in the rescue team?  Does anyone know?

It is true that the failed rescue attempt does raise the profile or notoriety of Boko Haram but I seriously think GEJ's permission for the mission was merely perfunctory - the Brits would have gone in without his consent if necessary.

BTW OP this thread title says Sokoto, other reports say Kebbi.

Well written article!!

David Cameron trying too hard to do what Obama did with "Osama" in Pakistan - but it backfired!! He was hoping to score some cheap political points, and if it had been successful - he would've taken the glory alone.

I will leave with the words of a Russian General who fought and lost in Afghanistan after invading the country in 1979

When we came in many wellciomed us and those who did not were scattered in a few villages  10 years later there were 100000 armed rebels in the hills around Kabul

Is it the good folk that are already in paralysis over offshore oil that will do this?
Think again, sir.

It is true that the failed rescue attempt does raise the profile or notoriety of Boko Haram but I seriously think GEJ's permission for the mission was merely perfunctory - the Brits would have gone in without his consent if necessary.

BTW OP this thread title says Sokoto, other reports say Kebbi.

Gone in without his consent?? The Nigerian Army may not the best out there - but trust me they are as arrogant as any Nigeria - and the would have fought against the SAS if that ever happened.

Why is it that naija always want to lead in all the bad bad things in the world. now is boko nohow.

The Brits would have just gone ahead with their mission without any Nigerian input like the Americans did in Pakistan without Pakistani help. If it was successful they would have left the Nigerian govt to simmer in the diplomatic fallout. There is nothing the Nigerian forces would have done about.

To be sincere I hail Goodluck Jonathan for giving the British the authority or consent to carry out this mission.If he hadn't, the western media would have turned it around and say government of Nigeria supports terrorism. In conclusion, it looks worse on the brits than it is on us.

Keep living in la la land!! Some of you overrate the British SAS, It's not like they came in with a Stealth helicopter like the US Navy SEALS - the SAS would've been handed their arses, if Jonathan didn't give them the go ahead. I don't know how they're going to escape in the middle of nowhere - and an unfamiliar terrain.

Y'all saw what the farmer in Libya did to them during the Libyan fiasco. Nigerian Army is rubbish but they still have one of the better air defenses in Africa - and it's far better than the one in Libya - which the Americans had to destroy with cruise missiles before imposing the no fly zone.

The Brits would have just gone ahead with their mission without any Nigerian input like the Americans did in Pakistan without Pakistani help. If it was successful they would have left the Nigerian govt to simmer in the diplomatic fallout. There is nothing the Nigerian forces would have done about.

I am afraid you misread and severely underestimate the trickery and perfidy of the British.

They could of course have gone in without the Nigerian Governments permision, they have the military might - but they only asked permission for the political cover.

What is meant by political cover will become clear in the coming days. The failure of the operation is going to be blamed on the 'incompetent' and 'corrupt' Nigerian forces, who let 'our brave British boys down' It was to insure themselves against failure that they asked for permission - so if the mission failed as it has done, the blame can be fixed squarely on the Nigerian government who the whole world knows are incompetent unli the 'super efficient BNrits'

But this is beside the point. The British Governbment has no right wahtsoever to carry out military action against Nigerians (No matter how bad they are) on Nigerian soil.

Would Scotland Yard

If d terrorists get foreign aid and training from abroad, then wat stops GEJ from doin d same. Abeg make I hear word. Let me tell u, states like sokoto and kebbi are generally lawless and deep down don't even follow d constition of nigeria.

Strange! I read that it was Nigerian intelligence officers that discovered the kidnapper's hide-out and that Nigerian forces were involved in the operation.

methink that this super nations(the Brit and even italo)may come knocking on our door through militry opreation very soon?

who get answer?

Thank God the brits took active part! One it would save president GEJ local bashing and also it saved the local security the bad name of tribalism and blame game.Already Italy is upset why the brits took the action without there concernt. Sad but good move by the FGN.Atleast na them do am and we have less bashing and a neutral view locally.RIP to the victims sha!!!

Thank God the brits took active part! One it would save president GEJ local bashing and also it saved the local security the bad name of tribalism and blame game.Already Italy is upset why the brits took the action without there concernt. Sad but good move by the FGN.Atleast na them do am and we have less bashing and a neutral view locally.RIP to the victims sha!!!

Talk is cheap.

Its a good development that foreign forces now come into nigeria to fight officially post nigerias independence and civil war.its not the first time though;chadians,nijerians have been coming into plateau and parts of the north to fight for the hausa fulanis ie various ethnic/religious riots by maitasine,boko haram targeted at northern minorities.the hausa/fulani should be expecting the americans they love to hate very soon.the american consulate is coming to kano soon.so while arewa consultative forum sets up committees to protect their land grabing tendencies in case nigeria splits,the USA has already pushed them up north in case of nigerias disintegration by setting up consulate [ future embassy] in kano.so with nigerias disintegration,abuja shares same destiny as plateau,nasarawa,southern kaduna.I foresee a scenario unfolding possible between late 2012 through 2013 to 2014.with american consulate and forces-drones hitting alqada-boko haram in the north,more people from the SE,SS and middle belt states like plateau,benue,taraba will openly want secession from nigeria.the hausa/fulani army will likely be very handicarped in suppressing calls for disintegration of nigeria due to the presence of american forces.we are likely to witness huge peacefull demonstations in SE,SS,plateau,benue calling for SNC and secession from nigeria.once nigeria disintegrates,a new nation could emerge in middle belt,this nation will include present day plateau,nasarawa,abuja,southern kaduna,taraba and maybe eastern kogi and benue.niger state will remain with the north while plateau,benue,taraba,southern kaduna will find it easier to breakout from the north.the arewas have gone to the extent of claiming kwara and kogi;how this unfolds and its ramifications for the arewa/hausa north and SW remains to be seen.