Dealing with the threat of Boko Haram
The abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State on April 14 and government’s slow response has sparked global outrage due to a social media campaign. Of the 276 girls 233 are still missing.
The laudable social media campaign by Nigerians (#BringBackOurGirls) risks being a bubble that will either bust or fizzle if the threat of the picture is misunderstood.
As a manned US aircraft flies over Nigeria, and commercial satellite imagery is provided towards the search of over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram, Nigerians must realise that US involvement will be limited to sharing intelligence reports.
While intelligence is a tool to help Nigeria’s security forces “to better understand the threat picture”, the task of attacking terrorists’ camps may well be left to the Nigerian army.
But there are fears if the Nigerian military is still immune to terrorist ideology as It has been reported that Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, military intelligence deserter, is alleged to be one of the masterminds of the April 14 Nyanya bomblast that killed 75 people. Ogwuche was arrested, on suspicion of terrorism-related activities, in November 2011 after returning from the UK but released on bail in October 2012.
Francois Hollande, the President of France, has called for a West Africa summit to discuss Boko Haram, the US and Britain, have been invited to the summit which may hold on Saturday.
Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State in a Nigerian daily noted two major factors driving Boko Haram: “spiritual belief and economic desires”
The sect pays mostly young, restless and unemployed boys turned thugs (Yandaba) as field operators, spies, assailants etc.
Without job opportunities, without an Economic Master Plan to “spread wealth and create massive economic opportunities” it’s in the enlightened self-interest of leaders who steal government money to build mansions and buy private jets. Otherwise they will not sleep.
Some stakeholders and analysts believe that social exclusion and extreme poverty in a region adjudged the poorest in Nigeria seem to be driving the desperation and rebellion fuelling the Boko Haram insurgency.
We believe that the trading of blames across political and religious divides would continue to be counter productive. Politicians must put differences aside. There is unity in Nigeria’s diversity. All energy and attention must be focused on laying concrete foundations of credibility, building goodwill and sowing hope.
A massive reconstruction and development plan for the north in general and the northeast in particular must begin once swathes of the region are secured and people’s trust in the military and government has been restored.
The prompt response to offer international assistance must be matched by affected regions commitment to turn the tide.
Locally, Nigeria’s military top brass must allay fears of their men and Nigerians, act professionally, jettison egos, work together internally and externally with the security specialist from the US, UK, France China and Israel.
The entire security apparatus must remain cohesive in order to properly lead a campaign against Boko Haram insurgency. Our soldiers and security operatives need new training, new thinking and new equipment (for instance, radios to communicate). Their morale has to be boosted or we face a greater risk of dealing with a disaffected and rebellious army.