“One of the best way to tackle a problem is to admit there is a problem”.<\/p>\n
Most of us did not admit Nigeria is faced with a grave security
\nproblem when boko haram started. We limited it to the North or North
\nEast. Now that it is spreading to other parts of the country, are we
\nstill deluding ourselves? Whether we admit it or not, Nigeria is faced
\nwith a grave security challenge which if not properly managed, will
\nconsume the entire country.<\/p>\n
Simon Kolawale a renowned columnist wrote some weeks ago about the
\nmistakes we have collectively made as a people with regards to Boko
\nHaram. It is sad that despite his eye opening article, most of us are
\nstill making mistakes. We seem to be underestimating the problem; a
\nproblem may soon bring us all to our knees if we are not careful and
\nmindful.<\/p>\n
There were blasts in the ancient city of Ile Ife and Asikolaye in
\nKaduna on Monday, 1 July, 2014. Some people were quick to blame it on
\nHaramites, while another person asked if there is any place like
\nAsikolaye in Kaduna? This is ignorance at its apogee.<\/p>\n
The Ile Ife bomb is a follow up to the blast which occurred two weeks
\nago in Lagos in which four people died. Some people (including the
\nState Government) tried to cover it up. Imagine if the government in
\nLagos and neighbouring States had swung into action to fish out these
\nterrorists and would be terrorists, the Ile Ife blast may have been
\nprevented. Lagos for instance is a densely populated area, anywhere a
\nblast occurs, the effect would be fatal. This should make State
\ngovernments awake to their primary responsiblity of protecting the
\npeople. They must not wait until it gets out of hand, then they start
\npanicking calling on the federal government to do something. If the
\ngovernment at the center could do something, it would have done it a
\nlong time ago!<\/p>\n
Denying that a blast occurred is giving the perpetrators an
\nopportunity to carry out more and massive attacks so that you will
\nadmit there is one. It also amounts to endangering the lives of the
\npeople. When this whole boko haram thing started, it was all like a
\njoke; with few blasts in Bauchi and some states. Today it has grown
\ninto a full scale terrorist organisation. Why did it go this far? We
\nunderestimated it!
\nLet us not underplay this threat to our lives and existence as a country.<\/p>\n
The Lagos blast may have been masterminded by members of the Boko
\nHarm. It is also possible that the enemy is within; some misguided
\nelements may have learnt the art of bomb making and may be ready to
\nunleash havoc in the South West. Government and everybody must be on
\nguard.
\nGod bless Nigeria
\nFrank Ijege
\n@foijege on twitter
\nijegefrank@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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