By Alex O. Atawa-Akpodiete*
Every nation faces its own unique security challenges. In some countries, it is the proliferation of small arms, while others are saddled with secessionist groups. Nigeria is not exempted. We have issues of armed robbery, kidnapping and insurgency. We have managed to handle the Niger-Delta militants, although there are pockets of piracy issues around the sea coast. Therefore, I was not as surprised about the events that transpired towards the end of this past week.
As I was leaving for America, I was greeted by the sad news of bomb blast at the camp for internally Displace Persons (IDPs) in Yola, capital of Adamawa State. Although the terrorist group Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility for the attack on the Yola IDP camp, it matches their modus operandi. The attack resulted in the death of four (4) National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) staff members and three (3) refugees, and hospitalization of at least nine people. Interestingly, the refugees were mostly from the north-eastern state of Borno, where Boko haram had been very active. The police officers assigned to the IDP camp claimed that everyone was screened before entering the camp. Obviously, one person was not screened or was not thoroughly screened. Either way, there was a fatal security breach.
The police, military and security agencies are under the control of the executive branch of government headed by the President and Commander-in-chief of the armed forces. With the change in government, the expectations of Nigerians has increased as it relates to curbing the spate of violence in the country, especially in the four States in the North East that were under a State of Emergency. Also, there has been a change of guard at The Chiefs of Staff in the military and new equipment purchased for the military. Additionally, the new Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, who has been in office for less than six (6) months, has brought a renewed vigor into the Nigerian Police force (NPF). In civilized climes, the police are in charge of internal security, while the military handles external threats to the nation. Our current precarious security challenges have necessitated a combined effort and the use of Joint task force (JTF), although Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that “There shall be a police force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section no other police force shall be established for the Federation or any part thereof.”
Now it should be clear to everyone that Boko Haram problem should not be politicized anymore. We need by-partisan support for the fight against insurgency and the government’s anti-terrorism efforts. The hydra-monster can only be defeated through a combined effort. Of course, security is the primary responsibility of the government. In fact, Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” However, we should imbibe the mantra that “security is everyone’s business.”
It has been long established that Boko Haram terrorists are not operating alone. Some of their “successes” buttress this point: kidnapping of over 200 students from a government girl’s college in Chibok using over fifteen (15) Toyota Hilux trucks; detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at a busy park in Abuja suburb of Nyanja; bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja; Kano luxurious bus park attack, dastardly attack on police stations and military/Joint Task Force (JTF) checkpoints; bombings in Suleja; killings in churches and mosques; sophisticated weaponry, etc. Their brazen attacks with confidence reveal the “power” backing them.” Boko Haram is confident because they are backed up by powerful and wealthy people.
The bombing of the IDPs camp shows the senseless nature of the Boko haram sect. There is no reasoning with such people. In fact, when Boko Haran was allegedly offered amnesty in 2013 by the last administration and they rejected it, no doubt remained that they could not be negotiated with, but must rather be annihilated. There can no longer be propaganda that killing members of Boko haram is attempted genocide against the north. Nonetheless, a holistic solution to the Boko haram menace (and other security problems) requires that the military approach must also be combined with enlightenment of the masses; outright condemnation of Boko Haram by northern traditional rulers, Muslim religious leaders and northern politicians; community policing; citizen involvement; social justice; education; good governance; improved standard of living; job creation; and poverty eradication programmes.
On a mixed positive note, it was good to hear of the release of Vanguard columnist Donu Kogbara, from the hands of her kidnappers, after almost two weeks. She was apparently abducted outside her house on Sunday, August 30, 2015 as she was preparing to leave for church. Although the Rivers State Police Commissioner commented about his team closing in on the abductors, it was still another reflection of our porous national security. We grieve with Donu Kogbara and her young son. She was visibly shaken by the experience, as will be expected. Kidnapping and insecurity must be stopped nationally.
The Donu Kogbara kidnapping and Yola IDP bombing has further affirmed that insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere.
I repeat what I said last year in my article on Boko Haram brazen attacks, “We are inextricably linked together as Nigerians and have a common destiny. The brazen actions of Boko Haram cannot be overlooked or handled with kid gloves.” Now is the time to stop them.”
Rev. (Prof.) Alex Osondu Atawa-Akpodiete, a public Affairs Analyst, wrote from Washington DC. Contact him on +2348138391661 (SMS only) or Profatawa@gmail.com
