Insecurity: Handling Boko-Haram/ISWAP as threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty
The resuscitating breath of insurgency in the North-East has begun to assume troubling dimension in new stormy waves. The wildering wings of the boko-haram/ISWAP terrorists have begun again to receive strength. The debilitating effects this time may go too far beyond bearable limits following the evolution of variant forms of other security challenges, such as banditry, which prior to now were still at an infantile stage. Given that these other forms of security threats have grown their tentacles to disturbing heights, the reawakening of the withered hands of Boko-Haram/ISWAP will only spell doom for the Federation, if forceful efforts are not strategically mustered against the moving ill trend.
It was again on Sunday reported that gun duel between insurgents and the Nigerian Military took place in Borno in the day following the storming of the the military base in Mainok community of Konduga Local Government Area, Borno State by the former. The intention it was gathered, was aimed at sacking the base to loot arms and ammunitions. While the military troop was able to repel the attack, it is mind-boggling that the effrontery of insurgents with affront against the military is an evident reflection of the gathering of momentum. The spate of attacks experienced in recent times by the Boko-Haram/ISWAP terrorists have been on the increase with lines of expression of morale.
Reports of the invasion of Geidam Local Government Area in Yobe State, by armed group of Boko Haram which have reportedly left thousands of people trapped among members of the sect who are still mingling amidst people, have become mind-boggling. Over 2,000 people who were displaced by the invasion have been reported to be currently taking refuge in neighbouring Yunusari Local Government Area. As at the moment, the town is reportedly under the total control of Boko Haram. Questions of whether the military has repelled the insurgents remain controversial.
The profile of security since the present Government came into power, has however not brought Nigeria out of the woes of turbulence which was the case as at when the coming of the present administration into government came into force. It is regrettably observable that security threats have multiplied while the prevailing situations have left Nigerians disappointed as many continue to live in panic and fear. The replacement of the Service Chiefs has not made considerable difference either. The assessment of security situation reports have not shown appreciable form of improvements in the profile of operations against insecurity formations in the Country. The operations of bandits and terrorists have continued to ravage the Country incessantly.
The heightening of security threats have been a bane and a thorn in the flesh of the Nigerian government most recently. The troubling state of the strings have grown to become an albatross producing strings of waving storms bewildering the Country. The consequential effects of the off-shooting arms of the works against the economy and socio-political formations have been largely undesirable. The rising of bandits’ escapades which most recently has constituted another stormy wind of insecurity in the Country has generated strings of circumstances which on records of observation have been generating acute disturbances, debilitating the working fabrics of socio-economic and political formations.
The apparent projection of the Government to be handicapped in addressing the security challenges in the Country, have found stronger grounds of justification by critical observers, particularly with the moves by government authorities to negotiate with bandits and terror groups. The time for the Government to show stronger reflections of competence by strategic measures to address the waving storms of insecurity threats frustrating peace and order in the Country. The necessity before the Government is one demanding an overarching strategy that should combine both strategic use of military force with the blend of political and socio-economic instruments to address direct and indirect factors spurring the spread of social vices as instigations forces in the Country.
The rampaging escapades of insurgents most recently have compounded to heightened level of forcefulness with increase in attack profile. The touching effects have been bearing ravaging impacts on the North and in extension, the entire Country. The menace have in recent times constituted pulling strings which have compounded with variants of other forms of security challenges. It is currently apparent that the insurgents are gradually moving out of the cage of defense to the forefront of offence again. Hence, it is paramount for the Government to put the military on its toes to guide against recourse to former situations where the insurgents had in their over-running campaigns took over total control of certain parts of the North. It is inarguable that such situation is a threat and an encroachment on the sovereignty of the Country as a Federal entity. It is thus, imperative for the Federal Government to muster all energies with forceful engagement of the Military with the guiding orientation of considering and confronting the ongoing affront of the Boko-Haram/ISWAP as an onslaught and a threat to the continued existence of the Federation as bonded by legal frameworks.
