Will Boko Haram "Devour" Jonathan?

By Msonter Anzaa

The radical Islamist sect responsible for widespread violence across Northern Nigeria, Boko Haram has issued another threat against the Nigerian government. News reports are awash with accounts of this carefully planned and executed affront on the Nigerian state by the group. Every day, security officers and civilians alike are brought down in their own country for no other offense than belonging to a society where for whatever reasons, they have to pay for the grievances of a violent minority. As the group continues its violent campaign almost unhindered by a merely reactive and obviously poorly commanded security system, a number of questions have to be considered. Is the Boko Haram beyond the ability of the federal government, and how much longer must we wait, and how many more lives must there be lost before this malaise is engaged firmly and deleted from the Nigerian society?

To answer these questions, we must first of all consider the political and social culture of Nigeria. It is a place where otherwise simple issues become complex for a number of reasons. One. Nigeria is a land ruled by primitive sentiments of religion and ethnicity. And even though there is little evidence of the religiosity of the people, they are unusually loud and boisterous; almost fanatic about their religious beliefs. It is this sentiment-affinity that makes simple issues that can be contained by a couple of policemen elsewhere, become "national problems." Sentiments are expressed in every aspect of our national life. Where we buy, where we school, where we lodge, whom we befriend, whom we marry and whom we "support," are all determined by deep sentiments that are devoid of objectivity and fairness. This weak point is sometimes capitalized upon by our "leaders" to divide us and advance their political "visions". The Boko Haram "jihad" is nothing else.

The complexity surrounding the real motives of the group is made no simpler by obvious "divisions" in the group. For instance, while there appears to be some, albeit, underground "negotiation" moves between some members of the group and the federal government, it is clear that the Abubakar Shekau "brand" doesn't seem to believe anything else except that "We are proud soldiers of Allah; we will never give up as we fight the infidels. "We will emerge as winners ... we will finish you and end your government", as he reportedly "threatened" President Jonathan in a recent video message. The question remains about what exactly the Boko Haram wants. But while we might not be able to answer that question, it needs no mention that Nigeria must not wait or "investigate", be on "top of the situation" or in "control", while hundreds of her citizens are wiped off from the face of the earth. It is also beyond th scope of this article to discuss the religiosity or otherwise of Boko Haram's "jihad".

While series of "measures" might have been taken against the group, it is obvious that the government of Nigeria has not exhausted its security resources, or at least, outsiders like me would want to assume so. A comprehensive security reform must be undertaken beginning from the Commander-in-Chief himself. President Jonathan must do a thorough homework in his government. What are the Intelligence challenges? What about the border areas where this activity is most pronounced? Or is corruption making it hard for our security forces to handle intelligence? How is the Boko Haram funded? Which bank transacts business with them? Does it have contact with foreign organizations? If so, through what channel? What is Nigeria's security cooperation with such countries like? We must face these issues. Since Boko Haram members are "not spirits" but human beings who also come into the streets to buy suya, why are they so difficult to track down?

Meanwhile, we must examine the long-term consequences of Boko Haram's actions. What will become of Nigeria when the group succeeds in making Nigeria "ungovernable"? In the video, Shekau, in response to President Jonathan's comments that the group will be defeated before the end of this year threatened, ". . .instead we will devour you in the three months like you are boasting." Should that happen, what will happen to the unity of Nigeria? We must not forget the Niger Delta experience too soon. In this regard, the impression must not be created that the federal government is "helpless" against this threat. The federal government of Nigeria must get serious and reform itself, straighten out all the inefficiency curves and crooks, adopt clean governance practices and undertake a radical reform of the security system. The security system so suggested does not include the Police or Army alone; it includes Nigeria's collaboration with neighbouring countries and other intelligence organizations around the world.

Finally, it must be understood that this "threat" is not against President Jonathan; it is against the Nigerian state. The people of Nigeria must unite against sentiments, be objective and tolerant in the conduct of their national affairs. We must not resort to the "scatter scatter" Boko Haramic approach to issues. And whatever our beliefs or grievances are, we have to stay alive to address them; not kill others and in the process, bring destruction to our native land.

Boko Haram: A Letter to President Jonathan