Opinion: Boko Haram the series: Season 2, Episode 1

by Mustapha Rabiu

More than anything, this FG has been incompetent, and trigger-happy to blame others.

There’s a certain numbness that fills the void in-between the promises made by President Jonathan, and the rampant onslaught brought upon by Boko Haram.

There was a brief intermission, however. Somewhere right around the August, where a couple of breath-holding Sunday morning’s went by without an attack in Northern states, or, where Mallam Nasir El-Rufai didn’t drop bombs on the neat and generous manner in which national funds were being pilfered, at least a couple of patriots spoke out. Fortunately, we’re back at it again, season two, breakout kings.

Nigeria, right now, is the forerunner in tragi-comedic affairs.

A fundamental misconception in the understanding of Boko-Haram by the FG is that the difference between their failures and successes is their ability to adapt. They don’t care about our laws, red tape or rules. They only care about results.

The Government has either been unwilling or unable to look this menacing evil in the eye, and deal with it. Instead, GEJ has managed to resort to silly little retorts to OBJ’s “constructive” criticisms about his leadership qualities, where efforts are spent attributing no responsibility to gross misdeeds conducted. More than anything, this FG has been incompetent, and trigger-happy to blame others.

It’s almost as though there’s a sort of surjective function for each government catastrophe and attack, to marginalize the by-product side effects of the disastrous job done, intended or otherwise, where national funds go to highly questionable causes. Consider the N100 Million paid to the families of a Yusuf Mohammed (former Boko Haram leader), as part of a reconciliation process. No such reconciliation process was granted to the literally infinite number of victims, or their families. No wonder attacks are becoming more and more widespread. The insurgency is growing bloody, and out of control. Instead of making attempts to look at solutions, the FG has tried to libel blame to some Northern opposition. They’ve completely refused to accept any sort of constructive criticisms, or suggestions, with the international world watching in silence. Even Obama doesn’t want to get his hands dirty.

In addition to the initial Boko Haram terrorist cell of 2004 that became violent in 2009, it is abundantly clear that there are other degenerate cells whose attacks are militarily sophisticated with weapons and bombs training beyond the capabilities of simple-minded nomadic farmers.

If you think about it, there is an obscene amount of so called “Boko-Haram” claimed crimes that have next-to-nothing to do with Boko-Haram nor were claimed by them, operating under false guises, who’s interests or time-critical attacks seem to align with dispelling suspicious government activities.

The FG has no upper limit on what they’re willing to spend on frivolous effects. In the 2011 budget, a staggering N18 Billion was allocated for the maintenance of Presidential planes, and almost an equal amount as rent payable on the official residence of the Vice President.  Now, we’re seeing a N2.2 Billion advance on a 150 seater banquet hall project. And then you have things like the fuel subsidy, where N245 Billion was budgeted for subsidy payments in 2011, where the FG decidedly paid N2.5 Trillion, an overdraft of 900%, of which no government official has been put to bare. Come on, they need to divert attention somehow. What better way than to point fingers in their usual hand waving form at the invisible destructive force causing ruckus? It’s so much cleaner than taking responsibility.

It was said in a recent article, that the Economic Intelligence Unit asserts that Nigeria is the worst place to be in 2013 due to deteriorating indicators of human security. What’s terrifying is that everyone but the FG seems to know it, “President Goodluck Jonathan said on Sunday that he wanted to reassure Nigerians that their country is sound and safe, despite the alarming news.”. I think it’s all a cruel joke, really.

I mean, it allows room for one to labour under the assumption that Boko-Haram and the FG are one in the same. It would be hard for you not to draw that assertion after careful observation of the trend of government failures, and time-critical attacks on the nation.  Allegations are stemming from anywhere and everywhere. From people in politics to 15 year old Twitter sweethearts, on staggering scales. It’s by no means hidden; it’s amazing that more and more people are willing to speak out. Only yesterday, I read that the Punch newspaper had slandered GEJ and his administration. Don’t be surprised that Boko-Haram might retaliate on his behalf with claims of cleansing the media of its anti-islamic khafir dross.

Despite all that’s been said (or not said) and done (you know where this is going), military action alone cannot solve this. We have a long history of using the military to attempt to clean up the problems of a pseudo democratic state, only managing to further reduce the people of Nigeria to destitution.

I don’t know the end-game of Boko-Haram, I don’t think the multiple flavours of Boko-Haram know their own end-games. There’s usually a profit. In this case, I believe the current government is the profiteer.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (3)

  1. I'm simply using this as a means to state the obvious.

    If you look into the history of Nigeria, you'd see that means of pilfering funds had until now been antiquated and weak.

    After the subsidy scam, some thing radical occurred. Criminals revamped their tactics, and Boko Haram, whilst largely active, wasn't very tactical at all. Their techniques were mediocre at best. And not until recently did that change. They began attacking circa 2009, but only recently did their attacks spin into a military training-esque league.

    It's not uncommon for governments to have pseudo black-op units to shift blame to so as to allow everyone labour under the delusion that they're active in their capacity.

    But you're absolutely right. I'm just stating an opinion, however.

  2. The government is obviously performing poorly in security and elsewhere but is it indeed fair to spin conspirational tales of government benefiting from boko haram. I believe any benefits they are getting are coincidental. I cannot for the life of me see any benefit the boko haram issue has for the government.

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