The Afghanistan lessons for Nigeria

The turn of events in Afghanistan that saw the Talibans effectively sacking government and seizing power must necessarily pose deep concern for Nigeria in her 12-year old struggle against Boko Haram terrorists. The question is whether the insurgents will one day overrun the country as happened in Afghanistan. Whatever American withdrawal from Afghanistan means, the invasion has been disastrous with imminent chain reactions in parts of the world.

That the Taliban could gain another foothold on power after 20 years of warfare readily emboldens prowling militia groups in Saharan Africa especially. Indeed, the Boko Haram crisis brings Nigeria closer to Afghanistan, both in substance and symbolism. That is a reason for Nigeria to be apprehensive, and a warning on State actors to be clear headed and proactive in finding pragmatic homegrown solutions to ending insurgency before it ends Nigeria.
   
In horror, the world recently watched chaotic scenes of Afghans scampering for their lives shortly after the Taliban forces made in-roads into provinces and the presidential palace. President Joe Biden had earlier withdrawn American troops, saying the mission of maintaining the stalemate between Afghan and Taliban forces was no longer sustainable. In about 20 years, the U.S. had sunk at least $2 trillion into the war against international terrorism in Afghanistan. Over 2,300 American military men have perished, more than 20,000 wounded and half a million Afghans have died or wounded. Apparently fatigued by the war without end, it was time to back off for the Afghans armed forces to fight on. Afghanistan didn’t fight, it literally collapsed. The Taliban regrouped and without a fight captured the biggest cities, including Kabul, forcing President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country.