From Chibok To Dapchi: Let’s Stop The Trend

RAYMOND OISE-OGHAEDE

It was with rude shock that Nigerians and indeed the entire world recently received the news of the abduction of over a hundred girls from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State. The incident, just like that of Chibok girls of 2014; was said to have been carried out by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect. Obviously, this is an indication that the group still has the capacity and wherewithal to cause havoc in our society contrary to the claim that they have been totally defeated. It is also a wakeup call on the government and security agencies that much are still required to fighting security challenges in the polity.

In my preceding review titled HERDSMEN AND THE STATE OF THE NATION; I had posited that Nigerians are the greatest enemies of themselves when it comes to the issues of insecurity. This is in view of the fact that we are always quick to tribalize, religionize and politicize every incidents that crop up in the society. Rather than seeing these vices as national challenges that required all hands to be on deck; our people talk unguardedly by painting damaging scenarios to further compound the effects of the problems. We have by our hate commentaries and parochial postulations made it very difficult for the government and security agencies to conceptualize these challenges. For instance, when some yet to be identified gunmen struck in Benue and some other states in the recent past, we were very quick to tagged them as ‘Fulani Herdsmen’. The disharmony caused by the outcries of some people regarding the true identities and motives of the perpetrators were still spreading like wildfire before the Dapchi incident exposed the high level of some peoplea` naivety and gullibility.

Interestingly, this incident (Dapchi girls’ adoption) is happening about a year to the next general elections as was the case, in the 2014 episode. As a result, you will agree with me that there are more to this coincidence than meet the eyes. Therefore, it calls for genuine concerns and alertness of all patriotic citizens of this country to read in-between the lines and decipher that danger is imminent if not properly handled. Thus, it is time to shun sentiments by coming together to join hands to supporting the government and the security agencies in this ‘very delicate’ fight against criminality in our society. It is obvious that the execution of these vices are well planned and organized; and, if we continue to hastily jump to conclusion by pointing accusing fingers to wrong directions; it means that the perpetrators have successfully fooled and confused us. It is an indication that their game plans are materializing and, that could be catastrophic to the corporate existence of our country. It is our joint responsibilities to stop this trend as quickly as possible.

In view of the aforesaid, it is very crucial for the government and security agencies to work round the clock by ensuring that no stones are left unturned in their quest to unraveling the root causes of these challenges and bringing the perpetrators and their sponsors/promoters to justice. Consequently, I am inclined to put forward my `RAYOISE THEORY OF CONSPIRACY AND RECURRING PHENOMENON` for consideration. Under this theory, there is need to work on the presumption that the incidents (Dapchi abduction and others) were masterminded by some ‘unpatriotic elements’ whose intentions are to embarrass the government and ultimately make it unpopular to the world and the Nigerian electorates in the countdown to 2019 general elections. When similar fate befell the Chibok girls in 2014; the ruling government was accused of insensitivity and, their failure to promptly rescue the girls and bring perpetrators to book attracted widespread condemnation from within and outside the country. Members of the opposition also capitalized on the situation to join in the campaign of calumny which contributed in no little ways to the electoral misfortunes of the then ruling party at the pools. In the same vein, the subsequent rescue of some of the girls and, alleged defeat of the sect under this present dispensation drew accolades from all and sundry. Thus, the probability is very high and cannot be waived aside that, enemies (unpatriotic elements) of this administration could have conspired with militant group(s) to cause havoc in the country with the aim of neutralizing and denting the gains and achievements so far recorded in areas of security. Presently, you will agree with me that the ills from Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Yobe (Dapchi) and Borno have depleted the accomplishments of Chibok and Sambisa.

Closely following the ‘unpatriotic elements’ in the conspiracy theory; is, ‘the Government’ itself. In this case, searchlights should also be beamed on the government to probe the probability of its involvement in the incident for political gains. The situation where the intention is, to secure their release at a later date under the guise of ‘proving’ its (government) efficiency and capability of providing adequate security for the citizenry should not be ignored. I am not oblivious that most people will be at a loss as to the reasonability and logic behind this bizarre and unfamiliar dimension; but, the fact remains that, in politics (politricks), nothing is impossible. Needless to say that series of criminality that bedeviled the polity in recent times have raised suspicions on government’s sincerity and capability to fighting insecurity; and, this could push desperate politicians amongst them (if any), to want to dispel such misgivings and also impress the people by the eventual ‘planned release’ of the girls. In as much as this review is not in any way insinuating that the government of the day is tacitly or indirectly involved in this incident of national embarrassment; it is very pertinent for security agencies to fulfill all righteousness in finding lasting and permanent solutions to this recurring trend.

The ‘natives and residents’ of areas where these nefarious activities were carried out are also entangled in this conspiracy theory. The following questions are begging for answers under this situation;
(1). Why does it seem that the perpetrators are invincible?
(2). Why are the natives and residents not exposing them to the security agents?
The answers are not farfetched; and chiefly amongst them, is the fact that the people have been terrified to the extent that they now feel more secured and comfortably disposed to dealing with the devils (militants) they know than, the angels (soldiers) they do not know. Therefore, the probability is very high that some members of the group are still living freely and aided by the natives in these areas. Otherwise, how can people who are supposedly confined to Sambisa Forest go to Dapchi and the other places to carrying out their nefarious activities without being apprehended? It is either they are living in those environs or they have their informants on ground who notified them of the movements of the soldiers at every point in time. From the information gathered in the media; the influx of members of the group to Dapchi was noticed hours before they struck. So, what efforts did the natives made to seek help? Furthermore, despite the screaming and wailing (of the girls) that trailed their journey out of town; nobody could explicitly say the point and time they eventually vanished into thin air. I am of the opinion that, if appropriate authorities had been timely and adequately notified; our gallant soldiers could have been able to track and find them through air surveillance (even after several hours of their disappearance) because their (abductors) movements will definitely be limited to the speed of their vehicle(s) and the state of the roads to their destination(s).

In a related development, there is also the need to consider the area of `Recurring Phenomenon`. In this case, the terrorist group or any other militant group(s) that are familiar with the country`s political terrain can capitalized on this trend to cause instability in the polity. A thorough study of the pasts indicated that the military intervened in our politics using state of insecurity as a major contributory factor. Upon the enthronement of democracy in the Fourth Republic (1999); the military returned to their callings and maintained highest level of professionalism to date. Unfortunately, the Boko Haram and other militant groups stepped up their games with spate of wanton destruction of lives and properties. With the return of insecurity, the politicians capitalized on its consequential effects on the people`s psyche to effect change of government, albeit through the pools of 2015. Now that elections are around the corners, terrorist activities have been stepped up to ultimately prepare grounds for another ‘civilian overthrow` of government at the 2019 pools. Instead of the people to read in-between the lines by bracing up to face the problems squarely; they have been brainwashed and are now very eager to `replace` the presumed `insensitive and non performing leaders` with the `new messiahs`. However, the truth remains that this trend is explicit and predictable; as such, disgruntled elements in the country can easily pull down a `progressive government` by masterminding and promoting criminality across the country to create apprehension amongst the people and render the government unpopular. So bad is the situation that, even external force(s) can easily capitalized on this trend to indirectly influence the `overthrow` or `enthronement` of government in the country by adopting same tactic.

Consequent upon the aforementioned, it is obvious that we all have a lot of work to do to save our democracy and the lives and properties of the citizenry. We must come together to support the government and security agencies to fight the enemies of our progress and unity to submission. It took us decades to endure military rule in the country because we failed to proactively decipher the major root causes of successive coup d’états. Now that it is obvious that insecurity played a major role; we should all be prepared to support the security agencies in this fight to stop the trend in our society to enable us enjoy the dividends of democracy. The village meetings across the country embarked on by the IGP is a welcome development and a step in the right direction towards making the people have faith in our security systems. With this interactive program in place; it will increase the peoples’ faith and confidence in the men in uniforms and this will encourage `them to say something, when they see something’. The government should also ensure that the security agencies are adequately equipped and remunerated to boost their morals in this `delicate war` against insecurity.

Every State Assemblies across the country should set up genuine `Reconciliatory Committees` to look into complaints of all aggrieved persons or groups with a view to finding lasting solutions to the problems from the grassroots level. Issues beyond the purview of the states should be escalated to the National Assembly for deliberations.

Finally, I wish to crave the indulgence of all aggrieved and disgruntled persons or group to sheath their swords and embrace peaceful and non violent agitations for resolution of their constitutional rights and privileges.
Together, we can make things work for our mutual benefits.
Thanks.

Raymond Oise-Oghaede is a Public Policy Analyst/Commentator. He writes from Surulere, Lagos.
raymondoise@yahoo.com, 080 23116867, 080 99405562.