Time To Defeat Boko Haram
After a very short break, perhaps due to the nationwide strike over fuel subsidy removal, the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram struck in Kano last Friday with deadly force, which took the lives of over 250 Nigerians. That remains the highest number of casualties so far in its senseless killing campaign. And the death toll is still rising.
It is commendable that government has, at last, realised that the problem is beyond it and invited the United States of America, whose intelligence officers, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary William Fitzgerald met with the Nigerian team led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martins Uhomolshi and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi and discussed about tackling the problem.
We are sure America, with her long experience in fighting terrorism all over the world, would be able to help Nigeria curb the activities of the evil sect. America’s problem with terrorism has been unending and that country has faced that challenge frontally, even going to war in Afghanistan to thwart the efforts of the sponsors of terrorism.
The Joint Task Force’s Operation Restore Order, ORO, in Maidurguri and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Oluseyi Petinrin’s declaration that the violent sect’s days are numbered have not been as reassuaring as they should be. Why? Nigerians have heard such impotent chest-beating in the past.
Even with the emergency rule that the president imposed on parts of the north on 31 December, 2011 after a wave of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram, the killings have continued.
The report that the police impounded cars laden with bombs in Kano is a good indication that the fight can be won with determination and hardwork by all concerned. We believe that the monster called Boko Haram has to be confronted and defeated once and for all.
Those behind the Boko Haram menace are not faceless. They are Nigerians living among Nigerians and if the sect is to be defeated, then all Nigerians must come forward with information about them which can lead to the arrest of these dangerous elements before they do more damage.
But the security agencies must be up and doing. There must be no sacred cows. They must do their utmost to prevent the loss of innocent lives every week that these criminals have continued to take? Nigerians must come together to bring an end to this problem which could lead to the disintegration of the country. There can be no doubt that Boko Haram is bent on destroying the country and plunging it into another senseless war.
Northern leaders must act fast and look for ways to pacify what many believe was their creation, or finger those behind these atrocities which has claimed hundreds of lives. Nigerians are tired.
How can we allow a bunch of cut-throats to hold a government to ransom?
We also believe President Goodluck Jonathan can do better. Nigeria has survived a civil war and those who think another civil war would right the wrongs in the polity are mistaken. Killing your countrymen for whatever reason is despicable. Boko Haram must not be allowed to have its way.
After a very short break, perhaps due to the nationwide strike over fuel subsidy removal, the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram struck in Kano last Friday with deadly force, which took the lives of over 250 Nigerians. That remains the highest number of casualties so far in its senseless killing campaign. And the death toll is still rising.
It is commendable that government has, at last, realised that the problem is beyond it and invited the United States of America, whose intelligence officers, led by Deputy Assistant Secretary William Fitzgerald met with the Nigerian team led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martins Uhomolshi and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi and discussed about tackling the problem.
We are sure America, with her long experience in fighting terrorism all over the world, would be able to help Nigeria curb the activities of the evil sect. America’s problem with terrorism has been unending and that country has faced that challenge frontally, even going to war in Afghanistan to thwart the efforts of the sponsors of terrorism.
The Joint Task Force’s Operation Restore Order, ORO, in Maidurguri and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Oluseyi Petinrin’s declaration that the violent sect’s days are numbered have not been as reassuaring as they should be. Why? Nigerians have heard such impotent chest-beating in the past.
Even with the emergency rule that the president imposed on parts of the north on 31 December, 2011 after a wave of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram, the killings have continued.
The report that the police impounded cars laden with bombs in Kano is a good indication that the fight can be won with determination and hardwork by all concerned. We believe that the monster called Boko Haram has to be confronted and defeated once and for all.
Those behind the Boko Haram menace are not faceless. They are Nigerians living among Nigerians and if the sect is to be defeated, then all Nigerians must come forward with information about them which can lead to the arrest of these dangerous elements before they do more damage.
But the security agencies must be up and doing. There must be no sacred cows. They must do their utmost to prevent the loss of innocent lives every week that these criminals have continued to take? Nigerians must come together to bring an end to this problem which could lead to the disintegration of the country. There can be no doubt that Boko Haram is bent on destroying the country and plunging it into another senseless war.
Northern leaders must act fast and look for ways to pacify what many believe was their creation, or finger those behind these atrocities which has claimed hundreds of lives. Nigerians are tired.
How can we allow a bunch of cut-throats to hold a government to ransom?
We also believe President Goodluck Jonathan can do better. Nigeria has survived a civil war and those who think another civil war would right the wrongs in the polity are mistaken. Killing your countrymen for whatever reason is despicable. Boko Haram must not be allowed to have its way.
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