For some time, the residents of Yobe State have enjoyed relative peace courtesy of the hard-work and gallantry of the men of Nigerian Armed Forces, other sister agencies and the armed local vigilantes. There haven’t been many reports of the atrocities of the members of the Jihadi group known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Liddda’ati Wal-Jihad.
However, in recent times, the state is witnessing what seems to be like the resurgence/regrouping of the callous group in two local governments across the state- Gujba and Geidam local government areas.
Astonishingly, a visitor or even a resident who doesn’t go to the aforementioned local governments wouldn’t know that the insurgents operate freely there. It is quite disturbing that terrorists operate at will, move unrestrained and collect taxes from farmers. Villages in Gujba local government areas are fast becoming wombs of terror.
Hearing tales from locals of the two LGAs will leave one wondering what gives the fighters of ISWAP the effrontery to operate even in a place where the School of Counter-Terrorism is situated and the country’s Army University where researches on aspects of counterinsurgency strategies written from the perspective of the North East are expected to be published and the recommendations given to the Nigerian Army to infuse into its counterinsurgency operations; but sadly faces insecurity continuously.
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The string of terror activities witnessed in the state (which hardly gets reported) is enough to make those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives and property buckle up. It is thought that the authorities will take more proactive measures when scores of people were killed by the insurgents for giving an intelligence report to the authorities about the activities of the insurgents in Gumsa, when insurgents attacked the escort of the state governor not long ago. Nothing practical was done militarily. The emboldened remnants of the insurgents have the guts to vandalise electricity towers few metres to a military formation. How daring! This and the daily killings, movements and other stories perpetrated unchecked by the members of the Boko Haram sect only tells how vulnerable the state is and further shows how the military is now reluctant in taking the war to the hideouts of the insurgents thereby giving them opportunity to not only regroup but bring the hands of the clock back regarding the counter-insurgency where we have almost started forgetting something called Boko Haram until their recent resurgence.
The military should please take back their guns and model a coherent security strategy to flush these rag-tag militias that are not even much since farming activities are over before these violent incidents escalate.
The ministry of defence, which is the third recipient of the monies proposed for in the 2024 budget with a proposed allocation of N1.58 trillion, should please ensure transparency and accountability in the judicious use of the monies. Furthermore, may we not go back to the era of missing monies meant for defence.
A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.
Muhammad Kime wrote from Damaturu
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