If I Were President: 7 Questions to Answer to Defeat Bokoharam | By Idowu Ayodele

 

After the Nigerian Civil War fought between the government of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra between 1967 to 1970, the sound and sight of bomb explosions were alien to us as a nation; until 2002 when the Sect that became known as ‘Bokoharam’ was founded.

The militant Islamist group christened Bokoharam roughly translate to mean Western Education is forbidden. Initially, the group’s major aim was to oppose Western Education and also to overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state.

In 2009, when the Sect which also spread to neighboring Chad, Niger and Cameroon launched its military operations to create Islamic state, teachers were killed, maimed, the local governments were burnt down, all schools were closed, children were cast on the street. Unfortunately, most of these children saw when their parents were killed; they were confused and in helpless state.

No place is safe, none is exempted, people are affected daily in the only country they claim as their own as the domestic terrorist group is fast gaining international recognition due to series of targeted attacks on individuals and bombings carried out by its members especially in the states in the Northern parts of Nigeria which included Borno, Yobe and Adamawa among others.

There is clear national concern on the activities of the Boko haram and widespread fear among people concerning their safety and security. The Bokoharam attacks had targeted individuals, places of worship, public and private organisations including media organizations, military barracks, the police headquarters and stations as well as the United Nations building in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Interestingly, checks have also unearthed that terrorist groups seldom operate in isolation as the economics of the situation will not allow for strictly independent actions. According to investigations, the three Rs for terrorist cooperation include Resources, Reciprocity and Reach. Resources here stand for means, Reciprocity is exchanging ideas in an open and mutual way; and Reach embodies effective, reliable and like-minded contacts.

Concerning the reach, the underlying thoughts on what these terrorists are trying to achieve are relevant. Means to accomplish terrorist attacks , like funds, technology and knowledge, are scarce and therefore terrorists, including the Bokoharam Sect seek allies in order to be effective.

Thus, hard and soft links have been identified as the links between terrorists. The hard links are the most concrete features of collaboration between terrorist groups and include financial support, information sharing, coordinated activities, safe havens and sharing materials, resources and personnel. Soft links are intangible, while hard links are tangible.

However, soft links between terrorists include shared ideologies and beliefs, opportunities and chances, and even media strategy.

No wonder successive governments were unable to defeat the Bokoharam terrorist despite huge resources committed to tame the insurgence. Even, when the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari gave assurances to Nigerians that it would soon be on top of the situation, claiming that the Sect has been technically defeated.

Regrettably however; Bokoharam is still a daily issue of insecurity, the group continue to wreak havoc in Nigeria through a wave of bombings, assassinations and abductions.

It is obvious that the domestic terrorist group is enjoying both Soft and Hard links from relevant organizations and individuals, which may include financial support, information sharing, coordinated activities, resources and personnel, shared ideologies and beliefs, opportunities and chances, and even media strategy to mention but a few.

Sadly, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land in spite of several solutions such as; poverty eradication programmes, transparency and accountability in governance, better policing with the use of intelligence reports, proper funding of security architecture, use of modern technology, food security, dialogue among others being offered having faced with Socio- economic implications of insecurity. The activities of the domestic terrorist group remain undiminished.

At this juncture, to nip in the bud the problem of the Bokoharam insurgence, the Muhammadu Buhari -led federal government of Nigeria must sincerely proffer answers to the following pertinent questions:

* How do they (Bokoharam) get all these imported sophisticated weapons?

 

* Which of the airports and seaports do they (imported weapons) pass through?

* Who cleared these weapons from those ports?.

* How did the weapons get to their destinations?.

* Where do they get their bullets from?.

* Where do they get the money to pay their staff?.

* How come the combined  efforts of JTF couldn’t decipher their base till date?

 

It is however, imperative to re- emphasize that Presidential condolences are not soothing the pains; only a final stoppage can bring gain to Nigerians through solutions and resolute answers to these questions by the federal government and security agents fighting Boko Haram insurgency