A friend of mine just left Maiduguri, amidst the heavy bombings by the notorious Boko Haram in the Borno state Capital. He had planned to settle there after a successful service year, where he worked with an NGO on public health. His hope of using his medical knowledge to help the poor and impoverished population in the state through medical services was dashed. He lost a co-worker in one of the bomb attacks that rocked the Central Market. Now, he is back in South West, without a job and with deep grief for the dead victims of the mass attacks that have greeted the state since the BH insurgence. He has continued to ask: what do they even want? Why are they killing to get what they want? Why should plant bombs in public places and ride on bikes to kill others, in the name of religion? Why?
I really don’t have specific answers to these questions. How can you explain why one will orchestrate and execute the Sept 11 attacks which claimed lives of many people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds? How can one explain the recent massacre of almost 90 people at the Norwegian Youth Camp by 31-year old Norwegian suspect-Breicvik? How? How will you explain the massive killings and repeated bomb blasts in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan? Things fall apart, the centre of society can not hold! Lets see if the Boko Haram insurgence can give a clue!
What is Boko Haram?
The Boko Haram phenomenon has hit the Northern Nigeria like a heavy hurricane. Its tsunamic impact on Borno state landscape has claimed hundreds of lives in beer parlours, on streets, at religious and relaxation centres, and even at the Police Headquarters. Just two days ago, a bomb blast at the Central market claimed over 10 lives! This repeated onslaught has sent shivers down the spine of the Presidency and the ruling party; it appears to undermine the dynamic capability of the Federal government to deal decisively with insecurity in the country.
Boko Haram sect is an Islamic fundamentalist sect in Northern Nigeria; Boko Haram means ‘Western Education is a sin’. Although it does not have a firm ideology, its penchant to attack government institutions and assault military men and their facilities show that it is out to destroy elements of Western civilisation. It has rejected the Nigerian constitution and the Federal Government. Its current grouse with the Nigerian nation is the killing of its leader Muhammed Yusuf when he was apprehended last year; it alleged that the continued killing of policemen will not cease until those involved in the gruesome murder of its leader and members are brought to book.
There are unfounded assertions also that the sect is bent on taking over the Borno Government House, to press further its demand for the Islamization of Borno and the entire Northern Nigeria. Its onslaught on Maiduguri has lasted about two weeks,and affected six wards including Shehuri North and South, Gambouru, Kaleri, Fizzan and Lamsula. Due to the attacks, banks were closed, market shops locked and schools shut down. Even houses were deserted as many left for neighbouring states for fear of continuous attacks.
Boko Haram Vs Western Civilisation: Who Will Win?
In a Guardian Interview recently, the Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties and former Governor of Kaduna state, Alhjaji Balarabe Musa stated that the Boko Haram seems faceless, with unknown faces behind the heinous crimes of these fanatics. He added that Muslims are not opposed to Western Education but the Sect is ‘opposed to exploitative Western Civilisation’. The interesting thing about the demand from this sect is its opposition of Western Education. How then can we explain its use of bombs, printing of leaflets and, even riding on motorcyles to commit atrocities? Are these not elements of civilisation? Is the Police in Borno [and the Nigerian government] overtly oppressive?
If its demand to Islamize the Northern Nigeria is really true, is it realistic? Will it ever realise its objective? Many people have opted for the amnesty option for these insurgents, including Borno state Governor Shettima. What will amnesty achieve? Is it a rubber-stamping on terrorist crimes of these agents? Is the governor saying, ‘We understand what you are doing. Stop fighting, we will give into your demands as you stop killing people’?
The question remains: will this deadly sect ever get close to its aim of Islamizing the North before it is extinguished?
References
Boko Haram Kills 8 In Northern Nigeria
Boko Haram Kills Local Government Caretaker Chairman in Jere LGA and 7 Others in Borno
Islamic Zealots (Boko Haram) Kills 23, In Volatile Northern Nigeria (Maiduguri), As Sporadic Shootings Continue Late Saturday-Night–Reports
Biodun Awosusi - 'Biodun Awosusi is a medical doctor, freelance writer and social activist. He writes on health and politics, biodiversity and green ...
Join the Conversation