Boko Haram insurgency and FG’s ineptitude

In recent times, Nigeria has had a terrible share of violence and conflicts that have plagued humankind throughout history. The latest twist is the terrorist attack in the busy Nyanya in Abuja motorpark, the capital of Nigeria. That was not the first or second time bomb blast would occur in Abuja. It took years of deceit for Nigeria to grudgingly designate Boko Haram as terrorist group- though not still official. For Nigeria to defeat this insurgency, we must win the people’s hearts and minds and get into action. Those l refer to people here are the youths who are indiscriminately used by the Boko Haram leadership. Such youths have become criminal tools in the hands of the sect simply because government at all levels has abdicated their social responsibilities. An idle hand is devil’s workshop.

From the way the sect operates, new threats constantly emerge, and the number of casualty continues to grow. It is in place to predict that Boko Haram will soon start using potable, easily concealed weapons of mass destruction to launch their attacks around the nation. This must not happen! That Boko Haram is still waxing stronger simply shows that the Jonathan administration cannot win the war over Boko Haram. There could never be a better time for the President to do the needful. The regular mantra that ‘we shall defeat Boko Haram’, ‘the issue of Boko Haram is temporary,’ etc, have become repetitive, boring and insulting. Let us see action. Let this sect be crushed.

This unnecessary war can be prevented because they are human problems. Thus, they require a human solution. I understand that the government once set up a committee to liaise with the leadership of Boko Haram. However, it is disturbing that over a year since the committee submitted its report, nothing has been done by the presidency. This nonchalant attitude of the executive leaves us to guess what the grouse of the sect could be. Social injustice and unfavorable economic conditions thrive in the northern part of Nigeria and contribute to chaotic environments.

However, if the collective social stress driving these problems could be prevented, such negative problems would cease. Therefore, it is pertinent that the continued unity of this country be robustly discussed at the on-going conference. There is nothing wrong for a couple to reappraise their relationship after many years of marriage. Such an exercise allows the couple to truly rebase, re-strategize and come up with workable plans to strengthen their bond. I therefore call on the president to allow the delegates discuss freely the entity called Nigeria with a view to determining how best to move ahead from where we are now.

Tola Osunnuga,
Dublin, Ireland