Thread by @DefenseNigeria

In evaluating the performance of the Nigerian military we realise that as of today, 35,000 terrorists have so far surrendered to Nigerian forces. Attacks against civilians is expected to spike dramatically during his period as is traditionally the case.

For years Nigeria expected partner nations Chad, France and the U.S to clear ISWAP safe-havens on Chadian soil with their fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones, not turn a blind eye to their sanctuaries in Chad via which they launch attacks in Nigeria and retreat to the relative

safety of their camps in Chad. Nigeria's suspicions about France tacitly supporting terrorists were inflamed when former American ambassador to Mali, Vicki Huddleston, said France paid $17 million in ransoms to free French hostages. The French of course denied.

France had earlier payed $3 million to Boko Haram in Nigeria and tried to hide it. Francois Holland in 2013/2014 and Macron in 2019. Two different presidents. If this is not a national policy then i don't know what is.

So in Nigeria's decade long struggle to stabilise the region, France deliberately supported terrorists to maintain geopolitical leverage. ISWAP was operating along vast swatches of land running along the border. As cross border attacks increased, repeated requests

for them to deny ISWAP sanctuary in Chad was ignored. The result? A Jihadi Proto-State in the Lake Chad Basin. As the years passed, ISWAP proved increasingly able in military terms, launching devastating attacks in Nigeria and retreating to their sanctuaries in Lac Province.

America's excuse for sharing real estate with ISWAP is that its mission in the region is to help in capacity building, not direct intervention, hence U.S drones, though based in Chad, Niger and Cameroon will not be used against ISWAP camps in Chad,

even as they launch drones strikes against targets in Libya and Somalia from bases in West Africa. Rather than ask the obvious question: how is ISWAP able to run a pro state sharing real estate with two of the most powerful militaries in the West, the Nigerian military was

..subjected to relentless ridicule in the western media. At some point it becomes very difficult to ask a favour when we have been asking for a favour for some time and never got a positive answer. The solution: Do it yourself. Build the capacity.

The arrival of the A-29 Super Tucano and JF-17 Thunder, Wing Long II and CH-4 armed attack drones gave the NAF the leg it needs. Massive air strikes by the A-29 and JF-17 flattened ISWAP camps and logistical bases in the Tunbuns. Boko Haram continue to surrender in droves.