WAR AGAINST TERRORISM IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARRISING

It was black Sunday in Borno, the epicentre of the Boko Haram murderous attacks, when gunmen numbering over 50 invaded Kawuri
District of Konduga Local Government Area of the state and set ablaze over 300 houses and shops after killing 52 people including
a soldier, and wounding several others including policemen and civilians. While in neighbouring Adamawa State, several people,
including two policemen were also feared killed as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members attacked a church in Chakawa
village of Madagali Local Government Area. It was reported that the village was attacked during the Sunday service in the morning.
The re-enactment of unwholesome blood letting is coming at the heels of the visit of the former governor of Borno, Senator, Modu
Sheriff, whose role in the conception of the boko haram phenomenon left many tongues waging. Protests trailed the visit but it failed
on deaf ears, consequently, the peace of Maiduguri town was raptured by multiple explosions leaving many dead and wounded. It is
open secret that the Senator belongs to the class of untouchables and their fear is the beginning of personal safety in Nigerian.
Those who fled from the villages narrated to newsmen how fellow Nigerians were gruesomely murdered in grand style. The invading
gunmen operated in field day fanfare without any challenge from the counter terrorist garrison or security agencies. The casualties
were both young and old, women inclusive. Unfortunately, mankind has been thrown into state of extreme pains again. Sadly, too, it
is a recurrent decimal taking place under the supervision of state of emergency anti-terrorist division stationed in North East. The
blame has been put on the dread Jama'atu alih sunnah liddah watti wal jihadi, popularly refered to as boko haram. The question is
what has become of our security system? Certainly, our police are professionals when it has to do with brutality, cracking down
opposition rallies, extortion, or even attack dogs of disgruntled power drunk politicians. Give then order to dispense meetings even
of people with immunity, an overzealous Divisonal Officer will execute it GSM speed. Worst still give them order to open fire on
Governors or Senators at opposition rally, there will be willing Mbu, but report an armed robbery or boko haram attack, there will be
no fuel in their vehicle to move to the scene until it is over.
To my understanding, the boko haram campaigns has lost focus from the initial declaration of war against the state for the injustices
of 2009 in Maiduguri where their leader, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf and others were extra-judicially murdered after been arrested by
soldiers then handed over to the police. At inception, the campaign targeted the security, corrupt political class and their
collaborators. Many Nigerians had some sympathy for the group then, but I doubt if this exist again. The sect has over reached the
bonds of its goodwill by squandering the sympathy when religion was introduced into the whole concept. No doubt, this misguided
focus has correlations with international terrorist movements which exploited opportunity offered for extension of jurisdiction. Of
course, the situation was not managed properly and sincerely too by the Nigerian authorities. Instead of considering the multiplier
consequences on national security, the situation was politicised for electioneering advantages. Even the culture of trading blames
between the two major faiths contributed in escalating the frontiers of divide for the benefits of the insurgents. No doubt, the country
is in a state of delima, even though, government kept making assurances for ending the insurgency, but each time, the sect proved
such as empty threats.
It is on record, that the former Inspector General, Ringim, while taking possession of police vehicles in Maiduguri in 2012, declared
that the days of boko haram was numbered. In a response, the sect promised taking the battle to his door steps. Few days latter,
Louis Edet House, the headquarters of the Nigerian Police was attacked, while Ringim survived through the whiskers. Not too long
thereafter, the former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ihejirika stated that boko haram are cowards and they will be crushed soon.
Again, the insurgent relocated the battle ground to first division, Nigerian Army headquarters Kaduna with an attack.The Abuja Office
of the United Nations, Churches, Mosques, Schools, Markets and financial institutions has all come under the rampage of the group
as results. This is outside shootings and killings of both low and high profile personalities. The current campaigns in Maiduguri and
Adamawa States may not be unconnected with the statement accredited to the new Chief of Defence Staff, who stated the insurgent
will end by April, 2014. I still cannot find justification for such security outburst, could it be expression of joy provoked by the new
appointment or demonstration of unprofessionalism? How can a three star General make such blunders even when he has not
assume responsibilities or even been brief about the situation on ground? I used to know that Generals talk less, laugh once a while
and act more. Their actions speak results and not hollow assurances that turn to jeopardise the lives of citizens. Now that he has
murdered sleep will he sleep any more because the sect has welcome his statement with unabated rampage. This development to
my mind has placed the intergrity of the Chief of Defence Staff on trial in the court of public opinions in the days ahead.
It is unfathomable, when the report of huge success aluded by the military. Every week, the news has been that so, so, number of
boko haram has been killed of huge arms have been recovered. Infact, such statements misled Nigerians into believing that the
sting of insurgency has been broken. Suddenly, sometimes late last year, there were sporadic onslaught on security outfits
including Mobile Police Base in Damaturu. Another on the Airport in Maiduguri, where two jet fighters belonging to the Nigerian
Airforce were destroyed, leaving many death. Also, there were reports on multiple siege on military barracks accompanied by
hostage taking of wives and children of officers. These developments make the heart to loose its normal beat, the question is what
is the authencity of the success story of the military operations? Could it be true that most the victms of these millitary operations
are assumed to be members of the sects hence killed. There is furore about the conduct of the occuppy force in the affected areas.
So many instances of grave human rights volaitions have leveled against the operations. The in human approached in the
management of the war falls beyound the requirements of Geneva Conventions. Granted, there is need for some sort of ruthlessness
while dealing with war on terror, but it cannot be licence for reckless brenches. The counter terroists coalition must introduce some
civil methods in the conduct relying more on effective intelligence gathering to produce positve results. Indiscipline amongst officers
is also responsible for the abysmal outing of the operations. Without discipline it is impossible for the military to win the war.
The society has also been fueling the crisis with sentiments. Instead of confronting terrorism, others conceived it as conspiracy to
islamise the Nation. Realising these social lapse, the insurgent capitalised on the differences to wreak havoc on everybody. It has
been that once the Church is attacked, then every available Muslim will pay the price and vice versa. Common sense has never been
employ in assessing terrorists situations, instead old prejuices are mobilise to fan embers of hatred against each others. The
question still remains that does boko haram sect has the mandate of Nigerian Muslims to embark on these outrageous carnages. If
the response is speculative, then may I on the strength of such reasoning ask whether the armed robbery and kidnappings going on
in the South East has the blessings of Christians. Certainly, the answer is No. Therefore, Nigerians must refrain from ascribing
religious or ethnic values to evil by isolating it as such. The insurgents has been exploiting the rift between the two major faiths as
fuel for their campaigns. There is need for both Christians and Muslims to discard the blame game by closing ranks against
common evil. It is time we walk out of the fools paradise or else we all perish. There is nothing religious about what is happening,
rather I considered it as blackmail by extreme idelogy taking cover under islam to impose their ideological variant on the society.
The role of leadership is tinted with suspect because instead of facing the security challenge with vigour and determination,
insurgency question has been reduced to campaign strategy for winning elections. Even Mr President cannot be exonorated from
this divide and rule antics. What was the rationale behind statement made in the Christian Centre Abuja to the effect that there boko
haram in his government, and thathe even eat with them.Yet he cannot expose them or order for their arrest. What was the essence
of this statement, to incite the Christians, or to cause national panick? To be fair, Mr President has not demonstrated the political
will power to address the insurgency question either because of ill advise or better still insensitivity to the predicaments of affected
citizens. The President has spent most of his time travelling outside leaving crucial state matters crying for undue attention. His
policies on security challenges are generally sugar coated with little or no results. Look at the situation in Plateau State and other
North Central states. There has been carnage going on in those places for long but mute has been the action. As acting President,
Mr President created false hope of looking into the Plateau crisis, since his election, niether had he visited the area to reinforce hope
for the citizens or send some forms of assistance to the State. Even the Chief Solomon Lar's Elders Committee report on Jos crisis is
cooling in the archives without attention. What is happening in Plateau State, to say the least is worst than boko haram, but the
federal government down played it for unkown reasons. In Wase Local Government Area, thousands of people have been forced out
their houses and presently scattered as displaced persons all over Southern Senatorial Distribution. How can peace be sustained
under these types of official neglect.The nation is navigating serious into chaos while all that concern leadership is how to retain
power in 2015, at whose expense may I ask?
It is an established fact that might has might has not solve any human conflict. All wars fought by man has ended at conference
tables. Despite, the victory of the allied forces in the second world war, dialogue was employ to restore global stability. Recently, tne
Americans adopted diplomatic warfare in its war against terror. it is philosophical that what the tongue can do the sword should not
be used. Therefore, the Federal Government should review its war on terror policy. Special attention should be given to the Amnesty
template of the Northern Elders Forum, which provides for granting reprieve to willng insurgents to drop their arms for reconciliation,
while, the second aspects refers to payment of compensation to victims of terrorism, including reconstruction of destroyed worship
places, schools, markets and other public institutions. This gesture in my thinking will heal the wounds and give victims sense of
belonging. Amnesty should be viewed as a Nigerian concept and not its generic meaning. It was developed as a post war strategy
and latter used to address the militancy question. For it to work, the Federal Government must demonstrate sincere commitments.
Mr president must resist the temptation of the beneficiaries of security votes who would used all forms of sentiments to blackmail it.
The Nation is greater than any individual, therefore national interest should be paramount.
Leadership is selfless service which requires transparency and accountability in public affairs.There is a complete drift from this
corporate responsiblity which cannot be defended. A Leader is a human god that pilot affairs with justice and fairness. Leadership
must engage its primary responsibilities of protecting lives and properties, anything below the margin is failure. In the
circucumstance can assessment be place on balance of positive values? To me, Leadership takes the lion share of the present
predicaments because instead of concentrating on these issues it is engaged in self extrication.The argument has been that these
problems were inherited. This looks like the case of a lazy workman blaming his tools. Mr President has everything it takes to
succeed, he is young, agile, educated and strong, the nation expects nothing from him less than performance. He must concentrate
on his job very well because the bulk ends at his table. Nigerians care less about who rule them once there is food on their
tables.The clamour for power shift is fuel by non performance and injustice which if attended to will dose the tension in the polity.
There is no pretence injustice ravages the entire social fabric. The political class has not demonstrates enough responsibility with
leadership and a rethink will save the future.