Insecurity and failure of repentant terrorists policy

Reported escalation of terrorist attacks in Borno State and environs that have claimed many lives in the past few months is unfortunate and should not be taken lightly by the authorities.

Reports that the development is not unconnected with the so-called repentant terrorists who were recently integrated back into the society is particularly alarming because it signposts the potentiality of an interminable anti-terror campaign, besides the precious lives of the ordinary Nigerians and security personnel it claims regularly.

The ugly state of insecurity took a frantic turn in recent time when it was alleged that some Boko Haram fighters who surrendered to the military and were rehabilitated had returned to the forest and rejoined terrorists groups in Gwoza, Damboa, Guzamala, Kukawa, Abadam, Baga among other areas of Lake Chad.

Naturally, the development elicited a general feeling of helplessness and fear among the people as insecurity in the land seems out of control. According to a security report by an independent security outfit based in Abuja, Beacon Intel, the upsurge of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists has claimed over 252 lives in Borno state. It was widely alleged that since a repentant Boko Haram fighter called Yaga Balu, escaped with a rifle and motorcycle given to him by government during an operation in Gwoza, the insecurity development in Borno state has taken a nose dive.

However, the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta debunked claims that Balu was responsible for the attacks, but admitted that all the recent attacks took place after he returned to the forest. The Emir lamented that the manifestations of these attacks is as a result of Boko Haram informants. He said, “… these hypocrites would tell their leaders about any operations the military is about to take”. In addition, Senator Ali Ndume believes most of the attacks in Gwoza are the handiwork of the youths in Gwoza.

He therefore admonished the youths to stop demonstrating or rioting after an attack. Rather, they should join in the fight against Boko Haram like other communities. The revelations indicate why insecurity continue to linger in the many parts of Borno state as the sincerity of citizens remains questionable until the saboteurs are fished out from the society.

Meanwhile, there appears to be no succor in sight for communities around Borno, Zamfara, Benue, Kebbi and Nassarawa states from Boko Haram attacks. The incidences of Boko Haram attacks have become so worrisome that it has paralysed the economic activities in these states. Sadly, it has made fishing and farming no longer safe even for those who dare to take the risk, an act likened to sacrificing their lives in search of daily bread.

Consequently, the palpable fear and looming danger confronting the people in these communities have impacted negatively on farm produce. Fishermen who cannot pay the tax illegally imposed by the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) in Tirigulla, Duguri, Kuyiram, Musaram, Kilma communities that used to produce a trailer load of fish a week and farmers that cultivate the land to produce food items have either fled their communities or are afraid to continue their childhood trade. The ugly development is now double jeopardy for the homeless citizens who now depend on food handouts in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

It is rather unfortunate that while the country is in need of local farm produce to augment the rising inflation and help to sustain the economy, the Federal Government’s strategy towards solving the insecurity is becoming less and less effective. The assurances and promises both from the Federal Government and military high command, have failed to curtail or even reduce incessant and daring attacks on hapless citizens, with the result that life in several communities in the Northern part of the country has been rendered nasty, brutish and short.

Above all, the Federal Government has been making huge budgetary expenditures on defence and security since the manifestation of Boko Haram but these have not translated into a corresponding success. Notwithstanding the military’s limited success, and assurances that Boko Haram has been decimated, no one can rightly claim that the insurgency is over. Rather, the insurgents keep troubling the Northern East and West parts of the country. Lately, they have become emboldened and have been attacking some military targets. Indeed, the rhetoric of success of the Nigerian military seems a mockery with the current insecurity developments.

Furthermore, the government policy of reintegrating “repentant” Boko Haram fighters could be termed a failure as sources claimed the N30,000 monthly stipend the people were given was not enough to meet the repentant fighters needs and keep them in the camp. It raises the question of why monetary value would be attached to persons who take pleasure in killing fellow citizens in the name of religion after a claim of having repented. Who really are they fighting for and for what justification? In addition to these endless and unanswered questions, there is need to address the palpable tension and concern of residents who feel threatened by the presence of the so-called repentant insurgents in the community. However, the Borno state commissioner of women affairs and social development allayed fears of the residents that, only about 5,000 out of the over 100,000 repentant Boko Haram members are actually insurgents.

In all these, it is trite to say that ensuring general security for lives and property is one of the main duty of government as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. From all indications, there is failure of leadership and lack of sincerity both in government and among the men of the armed forces.

Therefore, the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu government is expected to create and sustain the atmosphere of peace in the country by taking a bold step against insecurity in the land, especially in Borno state and environ. Certainly, the Federal Government and indeed the military hierarchy need to go back to the drawing board. The military should rise to the occasion and reassure Nigerians of their capabilities. As noted recently by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Nigerians place a huge responsibility on members of the Armed Forces to ensure their safety and well being.