The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has bemoaned the new upsurge in terrorism acts in various parts of the country, especially North East, North Central and North West.
In a statement by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere also lamented over kidnapping incidents in parts of the South West.
Incessant terrorism attacks have been reported in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara and Kwara States in the past few weeks leading to losses of several lives and properties running into billions of naira.
The Afenifere’s spokesman stated that it was important to first identify some of the root causes of the problem.
Among the causative factors, he said, were the wide expanse of land that are not being properly governed; porous borders, especially in the northern parts of the country; proliferation of weapons; complicity of state actors and influential individuals; ethno-religious bigotry; lack or paucity of institutional capacity by the state; elements of sabotage on the part of some unscrupulous politicians; desire of some ethnic groups for territorial hegemony and ineffective governance in certain areas.
Other factors identified included foreign interests; illegal mining; instability in some countries in the Sahel; conflicts between farmers and pastoralists (essentially triggered by the latter); army of uneducated youths, especially in the North, as well as socio-economic factors such as high unemployment, weak state presence in some areas and inordinate desire to acquire wealth at all costs. The latter factor is especially implicated in the rise in kidnapping incidents, ritual killings and desire for superiority by rival cult groups, among youths.
Ajayi recalled that in January this year, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, raised the alarm that foreign interests were funding terrorist groups operating in Nigeria. Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, last Tuesday, also disclosed that attacks on areas in his state were being carried out by foreign elements, especially from Mali, a West African country.
Arguing that this serious threat to the essence of Nigeria’s peace predated the current administration, the Afenifere’s spokesman recalled that on May 30, 2014, a first-class Emir of Gworza, Borno State, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, was killed by insurgents while two fellow emirs, Alhaji Ismaila Mamza of Uba and Alhaji Mai Abdullah Askirama of Askira, escaped death by the whiskers during the attack. The three traditional rulers were travelling to Gombe for the funeral of the emir of that town. The then director of defence information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, broke the news as reported by a national newspaper on May 31, 2014. There had been several reports of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism, including herders’ attacks on farmers and settlements for years.
Indeed, a report by the Institute of Economics and Peace stated that terrorism index in Nigeria, which was at 3.86 in 2002 averaged 7.09 in later years up till 2014. It increased to 9.12 points in 2015. It came down thereafter but, again, rose to 7.66 in 2024 from 7.58; that it was in 2023.
As posited by Queer Ladder Theory (QLT), “organised crimes thrive in contexts where the government’s capacity to dictate, sanction and deter crime is poor; where public corruption is endemic; and where prospects for legitimate livelihood opportunities are slim.
“Going by what Nigerians have been experiencing for decades, the above declaration appears to be very apt in the case of our country as governments at various levels have not been meeting the expectations of Nigerians. This is especially the case at state and local government levels if the resources available to them are anything to go by.”
Another report has it that as many as 30,000 bandits were in the North West as of 2010. Today, the number is much higher despite the efforts of security agencies and steps being taken by the government. The number is swelling partly because of the reasons stated inter alia, along with the army of uneducated youths who are also unskilled and unable to think deeply.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, years ago, warned that “the children of the poor you failed to train will never let your children have peace.” That is what is happening in Nigeria today, as terror groups are finding it easy to recruit from among the horde of uneducated youths in the North- youths who are not sure of the future due to lack of education and skills; youths who have difficulties to reason deeply when baits were thrown at them and when expected carrots did not come resorted to what, in psychology, is known as ‘Frustration Aggression Theory (FAT). This is a situation in which the individual employs any means, fair or foul, including crime, for survival.
To bring the menace of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping etc. under control, Afenifere suggested the following measures:
“The immediate implementation of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) and prompt enforcement of Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended in 2013 and 2022. The Act is “for the prevention, prohibition and combating of acts of terrorism, financing of terrorism in Nigeria …” etc.
“Peace building efforts involving meetings of stakeholders in various communities with a view to reminding them that banditry has no intrinsic benefits whatsoever. Perceived collaborators should be reined-in with both carrots and sticks.
“Immediate measures to be put in place to encourage ranching as well as enforcing Anti-Open Grazing Laws in states where the Acts have been passed.
“The issue of amnesty for bandits, terrorists and kidnappers should be reviewed. Arguments are afoot as to whether a person who did not think twice before terrorising the other persons, sometimes leading to loss of lives, deserves pardon.
“The much talked-about state police should be established without further delay. While the matter is being dealt with politically, the National Assembly should quickly amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution which centralises policing in Nigeria.
“Law enforcement agencies, including those manning our various borders should be further empowered and motivated.
“Security and intelligence gathering and processing must be improved upon along with inter-agency co-operation.
“As is known, politicians, the world over, often vilify their opponents. Nigeria politicians are no exceptions. Those who are overtly or covertly encouraging banditry for (present or expected) political gains should remember that they can successfully operate as politicians only in a safe environment.
“Governments should be more forthcoming on enhancing the socio-economic condition of the people. This can be done through short-term, mid-term and long-term measures.
“President Bola Tinubu’s programme on youth empowerment should be strengthened, widened and popularised soonest.”