Judul : Can Tinubu Put the Chibok Ghost to Rest?
link : Can Tinubu Put the Chibok Ghost to Rest?
Can Tinubu Put the Chibok Ghost to Rest?
TheLast week was a terrible experience that involved almost 300 individuals being taken, primarily from educational institutions.
In Kebbi, at least 24 individuals were taken from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga before sunrise on Monday.
On Tuesday, in Kwara, armed individuals killed two people and took 38 churchgoers from Eruku hostage, demanding N100 million per person.
By Friday, over 215 children and 12 educators had been taken hostage when armed individuals attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, within the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
For President Bola Tinubu, who is still dealing with the political consequences of Donald Trump's warning to "move in, guns a-blazing" and reduce aid if Nigeria does not act quickly, this presents a challenge; one that his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, faced in 2014 and ultimately lost his chance at a second term over.
However, Tinubu's challenge is distinct. His examination includes a direct warning from a global superpower.
On October 30, U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern." In light of the situation, others might refer to it as a "Country of Multiple Concerns."
In any case, the White House's warning brought our local security issue to the international spotlight. In my view, this is both a benefit and a source of shame.
The previous instance when Nigeria attracted significant global attention was in April 2014, when Boko Haram seized more than 200 female students from Chibok, located in Borno State. Regrettably, numerous other abductions have occurred since then.
As anticipated, the sudden attention resulted in a chaotic situation. People who couldn't locate Nigeria on a map suddenly had strong opinions.
Due to America's history of intervention, Nigerians also have valid concerns. There is some truth to what Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga referred to as "coordinated efforts" aimed at undermining Nigeria's reputation.
But let's face it: our critics are merely employing a weapon we left unattended for years.
Nevertheless, Trump's warnings were not only heard by Tinubu. The terrorists also heard them. However, they perceive these threats in a different manner. Let me clarify. Please come closer.
On 5 February 2003, US Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to the UN Security Council. Less than a year after the 9/11 incidents, Powell presented a new name to the council, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, which he referenced 21 times during his speech.
The objective was to create a functional connection between Al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein's administration in Iraq in order to legitimize military intervention.
Nevertheless, the side effect transformed a minor, hit-and-run local hero into an international terror symbol.
The high-profile public reference indicated that al-Zarqawi, a largely unknown individual, was finally receiving international attention for his (evil) deeds.
It felt as if someone had been nominated for the Golden Globe Award, but for terrorists. Imagine a modest local artist suddenly appearing on Obama's list of favorite songs of the year. Exactly.
Thus, al-Zarqawi's rising fame drew substantial funding, backing, and adherents from the worldwide radical network, a level of attention that even Osama bin Laden might have coveted.
By pushing the government to take notice, Trump might have unintentionally awarded these outlaws an al-Zarqawi medal. To them, his warnings conveyed, "I see you. I recognize you."
Could this account for the increase in abductions that led certain states to briefly close schools? A prudent but desperate and protective stance.
Throughout all of this, it's difficult not to recall the Jonathan administration, where terrorists celebrated their victories like casino moguls. It's a repeat of the past. We are deeply involved in problems related to school abductions that still evoke those times.
Now, don't mix this up. The Buhari era also experienced its own number of abductions. The Kankara boys' case still seems like it happened just recently.
Jonathan's situation was unique because of a combination of elements that are not the main topic of this column. It was evident, however, that the government appeared profoundly ineffective.
Some Nigerians have considered the possibility of foreign forces on our land. Even now, some think Trump's warnings are divine intervention where leaders have fallen short.
International attention can serve as a beneficial challenge; it pushes any progressive government to examine itself. However, it should not be our approach. A nation with sovereignty should not have to be forced into fulfilling its fundamental duties.
As a citizen, Tinubu used his right to voice criticism about Jonathan's management of the Chibok kidnappings back then. Now, 11 years later, he is in the same exam room. At the same desk. Under the same group of onlookers.
How will he manage this emergency?
Initially, he decided to be present. He delayed and ultimately canceled his commitments at the G20 meeting in South Africa, scheduled for this weekend. Vice President Kashim Shettima is now representing the Nigerian delegation. It was a reasonable decision, as in early July 2022, his immediate predecessor traveled to a Senegal summit just hours after an attack on Kuje prison released hundreds of terrorists.
Tinubu also dispatched Shettima to Kebbi on Wednesday to meet the families of the abducted schoolgirls and directed an extensive search operation for the kidnappers from Kebbi and Kwara along with their captives.
The Presidency stated that Tinubu, having been informed by military leaders, felt "grieved" about the Kebbi kidnapping. It was particularly painful as there had been intelligence reports of an anticipated attack.
He subsequently directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to move to Kebbi to oversee the rescue operations. It's easy to understand why. In February 2021, when Matawalle was the Governor of Zamfara State, 279 students from Jangebe were kidnapped and released a few days later through secret negotiations.
Here are some of the actions that Nigerians can observe. There are additional measures we would like to see but may not learn about until they are implemented. However, the question persists: Will the Tinubu administration continue to support the ransom system to release the kidnapped or adopt a Margaret Thatcher approach?
Will it, like previous ones, shift sorrow to "high-powered delegations," then revert to normal operations?
There is a reason the Chibok incident continues to disturb. It serves as a horrifying reminder that even 11 years on, children in Nigeria are endangering their lives just to access education. It reflects the bleak truth that a child can depart for school, not war, and may come back dead or, more tragically, permanently scarred.
If Tinubu aims to put the Chibok issue to rest, he needs to implement a new approach. One that doesn't merely punish terrorists lightly. One that ensures justice is tangible and makes impunity costly.
For the time being, the bandits are enjoying their victories. That joy won't last long.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Demikianlah Artikel Can Tinubu Put the Chibok Ghost to Rest?
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