On The Bomb Blast At Ile Ife
"One Of The Best Way To Tackle A Problem Is To Admit There Is A Problem"
Most of us did not admit Nigeria is faced with a grave security problem when boko haram started. We limited it to the North or North East. Now that it is spreading to other parts of the country, are we still deluding ourselves? Whether we admit it or not, Nigeria is faced with a grave security challenge which if not properly managed, will consume the entire country.
Simon Kolawale a renowned columnist wrote some weeks ago about the mistakes we have collectively made as a people with regards to Boko Haram. It is sad that despite his eye opening article, most of us are still making mistakes. We seem to be underestimating the problem; a problem may soon bring us all to our knees if we are not careful and
mindful.
There were blasts in the ancient city of Ile Ife and Asikolaye in Kaduna on Monday, 1 July, 2014. Some people were quick to blame it on Haramites, while another person asked if there is any place like Asikolaye in Kaduna? This is ignorance at its apogee.
The Ile Ife bomb is a follow up to the blast which occurred two weeks ago in Lagos in which four people died. Some people (including the State Government) tried to cover it up. Imagine if the government in Lagos and neighbouring States had swung into action to fish out these terrorists and would be terrorists, the Ile Ife blast may have been prevented.
Lagos for instance is a densely populated area, anywhere a blast occurs, the effect would be fatal. This should make State governments awake to their primary responsiblity of protecting the people. They must not wait until it gets out of hand, then they start panicking calling on the federal government to do something. If the government at the center could do something, it would have done it a long time ago!
Denying that a blast occurred is giving the perpetrators an opportunity to carry out more and massive attacks so that you will admit there is one. It also amounts to endangering the lives of the people. When this whole boko haram thing started, it was all like a joke; with few blasts in Bauchi and some states. Today it has grown into a full scale terrorist organisation. Why did it go this far? We underestimated it!
Let us not underplay this threat to our lives and existence as a country.
The Lagos blast may have been masterminded by members of the Boko Harm. It is also possible that the enemy is within; some misguided elements may have learnt the art of bomb making and may be ready to unleash havoc in the South West. Government and everybody must be on guard.
God bless Nigeria
Frank Ijege
@foijege on twitter
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