Our Boko Haram Well Wishers: Thanks, but No thanks!

Yesterday was the blackest Christmas Nigeria has ever witnessed. Apart from the regular pangs Nigerians face, such as no electricity, influx of police checkpoints, heightened robbery attacks, and government insensitivity, there is now a new nemesis-terror.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the coordinated bombing campaign that were executed on churches and other targets yesterday.

The Federal Government of Nigeria released disturbing statements, as the President has asked us to accept the bombings as a burden we must live with until they fizzle out. He stated, “The issue of bombing is one of the burdens we must live with. It will not last forever; I believe that it will surely be over”.

Many Nigerians have interpreted this to be a callous response from an out of touch head of state who rolls around in bomb and bullet-proof Mercedes S-class cars with his entourage of security chiefs that are now using these very attacks to justify an over-padded budget for security. A budget that will undoubtedly leave foreign defense weapons manufacturers and providers smiling from our treasury and to their banks. Specifically weapons manufacturers in USA and Israel.

What is even more worrisome and should trouble Nigerians more is Israel and America’s response to the Boko Haram attacks.

The psychological need for recognition by a terrorist group cannot be underscored, the reason they blow up stuff is to get the attention of governments. They are saying “here we are; we are pissed off; we don’t like western education; or oppression of Muslims in the middle-east by USA and Israel.”

Now whilst we know Al-Qaeda is not spelled Boko Haram, we do have intelligence that suggests Boko Haram and Al-Qaeda are bed fellows of sorts. Therefore any attention they get from Israel and USA will undoubtedly have them satisfied , fulfilled and re-energized.

This is why, it would be nice for the USA and Israel to keep mum when the bombs go off. We do not need them to tell us sorry, after all it is their activities in the Middle East that created and sustains radical groups like Al-Qaeda.

The US message to Nigeria condemned the attacks as “senseless violence”. Stating the obvious. It then went on to say, “We have been in contact with Nigerian officials about what initially appear to be terrorist acts and pledge to assist them in bringing those responsible to justice.”

I can see how Boko Haram will be pleased by this. They have proven time and time again that they are not afraid of the authorities and that they will continue to operate with impunity.

More disturbing is the fact that the USA preempted all this with its prediction that Nigeria will break apart by 2015, a report authored by the CIA.

Conspiracy theorists in Nigeria and abroad are beginning to think that this Boko Haram menace is part of a larger plot by undisclosed persons in order to bring that report to manifestation.

Our security services agencies in Nigeria would do well to tell the USA that it would be in our “collective” best interests if they do not issue any public statements after bombings. After all that is part of  what Boko Haram wants, ie the spotlight.

Nigeria is split roughly in the middle of its population, and foreign media elements have already began referring to a Muslim North and a Christian South. Somebody (ies), somewhere is/are antagonizing for a break up in Nigeria.

Some Nigerians align with that rationale; however dividing Nigeria will not be as bloodless and as painless as cutting a cake into two. With 140 million people of various tribes, religions and creed scattered across 36 states and geopolitical zones, our situation could potentially dwarf that of Sudan. It could make the blood bath genocide of Bosnia and Sarajevo seem like kids at play.

However one can bet top Naira, that USA would be here to secure our oil fields with a base in the Niger Delta, which they have always lobbied for. Then they would help us to “re-build” our country, and ofcourse they will take payment for it. I am sure the Uranium and Crude Oil in our soil and offshore would be a great way for us to reimburse them for their good Samaritan activities.

After the bombings, Israel also sent their well wishes. A statement from Jerusalem read, “”The government of Israel conveys its condolences to the government of Nigeria, the Nigerian people and the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.”

I am sure Boko Haram is paying attention. We may not know who is behind Boko Haram, however let us stop agitating them further. Innocent Nigerian lives are counting on it.

3 Comments

1. 

   Bukolaafolayan

   December 26, 2011 at 1:46 pm

   Well said, Jonathan needs to start acting, sack IG and SSS DG. 
2. 

   Okokon Etuk

   December 26, 2011 at 8:51 pm

   This is the right time to stop this menace because it destroys our country you are really right..nice article
3. 

   Ozonenig

   December 28, 2011 at 11:08 am

   Stupid sentiment, stop agitating them? When did we start agitating them? They have been killing us for years now but you want to appease them, go ahead. People never learn from history, remember Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler? Of course you don’t, Nigerians never read history.