Every war is a destructive venture that leaves both the victor and vanquished traumatised for a long time, even after the campaigns are over and the victory flag flying over the ruins of battles. Nigeria is no stranger to the dislocating consequences of war. From 1967 to 1970, the country was embroiled in a bloody civil war that left whole generations dead or dispirited. More than 43 years later, the fallout from that internecine conflict has continued to haunt the relationships between the myriad of ethnic nationalities in the country. Wars are a messy affair and no matter how enamoured we pretend to live with it, the bitter memories are always a sad reminder of its ultimate futility. Sometimes, however, wars are necessary for the restoration of peace and concord in the midst of chaos and despair.
Some countries have gone to war, because they were faced with annihilation from a more determined aggressor. Others have been forced into it by the actions of some misguided elements out to establish a racial or religious utopia. Today, Nigeria is faced with the existential reality of a politico-religious uprising from the Boko Haram sect that wants to impose a bigoted ideology on the country. For long, the country has been faced with the prospect of an implacable enemy, imbued with fiery religious zealotry over running it. Such haunting fears were responsible for the slow, and often times, sloppy responses to the mortal challenge posed by the jihadists. Badgered on all fronts by accusations of ineptitude and inefficiency from a determined opposition and a call to arms by livid supporters, the government got frozen in inertia, as it was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Seeking for a way out of the imbroglio, it took to appeasement by offering amnesty to the Boko Haram. That meant that all atrocities committed in the cause of their war to overthrow the government are to be forgiven by presidential fiat. So, it did not come as any surprise when the sect rejected such unsolicited olive branch. As someone given to solicitous impulse at placating powerful voices behind the sect, President Jonathan found himself engaging in embarrassing policy somersaults. Now that he has found his voice and sent the military after the Boko Haram, it is still early days to declare victory and hoist the flag. But a cursory look at the present development shows that the once vociferous jihadists are retreating on all fronts with amazing rapidity and vapourising in the face of determined onslaught by the security forces.
Even when many have been killed and captured, the government must now direct a greater percentage of its energy at pacifying the situation in the area. Given the destructive nature of pitched battles, those caught in the area of military operations tend to resent the invading army, especially if they employ maximum force in trying to dislodge a lightly armed occupying force. Everyone knows the ragtag Boko Haram is no match to the fire power of the Nigerian army. But the present battle is not all about jet fighters, bombs, bullets and tanks, but has everything to do with the minds. Here, the sect has the upper hand given its closeness to the inhabitants and the ideology that has enabled it to recruit large number of converts and acolytes into its ranks. The country's northeast geopolitical zone is a fertile ground for suicide tourism, because of the mindboggling levels of poverty and deprivation.
There, life revolves around jihad and the attractive prospects of an ethereal paradise for volunteers who blow themselves up in the cause of proselytising. Matters are made worse by the fact that the country's borders in this area are not only porous, they remain unprotected. Successive governments have been mindful of the fact that the uncontrolled movement of persons from neighbouring countries, who speak the local language and belong to the same religious faith, serves a vital demographic purpose for population census. In the course of trying to allow as many Chadians, Malians, Cameroonians and Nigeriens into the north of the country, the authorities unwittingly gave refuge to zealots with avowed determination to wage war against western civilisation. So, after decades of turning a blind eye to the disruptive shenanigans of preachers from ultraconservative religious movements across the borders, the chickens have come home to roost, as the country is now paying the price for all the deceits and hypocrisies.
It is not enough to defeat the Boko Haram, government must give hope to those who defect from the sect and hand over their weapons by rehabilitating and protecting them. Most importantly, there should be a consistent government effort to wean the people away from the misconception that western education is evil. They must be sensitised to the fact that their seeming world of poverty and hopelessness is not divinely ordained.
For now, the government seems to be getting every act right, especially deporting thousands of itinerant loafers from across the borders who have been living a charmed existence in Nigeria. They must not be allowed to come back.
National Mirror