BOKO HARAM: THE WAY FORWARD

The recent media reports calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack General Owoye Azazi, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector- General of Police(IGP) indicates that there are security lapses in the country.

The awful and startling revelations of the self-confessed co-founder of the dreadful Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna'Lidda' awata Wal-Jihad organization, popularly known as Boko Haram, Aliyu Tishu, on the African Independent Television (AIT) recently has shown that the country is undergoing serious security challenges in spite of the numerous security apparatuses and promises by President Goodluck Jonathan's government to contain the situation.

It is sad that Nigeria celebrated her 51st anniversary birthday with its dilapidated infrastructure. Despite that Nigeria has heavily armed security agencies to protect lives and property there are still illegal arms and ammunition in the country.

Since the emergence of this dreaded fundamentalist sect, many Nigerians have been notoriously sent to their early graves without the government bringing the culprits to book.

How long will it take the security agents to bring these suspects to justice? Killing in Nigeria is no longer nothing to the fundamentalist sect. In fact, Boko Haram members are not spirits but human beings. Boko Haram means western education is evil. Many NYSC members have lost their lives while serving their fatherland in recent times.

President Goodluck Jonathan should do something to tackle the menace of the sect.

The fear of living in some parts of Northern is the beginning of wisdom while security agencies have been embarrassed in one way or the other. For democracy to strive in the country, the country must be protected. Political terrorism is now more pronounced in the country more than ever before. Though the security challenge is enormous, firing the top security men would not prevent security threats rather it will increase it.

Boko Haram could be flushed out if the President is willing to put the security modalities at the top gear. The UN building bombing recently in Abuja indicated failure of security. If Boko Haram is not controlled now, other regions would come up with other dreaded groups to cause mayhem.

Odidi writes from Ajegunle, Lagos.