“One of the best way to tackle a problem is to admit there is a problem”.
Most of us did not admit Nigeria is faced with a grave security
problem when boko haram started. We limited it to the North or North
East. Now that it is spreading to other parts of the country, are we
still deluding ourselves? Whether we admit it or not, Nigeria is faced
with a grave security challenge which if not properly managed, will
consume the entire country.
Simon Kolawale a renowned columnist wrote some weeks ago about the
mistakes we have collectively made as a people with regards to Boko
Haram. It is sad that despite his eye opening article, most of us are
still making mistakes. We seem to be underestimating the problem; a
problem may soon bring us all to our knees if we are not careful and
mindful.
There were blasts in the ancient city of Ile Ife and Asikolaye in
Kaduna on Monday, 1 July, 2014. Some people were quick to blame it on
Haramites, while another person asked if there is any place like
Asikolaye in Kaduna? This is ignorance at its apogee.
The Ile Ife bomb is a follow up to the blast which occurred two weeks
ago in Lagos in which four people died. Some people (including the
State Government) tried to cover it up. Imagine if the government in
Lagos and neighbouring States had swung into action to fish out these
terrorists and would be terrorists, the Ile Ife blast may have been
prevented. Lagos for instance is a densely populated area, anywhere a
blast occurs, the effect would be fatal. This should make State
governments awake to their primary responsiblity of protecting the
people. They must not wait until it gets out of hand, then they start
panicking calling on the federal government to do something. If the
government at the center could do something, it would have done it a
long time ago!
Denying that a blast occurred is giving the perpetrators an
opportunity to carry out more and massive attacks so that you will
admit there is one. It also amounts to endangering the lives of the
people. When this whole boko haram thing started, it was all like a
joke; with few blasts in Bauchi and some states. Today it has grown
into a full scale terrorist organisation. Why did it go this far? We
underestimated it!
Let us not underplay this threat to our lives and existence as a country.
The Lagos blast may have been masterminded by members of the Boko
Harm. It is also possible that the enemy is within; some misguided
elements may have learnt the art of bomb making and may be ready to
unleash havoc in the South West. Government and everybody must be on
guard.
God bless Nigeria
Frank Ijege
@foijege on twitter
ijegefrank@gmail.com