It will be difficult to totally eliminate the act of terrorism once it has been experimented in a society. It may then become a vice just like armed robbery or kidnapping. Terrorism cannot be eliminated by the act of force alone, but also by subtle diplomacy, strategy, mass education and enlightenment.
Back in the 70’s we’ve had religious skirmishes in the north (Kaduna, Kano and Bauchi states) after the 3-7days orgy, the matter is swept under the carpet, no white paper issued, no sponsors apprehended, and punished and no compensation paid. We then pretend all is well, but the evil seed had been sown.
Then in the 80’s we had the Maitaisine crises, immediately the head of the organisation was killed, everything was swept under the carpet, the maitaisine has metamorphosed into Boko Haram. Also, in the 80’s, we had religious crises in some northern states but government has followed the same pattern. The Fulani herdsmen are terrorising citizens, what action has Federal Government taken? Have the farmers whose crops were destroyed been compensated? Six years ago, a female teacher was beheaded in Gombe state, the matter has since been forgotten and culprits freed. Also 4 years ago, an Igbo lady was killed in Kano what has government done? Nothing.
Early 2003, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) informed the Obasanjo led federal government that they should watch the activities of some Islamic groups in the north as they could be dangerous, but government ignored the advice. If the federal government had monitored the sect activities at that time, Boko haram would never have manifested.
Now the same federal government is complaining about Boko haram. They’ve killed thousands, destroyed businesses and properties worth billions and also introduced suicide bombing into Nigeria’s terrorism dictionary.
But the root cause of these crises has not been unveiled, since no sponsor has been apprehended nor punished, the cycle will continue and the next time it will be sophisticated bombs on our streets and mass suicide bombing using teenagers.
I suggest that a white paper should be issued on all religious crises in the country and the penalty should be death sentence and confiscation of all properties of the culprits (our punishment is too weak; we give 10-20 years imprisonment it should be death and within 2 years verdict should be out on suspects).
A policy to control birth in the north should be instituted, because in situation where by a man has 30 children, the tendency to donate some for a cause that he fancies will be there.
Subjects on religious tolerance should be taught in schools, a legislation should be made that anyone that kills for religion sake will also be killed and the over 10 million “Almajiri” kids, should be put in schools and catered for by the government. There should be free education in the North up to secondary level, because the religious tolerance in the north is much lower than that of the South and a befitting rehabilitation college established for ex-boko haram members.
Exchanging captured boko haram members for kidnapped citizens may be a dangerous idea, a cue should be taken from Saudi government about their rehabilitation methods and federal government should consider setting up an anti- terrorism department and religious tolerance department.
In the presidency, terrorism insurance scheme should be established and compensation committee set up to compensate all victims of religious crises and terrorism. With these laudable innovations the federal government may be getting closer to the root causes of terrorism in our country Nigeria and thereby taming its fangs.
DAVID ATTA
David Atta is a writer from Abuja. He can be contacted via phone: 07033012122 or mail: [email protected]
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