KingJaja,

Thank you for your "on the ground" points.

I do wonder if however strong parts of Nigeria are reported here, such as the reforms made in Lagos and the emergence of a middle class, that the country is fundamentally vulnerable. The first historical example that came to mind was Yugoslavia, a federation held together by Tito in the communist era, which fell apart quickly and we know what followed then.

Some of those who worked in Nigeria before Boko Haram's return to the fore assert they advised their embassies that danger was ahead, only to be told no it was not.

A tactical question regarding the Nigerian state security institutions, given your remarks on the military. Would it make sense to create a new para-military force for the duration of the emergency, deployed in the north only?

Plus such possible innovations as a forensic laboratory in the Punjab, Pakistan, see post 440:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...t=8689&page=22