I was one of the sceptics who believed that the last Eid-Kabir celebration or the Sallah Festival would be marked by bloodshed from terrorist attacks instead of the blood of sacrificial lambs.
I had thought that rather than the ritual killing of cows and rams for religious sacrifice, human beings might be victims of slaughter from Boko Haram as being witnessed and reported in the media.
There were speculations and alleged announcement by terrorist leaders to attack on Sallah. Some Nigerians, especially those in crises-prone areas, were a bit apprehensive, some even ran away to more peaceful environments. Their apprehension was largely fuelled by bitter experiences of the past where several of them lost friends, relations and valuables to coordinated terrorist attacks.
Surprisingly to the amazement of most of us, our security men have indeed proved cynics wrong that they can actually put trouble-shooters in check. This, they have demonstrated by mounting security surveillance through aerial patrols, check-points and stop and search measures which naturally could be disturbing, but result is now obvious. Gladly, the story became entirely different and heart-warming as no single case of security breach was reported in any part of the country during the Eid El Kabir celebration. This is indeed a welcome development.
The assistance of the famous “Civilian JTF” in ensuring peace in areas dubbed flashpoints was invaluable and unprecedented. The Nigerian youths in those areas have indeed displayed their readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians. Not to be caught napping, they rather chose to remain alert and vigilant as the Sallah festival approached. Through the massive and sustained efforts of the “Civilian JTF”, security personnel in troubled areas in the North East have continued to record tremendous achievements in their resolve to clampdown on trouble-shooters in the areas.
It is interesting to note that Sallah durbars which never held in states across the North East and North West in the past few years took place without witnessing any security breach. This is no doubt an indication that peace is fast returning to the North. The Eid el Kabir celebration was very colourful as various families took out time to unwind at various fun centres in their respective locations. This is made possible by our security men who sacrificed their comfort and pleasure to guarantee the security of the masses.
With the recent security success recorded during the recent Sallah celebration, indications are that our security have not only lived up to expectation, but have displayed their readiness to secure the lives of the people, using everything at their disposal.
It is also gratifying to note that even members of the international community are pleased with the successes so far recorded in the war against insurgency in the country. Without doubts, Nigeria’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is an indication that we still command enormous respect and recognition in the comity of nations. The world has come to realise that insecurity is a global problem and it is not peculiar to any nation. Individual nations are daily battling to fight one form of security challenge or the other.
Recent media reports indicate that constant fire battles from our security men have forced members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect to relocate to neighbouring countries of Cameroun, Chad and Niger. The Nigerian military has indeed made the place inhabitable for these undesirable elements. Though it is not yet uhuru, but we are deeply convinced that we are not far from victory.
Government on the other hand has left no one in doubt as to how it intends to fight insurgency in the country. Like never before, the current system has continued to accord priority attention to issues of security and welfare of its citizens. The recent massive deployment of military troops to Nasarawa State to halt the activities of the Ombatse cult group, creation of an additional military command with its headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State and prompt payment of allowances to security men on duty are some of the positive efforts on the part of government to end terrorism in the country. This government has continued to reiterate its avowed commitment towards making Nigeria a safe, secure and progressive country. Without fear of contradiction, the present system has done its best to make Nigeria the envy of other nations, regardless of recurring security distractions which has slowed down the pace of development.
Another significant milestone recorded by the Nigerian security is the capture of kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Oniarah who had operated like the Lord of the Manor in the Niger Delta for a very long time. His eventual capture by men of the Department of State Services marked the end of kidnapping in the region.
As heart-warming as these stories are, our security men must resist the temptation of concluding that the war against insurgency is over. It is not yet over. Though we are not far from the end.
The Nigerian Army’s readiness to recruit no fewer than 9,000 men to scale its anti-terror war is gratifying. It vividly underscores its resolve to improve security situation within the country.
As lofty as this plan is, the Army leadership should ensure that its recruitment exercise reflects the federal character principle and should watch against recruiting elements who would become agents of terror groups. Necessary rules and regulations of the military shouldn’t be compromised.
Ms Fatima Goni, a social commentator, wrote from Kano City Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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