Boko Haram: Give peace a chance

In recent months, especially with the widespread violence that accompanied the 2011 general elections in the region, there have been insinuations of a political undertone. However, as more businesses shut down in most of the 13 states of the North East and North West leaving more people out of employment and shutting down commerce various […]

In recent months, especially with the widespread violence that accompanied the 2011 general elections in the region, there have been insinuations of a political undertone. However, as more businesses shut down in most of the 13 states of the North East and North West leaving more people out of employment and shutting down commerce various efforts are being made to appeal to the members to shun violence and embrace dialogue.

Leader of the Muslim congregation in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III is one of those who have called for truce. According to him, Boko Haram crisis and other insecurities in the country are damaging. “We must come back to our senses and say firmly and resolutely that enough is enough. The bloodshed must stop. Each and every one of us must come to appreciate that we cannot continue on this destructive path.”

Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, implored the Muslim religious leaders to make more concerted efforts to bring the challenge to security to an end. Yakowa admitted that “People in government are not infallible. Consequently, whenever we are perceived to have erred, we should be advised, not attacked. Kaduna State has witnessed a lot of violence. Consequent upon that, churches and mosques were destroyed, property worth millions of naira was lost, and lives were equally lost. It is indeed an unfortunate thing as the perpetrators of such dastardly act did it in contrast of the religion they were practicing.”

He emphasized that Islam does not approve the use of force or any prejudice in the propagation of religion. “Since Allah commands not to use any kind of compulsion in religion, it is obviously ridiculous to even argue that Islam commands Muslims to kill non-Muslims,” he said. Mr. Yakowa recalled that Prophet Mohammed related with the Jews of the city of Medina and the Christian delegation of Najran, and expressed his hope that the same atmosphere of harmony will return to Kaduna and the entire country as a whole.

In addition, several youth organisations have appealed to both government and the sect to dialogue in order to end the scourge of violence. Recently, a special technical session of Youth Intervention Against Terrorism organised the Grand Alliance for Peace and Security (GAPS) held in Abuja.

No fewer than 30 young Nigerians representing about 25 youth organisations across the country participated in a one-day technical meeting seeking a holistic intervention to the challenges of terrorism and its threat to the unity and stability of the country resolved that:

“That terrorism as presently identified in Nigeria should be re-defined as a national challenge and not a sectional or religious problem and all Nigerians irrespective of affiliations should be involved in the task of putting an end to this problem to safeguard our unity and peaceful co-existence.

“That government should show sincere commitment to dialoguing with book haram bearing in mind that no amount of weapon can win this war, while the group must also embrace the opportunity peaceful mediation to put an end to insurgency, bearing in mind that it could never achieve its goal with insurgency and guerilla warfare.

“To minimise casualties from attacks, government should embark on massive orientation of people in partnership with GAPS on safety tips and strategies that people can adopt during bomb explosions and also dedicate toll free lines for people to reach out to security networks.

“Adopt a society response mechanism, which will make the people to own and safeguard their environment as both preventive and curative approach to terrorism. The idea is that internal terrorism can only flourish by being aided and abetted, and can only be defeated by the collective will of the people, bearing in mind that they could be victims if they fail to act.”

The youths who are representatives of about 25 different organisations led by Comrade Tosin Adeyanju also urged religious and traditional leaders to be in the vanguard of promoting nationalism and patriotism as instruments for peaceful co-existence through sermons, teachings and actions, live exemplary lives of moderation and do away with political influence.

“Political and opinion leaders should reconnect with the grass roots beyond seeking political gains and hold regular interactions with locals through town halls and community meetings identify with the needs and yearnings of the people while living exemplary lives of moderation as ambassador of government.

“Exploiting all the structures (media structures, political parties with reach to ward level, religion which covers all parts of the country, traditional institutions, cultural associations) as instrument for information gathering and dissemination for re-orientation including constant dialogue along different lines to strengthen Nigeria.

“Government should declare a national emergency on poverty, corruption, unemployment and institute international best practices in government, while making public office to be less financially attractive, but selflessly rewarding,” among others.

Government has also been urged to overhaul the intelligence network, redefine strategies to conform with modern day reality, create a people-friendly force and train more under-cover security agents and sincere counter-terrorism personnel.

Mr. Dangute is a member of the Grand Alliance Against Terrorism