Are we still ‘Nigeria’?
By Bukky Sonibare
With the recent heightened spate of insurgency, and its resultant effects, Nigeria has become a nation that is a far cry from being amalgamated. We are loosing territories, thousands of kilometers, expanse of land, and, most especially, our people. I dare say: we are gradually loosing ‘Nigeria.’ It then becomes a high level of foolhardiness for anyone to think that because insurgency is only rampant in the North East, then we cannot really generalize it as ‘our’ collective problem. What is the North East without the communities that have been taken over by Boko Haram? What is the North without the North East? What is Nigeria without the North? Terrorism to one is terrorism to all. Insurgency to one is insurgency to all. And because we are somewhat in a state of war, as the word ‘insurgency’ is an understatement in describing our current realities, then war to one is war to all of us. We must never live dismissively and assume that because it is not happening in close proximity to us, then it unworthy of our concern, attention, and action. This is happening in our land – to our brothers and sisters, and it doesn’t matter the distance that separate where it is currently rampant to where we are – in, around, or outside Nigeria. When Boko Haram strikes, they do not separate Muslims from Christians, Igbo from Yoruba, Hausa from Igala, Efik from Nupe, or Kanuri from Tiv – they attack us all. This is a war against us – our peopleness and humanity, and we must treat it accordingly while shunning any sentiment, interest, affiliation, or divide.
Let me reiterate what has now become our sad reality. Our territories are being taken over; and it doesn’t matter whether you live there or not. As of today, Boko Haram has taken over 4 of the 21 LGAs in Adamawa State (Michika, Madagali, Mubi North, and Mubi South) and almost 8 of the 27 LGAs in Borno State (Gamboru-Ngala, Kala-Balge, Marte, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Askira-Uba and part of Konduga). Looking at the map of Borno State, for instance, it is clear their strategy of taking over communities that are within close vicinity and just kilometers apart. It is shocking how these miscreants, under the watch of our government, through its ‘repelling’ military, could so easily take over these communities, including Mubi – a city known as the second largest in Adamawa State with a population of about 300,000 (Bama being its counterpart in Borno State with about 270,000 residents). Truth is, if Boko Haram could audaciously take over Bama and Mubi, then they can scale up a nudge higher and take over Yola, which has a population of about 400,000. Not forgetting that they have now infiltrated Gombe with recent attacks and taking over of a large French-owned cement company. How many more shall they take? How soon?
With the ineptness with which the Federal Government has handled this recent trend of allowing a deadly sect take over territories, it is as though we are unconsciously waiting for when it would be the turn of our community. And this is particularly bothersome as one is unable to see a concrete strategic effort on the part of the Federal Government that is commensurate to this height, depth, trend, and level of insurgency. Can the government boldly say those cities are under ‘Nigeria’ as of now? Should elections hold today, would it take place in these BH-controlled communities? And what is being done to stop this? I have had to consciously stop myself from believing any of the two unparalleled, incoherent, and inconceivable notions that heightened insurgency is either a calculated attempt by the North to make Nigeria ungovernable for this administration or that it is a ploy to ensure we have more troubled states so that the President can declare a nationwide state of emergency, while invoking Section 305 of the Constitution, which empowers him to, based on certain parameters, ‘issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.’ With a nationwide state of emergency, elections will not hold and the current administration can be constitutionally extended for another 6 months as provided by subsection (c) of section 305, and continue to be extended every 6 months (‘from time to time’) for as long as they ‘design’ and meet up with the required parameters to warrant such extension. Again, I choose not to believe this, as it would be the height of selfishness and wickedness for any government to do this to her people for the sake of power, money, and influence.
It is a big slap on my ‘Nigerianess’ for the Boko Haram sect to have the effrontery to not only take over our territories, but also rename them (e.g. Mubi to ‘Mudinatu Islam’ – meaning the ‘City of Islam’), install their ‘government’, and openly reassure fleeing residents that they are ‘safer’ under their Islamic Caliphate than the Nigerian government. They now encourage those trapped in these communities to commence normal business operations and also re-opened a petrol station in Mubi, while advising that residents need only comply with their version of Islamic tenets and all would be okay. They now practice the ‘Sharia Law’ – amputating, lashing, or stoning to death anyone who commits any ‘sin’ that requires such heinous reprimand. All these in Nigeria? How did we get here? How did our government allow this happen to us? How would the government convince residents of these BH-controlled states otherwise when the same government has proven, from antecedents and current happenings, that it is unable to fulfill its primary purpose of securing lives and properties? The unfolding truth about the fate of the over 200 abducted Chibok girls is a clear case study.
Now that they have scaled up beyond just abducting individuals to now taking over territories with thousands of residents under their control, I fear the high possibility of ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ (or ‘capture-bonding’), whereby abductees express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their abductors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with them. Let us imagine what would likely become of all of us if a percentage of residents in the now BH-controlled communities are successfully brainwashed, won over, and sent out to attack us and take more territories? Do we have the capacity to win them? And let’s not just ‘God-forbid’ this perspective, because they are already indoctrinating people in their controlled communities, especially young ones, giving them AK47 with loaded and extra magazines. They are turning us against us; and trust me; these victims would so readily wage a war against a government that gave them up, not minding who is who.
While the government and the high & mighty in Nigeria may be able to shield themselves from possible attacks, in view of the funds they have to purchase the best security gadgets and employ well-equipped security personnel; it is not the case with the poor as well as average and low income earning populace who, in the real sense, are more prone to being directly affected by insurgency. However, such ‘purchased’ security is only momentary because if nothing is done, now and fast, it is only a matter of time that insurgency would catch up and overrun us all – not exempting anyone, regardless of affluence and money. And, even if they choose to utilize any of the many visas on their passports and take refuge in more secured environments, Nigeria will always be home and we would all always have a connection to this land and the people.
My submission, therefore, is that we are all gradually becoming displaced – taking ‘refuge’ in what we used to know as home; and I’d explain why. My dictionary tells me that being ‘displaced’ means when something (or someone) takes over another’s place or role; to move something from its proper or usual position; to force someone to leave their home; or remove someone from a position of authority. We have been displaced from what we should be – the giant of Africa. We have been displaced from the benefits that come with having a military/army that used to be adjudged as comprising of the best combatants. A seemingly ‘superior’ army is taking what rightly belongs to us – our territories and our people. We are all becoming displaced because displacement to one is displacement to all of us. By ‘us’, it doesn’t include the wicked leaders that brought this upon us; I mean the remaining ‘us’ that have become victims of government’s incompetence, cluelessness, and selfishness.
What then is the way forward? The government and the governed have roles to play; but the latter’s role is hinged on that of the former. Yet, I am unable to see or place my hands on any meaningful action that is being taken by the government. If any, I challenge the government to publicly declare practical counterinsurgency strategies that is being implemented. However, it is imperative that there’s deliberate and consistent effort to defend the meaning of the white part of our National Flag, which means ‘peace.’ Government MUST reprioritize and first put an end to insurgency, no matter the brash approach it requires. A common enemy should never be referred to as our ‘brothers and sisters’; neither should they be handled with ‘soft’ hands. It is essential that our government taks the lead and stop abdicating her power and responsibilities to the governed and/or the international community. This is OUR problem; it is OUR battle. While the global community can empathize and back us up, we must take ownership and provide the needed support that is required for all garnered help to yield meaningful and positive outcomes.
God help Nigeria.
The opinion in this article is absolutely that of the author
Credit: Omojuwa.com