\u00a0Many Nigerians have blamed the United States for a series of losses in Nigeria\u2019s war against Boko Haram Islamist group. The blame hinges on the inability of the American government to assist the Nigeria military with lethal weapons that will deliver a lasting blow to Boko Haram. When this criticism is made in some quarters, what goes on in my mind is why Nigerians always point accusing fingers on others for their woes. Why can\u2019t Nigerians take up responsibility for their failures and inability to solve their mountain problems? Why hope on manner from heaven when Nigerians can simply look inward and handle their business themselves.<\/p>\n
The pretext for arming the Nigerian military has opened a Pandora box for corruption.\u00a0\u00a0Just recently millions of dollars was confiscated in South Africa that was claimed to belong to Nigeria. It was alleged that a group of Nigerians were physically transporting millions of dollars for the Nigerian government arms acquisition in South Africa. One wonders how a country with varying legal and legitimate means of transferring money to any arms company anywhere in the world will resort to carrying physical cash stashed in private jets to overseas countries. Something smelled so fishy here. It is particularly absurd to watch different government spokespersons defend the transportation of the said millions of dollars as a legitimate and appropriate means of buying arms for the Nigerian military.<\/p>\n
With these claims, (and the loopholes of corruption created by ferrying millions of dollars in cash), the Nigerian government seem to assert that they are arming and providing the Nigerian military with the necessary funding for prosecution of the war against Boko Haram Islamic group.\u00a0\u00a0The question then is why the higher echelon of the Nigerian military seem not to be using the funds for the prosecution of this war to maximum effect. The overall conduct of the war in north east Nigeria shows that something is wrong with the Nigerian military. We know it is not funding considering the amount of money the Nigerian senate has provided for the prosecution of this war. Whatever it is is what the higher echelon of the military and president Goodluck Jonathan should tell the Nigerian people.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Boko Haram which has caused havoc and mayhem in north east Nigeria has become a big thorn in the flesh of not only Nigeria but West African region as a whole.\u00a0\u00a0West African sub region as a whole because different reports have indicated that the reach and influence of Boko Haram extends to Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Mali and even Somalia. We may not even be aware of their sleeper cells in other countries of West Africa. With such a reach, the way of life and the aspirations of people in these countries are threatened and is in severe danger from radical Islam. The severity of the threat is such that one wonders why the Obama administration has failed to fully assist the Nigerian government with sophisticated arms Nigeria is requesting. The American government has provided good moral words of support which is highly appreciated. However, it will be logical to back it up with concentrate military support. Our world today is a global village that is interconnected. If underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab should come from Nigeria recruited by al-Qaeda and tried to blow himself up on United States soil, one wonders others that are being brain washed today by Boko Haram against western interest in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa.<\/p>\n
Yes we know the Nigerian military has perennial problems, but we should remember that good military have difficulties too. Nigerian army is not an exception. Even the US military has had some issues that question its credibility. Have you forgotten the\u00a0Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse involving US soldiers in Iraq that made headlines years back? During the March 2003 US invasion of Iraq and subsequent years of US occupation of the country, personal of the US military were implicated of human right violations and abuse against their Iraqi detainees in Iraq. The US military have been accused of using\u00a0napalm and depleted uranium in their assault on the city of Fallujah in 2004 during the Iraq war. Numerous reports have indicated increases in congenital birth anomalies and cancer in Fallujah blamed on teratogenic, genetic and genomic stress from depleted Uranium contamination following the battles in the town in 2004.There is the Bagram torture and prisoner abuse in Afghanistan in 2005. This time the US military was accused of torturing and killing unarmed civilian Afghan prisoners. On this gruesome report, Afghan prisoners were tortured in most inhuman ways that defiles all the ideals and principles that the United States stands for.<\/p>\n
The British military is not free from similar abuses at different times in history. The most recent being a\u00a0devastating 250-page dossier, detailing allegations of beatings, electrocution, mock executions and sexual assault, that was\u00a0\u00a0presented to the International Criminal Court months ago. The report titled \u201cthe Responsibility of UK Officials for War Crimes Involving Systematic Detainee Abuse in Iraq from 2003-2008″ detailed gruesome inhuman and shocking evidence of abuses committed by the British military in Iraq. The report pinpointed more than 400 Iraqis, representing thousands of allegations of mistreatment amounting to war crimes of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.<\/p>\n
So going back to history, no military anywhere is free of one form of allegation or another involving one form negligence or abuse. Nigerian military may therefore not be one hundred percent free of this. But using this pretest not to help Nigeria which is a United States partner in many issues in her time of great need is an affront to friendship and what the two countries stand for.<\/p>\n
The Boko Haram Islamic militancy is a Nigerian factor that can only be solved the Nigerian way.\u00a0\u00a0Nigerians know this but want the right support from their friends like the United States. The Obama administration should assist Nigeria in this area. Using a purported human right allegation as an excuse for not assisting the Nigerian military. It is not acceptable considering the cordial relationship between both nations and the economic interest of the United States in Nigeria. If the Obama administration has\u00a0\u00a0resumed\u00a0\u00a0large arms deal to Bahrain irrespective of the allegations that\u00a0\u00a0the kingdom brutally repressed\u00a0\u00a0opposition protests during the Arab spring , why should this administration not supply the needed arms to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram a brutal terrorist group that not only\u00a0threatens the existence of Nigeria but\u00a0\u00a0also US interest in this region?\u00a0\u00a0Boko Haram should not be seen as a Nigerian problem today. It is a problem that if not checked may negatively affect the whole world in one way or another. This is the lesson to be learned from this.<\/p>\n
Thanks,<\/p>\n
Dr. Kennedy Kelechi Halams, Ph.D.<\/p>\n
Dr. Halams is a professor of International Business at Baker College Flint Michigan.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Kennedy Kelechi Halams, Ph.D
\nFaculty Business Administration<\/p>\n
Baker College
\n1050 W Bristol Rd, Flint,
\nMichigan 48507.<\/p>\n
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