Since the sudden emergence of this so-called dreaded Islamic sect called Boko Haram, in the Northern part of Nigeria, over 2,000 Nigerians had been killed in their prime without any sanction on the evil perpetrators. Apart from previous cases of violence in the region, especially in Jos, Kaduna, Maiduguri and others, in which many non-northerners were rendered homeless, with property worth millions of naira destroyed (it is sad that innocent Nigerians were deliberately murdered in cold blood during the yuletide season), the fear of living in the North has since been the beginning of many relocating to their respective villages or states for safety. In the Holy Bible, killing of fellow human beings is one of the sins God hates most, as it led to the punishment of Cain when he killed Abel. Alas! Taking of human lives has been no big deal to the Boko Haram. The country had since graduated from armed robbery to kidnapping and now to suicide bombing, which invariably speaks negatively of Nigeria that ought to be the giant of Africa and the sixth largest producer of crude oil and gas, and seventh importer of rice. A few years ago, the Northern region used to be a place people visit for tourism and business, but it has been hijacked by the powers that be, who felt the leadership of the country has been betrayed.The Boko Haram members have negatively turned northern states to a violent region, which only security operatives could help to curb. Despite the fact that the Boko Haram recently issued a warning notice before the Christmas eve, that it would carry out heinous activities at designated places belonging to government and churches, Jonathan failed to read between the lines of these callous men. The bomb blast that occurred at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja, indicates the politics and intrigues of the Boko Haram members, who see the security lapses of the country as an opportunity to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians. During the militant unrest in the Niger-Delta region, many felt it was a politically-motivated act, which was later resolved by the late President Musa Yar'Adua, who gave amnesty to the militants. Although the militants accepted the offer of the then President, they fought massively for the emancipation of the region from environmental degradation and total marginalisation, for her crude oil and gas which was being used to grow the nation's economy.The truth is, the spate of bomb blasts could be traced to some highly-placed northerners, who feed from the unrest situation. This can be concluded upon because despite the many committees set up by Jonathan, which mostly were made up of the Northern elders and leaders to look into the various causes of the unresolved violence in which the nation has become enmeshed in recent times, no solution seem to be in view. May I ask, what are the Boko Haram members fighting for'Jonathan has not really lived up to expectation when it comes to security failure lapses in the country. All the blames are being apportioned on the Presidency. The allocation of N921 billion for security in the 2012 budget is not tantamount to a solution being found to the rebellious crises being infested on Nigerians for no just cause.Well, many political observers initially felt that the Boko Haram insurgence could also be traced to unemployment among the teeming youths of the Northern region, but it has gone beyond such a political imagination.The reality is being played on those who know that the nation's leadership is being occupied by unexpected leader who stepped into power by circumstance. The vision 20:2020 and other economic recoveries are still in the pipeline of the Jonathan-led government. If the Niger-Delta Ministry was created to douse the tension in that region, what stops the Boko Haram from accepting peace to reign' In most civilised countries, as well as some African countries, whose democracies have equally stabilised in a short while, security of her citizenry was given priority without prejudice. Bomb blast is not common in Ghana, Togo and other countries, yet, some will say they have less population, unlike Nigeria with over 150 million people. The Boko Haram members are not spirits but humans.Again, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), under the leadership of Pastor Ayo Orietsejafor, must take a clarion call on his fellow Christians in the North to be cautious of these callous people in the land, because mostly, Christians are victims of the Boko Haram movement in recent times. Even the arrest of Senator Ali Ndume in the Senate, for allegedly sponsoring the Boko Haram, has not really brought any significant change. Indeed, security of lives and property must be taken seriously, and not with kid gloves.Many security operatives have been victims of the so-called Boko Haram since its attained national feasibility. Suicide bombers are gradually taking over the Northern region, while only a few privileged Nigerians are entitled to security, including Jonathan,with bullet-proof vehicles and security personnel. Nigeria borrows money from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to build her economy, yet people still live in abject poverty, while security in Nigeria is still in comatose. No country strives well if security is not adequately fixed by its government. President Obama of the US was able to tackle the security lapses of the country, which led to the killing of late Osama bin Laden.The problem with Nigeria's security is that the number of security personnel are not sufficient when compared to the population of the country, while 60 per cent are guarding highly placed private Nigerians. Who are those issuing warning notices that cannot be arrested by the government' However, United Nations building and the Police Force headquarters' bombings which occurred sometime ago, should have taught Mr President a great lesson, such that he would beef-up the nation's security system. Boko Haram members have seen and taken advantage of lapses in the security network to inflict pains on the people. The palpable fear of Nigerians is that if the dreaded sect continues in its operations, Nigeria will break up according to the US's prediction. Since the government cannot fix our roads, electricity, education, housing and others, then, security should top the agenda now.Lastly, political leaders, clergymen, Islamic leaders, elder statesmen, civil society groups, security experts and others must come together to tackle the nation's security problem. It is no longer a northern affair anymore. Every Nigerian must be involved now.Odidi, President, Alliance for Good Governance, sent this piece in from Apapa, Lagos.
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