What is really going on in Nigeria? Somebody said on my TL that Boko Haram {alleged to be responsible for the blasts} is certainly not working for Islam. And I totally agree. This is more like political terrorism. It's unfortunate that the Government wasted 2 weeks on an ill-thought out reform on the oil sector that had the masses up in arms. Not only were the government ministers and the police distracted, the president equally channeled military resources unnecessarily to Lagos, a perfectly peaceful city. All these while several northern states were still in a state of emergency.
Now Kano, the biggest state in the north, and whose capital city is the economic center has been overtaken. And what a manner of declaring their stand. 20 bomb blasts going off simultaneously in different parts of the city, with security agencies being the main target. The Inspector General's residence and that of the Assistant IG are reported bombed as are several Police stations and an Immigration office. In some places, the attacks are by suicide bombing, while in a few places, the assailants engaged the police in gun battles.
This sounds like a movie, right? But it's not! It's not Hollywood or Nollywood, and that's why it's so scary. Innocent people are dieing for nothing! Because if indeed Boko Haram is behind this, what are they asking for? Sharia? Most Northern states already use that law. Surely they do not want to force it down the throat of the rest of us? That is why I believe this is political. Some people want to make the country ungovernable, some actually threatened it after the last elections. But I ask, at what cost?
President Jonathan mentioned recently that terrorists had infiltrated several aspects of government and recent events seem to bear him out. A suspected Boko Haram member was arrested, but escaped due to the supposed negligence of a Commissioner of Police. With a 24hours ultimatum of a job sack over his head, the IG started playing Kalo Kalo with the media. He has been found, no he has not, catch him and get a N50Million reward. Has the IG been sacked yet? Your guess is as good as mine. What a joke!
I've always suspected that the security agencies in Nigeria are all a joke, there to massage the ego of some top brass. And of course, the SSS is good to round up those who speak out against the government or any of its policies. SMH. How can 20 explosions be planned and no one knew anything? I hear BH is circulating pamphlets in Kano of more blasts to come. Is this a retaliation for their arrested members? What intelligence does the SSS and Police have on what is currently going on?
My final question is, What is the government doing?
Sadly we have no government in Nigeria and these bomb blasts and recent protests are clear manifestations that Nigeria is moving towards a precipice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info about what happened as I've only just being trying to surf around for news that are just filtering in.
These senseless killings cannot go on forever. Nigeria needs to decide the basis of its unity, this marriage of inconvenience isn't just working.
Honestly, I'm beginning to agree with you. The country is deteriorating into anarchy and it seems they are doing nothing.
DeleteWe are seeing the result of complacency.It is quite clear the government does not care for Nigerians at all. When Boko Haram first started they targeted small towns and "non-significant" places. It didn't make sense, why go and bomb a small unknown town in Adamawa state?.Rather than nip things in the bud the government was too busy siphoning money and spending their time and effort on irrelevant things such as the Gay marriage bills.
ReplyDeleteOver and over we kept hearing stories of small towns being bombed and targeted yet our government paid no notice.
From the onset it seemed quite clear that this was not motivated by religion because up until December most of the bombing have occurred in predominantly Muslim area.It seemed to me that they were doing "target practice" whilst preparing for their main atrocities which is what we are seeing. What a shame!
This is so depressing! I guess it's futile wondering what drives terrorists and suicide bombers in such a place as Nigeria.
DeleteIt's like we share the same mind, I've been flipping between anger and sadness over this issue today. God help us all.
ReplyDeleteGod help us o...
DeleteWe've been living a lie, and the truth about the lie just started surfacing...
ReplyDeleteThe coming months will reveal the true Nigeria, I think.
DeleteMyne once again a very objective and well thought out post by you on Africa. I just thank God that we got out when we did which in actual fact is just before this whole fuel price thing happened.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that they knew about the planned bombings but one thing I've discovered about that country is that everyone likes having their head in the sand and refuse to believe anything bad can happen. Its almost like if you do and plan for bad you are willing it to.
I think Nigeria is Heading for disaster,I HOPE GOD comes to the rescue of if not all,his faithfuls...
ReplyDeleteAt least Boko Haram is keeping their promise to make Nigeria ungovernable. What are the SWORN officials doing? Having town hall meetings..
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me, I need to call my girlfriend in Kano. smh.
Myne,you've stated the obvious,it is all political.If you're acquainted with the history of Nigeria,then you'd know that having a Southerner as president of the country is too much for the Northerners to bear.Why didn't Boko Haram come up years before now? Why didn't we hear of them when President Yar'adua was on seat? Have you heard any speech from the prominent men of Northern Nigeria? It is all political and like i said before,the major problem we have in Nigeria as a nation is Ethnic and Religious sentiments.Till we do away with them,we'll still be having thesame issues.
ReplyDeleteRemember GEJ said that "it's only Nigeria's turn to experience terrorism" and we should expect it to "fizzle out." His statement sums up the dysfunction in Nigeria.
ReplyDelete'its only Nigeria's turn to experience terrorism'can you just imagine the utter rubbish from the president?!this is nt good at all,not gud at all.i hve Family in the North and i am getting increasingly worried abt these attacks.and the fact that i find myself to be so helpless in this is all the more fustrating.If the Government would do nothing in the face of these deadly attacks on Nigerians,then we can only turn to God.I am extremely angry that nigerians are just expected to lie down and accept death at the hands of these lunatics because our Government is busy with other non-impotant issues or plainly does not give a hoot about its citizens.This has to stop!
ReplyDeleteI agree wholly with your musing. This is so sad and moreso gets sadder by the day because of the hopelessness of the situation. Is it not ironical that the city under siege is in the North? They forget how much easier it is to destroy than build. I am indignant that the so-called senior members of the country have not intervened-especially the Muslims among them.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a word of encouragement to all-Nothing can separate us from God's love and we should be telling the perpetrators of evil how big our God is!
"This is more like political terrorism." Bless you!! this has been my view from the start, this isn't about religion. Our government should chart the environmental and economic effect of these attacks. There are powerful people gaining from these attacks, as soon as we figure out what people stand to gain,we can find the people that are gaining and the sponsors. It's NOT OKAY. our president commissioned billion of dollars in security gadgets less than 6months ago,how do you invest in tech security when we don't have Electricity. cheiiiiiiii... I weep for my country, it's so easy for these people to take us for granted because we are easily divided by religion.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is soo soo valid!!!!there's more to it...the people sponsoring these guys must be in it for sumtin because it'll be outright madness to be killing people for d fun of it...and if religion has divided us already...maybe we shoyld just go our separate ways!!!I no longer believe in one Nigeria again.....let the northerners go with their sponsors et al,it's too too too sad!!!
DeleteI won't lie to you,I didn't support Tunde Bakare when he was running for president,I absolutely regret my stupid thoughts of supporting GEJ then.TB said we do not need "goodluck" in 9ja,we need "good governance"..He was so very correct.We need proper leadership in the country not someone who get there by chance..I am so so confused about the nation..I am beginning to wonder if this is d will of God because I don't know how all these is happening..I sound really disjoined because I am confused,I believe God helped us in handling Abacha but why did he allow OBJ give Yaradua if he knew GEJ would end up bringing sorrow into the country?
ReplyDeleteI am utterly speechless. Only God can save Nigeria. This is shocking and truly bewildering. A government this passive...Terrorist attacks with fallacious claims...God help us.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this and keeping us informed. God bless