By DAPO AKINREFON
FOR sometime now, the activities of the dreaded Islamist Sect, Boko Haram, have left Nigeria and indeed, Nigerians worried over the growing spate of insecurity in the land.

The Hausa language phrase loosely translated as ‘Western education is sacrilege’ or “Western education is a sin in Hausa language, Boko Haram, since 2009 has unleashed a series of .coordinated attacks on security institutions such as the Police, Army SSS as well as churches killing about 1500 persons in the process.

The beginning

Late radical Islamic cleric, Mohammad Yusuf, birthed Boko Haram in 2002 in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital. The group aims to establish a fully Islamic state in Nigeria, including the implementation of Sharia across northern parts of the country.

Killing spree

Having carried out its attacks with little or no challenge from the security agencies, Boko Haram since November 2011 has stepped up its offensive  in places like Maiduguri, Damaturu and Potiskum, targeting churches, mosques, banks, and police stations. At least 150 people were reported killed. Last year’s violence garnered more international attention for the group, with condemnations from virtually every quarter.

Also, the bombings on Christmas Day in 2011 targeting churches and killing dozens raised fears about the possibility of another spate of religious violence between Muslims and Christians in the country.

With the warning by the Sect’s Spokesman, Abul Qaqa, that there would  be more killings, Nigerians have tasked the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the growing insecurity in the land.

The way out

Indeed, there is a clear unanimity on the need to check the activities of the sect. However, the various ethnic nationality organisations in the country differed on how to go about it. While some urged convocation of a national conference others asked the Federal Government to muster the political will to tackle the terrorists.

Afenifere, OPC prefer confab

Founder of the South_West militia group, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasehun said that convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) would assist in addressing the multifarious problems facing the polity.

said Fasehun: “We have made many suggestions. When you go to an organized war, you will still have to sit at a round table. Instead of killing, maiming and destruction, there is need for the government to go for a national conference to restructure the nation, otherwise, we won’t make any headway.”

President has to be firm – Afenifere

On his part, leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to re-structure the nation’s security outfits to enable them combat the activities of the Islamic group.

Fasoranti asked the Federal Government to look inwards, saying there was need for the President to be firm in  handling state matters.

His words: “The Federal Government should look inwards and tighten security all over the place. The situation is so complex that the leaders in the North are not saying anything. The perception is that they want to make the country ungovernable for the President.

I think the Federal Government should look into that because it is a serious issue. What is happening now is as a result of bad leadership. Apart from that, the security people have not handled the issue of security very well.

“These are the problems and that is why I am saying that the Federal Government should look inwards, set up security methods and fine-tune them. And then the president should be firm otherwise, the state of the nation might be worsened.”

Northern leaders should speak up –  N/Delta group

For the Niger Delta Nationalities Forum, NDNF, there is need for eminent and prominent Northern leaders to come out openly and condemn the activities of Boko Haram, saying that such steps would help to nip the menace.

Chairman of the group, Mr Manager Seigha, in a chat with Vanguard proposed that a holistic approach should be adopted to address the growing insecurity posed by the sect.

He opined that “the Federal Government has a lot to do, but the leaders in the North have more to do than what the Federal Government can do. The type of war that Boko Haram has brought to bear is like guerilla warfare and the country cannot fight against itself. The president cannot decide to declare a state of emergency in all the states of the federation because if he does that, there can be a boomerang effect.

“In any case, Boko Haram is formidable because credible and very important persons are giving them some confidence, providing some working materials and escape routes. However, it is still a case of the northern leaders taking a decision; their decision will determine what will happen. If very important leaders, whose opinions can sway the thinking of the average person, are not talking, then, it is like allowing evil to prevail,” he asserted.

Aside this, he noted that “without mentioning names, there are leaders in the north, who can come out openly and sincerely to stop this menace, the activities of the sect, will come to an end.

Certainly, Boko Haram is a northern based organization and when northern leaders speak, they will hearken to them, but the leaders have not come out to condemn them. I think by doing such, it will carry more weight rather than recruiting and re_deploying soldiers and policemen to the north which will not solve any problem.”

There’s need for peace – Ohanaeze Ndigbo

The umbrella body of Igbos, Ohaneze_Ndigbo enjoined Nigerians to eschew all manner of vice which could push the nation to the brink.

In a telephone interview with Vanguard, General Secretary of the group, Chief Nduka Eya said it was imperative for Nigeria to learn from the experience of other nations embroiled in crisis.

According to hm, “as far as all of us are concerned, it is an ill wind that blows no one good. When they (Boko Haram) get the anarchy that they want, neither the foe nor the friend will be saved. Nigerians must learn to live in peace because that is the only thing that makes us human beings. We must learn from the experience of other countries; the spirit of God should also come into us because the more peaceful we are, the better for all of us.”

FG needs political will – Arewa youths

In its submission, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum denounced the activities of Boko Haram just as it called on the federal government to exert political will to put an end to the growing tension.

Speaking with Vanguard, President of the group, Alhaji Yerima Shettima said “the federal government needs political will to end the growing insecurity in the country, especially the activities of the sect.”

Condemning the attacks, bombings and killings, so far, carried out by the group, Shettima said “the act of the sect is uncalled for, whatever they are doing, does not, in anyway justify the killing of innocent Nigerians and that is my believe.

The government needs political will to tackle the issue and with the help of Nigerians, all hands must be on deck because we have a problem which involves everybody. Collectively, I believe we can resolve this issue.”