Various efforts have been made to fight the terrorist group known as Boko Haram. Various theories, also, have been postulated, with expectations that these efforts would have put a definite end to the inimical activities of these enemies of our nation. But it is saddening that all efforts, so far, have yielded little or no results.
However, Nigeria and Nigerians remain undaunted and firm, with hopes that soon, Boko Haram will become a thing of the past.
As much as we hope we find a way around this, we should consider some factors that could be helpful in achieving the complete annihilation of this anti-human group. We should begin to explore pragmatic steps and approaches that could promote the achievement of this goal to be free from the wicked grip of the fundamentalists.
First is the place of history and information. With what is made available to the public from time to time on Boko Haram, it is as if Nigeria and Nigerians do not really know what and the whom we are dealing with. It is as if it is not really clear to the nation and her citizens what Boko Haram really constitutes – their aims and intents. How can we address a problem that we do not understand? How much do we know the background of those involved – where they come from, and the exact reasons they are rising against us. We do not know whether or not there are different cells within the same cult, what those cells are, and where they operate from. We do not know the processes of enlistment and where and when. We do not know their worth in number, arms and ammunition, training, fund support, external backings and many other resources that could have equipped them with boldness and effrontery to hold arms against a State of Nigeria’s stature. We just need to know a lot about this terror group for us to achieve success in ending their reign of terror. In fact, adequate knowledge about them will help us a great deal in curtailing them. Imagine how they have been playing pranks with us on the issues of amnesty and dialogue in the last five years. This underscores the fact that we do not really know whom they are.
We must bear in mind too that what is witnessed now did not just befall us suddenly. It is a product of strings of events. One thing, somehow, led to another. As a result, getting a lasting solution will require tracing their roots, and getting the right information. It will also be required of us to get the information right and raw; examining and analysing these historical facts to detect the processes, causes of the existence of this dreaded group and their deadly intent. We should also know, and for certainty, their dynamics, and if possible their sympathies.
As for their sympathizers, the State seems to be in the dark as regards those whose supports in one form or the other buoy the activities of Boko Haram. It should be laughable, anyway, if this is the claim of our leaders. We should worry that the State seems not to understand (or may be State actors feel unconcerned with) the possible consequences of their composures and calmness which suggest that they do not know sponsors of this evil-wreaking people. This is laughable and thus unbelievable to every rational mind.
Building on these, it is not an understatement to conclude that Nigeria has not done enough in the area of intelligence gathering in the course of the fight against terrorism. Apart from the fact that the moves and various modes of operations of the group have been elusive to Nigerian security, the group now has access to first-hand information about the activities of the Nigeria Army. As gathered from news reports, ambushes were laid on Nigerian troops and they were dislodged. How the information about the operations, which should be highly confidential, slipped into the hands of enemies of the State has remained a mystery yet to be unravelled.
No doubt, such sensitive information could not have been leaked if terrorists’ sympathisers were not within the Army. With these, the case seems to be that they have better and more effective intelligence gathering than Nigeria. This should not be. In every measure, Nigeria should be ahead. We should know their moves even before they reach any logical conclusion. We need to improve on intelligence.
Equally, the Nigerian state has failed in our inability to detect the existence and harmful activities of our enemies disguised as one of us. These traitors and unpatriotic elements, not minding the opportunities of life and service afforded them by our country, are the ones orchestrating the leakage of the plans and moves of the Nigerian military into the hands of terrorist group.
Imagine this: commands are issued to withdraw troops some hours to the planned attacks of Boko Haram. This is just the supportive contributions of enemies of Nigeria, disguised as friends, even when they have opportunities to serve Nigeria and to benefit from the proceeds of Nigeria. Sponsors of Boko Haram, however influential they may be, they are enemies, just disguised as Nigerians. There are also ideologists sympathetic to Boko Haram, clerics employing their influences on their followers in promoting and encouraging innocent Nigerians to take up arms against their country. They are enemies disguised as Nigerians. Another group of enemies of this state are those who do not rise to condemn the act of terrorism, through their influence. They have remained indifferent. People like these should face appropriate punitive measures. Since we cannot identify these turncoats, it is increasingly becoming difficult for us to sleep with our two eyes closed because many of our leaders can no longer be trusted with power.
Nigeria needs information about the activities of heads and political office holders in the defence sector, if we won’t risk the exterminating intents of Boko Haram. It is no more news that some top brass in the Army and other services are helping themselves with funds meant for the running of the parastatals. Money meant for the remuneration of their men especially the rank and file are also pillaged. Without mincing words, officers involved in this are, and should be tagged enemies, not friends of Nigeria. It should be noted that the greed of these Generals in these services is among the motivating factors for revolts that were staged recently in the Army. Call to memory the rioting officers at the 323 Artillery regiment, the case of the troop sent to Liberia for peace-keeping mission and some other issues not yet unearthed. I wish to state categorically that it is not cowardice that is exclusively responsible for the so-called tactical manoeuvring of our men, but the effects of welfare deprivation caused by those entrusted with public opportunities.
Truth must be told, and frankly. Our men are always good-to-go. This is the dilemma of our officers: security agents are poorly paid. Any rational being suffering under these unjust situations especially in climes like ours, where justice is hard to be found will prefer a soft landing in which case his philosophy of life, and sworn oath of duty might be affected. This is simply why Army officers go rampaging, daring the consequences. Since they are not sure, with evidences available at their disposal, reading from prevalent recurring patterning, that their dues will be adequately delivered to their next of kin, they prefer to stay alive by all means. This seems to them somehow not losing on both sides.
The corrupt ones in the army, dealing with our funds should be exposed and dealt with. This will help a great deal as the morale of our men will never have to be tampered with in any way. It will even make it look more honourable to die for one’s country. What kind of equality do we call a situation where my boss enjoys my sweat while I go ahead to die and suffer while my boss’ family members have a swell time? And more ridiculously, my boss will not thank me. Even, if he does, what help does that give to me on my way to the great beyond and to my family left behind? This is just the simple reasons our men are not ready to fight.
As for the citizens, we do also have some roles to play in making our society safe. An abridged version of the much-cited word of J. F. Kennedy goes thus ‘… ask what you can do…’ This encourages citizens to see themselves as a very important part of the processes of efficient move to achieving success in every aspect of statehood. Particularly, in security, the government and security experts cannot do it alone. We should recall the extent of effectiveness achieved when the civilian JTF rose to the challenge of joining in in the policing of their societies. We really do have great roles.
I mentioned earlier that history must not be neglected if we must achieve success. Going through the annals, we would find out that the areas where Boko Haram had hit mostly are areas where they have got sympathies. If they do not find any form of tolerance, it will be very difficult for them to operate. The fact is when the society does not appreciate nefarious activities and members expose all evil doers, and create no hiding place for them, the morale of the perpetrators will be dampened and they will lose their footings.
Apart from non-cooperation with these criminals, as citizens, we need to build trust in ourselves and in our soldiers. We should strongly believe that this present situation will not engulf us and that we will soon come out strong from it. We should hold strong faith that our enemies are not invincible as they think, they are conquerable. This must be our thought pattern, our guiding philosophy even as we execute this war against the enemies of our souls. In addition, our faith in the Army will help them to do more. We should support them by believing very strongly in success and hoping that the present situation, which looks like the war is lost, could be turned around in our favour.
Our discourses should be balanced, not tilted in favour of the course of the State’s enemies. We should not promote them by the information we spread and images we create especially in the minds of the less-knowledgeable.
I believe what Nigerians want and what is good for Nigeria is the complete suppression of this group of perverts. We do not in any form subscribe to their self-professed invincibility. What Nigerians desire is that they are rooted out in such manner that Nigeria will never have to witness their return. It is sure that Nigeria and Nigerians will not cave in to the venomous ideologies, tactics and intents of the terrorists; we won’t be discouraged in our quest to fight them to the finish. Also, our soldiers will not be demoralised and they will continue pursuing the course of our safety and the protection of our territorial integrity, with evident successes at every point of the war, such that within the shortest imaginable period of time, we shall celebrate their defeat and exit from our sacrosanct society.
These, from evidences from past records of fundamentalism around the world, might seem impossible, but if we join hands to see the permanent end of terrorism in Nigeria, it will happen, and soon this will be achieved.
Tolulope, is a Master’s student at the Department of English, UI
