By Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu, Publisher, EpistleNews.
BOKO HARAM: HOW POLITICS, PERIL AND CONSPIRACY PROLONG THE WAR; TIME FOR THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES TO ACT DECISIVELY.
The Boko Haram insurgency, now over a decade old, continues to ravage the northeastern part of Nigeria, leaving behind a trail of bloodshed, displacement, and despair. What started as a localised extremist movement has evolved into a full-scale national threat, fuelled not only by religious fanaticism but by a cocktail of political insincerity, corruption, and shadowy conspiracies that suggest some stand to benefit from the war’s continuation.
Many Nigerians no longer see this war as a straightforward counter-insurgency. Whispers abound of arms deals gone awry, of political godfathers shielding militant cells, and of military officials allegedly benefitting from prolonged conflict. These are not merely baseless rumours but recurring themes in investigative reports and on the lips of disillusioned citizens. As insurgents carry out brazen attacks, capture villages, and sabotage national infrastructure, the Nigerian Armed Forces, despite being well-equipped on paper, appear overstretched, under-supported, or in some cases, undermined.
The time has come for a brutal reckoning, not just with the insurgents, but with the internal saboteurs and political profiteers who have turned a national tragedy into a business opportunity.
Solutions for the Armed Forces:
1. Purge and Reform from Within:
An honest and independent audit of the military command structure must be conducted. Officers found complicit in leaking intelligence, mismanaging funds, or collaborating with insurgents must face prosecution. Corruption is the internal enemy feeding Boko Haram.
2. Strengthen Intelligence Networks:
The war cannot be won with firepower alone. Investing in human intelligence (HUMINT), satellite reconnaissance, and real-time data sharing between agencies will help pre-empt attacks and dismantle terror cells before they strike.
3. Enhanced Civil-Military Collaboration:
Winning hearts and minds is as critical as winning battles. Troops must be retrained in community engagement, human rights, and post-conflict stabilisation to avoid alienating local populations who are potential allies in intelligence gathering.
4. Unified Command and Political Will:
A centralised, apolitical command for counter-insurgency operations is vital. The current fragmented structure breeds inefficiency and rivalry. The President must also declare unequivocal political support, ensuring no sacred cows among the political class.
5. Modern Warfare Tactics and Technology:
The Armed Forces must move beyond outdated battlefield tactics. Drones, cyber-surveillance, psychological operations, and counter-radicalisation campaigns must be deployed to cripple Boko Haram’s recruitment and propaganda mechanisms.
6. Accountable Funding and Logistics:
The trillions allocated for defence must be traceable. A transparent logistics supply chain ensures soldiers are adequately fed, armed, and motivated to execute operations effectively.
7. Media Support:
The Nigerian media must support the fight against Boko Haram by raising public awareness, countering extremist narratives, promoting government and military efforts, and encouraging public cooperation through accurate and timely reporting.
Conclusion:
The Nigerian state cannot afford to continue treating the Boko Haram insurgency as a revolving door of emergency contracts and press briefings. This war must be fought and won, once and for all, with sincerity, precision, and the full force of national unity. The alternative is unthinkable: a Nigeria slowly consumed from within.
