Following
the recent tragic Kano bombing, I have been in a sombre and reflective
mood. I have been wondering how such atrocious incidents have become
commonplace in our environment, when did our polity become so accustomed
to these peculiar tragedies. If one has a heart, one cannot but feel or
imagine the pain of those who have been directly affected by these
dastardly acts. Inadvertently, we shouldn’t wait till we are directly
affected before we are vociferous about the declining situation and
possible engagement strategies.
Some have resorted to prayers, though helpful, but I believe this calamity has gone beyond that. Some other people are comforted by the fact that the bombings have been concentrated in certain parts of the North. To a few of those who reason like this, they say ‘these people’ can continue to kill ‘themselves’ and damage ‘their region’, as long as it doesn’t affect ‘our region’ and ‘our resources’ why the hell should we care? Unfortunately these are the socio-economic complexities and ethno-religious conundrum we are confronted with as a nation.
However poignant the situation I still believe in ‘One Nigeria’ and whatever affects my brother in the Niger Delta or my sister in Northern Nigeria is my utmost concern, we are all human beings and part of humanity firstly, and the preciousness of life takes precedence to any purported parochial differences.
The task of securing lives of the citizenry rests primarily with the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, considering these incessant attacks have literally gone unabated since inception. Apart from the reckless killing of innocent civilians by the security forces, there hasn’t really been any key arrest or significant breakthrough in nipping these groups in the bud. The strategies that have been employed have been ineffective so far, as the citizens in these volatile regions are living in constant trepidation: a modern day entrapment with Boko Haram on one hand and JTF (Joint Task Force) on the other.
Some of the President’s supporters have argued he is trying his best, but that is just rhetoric to his critics- as lives are continually being wasted under his watch as Commander-In-Chief.
The fact that he stated during his visit to Borno State his government would not dialogue with “ghosts” isn’t only unwise, but shows some level of imprudence cum frustration in dealing with the matter. A similar defensive mannerism was on display during his infamous CNN interview with Christianne Amanpour. When asked about the possibility of “The security forces driving people to the hands of Boko Haram”
The President responded with “How?” and when quizzed further about the revelations of the US State Department on “indiscriminate security measures”, “heavy handed crackdown”, “the police in the last year or so have killed more people than Boko Haram. Do you admit that there is a problem in the security dealing with it? The President’s response was “That is not correct. I have said it severally; those are insinuations by some interest groups”
Politics aside, the Commander-In-Chief has not exactly succeeded in this regard, because ‘ghosts’ do not go about killing innocent people, neither do ‘ghosts’ respond by claiming they aren’t ‘ghosts’ but have actually “been in dialogue and consultation with Borno State Government and a delegation of the Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF)”. Though I do not support Boko Haram or whatever cause they seem to be championing, I do believe all channels of communication should be explored to prevent further loss of lives. One of the criticisms of the government has been the constant security faux pas serving as an effective recruitment tool for the group's cause.
I will always support putting the protection of lives before politicking or the deadly machinations of power elongation.
What with all our constant lamentations, condemnation, condolences and misdirected accusations, we return to our supposed ‘normal’ lives, but things aren’t exactly normal. Aren’t we meant to proffer solutions to the emanating turmoil and recurring polemics in our milieu? The country is in crisis and we need solutions to avoid a drastic deterioration into protracted chaos or worst case scenario- a failed State.
Evidently there are covert ‘terrorist’ groups operating in Nigeria: all with their intended objectives. Please permit me to analyse from local and international explicatives.
Boko Haram- Ideally, the first question should be which faction? It is evident there’s more than one Boko Haram based on a series of events, including but not limited to; the arrest and killing in custody of Mohamed Yusuf (founder), arrest and escaping of suspects from various prison cells, killing of prominent Muslims in the north, including scholars like Sheikh Jafar and the assassination of Civil War hero, General Shuwa (Rtd.). There have also been killings of political targets and innocent civilians in Mosques and Churches- at some point we were praying for peaceful bomb-free Sundays, others bombings on Eid (Sallah) and Christmas, and the high profile Independence Day bombing- UN building, just to mention a few disastrous incidents.
Ansaru- It is alleged they are a splinter group. Though very little has been heard of this group or their known existence, they gained instant international recognition by executing foreign hostages kidnapped in Nigeria.
These groups are ravaging parts of Northern Nigerian, causing undue hardship to citizens and damaging infrastructure, all for what we may ask. Some time ago I read one of the initial demands of Boko Haram was securing the release of their arrested members and not an Islamic Nigeria, though later on, we constantly read in the media, they are against Western education and wanted their own ‘strict’ version of Islam.
Inextricably, I am still trying to correlate how the killing of innocent people would be attractive to non-adherents of a faith or how such methods would assist in spreading any religion in modern times. Many peace loving Muslims have argued that members of these groups don't know their history, else they would appreciate the relationship between scholarship and Islam, they are rebuked as being unenlightened by those bold enough and chided as archaic by others.
Some argue, maybe it’s not actually their plan to Islamize the country but made to appear as such, whatever the case, I am of the opinion diabolic politics is in play and religion is just a tool. The Boko Haram cataclysm has constantly been argued by some theorists as being just one cog in a well orchestrated wheel, motioned to achieve covert socio-political objectives.
Analysing from extremist perspectives, extremism has been defined to be any ideology or political act far outside the perceived or supposed political centre of a society. Violent extremism and its ramifications in any entity; be it religious, social or political should be abhorred by any logical reasoning folk. In Islam for example, there is no justification for the killing or murdering of innocent people as it cannot be justified in any religious context. It is an aberration that must be condemned by Muslims, refuted and challenged with the religious scripture (Quran) and factuality of history; not concocted fallacies and pejorative conjectures. Let me use this opportunity to commend sincere adherents of our major faiths who have been vehement in promoting these facts, as I encourage devotees of all faiths to preach tolerance, love and unity- this is one of the most effective ways to save our nation.
There are usually some propagandist’s views following such tragic incidents as the Kano bombing, and one can only plead that these groups should calm down with their ruckus. Civil war isn’t a joke and if it does comes down to a war situation, those making noise online and via available media would be the first to abscond, leaving those on ground to their fate. So let’s not deceive ourselves into believing it’s those making noise on social media that would take up arms, rather it is the already impoverished, short-changed and deprived masses that would be the victims, forming part of collateral damage.
Now more than ever, the nation needs to unite to challenge those that are hell-bent on dividing the polity across ethno-religious lines for their political and material gains. Also the President and ruling class must realise, that even if they are fortified with accorded protection, majority of the Nigerian masses aren’t as fortunate. It isn’t too late to strategically engage ‘ghosts’ before more ghosts are created in the country.
GOD Bless Nigeria.
www.momonologues.blogspot.com
m.b.o.owolowo@gmail.com
Twitter: @Owoism
- M.B.O
2013©
Some have resorted to prayers, though helpful, but I believe this calamity has gone beyond that. Some other people are comforted by the fact that the bombings have been concentrated in certain parts of the North. To a few of those who reason like this, they say ‘these people’ can continue to kill ‘themselves’ and damage ‘their region’, as long as it doesn’t affect ‘our region’ and ‘our resources’ why the hell should we care? Unfortunately these are the socio-economic complexities and ethno-religious conundrum we are confronted with as a nation.
However poignant the situation I still believe in ‘One Nigeria’ and whatever affects my brother in the Niger Delta or my sister in Northern Nigeria is my utmost concern, we are all human beings and part of humanity firstly, and the preciousness of life takes precedence to any purported parochial differences.
The task of securing lives of the citizenry rests primarily with the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, considering these incessant attacks have literally gone unabated since inception. Apart from the reckless killing of innocent civilians by the security forces, there hasn’t really been any key arrest or significant breakthrough in nipping these groups in the bud. The strategies that have been employed have been ineffective so far, as the citizens in these volatile regions are living in constant trepidation: a modern day entrapment with Boko Haram on one hand and JTF (Joint Task Force) on the other.
Some of the President’s supporters have argued he is trying his best, but that is just rhetoric to his critics- as lives are continually being wasted under his watch as Commander-In-Chief.
The fact that he stated during his visit to Borno State his government would not dialogue with “ghosts” isn’t only unwise, but shows some level of imprudence cum frustration in dealing with the matter. A similar defensive mannerism was on display during his infamous CNN interview with Christianne Amanpour. When asked about the possibility of “The security forces driving people to the hands of Boko Haram”
The President responded with “How?” and when quizzed further about the revelations of the US State Department on “indiscriminate security measures”, “heavy handed crackdown”, “the police in the last year or so have killed more people than Boko Haram. Do you admit that there is a problem in the security dealing with it? The President’s response was “That is not correct. I have said it severally; those are insinuations by some interest groups”
Politics aside, the Commander-In-Chief has not exactly succeeded in this regard, because ‘ghosts’ do not go about killing innocent people, neither do ‘ghosts’ respond by claiming they aren’t ‘ghosts’ but have actually “been in dialogue and consultation with Borno State Government and a delegation of the Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF)”. Though I do not support Boko Haram or whatever cause they seem to be championing, I do believe all channels of communication should be explored to prevent further loss of lives. One of the criticisms of the government has been the constant security faux pas serving as an effective recruitment tool for the group's cause.
I will always support putting the protection of lives before politicking or the deadly machinations of power elongation.
What with all our constant lamentations, condemnation, condolences and misdirected accusations, we return to our supposed ‘normal’ lives, but things aren’t exactly normal. Aren’t we meant to proffer solutions to the emanating turmoil and recurring polemics in our milieu? The country is in crisis and we need solutions to avoid a drastic deterioration into protracted chaos or worst case scenario- a failed State.
Evidently there are covert ‘terrorist’ groups operating in Nigeria: all with their intended objectives. Please permit me to analyse from local and international explicatives.
Boko Haram- Ideally, the first question should be which faction? It is evident there’s more than one Boko Haram based on a series of events, including but not limited to; the arrest and killing in custody of Mohamed Yusuf (founder), arrest and escaping of suspects from various prison cells, killing of prominent Muslims in the north, including scholars like Sheikh Jafar and the assassination of Civil War hero, General Shuwa (Rtd.). There have also been killings of political targets and innocent civilians in Mosques and Churches- at some point we were praying for peaceful bomb-free Sundays, others bombings on Eid (Sallah) and Christmas, and the high profile Independence Day bombing- UN building, just to mention a few disastrous incidents.
Ansaru- It is alleged they are a splinter group. Though very little has been heard of this group or their known existence, they gained instant international recognition by executing foreign hostages kidnapped in Nigeria.
These groups are ravaging parts of Northern Nigerian, causing undue hardship to citizens and damaging infrastructure, all for what we may ask. Some time ago I read one of the initial demands of Boko Haram was securing the release of their arrested members and not an Islamic Nigeria, though later on, we constantly read in the media, they are against Western education and wanted their own ‘strict’ version of Islam.
Inextricably, I am still trying to correlate how the killing of innocent people would be attractive to non-adherents of a faith or how such methods would assist in spreading any religion in modern times. Many peace loving Muslims have argued that members of these groups don't know their history, else they would appreciate the relationship between scholarship and Islam, they are rebuked as being unenlightened by those bold enough and chided as archaic by others.
Some argue, maybe it’s not actually their plan to Islamize the country but made to appear as such, whatever the case, I am of the opinion diabolic politics is in play and religion is just a tool. The Boko Haram cataclysm has constantly been argued by some theorists as being just one cog in a well orchestrated wheel, motioned to achieve covert socio-political objectives.
Analysing from extremist perspectives, extremism has been defined to be any ideology or political act far outside the perceived or supposed political centre of a society. Violent extremism and its ramifications in any entity; be it religious, social or political should be abhorred by any logical reasoning folk. In Islam for example, there is no justification for the killing or murdering of innocent people as it cannot be justified in any religious context. It is an aberration that must be condemned by Muslims, refuted and challenged with the religious scripture (Quran) and factuality of history; not concocted fallacies and pejorative conjectures. Let me use this opportunity to commend sincere adherents of our major faiths who have been vehement in promoting these facts, as I encourage devotees of all faiths to preach tolerance, love and unity- this is one of the most effective ways to save our nation.
There are usually some propagandist’s views following such tragic incidents as the Kano bombing, and one can only plead that these groups should calm down with their ruckus. Civil war isn’t a joke and if it does comes down to a war situation, those making noise online and via available media would be the first to abscond, leaving those on ground to their fate. So let’s not deceive ourselves into believing it’s those making noise on social media that would take up arms, rather it is the already impoverished, short-changed and deprived masses that would be the victims, forming part of collateral damage.
Now more than ever, the nation needs to unite to challenge those that are hell-bent on dividing the polity across ethno-religious lines for their political and material gains. Also the President and ruling class must realise, that even if they are fortified with accorded protection, majority of the Nigerian masses aren’t as fortunate. It isn’t too late to strategically engage ‘ghosts’ before more ghosts are created in the country.
GOD Bless Nigeria.
www.momonologues.blogspot.com
m.b.o.owolowo@gmail.com
Twitter: @Owoism
- M.B.O
2013©
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