Tuesday 16 October 2012

Boko Haram, Jungle Justice and the Fight for Resource Control in the Niger Delta ~ Henry Obi @iamhenryobi

 

The 1st of October 2012 was our 52nd independence anniversary as well as the 2nd anniversary of Terrorism in Nigeria.That day ushered into our National consciousness, the phrase BOMB BLAST. May the souls of those who have perished rest in perfect peace.

In any kind of conflict, it is important to check the cost and benefits that will accrue to all parties. Who are the winners and the vanquished? Who is gaining or losing? Who will stand to benefit financially or otherwise from a continued Boko Haram insurgency?
When men take arms against one another, there is something of value in contention. A Man would not normally put a plan in motion to take another’s life except if he/she is a psychopath. There must be a justifiable reason (to them) for destroying life wantonly. So what is the thing of VALUE that is driving these men to go as far as laying down their lives for their course? Is it Money or Drugs or are these men afflicted with amputated spirits? Can anyone really say what Boko Haram is fighting for?
Modern day arms deals and conflict are inspired by Deception. Arms dealing nations wage war by deception. To sell Bomb Scanners, there must be a bomb threat. To sell guns and bullets, there must be a threat for War.
Many Nigerians think Boko Haram is on a religious mission to islamize Nigeria.You can’t blame them because of the constant occurrence of religion riots in Northern Nigeria. But have these people stopped to ask why Muslims are also victims of Boko Haram.

A few think Boko Haram are government sponsored because the president himself said that they had members in his government. But whats the explanation for government functionaries, both past and present being high targets?
What We Nigerians should be bothered about is WHO STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY?
The reason for the 1st October2010 bomb can not be far from the presidential election tussle between some heavy weights in the ruling party. That bomb was used to effectively destroy the chances of one of the presidential candidates. But as they say ‘CUNNY MAN DIE CUNNY MAN BURY AM’ .
In 2011 a few strategic bombs went off. First was the army barracks , then the police headquarters and to give it an international dimension the UN building. It is now very obvious that Boko haram trades on INSECURITY. Nothing more nothing less. The strategic bombings of 2011 justified the allocation of 1 Trillion Naira to security in 2012. As you can see bombing is BIG business and PEACE is expensive.
Nigeria is not an arms dealing Nation. The Boko haram insurgency has inspired the need for bomb scanners, massive expenditure on logistics for soldiers and military equipment. So who are our suppliers? Who are our defense contractors that are profiteering from our insecurity?
There is also some kind of distraction boko haram is giving to a National sabotage that’s presently going on in the Niger Delta.Our National Security is currently focused on counter terrorism. The JTF that used to be in the Niger Delta to protect our oil assets have been disbanded and relocated to the north. BUNKERING has risen to staggering heights. Our amnesty program is gulping billions and a few former outlaws have been rewarded with pipeline security contracts running into billions of naira. Yet our crude is very available in the international black market at over 10% discount from current international oil prices. NNPC is finding it hard to sell off its oil cargos as buyers also have access to buy the same sweet crude from cheaper sources.
We now have proceeds from our national crude oil resources falling into the pockets of individuals in the Niger Delta. In other words Niger Deltans are taking control of their resources gradually.
The menace of boko haram on our economy and our nation can not be over emphasized. Our State Machinery has ceased to function. All facets of government are grinding to a halt. There is chaos and a free for all silently going on in all government establishments. Boko Haram is now a ready excuse government officials give for laxity. The Nation is now a Lawless State. Jungle Justice is now a common occurrence in our societies.
The President must sit up and assert himself. He should show that he is not a President for Boko Haram Affairs, Women Affairs and Niger Delta Affairs. His ministers need him to navigate and take responsibility for his government. The governors need to be inspired by his show of leadership. The laws of our land must be safe guarded and enforced by our Security Forces and Judiciary. The arm of justice must fall on those who break the law so as to serve as a deterrent to others. What is the use of all the funds that’s pumped into the judiciary and security if Nigerians begin to rely on Jungle justice? The president must take responsibility for the failure of his government and stop trying to apportion blames and beg for support. After all we are never close by to share in his 3 million Naira a day meals or presidential jet junketing around the world, so why should we share in his cluelessness? So who in your opinion has benefitted more from the Boko Haram menace? You’d be shocked.
@iamhenryobi

No comments:

Post a Comment