Will Boko Haram ever be vanquished?
It is no longer news that the Nigerian government has continuously express satisfaction to the degree at which the dreaded terror group – Boko Haram is incapacitated by the galant men of the Armed Forces. As such, they call for ‘songs of praise and adoration’ as the current administration has yet again fulfilled one of […]
It is no longer news that the Nigerian government has continuously express satisfaction to the degree at which the dreaded terror group – Boko Haram is incapacitated by the galant men of the Armed Forces. As such, they call for ‘songs of praise and adoration’ as the current administration has yet again fulfilled one of it campaign promises – “Providing Security”.
Week after another, while Boko Haram still continue to bomb innocent Nigerians, the Buhari’s government through his aides and heads of security staff, have not failed to elucidate us on the offensive attacks launched against the terrorist which has rendered them toothless and as such “technically defeated”.
However, persistent attacks against soldiers and civilians, including the brazen kidnapping of over 100 schoolgirls from Dapchi on February 19, suggest otherwise.
It could be recalled that Maj-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, says the Nigerian Army has completely defeated the Boko Haram insurgents. In his words: “My soldiers are in the heart of Boko Haram enclave that is Camp Zairo, the gallant troops have taken total control of Sambisa Forest. They are on the run and we are pursuing them to wherever they go. This time around there is no place for escape anywhere as we have broken the heart and soul of Shekau’s group, taking over the camp and its environs”. Incredible! Another fairy tale?
Today, as i write, the ‘heart and soul’ breakers have become the true victim of heartbreak as over six hundred of the soldiers were reportedly missing on Friday (13th July 2018) night after suspected Boko Haram militants overran their military base which was manned by over 700 troops in Yobe state – the second major attack by the group in two consecutive days.
I pause to ponder: Who is the true Conqueror; Boko Haram or the Nigerian government? Of course! Your guess will be as good as mine.
It may be true that Boko Haram no longer occupies large parts of Nigeria or a state under it total control as it was before the inauguration of the current administration, but as much as the Armed Forces has recorded success in the fight against this agent of destruction, it will be unfair and ludicrous of this government to declare this group “Defeated”. How do you justify this assertion when it is evident that they have morphed into groups of well-organized bandits and perpetually unleash mayhem on their targets – “soft target” as they choose to call it. If a troop of over 700 Soldiers could be overran by the same group said to be decimated and conquered, then the government will have to explain to the Nigerian citizens what a ‘soft target’ actually mean. Better still, find another adjective that will suit the naked reality.
In truth, this war is far from over; and without any doubt, it is evident that the government wallow in self-deceit and has choose to bury the glaring truth in this face of adversity.
Conclusively, as a concern citizen of this country, I urge the government to implore more or better still, change tactics in combating this insurgency and stop being political about human lives. And most importantly, desist from claiming victory.
Tijani Sanni, Bayero University, Kano