Against the background of severe threats to the Nigerian Project, RUTH CHOJI sounds out key stakeholders who are unanimous that the bloody campaign of the Boko Haram sect must be caged – and quickly
The problem of insecurity which used to be one of the smallest in the myriad of problems facing the nation has taken a dangerous dimension with the recent attack on key government installations in Kano State and invasion of villages in Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa and other parts of the north.
It has become a great challenge that is presently facing security agents in the country.
The Police are the worst hit and targeted by members of the notorious Boko Haram sect operating freely in the northern part of the country. The dreaded group has so much instilled fear and trepidation in the law enforcement agents to the extent that the fear of Boko Haram is regarded as the beginning of wisdom.???
The extremist Islamic sect, Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram, according to its spokesmen, is fighting to establish Islamic law. The sect is said not to have any regard for either the Nigerian constitution or President Goodluck Jonatha’s administration. The sect which has gone on a bombing spree that has left hundreds of people dead and millions of naira worth of properties destroyed has drawn the attention of the international community to Nigeria.
As much as the president has tried to reassure Nigerians that his government is atop the situation, the recent change of baton in the police has not calmed people’s fears and sense of insecurity. Some prominent Nigerians who spoke with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND on these issues tried to offer suggestions on the way forward.
In his summation, Sen. Ayo Arise who represented Ekiti North senatorial zone in the 6th National Assembly?? said ,“Well, we thank God that some people are being arrested. It means they are putting a face to the people behind the violence. You can hide under a mask and do anything, but if you know that, there is a possibility that you will get caught when you do whatever you want to do, certainly that problems will begin to subside. We cannot get them eliminated overnight.
There is anger everywhere in the land but the expression of that; is it within the law or constitution?
“Every nation operates within the confines of their constitution. We operate the American system and it is not that they don’t have their internal unrest.? They even had to fight a war once when a president came up to say, no, no, you can’t keep slaves. The south which is fund of keeping slaves refused to stop it. Even if we solve the Boko Haram saga, another one will likely emerge.
But security must be proactive and communities must be involved in security. I understand the government paid about a hundred million to families of the Boko Haram.
That is an alternative measure. But is it the way to go? If I know that I can be paid a hundred million when I create violence, then why would I need to work? I hope they will find a solution soon. If something is not done, the oil money might not be enough to sustain the nation”.
For Lawrence Alobi, a retired commissioner of police and security expert, “What I will suggest is that Islamic leaders consult with the sect. Whatever they come up with, they should pass it to government. When they dialogue with government it will appear that they have won. That will be sending the wrong signals. It also means that we now want to legitimize violence. It will mean that government will recognize you when you get involve, in violence and terror. Let Islamic leaders come together because Boko Haram comes from Islamic religion. You cannot legalize criminality.
“A crime is a crime. This government belongs to all of us. They can send Islamic leaders and elders to hear their grievances. But never to dialogue with them, it is wrong. One, it will take equipment that can demobilize and neutralize bombs from afar. Two, Nigerians must stop politicizing the issue of terrorism. Mr President said that Boko Haram has infiltrated the government and security agencies”.
Similarly, Hon Simon Mwadkon , representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi of Plateau State? in the House of Representatives said that, “Even in the seat of government, we have serious threat to lives and property. The attack on the UN Building Abuja was an assault on the world not just Nigerian government because the UN represents the whole world. I will advise Mr. President to take decisive steps; the SSS, the CIB must work very hard. Our problem is that we do not come out to punish offenders.? It is not possible for the Nigerian security to say that, they don’t know the real perpetrators of these dastardly acts.
“If there is no punishment to such crime, then we will not have an end to them.mr president must have the political will to punish those behind the acts.? This is the only way we can discourage those planning to engage in such acts. There is nothing like Boko Haram.? It is only those that are aggrieved because of power shift from the Hausa/ Fulani? oligarchy? that are bombing and killing innocent Nigerians in disguise. I see this as jihad because no mosque has been bombed by the? activities of the so called Boko Haram.? But you have churches being bombed even on Christmas day.
“The scene in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, Maiduguri, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna are just cover up to show that Boko Haram is responsible. Why is it that no mosque was destroyed in the activities of the so called Boko Haram in the above mentioned states? I am shocked by the statement made by the Sultan, that Christians and Muslims are not fighting, but that, good and evil are fighting.? Who is good and who is evil? Definitely the person that has put bomb all over this country is evil and we see that on the people he is leading because he is the Sarkin Musulmi.
“One may want to ask, ‘are there Christians who are members of Boko Haram? The answer is no. Definitely they are Muslims. We are happy that the sultan has come out to say they are evil. He is the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria and his subjects are using the name of Boko Haram in disguise to execute jihad on Christians in disguise.
I believe that if we want to tackle a situation, we should tackle it squarely. The police force is not well equipped. They need to be paid well so that they can take their job seriously.? We need high level highly skilled police force that is well train and equipped. We need a lot of security gadgets at our borders and even within the country to monitor perpetrators of acts that could bridge the peace”.
From the positions of important stakeholders it is clear that Nigeria is indeed on the brink and will need qualitative interventions and a visionary leadership to contain and resolve the core issues at play.