BOKO - HARAM HAS GOTTEN IT ALL WRONG
The recent spate of bombings in the North and the unfortunate one which rocked the heart of Kaduna few sundays ago has given credence to the fact that Boko-Haram has gotten it all wrong this time around and as before and with its nefarious acts not against the Nigerian state now but upon innocent souls, most especially Christians, it is high time those who claim to oversee security issues in Aso-Rock started bringing this cankerworm down once and for all.
Boko-Haram's perfidious acts continues to send wrong signals of reprisal against other innocent citizens, most especially those who profess the Islamic faith and who are non-northerners. What happened in Kaduna is a reminder to the fact that the very individuals and institutions who have always been the target can no longer hold their patience and for that reason must as a matter of urgency begin a process of reprisal. The reprisal attacks against Muslims in Kaduna after the sunday bombings is quite unfortunate and since Boko-Haram which claims to be fighting heaven knows who in the name of religion, cannot claim not to see the impending disaster.
From what happened and still happens in the North, many have questioned the motives behind the spate of bombings carried out against Christians by Boko-Haram whose ideology has always been to bring down political foes and government institutions which sadly annihiliated its founder and leader, Muhammed Yusuff. The point at hand is that Boko-Haram seeks to divide an already fragile and rickety, yet accomodating relationship which had existed for decades between Christians and Muslims, and if this is not their belief, why would they go as far as pointing the dagger into the hearts of Christians who wake up like fellow Muslims to serve their Lord in their places of worship?
It is so sad that Boko-Haram's acts has triggered a chain of reaction which many innocent souls might not be able to survive when things begin to go out of hand. Those who carry out these acts and give their total support forget that they also have Northerners, sisters and brothers who live in the nooks and crannies of the country. A typical example could be seen in the South West were many of the menial jobs are occupied and carried out by many Northerners who had left home for greener pastures. From the mai-suya and mai-ruwa to those who ride okada, polish or mend shoes and most importantly work as security guards, all which constitute more than 20 per cent come from Northern states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Taraba, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe.
In Lagos most especially, it is not hard to find a lot of Northerners who have settled and mixed with the people in areas like Mile 12, Agege, Ido, Orile, Alaba rago to mention a few.
If Boko-Haram simply knew the implications and enormity of their ill intentions, they would not commit such acts against Christians and innocent individuals who in the name of one Nigeria decided to live anywhere. Boko-Haram ought to have asked themselves that should all of the Northerners irrespective of faith, who live in other regions apart from the North are rounded up and killed, how would their loved ones feel?
Since Boko-Haram has an axe to grind with politicians and the state, it is imperative that their acts be directed at those who accomodated them in the first place and helped nurture them. The country have lost so many innocent souls whose blood cry for justice and vengeance and if nothing is done by those who matter, then whatever consequences befalls us as a nation must be taken with equanimity.
Written By Raheem Oluwafunminiyi
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