The allegation by the human rights watchdog, Amnesty International (AI) that Nigerian security forces failed to act on advance warnings about Boko Haram’s armed raid on the state-run boarding school in Chibok, which led to the abduction of over 234 schoolgirls on April 14, if true, is most embarrassing to Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan, for failing the nation in a moment of need. The AI indictment comes in the wake of several security lapses that has fueled a groundswell of popular anger against the Jonathan government. A situation where security forces failed to act on actionable intelligence to preempt what is now a national tragedy is inexcusable. It vindicates widespread public perception that the President does not appear to grasp the gravity of the problem the country faces from the endless bloodletting that has continued to spiral out of control, at great cost to the lives and property of Nigerians. To assure Nigerians of his commitment to the safety of all citizens, Jonathan must lead a thorough investigation into these and sundry allegations of fifth columnists sabotaging the counter-insurgency. There should be no rest for the President until the girls are found and Boko Haram defeated.
In an electronic statement credited to Netsanet Belay, Africa Director of Research and Advocacy, Amnesty International said it confirmed, through various sources, that Nigeria’s military headquarters in Maiduguri were aware of the impending attack soon after 7pm on April 14, close to four hours before the insurgents began their attack on the town. But an inability to muster troops due to poor resources and a reported fear of engaging with the better-equipped armed groups meant that reinforcements were not deployed to Chibok that night. The small contingent of security forces based in the town – 17 army personnel, as well as local police-attempted to repel the attack, but were overpowered and forced to retreat. One soldier reportedly died,” AI noted, saying: “it amounts to a gross dereliction of Nigeria’s duty to protect civilians, who remain sitting ducks for such attacks. The Nigerian leadership must now use all lawful means at their disposal to secure the girls’ safe release and ensure nothing like this can happen again.”
Predictably, the government’s response to the AI report was denial. Information Minister, Labaran Maku, speaking on Cable News Network (CNN) in Abuja, expressed doubt on the authenticity of the report, but promised to investigate the alleged dereliction of duty by the Nigeria military before and after the abduction. Maku told the CNN that the Nigerian authorities were not aware that there was an examination going on in Chibok at the time of the attack. He blamed the Borno authorities for not transferring the students as ordered to the State capital, Maiduguri, for their examination, arguing that there was no way the military would get such a report and would not respond to the distress call.
The AI report contains weighty, even frightful, allegations. Coming from a reputable international human rights organization like Amnesty International, no one would treat these with levity and the Federal Government should investigate all these thoroughly. It comes in the wake of another report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) alleging that there are now “suspicions the ruling PDP and President Jonathan, who is expected to seek a new term, are trying to suppress ballots in the region, which is largely controlled by the newly-formed opposition party the All Progressives Congress.” These allegations are rabble-rousing because they call to question the strategy of the Nigerian security forces and their commitment to the fight. Is there an insufficiency in the tools for the fight or are there people profiting from its open-endedness? The reports’ implications are dangerous to the polity as they vindicate widespread perception that there are fifth columnists within the administration aiding and abetting the activities of the terrorists.
In spite of its protestations to the contrary, the government, has certainly not earned praises in its approach to tackling the terror menace. A more proactive government would have sat down with AI and examine the intelligence and the sources of that intelligence, in order to ascertain responsibility for the failure; and to hold those responsible accountable. There have been several other reports of troops being withdrawn from a target, only for the terrorists to strike at these same targets. The result is that the troops have been chasing shadows; always arriving late, after the damage has been done. Inferences of internal sabotage or even suspected limitation by the armed forces can no longer be waved aside. No other excuses or explanation will obviate the official tardiness and incompetence being displayed by the authorities. Well-meaning Nigerians are not likely to side with this kind of thinking but the kid gloves response to the insurgency has all but given credence to the assumption that Boko Haram has become a purpose-driven insurgency.
Whatever the thesis explaining the pernicious state of security in the country, the duty and obligation to see that this war comes to an end is principally that of the President. That is the reason he is the leader and commander-in-chief. However, Jonathan, it must be said, has so far not given the impression of a sense of dire concern and urgency; his constitutional responsibility to protect Nigeria and Nigerians against all enemies, foreign and domestic, notwithstanding. That citizens, north, south, east and west, now live in fear is a testimonial that he cannot be proud of. Following an earlier terror threat in Abuja, the government is on record to have practically imprisoned the President in the Aso Rock Villa as most ceremonies that ought to be held in the Eagle Square or any other open space were observed inside the villa. While the president is entitled to maximum security in whatever form, that action, for whatever reason, smacked of outright cowardice. On another level, the question may even be asked: When the President retreats into his bunker, into which safe haven do the rest of Nigerians retreat?
It is unfortunate enough that Nigeria has found herself in this quagmire but the deafening silence at the corridors of power that initially attended the tragedy is more unacceptable. The President waited almost three weeks, for a presidential media chat on May 4 before speaking and Borno Governor Shettima was equally guilty of not rallying his people through a state broadcast. Nigerians are being massacred in their numbers and beyond routine statements; the body language and the atmosphere in the seat of power does not reflect the pain and vulnerability of the country. Is the President so numbed? A better conduct is expected of Mr. President at this time when the ship of state is floundering; a lot more is required to rekindle hope that the battle is not lost. Jonathan must visit all the places where these atrocious things have happened, for the depth of his leadership quotient is demonstrated by the risk he takes on behalf of the people. Nigerians are looking unto their President to protect them, indeed the entire world, from further agony.
