So it happened again, the other day, in yet another unusual and most inauspicious of places – Abuja, the nation’s capital. In a continued orgy of indiscriminate bloodletting, at least 72 Nigerians were killed and 164 others injured by a suicide bombing at the Nyanya motor park. After running riot in the north, Boko Haram struck at the political seat of government; defying the security apparatus of the Nigerian State, and advertising their brazenness to an already traumatized civilian population. This is an affront on the government and people of Nigeria that is inexcusable. How could this have happened? And to think that no one has been held accountable for this unacceptable breach of national security is even more confounding. Mr. President, Nigeria is bleeding profusely; consoling words to victims and their families are not enough. Nigerians want peace and an end to the bloodletting.
That unfortunate event, horrendous and pathetic as it may be, was however not without its blessings. First, it exposed the vulnerability of the entire country to the mindless Boko Haram slaughter that has turned the entire northern region into a huge killing field; and put paid to the lie by the administration that the war against the insurgents is being won. Secondly, the devastating and merciless attack was the best advertisement of seething incompetence and failure by security agencies and the government to adequately discharge its responsibility for the safety of its citizens. Finally, and by far the most important the President, on whose desk, the buck stops, must realize he is failing in his constitutional duties as the man hired to protect Nigeria and Nigerians against all enemies, domestic and foreign.
Beyond any shadow of doubt, the audacity of the insurgents raises fundamental questions over the strategy of Nigerian security forces and their commitment to the fight. That a group of ragtag terrorists can declare war on the almighty Nigerian state; and dictate the terms of engagement and do so with such impunity, speaks directly to a failure of leadership; and reinforces the notion, that the President as commander-in-chief is a coward; too weak and indecisive to lead the nation into war against a faceless enemy hell bent on making the country ungovernable. Honestly, how can anyone explain the helplessness and hopelessness in the face of the lawlessness that has seen terrorists extend their mayhem from Yobe, Borno and Adamawa; to Plateau, Benue, Nassarawa and Kaduna states; including Katsina and Zamfara; and now even the nation’s capital is not safe?
Before last Monday’s bombing, there have been other attacks in Abuja, including the August 2011 attack on the United Nations office in which 30 people were killed and over a hundred others injured. Earlier in June of the same year, the insurgents attacked the Nigeria Police headquarters, leaving scores dead and injured. Before then, scores were killed in an attack on a military barracks. Late last year, the insurgents invaded the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, murdered about 90 students by slitting their throats, wounded many, abducted others and set the school ablaze. A day after the Abuja attack, over 100 girls were abducted from Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno; which together with Yobe and Adamawa States, remain under emergency rule. Before then, schools in Borno had shut down for months following the killing of 42 students in another school in July. Only two months ago, the government boasted that it had recorded success as its forces had chased the insurgents far out to the borders in northeastern Nigeria.
But amid the ineffective state response, the killings have continued unabated,. The standing view is that Nigerian security forces have proven incapable of dealing with the widening threat which, to all intents and purposes, amounts to a declaration of war on the country. The coordinated brazen activities of Boko Haram insurgents, the sophisticated arms– including military uniforms at their disposal, the funding and training, give cause to not discountenance, firstly, the possibility of external involvement, and secondly, probable access to insider information from within the state security apparatus.
The brazenness with which Boko Haram have, at will and unchallenged, killed, maimed, plundered, destroyed and spread fear among the populace are sufficient reasons for Nigerians to perceive a palpable inadequacy in the military response. The worsening insecurity and government’s apathetic response throw up some posers: why are all these happening now? Is Boko Haram truly defending Islam? Or, is it, as its many un-Islamic acts have shown –including killing Muslims – more of an ideological movement being used in the vicious pursuit of a political agenda by some vested interests?
The current problem may be primarily one for governments to solve. But it is much wiser to see it as a challenge to all Nigerians especially political leaders across party lines; who desire to rule the Nigerian state now, or in the future. To this end, Jonathan, as president to all Nigerians, should go beyond the call of duty to address the insecurity in the country. Merely trading brickbats with APC leaders over failed meetings is most unhelpful at this time. So too, is blaming Jonathan and his government; which is the easiest thing to do. Talk, as they say is cheap. Now is the time for all Nigerians to pause and reflect on the death of their innocent countrymen; and on the possibility that anyone could be next and take a commitment to join in the fight to save Nigeria from terrorism.
It is perhaps trite to say that never in the history of Nigeria have there been acts more shocking in violence and cruelty than the carnage that Boko Haram continues to perpetrate. It is, therefore, appropriate to say never has there been a greater need for the Nigerian government to re-assert its control over the territory called Nigeria and assure all citizens of safety in their country. The latitude the terrorists now have reiterates the hapless state of insecurity in the country. And the authorities seem to have run out of ideas on how to handle the insurgency. This indeed is worrisome and unacceptable!
Nigeria is in a state of war and the management of the situation appears awful. Nigerians do not deserve this hellish life and needless saying, the nation has reached saturation point in the groundswell of violent terrorist attacks. Jonathan ought to be reminded that though the war is difficult, it is winnable. And win, he must, else the silent calls for him to step aside will continue to be deafening. After all, he who cannot withstand the heat should get out of the kitchen!
