• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

donsutherland1

DP Veteran
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
11,862
Reaction score
10,300
Location
New York
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Centrist
From the BBC:

Residents of three villages in northern Nigeria have repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram Islamist fighters, an eyewitness has told the BBC.

About 200 of the militants were killed during the fighting in the Kala-Balge district of Borno state, he said.

BBC News - Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

If this report is, in fact, accurate, it would respresent a positive development. It would demonstrate that by banding together, at-risk villages could put themselves in a stronger position to defend themselves against the Boko Haram terrorist group. Such an outcome would be especially important, as Nigeria has not demonstrated an ability to effectively address the security threat posed by the terrorist organization. Over time, if Boko Haram finds that its operations are inflicting higher costs on it, that could begin to reduce its willingness to undertake terrorist operations against villages in northern Nigeria.
 
I hope you're right. Thanks for posting this (fingers-crossed) good news.
 
From the BBC:



BBC News - Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

If this report is, in fact, accurate, it would respresent a positive development. It would demonstrate that by banding together, at-risk villages could put themselves in a stronger position to defend themselves against the Boko Haram terrorist group. Such an outcome would be especially important, as Nigeria has not demonstrated an ability to effectively address the security threat posed by the terrorist organization. Over time, if Boko Haram finds that its operations are inflicting higher costs on it, that could begin to reduce its willingness to undertake terrorist operations against villages in northern Nigeria.

Good news DS.....now they are minus 200 fighters.
 
From the BBC:



BBC News - Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

If this report is, in fact, accurate, it would respresent a positive development. It would demonstrate that by banding together, at-risk villages could put themselves in a stronger position to defend themselves against the Boko Haram terrorist group. Such an outcome would be especially important, as Nigeria has not demonstrated an ability to effectively address the security threat posed by the terrorist organization. Over time, if Boko Haram finds that its operations are inflicting higher costs on it, that could begin to reduce its willingness to undertake terrorist operations against villages in northern Nigeria.

The description of the OP battle does not fit my definition of vigilante justice, since the act was of self defense during an attack - not simply retribution for a prior act.
 
The description of the OP battle does not fit my definition of vigilante justice, since the act was of self defense during an attack - not simply retribution for a prior act.

I'm not sure why the BBC used the term "vigilantes." I believe "volunteers" would have been a better choice.
 
About 200 of the militants were killed during the fighting in the Kala-Balge district of Borno state, he said.

200 confirmed kills is a good day at the office, when fighting bad guys.

No-one was injured when angry soldiers opened fire as the convoy was entering the Maimalari barracks to protest against poor pay and a lack of equipment to tackle Boko Haram, the sources said.

The United States could use this to fight the BH's. It sounds like the troops are motivated and want to take on the BH's, head-to-head. Instead of sending our troops, we need to equip Nigerian troops to combat the terrorists.
 
200 confirmed kills is a good day at the office, when fighting bad guys.



The United States could use this to fight the BH's. It sounds like the troops are motivated and want to take on the BH's, head-to-head. Instead of sending our troops, we need to equip Nigerian troops to combat the terrorists.


Better yet let their Citizens be armed.....while having the Nigerian Military getting off their butts and getting out there and dealing with Boko Haram.
 
Better yet let their Citizens be armed.....while having the Nigerian Military getting off their butts and getting out there and dealing with Boko Haram.

I don't think it's the Nigerian soldiers that are sitting on their laurels. It's the government and the Nigerian High Command.
 
I don't think it's the Nigerian soldiers that are sitting on their laurels. It's the government and the Nigerian High Command.

Amnesty has two reports that the Nigerian Military was aware of the attack coming. They are saying they did nothing.

But that there was Independent Security at the School.
 
From the BBC:



BBC News - Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

If this report is, in fact, accurate, it would respresent a positive development. It would demonstrate that by banding together, at-risk villages could put themselves in a stronger position to defend themselves against the Boko Haram terrorist group. Such an outcome would be especially important, as Nigeria has not demonstrated an ability to effectively address the security threat posed by the terrorist organization. Over time, if Boko Haram finds that its operations are inflicting higher costs on it, that could begin to reduce its willingness to undertake terrorist operations against villages in northern Nigeria.


It's got to be hard for them though.

It takes manpower to do the farming and herding and whatnot, as well as the domestic chores. They'd also need sentries watching every viable approach, and a few guys ready to respond at a moment's notice to hold them off until the rest come in from the fields and arm and respond. Manpower requirements get heavy.

And they're poor, and likely don't have a lot in the way of decent weapons... maybe we should send them some.
 
It's got to be hard for them though.

It takes manpower to do the farming and herding and whatnot, as well as the domestic chores. They'd also need sentries watching every viable approach, and a few guys ready to respond at a moment's notice to hold them off until the rest come in from the fields and arm and respond. Manpower requirements get heavy.

And they're poor, and likely don't have a lot in the way of decent weapons... maybe we should send them some.

The same thing is happening in Mexico. People are tired of not being protected by the govt, and they form militias to defend their homes-its been quite effective.
 
Amnesty has two reports that the Nigerian Military was aware of the attack coming. They are saying they did nothing.

But that there was Independent Security at the School.

The OP mentions dissention in ranks, over the high commands refusal to act.
 
The OP mentions dissention in ranks, over the high commands refusal to act.

Yeah I know.....Amnesty International wants to press the issue with the Nigerian government.


Is your Macro having problems.....I was having trouble with mine when it was Bolding earlier.
 
The same thing is happening in Mexico. People are tired of not being protected by the govt, and they form militias to defend their homes-its been quite effective.

It's basically like the Middle Ages all over again. Centralized governments in many parts of the world are too weak to keep their citizens safe, and so they have started turning to more local sources of protection.

In many areas, crime bosses operate more like feudal warlords than anything else.
 
From the BBC:

BBC News - Nigerian village vigilantes 'repel Boko Haram attack'

If this report is, in fact, accurate, it would respresent a positive development. It would demonstrate that by banding together, at-risk villages could put themselves in a stronger position to defend themselves against the Boko Haram terrorist group. Such an outcome would be especially important, as Nigeria has not demonstrated an ability to effectively address the security threat posed by the terrorist organization. Over time, if Boko Haram finds that its operations are inflicting higher costs on it, that could begin to reduce its willingness to undertake terrorist operations against villages in northern Nigeria.

I've been wondering how long this was going to take. Now we get to see if it also helps spark a reconstitution of the Delta-based groups.
 
It's got to be hard for them though.

It takes manpower to do the farming and herding and whatnot, as well as the domestic chores. They'd also need sentries watching every viable approach, and a few guys ready to respond at a moment's notice to hold them off until the rest come in from the fields and arm and respond. Manpower requirements get heavy.

And they're poor, and likely don't have a lot in the way of decent weapons... maybe we should send them some.

I don't know. Don't you think that, really, the boko haram guy with a gun is more afraid than the villager without one? :mrgreen:
 
It's basically like the Middle Ages all over again. Centralized governments in many parts of the world are too weak to keep their citizens safe, and so they have started turning to more local sources of protection.

In many areas, crime bosses operate more like feudal warlords than anything else.

Thats an excellent way to state it. If the govt wont take care of it, the people will.
 
Back
Top Bottom