Boko Haram: Need for a policy

THAT the war against the Boko Haram insurgents is yet to end as stated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai, is an understatement aimed at underrating the warfare of the hard-line Islamic insurgents who have killed tens of thousands in the eight-year crisis that has paralysed the development of the northeastern part of Nigeria. Considering the reinforcement, rearmament and tactics being used by the armed men, it will never be an exaggeration to say that the war has just started afresh. Within a week, the terrorists have killed or wounded more than sixty people mainly in Borno and Adamawa State. The sect that wants to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region has recorded many victories against the Nigerian Army and government. And it seems to be waxing stronger in its quest to create terrors. It remains quite formidable and tactful while carrying out bombings and killings, making the Nigerian intelligence appear less fruitful. Strong criticisms poured in after the deadly ambush laid by the terrorists against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) oil exploitation team, the well planned attack on the team claimed many lives including academics, soldiers, civilians and members of the civilian JTF. Could the Nigerian Army have relaxed its apparently successful efforts in the fight? The latest activities of the men heighten the fear that they have not yet been “technically” or militarily defeated as the Nigerian government once claimed. The question is does the government or army have a policy or plan on the war? Is such a policy or plan effective (till now)? Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, has either been killed or wounded. Yet the man won’t stop appearing in videos released by the sect to debunk the military’s claim. Victory over the group is declared often too early.

A terrorist is such a fighter who is never afraid of death. He or she is ready to die even though for an ignoble and illicit course. Extinguishing them is advisable. And this had been what the Nigerian Army was doing in the last six months giving a glimmer of hope that the insurgents would soon be totally crushed. The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was already receiving accolade for bringing the insurgency almost to its knees. Normalcy was returning to the region, most especially Borno State, which has suffered the most from the daredevils. Rather than maintaining the success and carry out more attacks on the terrorists, the Nigerian defence goes for a lunch. And like commandos, the Boko Haram terrorists resurface, even in the Sambisa Forest once cleared by military. There is little doubt that proper assessment was done before the exploitation team was given a green light. The Nigerian Army should have known that terrorists do not have an address to be traced. Combing the areas suspected to be hideouts of the fighters should be a regular routine. The perceived failure to do this helped the insurgents in their gruesome killing of the NNPC oil exploitation team. If the success recorded in the mission then was lasting, there would still be a need for more security presence to stem any resurgence. Terrorists do not give in with one defeat. The international terrorist group, ISIL though defeated in Mosul is now a threat in Afghanistan.

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s directive to the military heads to relocate to the war front is just a replica of the one given to the heads immediately after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. And such will never go a long way to curb the rising insurgency. Is there a need to re-strategise or design new plans? Aren’t the terrorists resistant to the current methods of the armed forces? Those evildoers who see nothing ungodly in venturing in suicide missions can have strategists and informants. They couldn’t have carried out the latest attacks successfully without proper plans which seemed to have caught the armed forces unprepared. Attempts by the gunmen to attack could be foiled by intercepting their communication. The Nigerian Air Force has little to do this rainy season just as the Air Force head said. This means that the main bulk of work is on the Army’s table. And it’s evident from the latest increased attacks that there are some lapses in the tactics of the military. COAS T. Y. Buratai should work on this.

Faboade writes from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.