Note: This is an article by Funmi Macaulay, one of the regular readers of this blog and a New York-based Nigerian-American very concerned about the present security situation in Nigeria.
As I write
this piece, I am still recovering from the latest news I ran into in Yahoo earlier
today - another killing Maiduguri, this time in a market. Why would these folks be so heartless? According to the AFP report, “Gunmen believed
to be members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram stormed the fish section of Baga
market and sprayed stallholders and vendors with bullets.” Among the dead are women and children. It is most likely the death toll will rise in
a couple of days.
 |
| Grieving faces of women widowed by Boko Haram |
The war on
terror declared by the Nigerian security forces seems to be yielding some
dividends with the recent arrest of Abu Qaqa, Boko Haram spokesman and
re-capture of Kabir Abubakar Dikko (a.k.a
Kabiru Sokoto), the mastermind of the Madalla church bombing last
Christmas. Recent reports quote the
Department of State Service (DSS) in Abuja as saying that they are extracting
useful information from the two detainees.
As Vanguard
newspaper acknowledged in one of its recent editorials, “the signs that our
state agencies of security, particularly the Nigerian Army and the State
Security Services (SSS) are gradually getting on top of this ugly situation are
many.” “These include the discovery of
their bomb factories and arms dumps in Suleija, Damaturu, Maiduguri and
Kano. There also have been a series of
foiling of their hits on military facilities in Kaduna and Maiduguri.”
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| Church members in Madalla dig graves for 20 victims of the Xmas Day bombing |
While
applaud, the security forces, I must say the war is far from over; if anything,
the Boko Haram elements are becoming more brazen and determined. They continue to issue threats and live up to
their words. Ten days ago in Kano ,
Alhaji Muhammadu, a 60 year critic of the group, was shot twice at a close
range by some unknown gunmen on a motorbike.
“"He never hid his aversion to Boko Haram and would voice his
disapproval of the sect publicly,” a resident of the area, said of the victim.
Since the
beginning of the year, the group have served notice on their next targets and
in spite of efforts by the security agencies they were able to pull off
stunning raids that left hundreds of citizens dead or injured and property in
ruins. In a leaflet distributed around
Kano last month, Boko Haram said it would target anyone who "collaborates against
the group ", even if he is a Muslim.
Last
Sunday, they make good that threat by assassinating Mustapha Geidam, a district
head in Yobe State and Sheik Saina Ajiya, an Islamic cleric in Konduga, a town
near Maiduguri. Earlier that day, it
took the careful surveillance of members of Christ Embassy Church in Suleja to
avert the explosion of a bomb hidden near the church where members worshipped.
 |
| Ibrahim Shekarau, acclaimed leader of the group |
It is
unfortunate that Boko Haram is bent on collapsing the entity called
Nigeria. Despite managing to survive
since the Biafran civil war, the cracks that that sad epistle left on Nigeria’s
psyche is yet to heal. Now these
aimless boobies continue to add insult to the nation’s injury.
While Nigeria
often claims expertise in dancing on the brink without falling off, the recent
actions of Boko Haram seriously challenges our dexterity in that game. Boko Haram if untamed may finally provide the
impetus that pushes the country into the abyss of state failure.
This is why
I beckon on every Nigerian at home and in diaspora to join the call for the
real faces behind Boko Haram to be exposed.
Much as I commend the security forces for, to an extent, rising to the
challenge, the war against Boko Haram and its jahidist ideology cannot be won
unless the financiers of the group are identified and made to face the full
weight of the law. Those felons must be
unmasked and shamed if Nigeria would enjoy peace.
The group has mushroomed in the last few years because little is known about its sponsors. There is a lot to Boko Haram beyond the young men that serve as suicide bombers for the group. Behind every Al-Qaeda, there is a rich Osama bin Laden and a network of other financiers that fuel their evil passion with the needed cash.
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| The remains of a bomb attack |
Nobody should
be considered too big before the law. A
lot of names have been trumpeted including former military president Ibrahim
Babangida. This is where what I consider
the biggest assignment of the security forces lie. Unmask the Osamas behind this Nigerian Al
Qaeda, and we are on our way to a peaceful and more prosperous Nigeria. President Jonathan, please know that Nigeria
is on the edge. Name and shame those
guys before they destroy you and our dear homeland. The time to act is now.
Funmi can be reached on funmiskyy@gmail.com
Funmi can be reached on funmiskyy@gmail.com
25 comments:
It is quite disheartening to note that our beloved country Nigeria is probably on the brink of collapse due to unlawful and beastly acts by those who call themselves Boko Haram. I feel the security forces are trying BUT much still needs to be done otherwise, it would be assumed that the rebel sect are stronger than the National force! Funmi's article is quite engaging as it draws our minds to the present reality of our country and the need to act now in order to prevent further destruction of lives, not even property. Lets help to stop this menace! Again, our president should be more committed in fighting this ugly trend. if Nigeria is lacking security forces to protect the citizens from hoodlums and criminals, then, I suggest he import security from other countries....enough of this gambling with Precious Lives!
Very salient point. I hope somebody is reading.
Very interesting article... one major action that has to be taken to curb this menace is to fight corruption more aggressivly, and to cut the allowances paid to public office holders. For instance hundreds of millions of Naira annualy, are available to legislators as allowances. Monies that can be put to bad use by mischief makers... and this doesn't include funds acquired through corrupt means... We need to follow the money, and you'll find those funding terrorism in Nigeria
Stanley, you've just touched on another area that makes me sick - the jumbo allowances of those legislators. it is sickening that in an impoverished nation like Nigeria, those guys are taking so much for doing so little.
Nigeria is quite unlucky to experience such events as it is at this time.Everybody yearns for a better governance via d new presidency of Goodluck but badluck of mass massacre is the absorbing rewards - very pathetic!
Government should do something very fast to tame this dreadful condition.Boko Haram issue must be a thing of the past by all means!
True to ur assertion, until we start naming and shaming, the change desire will not come
Babangida is the Commander in Chief of all criminals in Nigeria. I am not surprised that he was named and I do not doubt he is involved. I worry about Jonathan, because trembles when people like Babangida is mentioned.
He is not only the Commander in Chief of criminals, he is face of corruption in Nigeria. He enshrined 10% as an official govt practice. Infact he deserves to rot in jail, or infact be killed in the opendential
SSS should arrest IBB hence he has been implicated. This is not Oputa Panel. Boko Haram is about the wanton destruction of human lives, an evil that must be nipped on the bud without delay
The very roots of the Boko Haram angst is being overlooked.
INJUSTICE
INEQUALITY
CORRUPTION
NEPOTISM
PROFLIGACY
GREED
UNACCOUNTABILITY
UNEMPLOYMENT
and so on; and so forth...
If this is generally agreed, there is the latency of Boko Haram in every Nigerian.
In time, the ERUPTION will surface. Just as it did in EGYPT, LIBYA, SYRIA, and in a very mild form, recently in NIGERIA.
JONATHAN pretends as though he does not hear the SCREAMS of the MASSES:
To:
1. CALL A NATIONAL CAUCUS OF THE FEDERATING STATES NOW, TO REVIEW THE BASIS OF OUR UNION TO PREVENT THIS SLIDE INTO DISINTEGRATION. Postponement of the evil day, is not the answer to UNITY at all cost; just simply to keep the FEW feeding fat on the BLOOD of our Children.
2. Ensure that ALL CORRUPT and questionable characters in governments, PAST and PRESENT, ARE brought to book NOW. In this I will not be mealy-mouthed, but will name the following:
OBASANJO
BABANGIDA
DAVID MARK
MAJORITY OF THE SENATORS AND REPS past and present.
MAJORITY OF THE STATE GOVERNORS, past and present.
MAJORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, past and present.
MAJORITY OF HEADS OF MDAs, past and present, especially DIEZANI ALISON(Nigerian Navy)MADUEKE AND THE CRIMINAL GANGS AT THE NNPC, past and present. It is not enough for Jonathan to querry and subsequently sack his IGP, from the North, whilst leaving MADUEKE from the south (Bayelsa)and her acolytes in a position in which they feel its still business as usual.
3. A drastic review of the PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF SENATORS AND REPS; In such a way that this essential national duty will no longer be attractive for jobless hairdressers and charge and bail lawyers.This pay and allowance should aim at a level where the average for these people should be no higher than what the average Nigerian doing similar jobs are earning. The principle of determining the pay should be independent, robust, fair, easy to understand and impossible to SUBVERT.
NOT MANY OF US ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE TO DETERMINE OUR OWN PAY AND EXPENSES. Those we send to represent and serve us should not claim a higher privilege than the rest of us.
Finally, I dare say that there are truly patriotic Nigerians amongst us. NIGERIANS like Anyaoku, Fashola, Kolade etc people that I have said I am willing to lay down my life for; DEFINITELY NOT CROOKS LIKE OBASANJO AND THE AFORE-MENTIONED.
If we don't wake up to the reality staring us in the face, grab the bulls by their horns and do RADICAL SURGERY on the cancer CONSUMING this country, no manner of FALSE CONTRITION OR SELF-DECEIT will save this NATION. It is NOT a CURSE, this is the FACT.
Dr Buki Morgan MBBS psc
Colindale, London & Surulere, Lagos
23 Feb 2012
0554hrs
Funmi has greatly contributed massively to the menace act of the boko haram. Just yesterday 22nd and even today 23rd, this deadly and devilish group still carry out their attacks in kano killing many people. It is true names of some sponsors has been mentioned, but who dares these people, it is true Nigeria is governed with law but i can tell you, President is only leading but those people are still ruling Nigeria, because those sponsors have agents in all government agencies. What this group want according to their leader is totally impossible, hw can a group of people dictate the kind of religion to Mr. President?
To me, i commend the security agencies, they are really trying, they've really beef-up security. With God intervention and the way the security agents are working, things are getting better. That is what i can say, because i dont see another alternative according to my knowledge.
We now have a situation where no day comes without a bomb exploding. Those will destroy Nigeria right under our eyes. I pray they are stopped soonest.
Just checked the news - Another attack in Kano. We are in real trouble.
Keep widening the debate on the issue. For all I know, Boko Haram is a political tool of the northern elite to frustrated President Jonathan and southern Nigerians
Funmi,
I must commend your efforts on the masterpiece on Boko Haram insurgence in Nigeria. Don’t know if your write up can be adapted by any of the foreign broadcast media as commentary, to further let people all over the world have a full grasp of the danger we have on our hand in Nigeria. However, the issue of sponsors of the dreaded group is another thing begging for answer.
I must draw your attention to the salient fact that It is not yet safe to say that the security agencies are making headway in curtailing the Boko Haram Menace, rather, the Federal Government has budgeted colossal amount in the 2012 budget for defence to strengthened the security agencies to strut up for the challenges.
President Jonathan announced that the government would spend staggering 921 billion Naira (US$5.5bn) on the arm forces and security forces. Some of us think this is Boko Haram Bonanza for the generals and private security companies but the diversion of resources will not achieve its aims without a clear strategy to address the grievances that the militants exploit.
Throwing morning and soldiers at Boko Haram may in the short term deter it from more spectacular attacks on landmark buildings in the capital but will do little to hold back operations from it base in north-eastern Nigeria.
Well targeted attacks by the Islamist militants exacerbate the growing political and economic divides between the oil-rich south and the barren north. The national impact of this seems to elude policy-makers, who have failed to launch any political response to the militia’s campaign, let alone provide education and other social services to ameliorate the often dire conditions in Boko Haram home base.
So, the thinking is, by now, with the capture of some of the Boko Haram operatives, the government should in a matter of time unveil their sponsors, if at all it is eager to stop the malaise. Keep up the effort. Remain blessed
Your friend
The menance of Boko Haram is a true reflection of the larger society which to me could be anchored on many years of neglect and enslavement by the so called political leaders whose characters are nothing but caricature. In fact, Their actions depict the universality of man's criminality. The solution is genuine education and sincere enlightenment.
Boko Haram in itself HARAM. GEJ knows who their sponsors are but refused to go after them for reason best known to him. Info revealed that these HARAM (forbidden) GUYS were use for GEJ political campaign and they are always around the corridors of Govt both at Federal and state levels up North. I rest my case here.
The problem with Boko Haram is that they are not specific. We are confused. First, I heard they are protesting against western education. But now, they have transfered it to Religious detest and ethic bully. How can you say that you are against western education yet, you make use of weapons like Bombs and explosives. These weapons what product are they? Western education ofcourse. This Boko Haram people are up to something and if our Govt fail to do something now, something strange will happen to this country. I wish I am incharge, i would've done somthing better.
God will punish every boko haramist and their sympathisers.
Boko Haram will be it's own death. No need to fret Nigerians, they will self detonate soon
Sanusi is attracting more attacks in Kano so he can dole out the Niger Delta money to his boko harmites. What a way not to be CBN governor. They should keep atacking so Sanusi send their share of derivation money in the name of donations.
God helps those who help themselves. It's time to stop praying, get off your knees and use the same tactics against Muslims they use against Christians. When a church is bombed, bomb twelve mosques. When a Christian is killed, kill twelve Muslims. Don't take a knife to a gunfight.
Fuck muslims. All they know is war and jihad
They can go ahead and fund them. We will surely overcome them. Evil does not overcome good in the long run
Who said we must remain together in this geographic concoction called Nigeria. The British have made the mistake; we can unmake it and give Boko Haram the kind of state they want in the north.
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