The growing insecurity in Nigeria is alarming. The Christmas bombing of a church near Abuja killed 43 people. The Aug. 26 suicide- bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja killed 24 people. The multiple explosions that rocked Kano on Friday 20th January claimed over 150 lives. I sympathize with many who lost loved ones in these merciless well coordinated killings. May the soul of the deceased including Channels TV Reporter, Enenche Akogwu, rest in peace.
Infiltration of Nigerian Government by Boko Haramists
On January 8th, The President asserted that Boko Haram has infiltrated all arms of government and the security forces. He said ‘Some of them (Boko Haram members) are in the executive arm of government, some of them are in the parliamentary/legislative arm of government while some of them are even in the judiciary. Some are also in the armed forces, the police and other security agencies’. He added that ‘Islamic militants pose a worse threat to the country than the 1967-1970 Biafra civil war’.
In less than two weeks after these pronouncements, the suspect mastermind behind the Christmas bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja, Kabir Umar (a.k.a. Kabir Sokoto), was arrested in Borno Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Saturday 14th Jan on his way to London. Borno has been under siege for several months.
The question arises: What was Kabir Sokoto doing in the Borno Governor's Lodge? Is there a conspiracy between Borno Government and Kabir Sokoto to terrorize the people, or Boko Haram is being used by the governor against his political opponents? Borno State government denied involvement with 28-year old Kabir whom they claimed sneaked into the lodge to 'wreak havoc'. They also asserted that the event is an attempt to dent the political image of Borno State Gov. Shettima. Where is the truth?
Kabir's Escape: An Act of Conspiracy?
Soon after his arrest, Vanguard reports that some high profile Nigerians made calls demanding his release. Kabir was in custody of Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Boko Haram Investigations, Alhaji Zakari Biu and duly interrogated. Kabir and Biu are from the same home town, Biu in Borno state. The suspect was linked to an Emir in Abaji, a suburb close to Abuja. Although arrested by heavily armed men at the Borno Lodge, he was being taken to Abaji for inspection of his residence with just five policemen when a gang of armed sect members engaged the Police in a shoot-out: that was how Kabir escaped. This perhaps confirms the President's belief that Boko Haramists have infiltrated his government.
Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana says 'He (Sokoto) was released in order to cover up the mastermind of the Boko Haram menace.' The Catholic Church says 'It is such a big shame to the police and the nation and it is part of what the President said that the government and the security service have been infiltrated by the Boko Haram'. The Anglican Church says 'The President has said it that our security has been compromised and that there are many people in positions of authority who are members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect. It is a clear case of conspiracy'.
The IGP dismissed the CP Biu on Monday 17th Jan. President Goodluck threatened to sack the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim if he failed to rearrest Kabir. His re-arrest is yet to be confirmed by the Police.
Boko Haram: Latest Demands
In a statement signed by Bin Muhammad and distributed to Kano residents on Saturday 22 January, 2011, Boko Haram says 'our fight is against the government that is waging war against Islam, the security services and the Christian Association of Nigeria' and also 'anyone who helps the above listed to wage war against us even if he/she is a Muslim'. This clearly summarizes the mission of the Islamic sect.
There is a growing theory that the rise in Boko Haram attacks is a product of the last general elections, an expression of dissatisfaction of the Northern elites against a Christian Southern President. Others say Boko Haram is a militia of the government, made up of people who have lost confidence in the state and now fights back. The Police was used to curtail them. Then, they attacked Police Stations. They threatened Christians. Christian leaders spoke up, and now churches are targets.
The Real Conspiracy
A weak government and increasing deadlier Boko Haramists is a conspiracy against Nigerians who suffer as victims of BH insurgence. The President’s words and the government’s show of weakness seem to ‘promote’ more attacks. The Federal Government is quick to use soldiers against peaceful protesters but slow to unleash terror on terrorists. The arm struggle in North Africa, Sudan and Somalia, and porous borders with neighboring countries make Nigeria a ‘safe’ haven for these inhumane acts.
The Nigerian government must wake up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives of its citizens. An organized intelligence that identifies members, financiers and sponsors of Boko Haram is inevitable. The reports of Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Presidential committee on Boko Haram must be evaluated in the light of the current crises . Proactive measures must be taken to prevent further attacks, and swift emergency measures to ameliorate the aftermath of attacks.
Africa’s largest oil exporter must not go down the way of Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan where bomb explosions have become social rituals. Regional and international supports are necessary but these must be received with caution: sharing intelligence information must not undermine our sovereignty and make us vulnerable to divisive elements in international organizations offering support, elements that benefit from business of arms and wars.
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon condemned the attacks and said he is‘appalled at the frequency and intensity of recent attacks in Nigeria’. The UN, The European Union and the African Union have offered support to fight terrorism in Nigeria. To what extent these steps will help Nigeria defeat Boko Haram, only time will tell.
References
Omonobi, K. & Ekpen, M. (2012) 'Boko Haram suspect’s escape: How high level complicity aided Sokoto’s escape', Saturday Vanguard News report, January, 21, 2011.
Muhammad, M. & Kay, C. (2012) 'Nigeria’s Jonathan Must Contain Islamists After Attacks Kill 176', Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Biodun Awosusi - 'Biodun Awosusi is a medical doctor, freelance writer and social activist. He writes on health and politics, biodiversity and green ...
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