A journalist account of the war on insurgency: Another perspective, By Mohammed Belgore
NEWS DIGEST – For want of a lucid story appertaining to the glorious sacrifice of the brave warriors and fearless combatants of the Nigerian armed forces, at the height of the war on insurgency and so that to Caesar will be given what belongs to Caesar, the critically acclaimed journalist Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace in his spirit of beneficence, employed upon himself the illustrious task of going to town with his pen so that those who read, will better understand the triumphant self-immolation and self-denying that the brave Men and Women of the Nigerian armed forces go through to protect the lives and properties of the nation, of citizens, who might never know their names, the NCO’s (Non commissioned officers) most especially, I.e the infantry warriors who fight in those battles at the forefront.
Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace has beautifully bled his Pen on a detailed trilogy. These fine works of art, in his abundance of ingenuity are titled “walking the war front with Lt. Gen. TY, Buratai” “Duty call under Buratai’s command” and finally “The lonely grave”. These books which I expect will be the author’s Magnum Opus tends to immerse the reader in the reality of these brave warriors who sacrifice their bodies, sacrifice their souls, and yet might not even enjoy songs of honourable mentions in later generations.
From the author’s perspective and the perspective of this reviewer, it is a legitimate conclusion that the citizens do not sufficiently appreciate what the Men and Women of the Nigerian armed forces go through to protect them. In the last couple of years specifically, due to the insurgency predicament the gory nature of the day to day lives of these soldiers cannot be fathomed by ‘bloody civilians,’ a nomenclature formulated facetiously amongst soldiers for non-combatants.
In the Author’s trilogy, the reader is not only made to imagine the scenery of war from the words penned down in writing but is also shown vivid images so that the experience of a horrific period in our nation’s history is fully grasped and understood. Essentially, it is a work of art that is long overdue as the Nigerian army deserves all its flowers and should not be deprived of their glory.
These are Human beings whose experiences has psychologically affected them in ways that is often irreversible. They spend months on the field, away from their families and loved ones who do not know whether they shall be returned while breathing oxygen or in a casket. So that I do not delve too much into the main substance of the trilogy, so as to let the readers find their revelations by themselves as they read, I will end this succinct review with an oath culled from George. R. R. Martins critically acclaimed work of fantasy and Magnum opus which is titled, “A song of ice and fire.” I liken the “Night’s-watch” which represents the military in that brilliant work of fantasy to the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The men of the Night’s-watch swear an oath upon induction that goes thus:
“Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the Night’s Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.”
I have extracted this oath as a result of the ideological similarities that I have found between the work of fantasy and the reality of the armed forces, in order that the actuality of a soldier’s mind can be duly appreciated further because as I posited above, they deserve their flowers.
God bless the critically acclaimed journalist, Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace for his reflective endeavour towards a work of Art that will definitely stand the test of time. Generations yet unborn will have an accurate source of history about the war on insurgency in the stories told in the brilliant trilogy.
God bless the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Muhammed M. Belgore
