It is generally believed and observed that peace is gradually emerging and the tide is turning for the good people of the Northeast especially in states ravaged by insurgency as Nigerian ground and air forces hold sway in areas hitherto occupied by the insurgents. Boko Haram fighters have been confined to Sambisa Forest and their firepower disseminated by Nigerian troops.
Consequent upon the feat being recorded by the Nigerian armed forces, normal life is gradually returning to the Northeast, especially the insurgency-infested states. Borno State, epicentre of the strife, is improving socially and economically. Traffic jam features more on the streets of Maiduguri while educational institutions hitherto shut down by the Boko Haram sect’s invasion are being reopened. Earlier reduced on account of insecurity, opening hours for commercial banks have been increased to accommodate the upswing in commercial activities. Many now sleep with both eyes closed while rising blood pressure has generally come down. Once hopeless, the people now look forward to a true Borno accompanied by the philosophy of ‘Home of Peace and Hospitality’ that has eluded it for the past six years, no thanks to the insurgency.
Peace described this part of the country before the unexpected happened. Before the shout of ‘Jack Robinson’, sad news sent shivers down spines and heartrending ululation filled the air. Breaking the news in a statement to the nation, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said that the Nigeria Army had uncovered a plot by highly-placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria. The announcement which brought back to mind the sad memories of death, sorrow and bloodletting of the past six years reads: “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public and send a very strong and serious final warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hailed from Borno State in particular and Northeast generally, that there is information of plans by some highly-placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country.
“The unscrupulous individuals and their cohorts were determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the Presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within three months. They are enlisting the services of some non-governmental organisations in this grand design.
“It has come to our knowledge that they were employing every means to see that our operation does not succeed in order for them to continue to enjoy certain benefits. It has been revealed that they are employing the services of marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate our efforts and the operations in addition to the campaign of calumny.
“We are aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims. This would not be tolerated. Therefore, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found would be dealt with accordingly.
“People should place the interest of the nation above any personal gain or ambition. The continued loss of lives and property in this country through terrorist activities do no one any good.”
Chairman of the Borno Elders Forum (BEF), Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari swiftly reacted to the statement. He said: “… within the last four days, this Forum has noted with great concern comments coming from the social media over a critical statement emanating from the Nigerian military high command. In the said statement, the leaders of the Northeast, particularly Borno State, were accused of not only aiding the Boko Haram insurgency but are also beneficiaries of the horrific carnage.
“While we recognise and acknowledge with the deepest sense of gratitude the tremendous efforts of the Nigerian armed forces in crushing the insurgency, we wish to state that the statement coming from the Army is a generalised one. The military, police and the DSS are in charge of security and are therefore privileged to find out those who pose security threat to the nation. We therefore expect them to, after having identified such persons or groups, promptly bring them to justice. A generalised statement such as was made may not be the solution to such serious problems.
“The BEF will give its maximum support and cooperation to our law enforcement agencies in this regard. Indeed, apprehending those identified to be involved in this devilish endeavour will be most welcome by all Nigerians.
“The forum wishes to extend its appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the tremendous support accorded the military and our states in ending this madness. We particularly thank the Chiefs of Army and Air Staff for their constant physical presence at the battlefront. Their exemplary conduct and leadership have greatly enhanced the military’s capacity to end the insurgency.
“We are indeed grateful. We call on our soldiers and all other security outfits to sustain the tempo of their great efforts of securing our country. We are looking forward to the quick return of normalcy in our land.”
Erstwhile Chief of Army staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah during his pulling out parade on August 5, 2015 corroborated the statement of Colonel Usman on the allegation that some people were trying to sabotage the military’s efforts in the on-going war against the insurgency for their personal interest. In his valedictory speech, Lt. General Minimah said: “If we had all stood against the terrorists at the onset through public condemnation of their activities and active collaboration with the military to confront them rather than use it as a tool to advance sectional, religious and political interests, we would not have been where we are today.”
The jaw-dropping scenario prompts inevitable questions: Who wants Borno dead? Who wants Borno in perpetual bondage? Who wants Borno to remain the insatiable grave that continues to crave innocent souls? Who wants Borno to remain entirely in a world where there are two categories of people, enemy or friend? Who wants Borno to remain under the toga of Shakespeare’s ‘architecture of ruins’ – a landscape of shattered homesteads, severed limbs, torn lives, ravaged farmlands and looted barns?
“If there is any legacy that real soldiers in the strict prosecution of the professional campaign are supposed to leave behind, it is a legacy of orphans, widows and devastation.” Who wants this to be the continued bane of Borno? How long will Borno continue to bear the burden of millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)? Who wants Borno to be in perpetual state of nightmare, despair, uncertainty and hopelessness? Who wants the socio-economic life of Borno to be in perpetual ruin?
The questions are endless. But let it be known that elusive peace in Borno is elusive peace in Nigeria. The warmongers and agents of division who choose to make Borno in particular and the Northeast in general a permanent battleground for their own selfish ends may end up without peace themselves. This is because the religious books teach that those who kill by the sword will go by the sword. Even Shakespeare’s Macbeth reminded us that those who murder sleep would sleep no more. Let it be known that war has achieved nothing and will never achieve anything. All wars and misunderstanding always end up on the peace table for peacemakers and the reasonable. Let us remember the Biblical injunction: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.” (Mathew 5:9).
Let us remind ourselves of the popular saying: “United we stand, divided we fall”. Above all, Borno for over a thousand years of its existence has fought wars and triumphed. The present onslaught against the insurgency will not be an exception.
- Izekor, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Maiduguri.
