THE report that members of the Boko Haram sect have threatened to widen the scope of their operations if the government goes on to execute the court judgement on the former Chief Security Officer(CSO) of the late Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, is very worrying.The group had allegedly threatened that 'Should the Federal Government dare carry out the sentence announced earlier today on Major Hamzat al-Mustapha, the full scale attacks will be expanded from security agencies and agents to the judiciary, from police stations to courts and so on. All Chief justices, High Court judges and Appeal Court judges should take note.The blood of al- Mustapha is the blood of the Nigerian masses.'When in 1919, the Irish Republican Army launched its armed insurrection against the authority of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth III, their aims were clearly defined. Between 1919 and 1921, the Irish Republican Army fought the British authorities to demand for a seperate home rule within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Their agitations led to political violence across Ireland.Home rule is not exactly cast in the mould of regional governments which we had during the glorious days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the West. A Home Rule is a system of government created by ordinary legislation and can be reformed, or even abolished by a mere repeal or an amendment of that legislation. The leaders of the IRA were known names like Isaac Butt, William Shaw, Charles Parnell and John Redmond.Hans Scholl was a medical student who also led White Rose, a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany between the late 1930s and into the 40s with some of his friends. Even in Africa, we have had resistance groups fighting political oppresion either against external authorities such as the colonialists, or local indigenous bourgeoisie oppressors. Most of them had clearly defined focus and were therefore able, to a large extent, achieve their aims. Such groups include the Sudan People's Liberation Army(SPLA) of southern Sudan which was at a point led by the late John Garang. Today, the independent nation of Southern Sudan is a tribute to the memory of Garang's fighting spirit and that of members of the SPLAM. It is unfortunate that the activities of the Boko Haram in Nigeria is a reflection of how not to be a resistance group.For a while now, the Borno State governor and the Northern Elders' Forum have been clamouring that the Federal Government enters into negotiation with the members of the Boko Haram. Since the emergence of this group on the national scene, there has not been any known individual who can be linked to the group with all assurance. Since their so-called leader was killed by the police in Borno State while under detention, there has been no sure leader that has been identified with the group. It is even disputable that the murdered Mohammed Yusuf was the leader of the group because there has been no independent verification of the fact. So far, the known suspects are Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (a.ka Al-Zawahiri), whose father claims is mentally imbalance and Senator Ali Ndume, who has denied knowing anything about the group.The other known arrested suspect Kabir Sokoto escaped in handcuffs when some youths were said to have attacked the four policemen taking him to his house in Abaji for a search.Another dilemma is the lack of clearly defined goal by the group. Even in Uganda where the people live under the terror of the Lord's Liberation Army, Joseph Kony is known as the leader of the cannibalistic group.The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, according to a report by Reuters, has challenged the members of the group to reveal, not just their mission but also their identities.What do members of the Boko Haram really want' Regional autonomy, Religious seperatism' Access to the national till or political power'The seemingly amorphous group had issued statements signed with different names with the latest being the Thursday interview by one previously unknown Abubakar Shekau. It used to be one al-Zawahiri, then, it changed to Qaqa.The 'group', if there is anything like a single group, seems to have been overtaken by other interests or what has a court judgement on a case that has been pending in the last 13 years got to do with whatever injustices a group may claim to have suffered or is suffering' How can the blood of a single Nigerian, who can still go to the Supreme Court to appeal the judgment be equal to that of over 150 million Nigerians' The government cannot afford to idlely standby and watch this madness progress any further. The President particularly must latch on to the private initiative of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Sani in his effort to undermine this cancer. It is obvious that any group or individual which thinks that its interest is being impinged upon by the government will now find the Boko Haram mask convinent to don. The government, if it is truly desirous of the citizens' operation, should be open with the people. Inasmuch as security details cannot be publicly revealed, the government needs to do more to mobilise men and resources against this malaise or else, it may see the end of us all. God forbid!Lewis, 08055001746 (SMS only)
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