Nigerians are a complex and curious lot. So vocal, so vociferous and passionate about issues they sometimes little understand, if only to be seen saying something! The punching bag of any and every baby that can blab is the government.
The recent menace of Boko Haram brings this to the fore.
Most associates of mine severely castigate the president, Goodluck Jonathan as being weak, lame and unprepared for leadership of this country. Their assumption is that he is doing less than required since we still hear of bomb explosions every now and then. He inept they surmise. They posit that former President Obasanjo would have crushed the menace of Boko haram by now!
I never knew Nigerians could be this nostalgic for Baba Iyabo!
What they fail to see however, is that Nigeria is is not alone in this experience and that the government is doing her very best in these situations.
The IRA held North Ireland hostage for generations, detonating bombs at will, even killing the much revered Lord Mountbatten, the patriarch of British monarchs on British soil. Not even MI5 and MI6 were able to foresee this.
Equally, the Spaniards were held hostage by ETA for decades with indiscriminate killings of citizens.
There is a catalogue of terror related incidences globally, including September 9/11 2011 of new York, 1996 Timothy Mcveigh bombing in Arkansas, the 32 Virginia tech massacre, 17 columbine high, fort brag soldier/psychiatrist shootings, the Norwegian 92, the July 7 london train bombings in which a Nigerian died, Madrid train bombing and the catalogue goes on.
Clearly, none of these were preempted because, how do you get into the mind of anyone intent on destruction, particularly the suicidal type?
American soldiers were severely decimated in Iraq from IEDs (Improvised explosive device), with very little they could do about it for a long time.
The success of these terrorists lies in their guerilla tactic. They are not uniformed, they wear no badges, there is no face to them, and they operate surreptitiously and in covert. How do you intercept this?
Over the years, because of corruption, nepotism and lack of professionalism, our security infrastructure have gone decrepit, bust and bankrupt, ill-prepared to meet the challenges of the day. Unfortunately, the ills and decay of the yesteryears cannot be repaired fast enough and Boko Haram thus appears to be having a field day.
Understandably, the cries of Nigerians are borne of the novelty of bombing to our soil, the fear, the grief and devastation left on their trails.
We nevertheless must endeavor not to give in to panic and fear which is the principal objective of Boko Haram. It wages a psychological warfare and aims to portray the government of the day as weak and lame; incapable of protecting her citizens.
“What we need to fear, is fear itself….” Winston Churchill in admonishing his people during the World War 2 bombing of London said.
Unfortunately, the media seem to be at the forefront of misinformation, weeping up popular sentiments and fear.
What Nigerians must do is to brace up in unison, not against the government, but against the enemy, Boko haram. We must determine to work hand in hand with security agencies by remaining alert, possibly constituting vigilante and watch groups.
We must also be willing to understand the issues and provide valuable information of suspicious activities wherever they are noticed.
The recent menace of Boko Haram brings this to the fore.
Most associates of mine severely castigate the president, Goodluck Jonathan as being weak, lame and unprepared for leadership of this country. Their assumption is that he is doing less than required since we still hear of bomb explosions every now and then. He inept they surmise. They posit that former President Obasanjo would have crushed the menace of Boko haram by now!
I never knew Nigerians could be this nostalgic for Baba Iyabo!
What they fail to see however, is that Nigeria is is not alone in this experience and that the government is doing her very best in these situations.
The IRA held North Ireland hostage for generations, detonating bombs at will, even killing the much revered Lord Mountbatten, the patriarch of British monarchs on British soil. Not even MI5 and MI6 were able to foresee this.
Equally, the Spaniards were held hostage by ETA for decades with indiscriminate killings of citizens.
There is a catalogue of terror related incidences globally, including September 9/11 2011 of new York, 1996 Timothy Mcveigh bombing in Arkansas, the 32 Virginia tech massacre, 17 columbine high, fort brag soldier/psychiatrist shootings, the Norwegian 92, the July 7 london train bombings in which a Nigerian died, Madrid train bombing and the catalogue goes on.
Clearly, none of these were preempted because, how do you get into the mind of anyone intent on destruction, particularly the suicidal type?
American soldiers were severely decimated in Iraq from IEDs (Improvised explosive device), with very little they could do about it for a long time.
The success of these terrorists lies in their guerilla tactic. They are not uniformed, they wear no badges, there is no face to them, and they operate surreptitiously and in covert. How do you intercept this?
Over the years, because of corruption, nepotism and lack of professionalism, our security infrastructure have gone decrepit, bust and bankrupt, ill-prepared to meet the challenges of the day. Unfortunately, the ills and decay of the yesteryears cannot be repaired fast enough and Boko Haram thus appears to be having a field day.
Understandably, the cries of Nigerians are borne of the novelty of bombing to our soil, the fear, the grief and devastation left on their trails.
We nevertheless must endeavor not to give in to panic and fear which is the principal objective of Boko Haram. It wages a psychological warfare and aims to portray the government of the day as weak and lame; incapable of protecting her citizens.
“What we need to fear, is fear itself….” Winston Churchill in admonishing his people during the World War 2 bombing of London said.
Unfortunately, the media seem to be at the forefront of misinformation, weeping up popular sentiments and fear.
What Nigerians must do is to brace up in unison, not against the government, but against the enemy, Boko haram. We must determine to work hand in hand with security agencies by remaining alert, possibly constituting vigilante and watch groups.
We must also be willing to understand the issues and provide valuable information of suspicious activities wherever they are noticed.
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