Humanising Nigeria’s insecurity crisis

JOURNALIST and writer Anote Ajeluorou says his novel ‘Brides of Infidels’ is a conscious literary response to Nigeria’s unending insecurity crisis.

He explained that the novel about a young girl from a northern Nigerian community whose education is violently interrupted when insurgents attack her village seeks to humanise victims and sustain national attention on the never-ending crisis.

Ajeluorou spoke during a book reading and interactive discussion session held at the Centre for Research, Information Management and Media Development (CRIMMD) Museum and Library, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

The event was part of the Book Trek Community Literacy Outreach programme organised by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA).  It featured students, educators, writers, cultural practitioners, and community residents.

Ajeluorou said Nigeria appears stumped by the security challenges that have remained unresolved for over 12 years. He condemned what he described as a culture of denial by the authorities, noting that such denial undermines public confidence and raises concerns about the government’s preparedness to protect citizens nationwide.

He explained that ‘Brides of Infidels’ is his fictional attempt to interrogate this failure and to show how insecurity has truncated the lives of thousands of Nigerians.

The ex-Arts Editor of The Guardian disclosed that the Chibok school girls’ abduction inspired the novel, noting that the scale of the violence and the seeming helplessness of the victims compelled him to respond creatively.

“As a writer, I felt the need to lend my small voice to this raging national tragedy,” he said, adding that literature remains a powerful tool for raising cultural consciousness and ensuring that the suffering of victims does not fade into statistics.

The novel centres on the story of a young girl from a northern Nigerian community whose education is violently interrupted when insurgents attack her village. Through her experience, Ajeluorou explores displacement, forced marriage, sexual violence, loss and survival, while also reflecting on the broader impact of terrorism on families and communities.

He stressed that the book is not limited to the experience of the girl child alone, but deliberately broadens its scope to include the neglected trauma of the boy child.

Ajeluorou explained that some male characters in the novel are forcibly conscripted into fighting after their communities are attacked, handed weapons and compelled to kill under the threat of death.

The story also exposes deeper layers of social injustice, including early marriage, generational poverty and health complications, including vesicovaginal fistula, which further marginalise women and fuel cycles of vulnerability.

Ajeluorou separated religion from extremism, stating that Islam is a religion of peace and should not be blamed for the atrocities committed by terrorists. He argued that those who hide behind religion to justify violence cannot claim to share the same spiritual values they profess.

He criticised government policies that emphasise the rehabilitation of bandits without giving equal attention to victims and traumatised communities. He also condemned the continued existence of the Almajiri system in northern Nigeria, describing it as a social failure that leaves children exposed to exploitation and radicalisation.

He questioned the commitment of governments in affected regions to education. He contended that failure to prioritise education has allowed insecurity to thrive.

The author told students at the event to value education, remain disciplined and avoid distractions that could derail their academic progress. He also cautioned parents about unmonitored smartphone use by children, warning that excessive phone use impairs reading habits and educational focus.

Founder of the CRIMMD Library and Museum, Dr Raphael James, also addressed participants, shedding light on the institution’s vision and impact. The archivist and historian said CRIMMD was established in December 2004 to provide young Nigerians with access to books, knowledge and historical resources.

He noted that the organisation recently relocated to Ajao Estate, making the ‘Brides of Infidels’ reading the first major literary event at the new location.

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Though the library had operated for years without charging users, he explained that rising operational costs have made modest fees necessary to sustain the library, founded to challenge the notion that Nigerians do not read. He revealed that the institution has helped nurture several outstanding individuals.

He further disclosed that CRIMMD has expanded to include the Museum of Nigerian History to document, preserve and reinterpret Nigerian history. The museum houses artefacts and conducts research to correct historical inaccuracies and strengthen national consciousness.

The session ended with questions and reflections from participants, underscoring the importance of literature, libraries and cultural institutions in sustaining conversations on insecurity, education and national responsibility.