The mule called ‘Boko Haram’
In his New Year broadcast, President Buhari restated the claim that Boko Haram has been defeated. While some Nigerians might have heaved a sigh of relief and even rejoiced on hearing that proclamation about Boko Haram’s defeat; others were skeptical about the supposed victory and those doubts turned out to be justified as news of the group’s incessant terror activities started rending the air- plus the approval of the withdrawal of a massive sum of US$1 billion from the excess crude account to fight insurgency did not do the government’s stance on victory over Boko Haram any good.
Boko Haram has since gone ahead to carry out a series of attacks: from the suicide bombing at a mosque in Gamboru to shootings at Kaje village and Madagali and the attack on a military post in Toumour, Niger state amongst other violent conducts, it is evident that the group’s onslaught is nowhere near ending. It is amidst of all these that we heard of the release of about 200 suspected Boko Haram members that were previously arrested by the Army. However, the one that has got everyone talking as the ghost of the Chibok girls’ ordeal haunts the nation again is the case of over a hundred and ninety-four female students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe state. Like the case of the Chibok girls, this is also yet to be resolved even though we are hoping that these girls get their freedom in no distant time. All we are hearing for now are claims and counterclaims as the parents [of the affected students] have cut forlorn figures earnestly look out to be reunited with their children.
Delicate handling
Without undermining the efforts of the soldiers who are presently doing the nation a great service by going after Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest, it is important to point out here that the way with which the federal government –the past administration in particular- has handled the whole situation has been the reason why we are at a point where we are today; the handwriting has always been on the wall. One of the many flaws of the past administration was the lax attitude it had towards tackling the issue. Remember vividly how the group started causing menace by using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Now, the whole thing has escalated; Boko Haram members are found to be in possession of sophisticated weapons [like assault rifles, machine guns, armoured vehicles, anti-aircraft guns] , and are looking like monsters that hell has unleashed upon the inhabitants of the land. Though the present administration has fared better [than the last one] in some instances but it has really not done well in trying to cover up the true state of affairs concerning Boko Haram – propagandas will not take us anywhere in the fight against Boko Haram Insurgency; there is much more to be done.
Any end in sight?
Though the scars Boko Haram has left in the hearts of the families whose loved ones they have victimized may not be inerasable but this does not mean that those in the appropriate quarters should fold their hands; feeling helpless and leave the wound inflicted on the nation [by this terrorist group] to keep festering. Without any need relax the full weight of the military’s armoury should be put on the insurgents; it is necessary that Boko Haram be dealt with from the root. The very thing that the past administration – particularly in 2009- failed to do must be given consideration. Those who are the sponsors to this group must be fished out and dealt with without any fear or favour.