Insurgency: Approaches to cease further firing!

Sir: Insurgency in Nigeria started precisely in the North east and it has already taken over the whole nation as of today with the ongoing attacks on military facilities, personnel, civilians etc. In fact, there is daily drastic abduction, rabid raping and killing of both civilians and Army alike.

Ironically, the present set of leaders and the incumbent government seem to have lost candid control of both governance and the management of the insurgency which incidentally was the anchor of their election campaign.

In the battlefield, there are aid workers like the members of the Red Cross, medical personnel, the religious etc who ordinarily should be spared from violence because of their dynamic roles during the war but unfortunately, the insurgents in Nigeria mostly target them. Imagine the attack at the Nigeria Defence Academy where both Nigerians and non-Nigerians are being trained.

Many years ago, before the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), he was humbly requested by the Boko Haram/insurgents to mediate /stand on their behalf in a proposed peace talk that never happened. Now as the present President of Nigeria, such rapport could be used to the advantage of Nigeria and Nigerians. He can still call for a meeting of those co-travellers who know where, when and how to get the insurgents for negotiation and to also call for a ceasefire in Nigeria. This has become necessary because the Nigeria Armed forces have been engaged in a battle that looked simple but is basically complex in nature and operations.

While Nigeria is busy expending both human and non-human resources in the war against the insurgency, the few captured alive are being tagged repentant bandits, released, reportedly compensated and absorbed into either the society or the Armed forces. Only Nigeria can perpetrate this unprofessional act. Why wouldn’t there be ambushing, attack of military instillations and personnel?

Presently, many schools have been closed in the North, a part of the nation which has been obviously enjoying the privilege and opportunity of quota system both in terms of admission and employment of labour purposeful policies. Certainly, the insurgency there has further compounded the whole situation. Some students were even deprived of writing their English language papers in the ongoing WAEC examination recent in the Eastern part of Nigeria too. By implication, the entire nation educational system is gradually being held to ransom.  Thus, the a justifiable need for the call for cease fire.

Also, the forceful exodus of both Nigerians and non-Nigerians from the North which consists of children and adults who are found in every part of the South partly due to the insurgency, starvation and unpredictable economic situation could be curtailed; if there is a ceasefire now.

Dr. Ransome Ibienafe Oboh, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Magboro, Ogun State.