How Not To Stamp Out Terror Threats

The fight against insecurity last week took a new level as Nigerians were informed of a new insurgent group, Lakurawa, which was unleashing violence on Kebbi and Sokoto State communities in the North West zone. As if attempting to surpass the bloody records set by Boko Haram, the latest attack by this new terror group has left no fewer than 15 dead. Before the attack last week, the new Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Femi Oluyede, paid a visit to Sokoto State in a bid to boost the morale of officers and men of the Nigerian Army engaged in the fight against terrorism.

Ribadu’s Outburst

On Wednesday, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, boasted that Nigeria’s security forces were fully prepared to defeat Lakurawa, stressing that no one dares President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and wins. The NSA’s threat came on the heels of past threats and unfulfilled vows by security agencies to stamp out insecurity. When Ribadu this week declared that Boko Haram was on the run, some Nigerians quickly dismissed him as engaging in a talk that is cheap and politically-motivated.

The truth is that terrorists are not only daring Tinubu; they are undermining the sovereignty of the Nigerian State. So far, efforts deployed by security personnel are yet to prove sufficient to change the tide against these ferocious vandals whose ultimate goal is to transform the country into their fiefdom under their weird living style that is making life a living horror.

Lakurawa’s Fangs

The rising profile of Lakurawa attests to the lethargic manner that has helped to nurture and encourage terror groups in the country. The group, according to insiders, was first reported in 2017 when they arrived in some communities of Kebbi and Sokoto States. Members of the group initially doused tension over their objectives when they assured community leaders that their presence was aimed at checkmating banditry and criminal activities by brigands.

Their activities began to stir apprehensions when they started removing some Islamic clerics on account of their unsuitability to lead prayers in mosques. There was a report that alleged that the sect members once killed a religious and community leader on account of disagreement.  Considering their nefarious activities that were disturbing the peace, the silence from the security forces was too loud and discomforting.

Even when members of Lakurawa seized some arms belonging to the military, and deployed the same for their violent campaigns, the response by security forces to their threat only amounted to a pat in the back. Today, the small cub of yesterday is now a fully grown lion baying for blood. It is yet to be ascertained how far the current military operations against the latest terror group can be sustained to dislodge them.

Synergy In Terror War

It’s clear that there is a lack of synergy between the military and political leadership in the battle to crush the agents of insecurity. Nigerians were told in the past that, ahead of the 2015 polls, politicians recruited armed men to assist in carrying out bloody campaigns in the event the elections were rigged. In line with his earnest stance that his presidential ambition was not worthy of the blood of any Nigerian, former President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat, thereby paving the way for the emergence of the presidency of the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd). Since taking over power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to fully stamp out insecurity as the citizens continue to witness recurring incidences of bloodshed that are signposts that securing Nigeria is a far dream that is yet to be realised.

Involve Besieged People

In some North West and North East states, criminals have outsourced banditry, kidnapping and surprised attacks on defenceless communities to their nearer cousins. The fact is that Boko Haram is not on the run; they are well headquartered in the hills and forests, assured of their safety. Sadly, the issue of insecurity has been turned into an ATM system for not only the ruling class, especially some governors, who appropriate billions of naira annually. Torrents of complaints by fighting troops over neglect in their welfare remain a disturbing phenomenon for the military that has continued to get the largest share of budgetary allocations.

Winning the war on terror cannot be attained on the platform of political platitudes. Right now, defeating terror groups remains a herculean task. The security forces may be winning the war verbally, but in action, they are far behind the terrorists. To demobilise terror groups from unleashing violence on citizens, besieged communities must be involved in the defence and protection of life and property.

This week, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has called on Gwoza residents in the southern part of the state to arm themselves for self-defence. In a situation where the boots on the ground are grossly inadequate, only the besieged people who bear the brunt of violence can stand up to square up with the blood-thirsty murderers. Boko Haram and the new terror sect are poised to continue unleashing deaths, except there is a deliberate plan to involve the people in the fight. The time is ticking and security forces must hurry and collaborate with the people to stop these killers and brigands.