The Nigerian Army and Government are coming under increasingly levels of public ire amid photos of top Nigerian army officials dishing Christmas dinners to troops on the front lines, at a time when it appears that Nigeria is also under increasingly heavy levels of aerial bombings, confirmed United States airstrikes, for terrorist targets within Nigerian territory.
The controversy comes after confirmation from the Federal Government that there were precision airstrikes conducted by the United States targeting terror positions in North-West, Nigeria, in what Washington said was a joint operation based on intelligence cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
“The strikes were declared by U.S. President Donald Trump and have been characterized by its critics as a form of foreign intervention.This is despite Nigeria claiming its fight against terror is transparent.”
In this light, a Christmas luncheon organized by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, for soldiers of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), held in Plateau State took place.
In a statement signed in Abuja by the Director Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, the military explained that the occasion was intended to enhance the morale of the military as a symbol of the Armed Forces’ unity in the various operation fields.
General Oluyede, represented by the Commander Armour Corps, Major-General Umar Abubakar, commended the troops for being at their stations during the festive season, saying it was representative of the best tradition of the Armed Forces.
However, the perception of this incident has generated quite dramatic responses from Nigerians, who are surprised that while the army is engaged in ceremonial events, bomber planes are raining bombs on terrorist strongholds on Nigerian soil.
“Are we at war or at a Christmas party?” asked one social media user. “Why is the U.S. bombing terrorists in Nigeria while our military is serving rice and taking photos?”
Security analysts have indicated that the nature of the luncheon meeting, taking place barely days after the airstrikes and domestic bombardments by the US military against insurgents, may affect public confidence in the strategic seriousness exhibited by the latter.
In defense of the operation, the CDS argued that the military has registered considerable successes in the operation, namely the neutralization of criminals, the arrest of suspected kidnappers, as well as the recovery of weapons in Plateau and parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue states.
He emphasized that all of these successes were realized through sustained synergy efforts between sister security agencies and the host communities, in accordance with the whole of government approach by the government of Kenya to its security.
Regarding the strikes carried out by the US, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that Nigeria is currently engaged in their intelligence activities with the US government and others while emphasizing that in every move to combat terrorism, Nigeria’s sovereignty is upheld to protect all citizens irrespective of their religions and ethnicity.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Major-General Eyitayo Oyinlola, of the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Python, explained the CDS’ participation in the activities during the Christmas festivities as a “morale booster” as the operation ensured a “relatively peaceful Yuletide season” for Plateau State as well as other states across the country.
One of the highlights of this event was a symbolic delivery of Christmas meals to frontline soldiers by top military officers, which showed their close relationship with soldiers.
However, for many Nigerians, these images symbolize contradiction festive optics on the one hand and bombs, foreign airstrikes, and insecurity on the other.