BEFORE the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government on May 29, the impression had been created that most of the territories held by Boko Haram terrorists had been recaptured by the Nigerian military, with the assistance of the forces of our neighbouring countries – Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Nigerians had then hoped that the war against insurgency in the country would soon be over and peace would be restored to the troubled parts of the country.
But, this has not been the case. In spite of Buhari’s efforts to cement the military co-operation between Nige ria and its neighbours with visits to Chad and Niger, as well as approval of the budget for the Joint Multi-national Task Force to be based in Ndjamena, there is a resurgence of at tacks by Boko Haram in the country. The president also attended the G-7 Summit in Germany at which Western nations made commitments to assist Nigeria rebuild the North-East region and help in the mission to get rid of Boko Haram.
These efforts have not dissuaded the terrorists from their violent cam paign. Between the president’s in auguration on May 29 and today, no fewer than 500 Nigerians have been killed, hundreds more injured and property worth millions of naira de stroyed by the sect. Having been reportedly deprived of the territories they had earlier controlled, the insur gents have now resorted to murder ous suicide bombings.
We urge the Nigerian military to return to the offensive and not give the impression that it has become complacent after its earlier victories. The attack on Buni Yadi on July 7 was particularly dispiriting because it was a motorized assault.
We had thought that the era of Boko Haram riding around and launching attacks from long convoys of vehi cles was past. Yet, they arrived Buni Yadi in nine Hilux pick-up vans, and wreaked havoc on the community.
But, the biggest hole in the fight against Boko Haram remains the lacklustre performance of our forces in intelligence. It beggars belief that after seven years of a terrorist on slaught that has killed nearly 15,000 Nigerians, our intelligence agencies – the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) – appear incapable of preempting and forestalling these bloody attacks. There is also no strong indication that they know the inner workings of Boko Haram. This seeming intelligence failure is re sponsible for much of the death and destruction, which may continue un til this gap is plugged.
The president has recently replaced the boss of the DSS and also named a Chief of Military Intelligence, alongside new service chiefs. These are steps in the right direction, be cause the only way to win this war is through information, which seems to be eluding our forces.
The bombing in Zaria, Kaduna State, exposes the levity with which we han dle security in the country. Wisdom ought to dictate that the authorities should discourage huge gatherings of people because they are primary tar gets of attacks by terrorists. This is the time for all Nigerians to be vigi lant and proactive in their efforts to protect themselves against terrorists.
This is also the time to ensure that the military is properly equipped and motivated to put its very best into the efforts to win this war. The Joint Task Force deserves all the support and encouragement it can get at this time.
Sadly, the resurgence of Boko Ha ram is already raising speculations about a possible negotiation with the terrorists.
It has never been wise to negotiate with terrorists, but if it must be done, Nigeria should remember the old ad age that anyone who must dine with the devil should have a long spoon. The government should not negotiate on Boko Haram’s terms.
What the war against insurgency requires now are concerted efforts to rout it. The military must avoid complacency, make the best use of intelligence and launch a decisive of fensive that can end this insurgency, once and for all.
