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Boko Haram and National Security Challenges in Nigeria; Causes and Solutions
+n,adi-e) N-ec.i &
n-ee(/esus0gmail.com

Department of "ublic +dministration and 1ocal 2overnment Studies

3niversit, of Nigeria

Abstract
Nigeria .as been bedeviled b, et.no-religious conflicts wit. devastating .uman and material losses since t.e return of democrac, in 1444. 5ut t.e 5o-o 6aram uprising of Jul, 2 4 was significant in t.at it not onl, set a precedent) but also reinforced t.e attempts b, Islamic conservative elements at imposing a variant of Islamic religious ideolog, on a secular Nigerian state. 7.ereas t.e religious sensitivit, of Nigerians provided fertile ground for t.e breeding of t.e 5o-o 6aram sect) t.e sect8s blossoming could also be said to .ave been aided b, t.e prevailing economic dislocation in Nigerian) vis-a-vis t.e introduction of part, politics and politics of an9iet,) t.e associated desperation of politicians for political power) and t.e ambivalence of some vocal Islamic leaders) w.o) t.oug. t.e, did not activel, embar- on mutin,) but eit.er did not.ing to impede it from fomenting) or onl, feebl, condemned it. :.ese internal factors coupled wit. growing Islamic fundamentalism around t.e globe made a .ig.l, volatile Nigerian societ, prone to violence) as evidenced b, t.e 5o-o 6aram uprising. 2iven t.e approac. of t.e Nigerian state to religious conflict) t.is violence ma, remain a recurring problem w.ic. is w., t.is paper documents and anal,ses t.e 5o-o 6aram uprising) as well as its lin-s wit. t.e promotion of Islamic revivalism and t.e c.allenges it poses to t.e secularit, of t.e Nigerian state and securit, agencies. Key words: 5o-o-6aram sect) Islamic fundamentalism) National Insecurit, c.allenges and Secularit, of t.e Nigerian state. Introduction +fter decades of dictators.ips) Nigeria saw its fourt. democraticall, elected president ta-e office in 1444. :oda,) t.e countr,8s nascent democrac, is being tested b, rampant crime and an unprecedented campaign of terror suc. t.at in t.e sout.) civil unrest t.reatens safet, and stabilit,) to t.e east; gangs w.o -idnap e9patriates for ransom lie in wait on t.e roads) in bars) and cities; and to t.e nort.) t.e Islamic terrorist group called 5o-o 6aram is growing bot. in number and brutalit, .ence t.e group .as posed bra<en c.allenges to t.e government and issued t.e ultimatum =leave or die> to ?.ristians living in t.e nort.ern Nigeria and confidence t.at t.e government can protect t.e people is at all-time low. +ccording to +lo<ieuwa !2 12#) t.e c.allenge posed b, t.e 5o-o 6aram sect in Nigeria is not onl, about t.e viciousness of eit.er its terror campaigns) or t.e sect8s avowed mission to impose Islamic law on t.e countr,) but about t.e confusion regarding t.e e9act cause!s# of t.e violence. 6owever) man, t.eories t.at .ave emerged to e9plain t.e problem) .ave broadl, revolving around socio-economic) political) and religious t.emes; all of w.ic. in m, estimation does not e9plain t.e reason for suc. violence) brutalit, and cruelt, in one8s own countr, against .is@.er brot.ers. In view of t.e above assertion) t.is paper see-s to unravel .ow 5o-o 6aram .as constituted itself as a national securit, t.reat to t.e continual and .armonious co-e9istence of t.e component nations t.at ma-e up t.e Nigeria state Conce tual Clari!ications Security :.e concept Asecurity" generall,) is a crosscutting) and multi-dimensional concept w.ic. .as) over t.e last centur,) been t.e sub/ect of great debate. 6owever) long before t.at) t.e .istor, of man-ind was interspersed b, t.e fren<ied searc. for t.e best wa, of ensuring t.e securit, of t.e people) t.eir properties) territories) states and institutions among ot.ers. In all places and countries) securit, .as been considered as a =first order value> wort. preserving. :.e aforementioned notwit.standing) t.ere is no consensus on t.e definition of securit,. :.is is not surprising because as a social p.enomenon) it is often approac.ed from different perspectives.
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Securit, .as been seen as a situation w.ere a person or t.ing is not e9posed to an, form of danger or ris- of p.,sical or moral aggression) accident) t.eft or deterioration. Some securit, e9perts argued t.at t.e concept of securit, .as alwa,s been associated wit. t.e safet, and survival of t.e state and its citi<ens from .arm or destruction or from dangerous t.reats. :.ose conceptions generall, .old t.at t.e state is t.e onl, institution wit. t.e primar, responsibilit, and power for t.e safet, of its territor, and its people !Babadi) 2 %C*#. :.erefore t.e concept of securit, in t.is paper is operationalised wit.in t.e conte9t of a nation .ence t.e concept of =national securit,> National Security :.e concept of =national security> is often misunderstood sa,s !7olfer) 14D2# and as suc. elusive sa,s !?are,) 2 #. 6ence a strange p.enomenon) a sub/ective =felling>) and t.erefore relational and relatives) rat.er t.an an ob/ective =t.ing> t.an can be seen and .andled. 6owever) National securit, is t.e reEuirement to maintain t.e survival of t.e state t.roug. t.e use of economic) diplomac,) power pro/ection and political power. :.e concept developed mostl, in t.e 3nited States of +merica after 7orld 7ar II. Initiall, focusing on militar, mig.t; it now encompasses a broad range of facets) all of w.ic. impinge on t.e non militar, or economic securit, of t.e nation and t.e values espoused b, t.e national societ,. +ccordingl,) in order to possess national securit,) a nation needs to possess economic securit,) energ, securit,) environmental securit,) etc. Securit, t.reats involve not onl, conventional foes suc. as ot.er nation-states but also non-state actors suc. as violent non-state actors) narcotic cartels) multinational corporations and non-governmental organi<ations; some aut.orities include natural disasters and events causing severe environmental damage in t.is categor,. Feasures ta-en to ensure national securit, includeC using diplomac, to rall, allies and isolate t.reats; mars.alling economic power to facilitate or compel cooperation; maintaining effective armed forces; implementing civil defense and emergenc, preparedness measures !including anti-terrorism legislation#; ensuring t.e resilience and redundanc, of critical infrastructure; using intelligence services to detect and defeat or avoid t.reats and espionage) and to protect classified information; using counterintelligence services or secret police to protect t.e nation from internal t.reats 2enerall,) 5rait.waite !14$$C4# Euoting t.e enc,clopedia of t.e social sciences defines national securit, as =abilit, of a nation to protect its internal values from e9ternal t.reat>. +lso) 1ipmann defines it b, stating t.at =a nation .as securit, w.en it does not .ave to sacrifice its legitimate interest to avoid war) and is able) if c.allenged) to maintain t.em b, war>. Forgent.au !14($# posits t.at national securit, and national interests are inter-related; w.ere t.e former is seen in terms of power and t.erefore is t.e essence of politics. Imobigbe !14$1# refers to it as t.e defense and survival of t.e state. :.e danger of loo-ing at national securit, from t.is narrow angle according to Nwe-e !14$$C1-2# is t.ree-fold; but we s.all concern ourselves wit. t.e first twoC Girst is t.e tendenc, to eEuate =defense> wit. =securit,> and to bestow undue responsibilities to t.e militar, as if t.e armed forces alone are t.e guardians of national securit,. :.is tendenc, in turn creates in t.e minds of t.e armed forces t.at it is onl, t.roug. t.em t.at securit,) stabilit, and progress can be ac.ieved. Secondl,) national securit, .as been used b, civilian statesmen as political r.etorics or slogan for rall,ing t.e citi<ens in t.e face of perceived internal or e9ternal t.reats to t.e governments in power and for bolstering t.eir local influence and political base !+deba,o) 14$DC2*#. D,-e !14DD#) concludes t.at t.ere is no doubt t.at national securit, embodies t.e sovereignt, of t.e state) t.e inviolabilit, of its territorial boundaries) and t.e rig.t to individual and collective self-defense against internal and e9ternal t.reats. 5ut t.e state is secure onl, w.en t.e aggregate of people organi<ed under it .as a consciousness of belonging to a common sovereign political communit,; en/o, eEual political freedom) .uman rig.ts) economic opportunities) and w.en t.e state itself is able to ensure independence in its development and foreign polic,. Greedman8s !144$C%*# view is t.at once an,t.ing generates an9iet, or t.reatens t.e Eualit, of life in some respect) it is t.us labeled a =securit, problem>. :.e notion of economic securit, t.us encourages a confrontational approac. to trace polic,) w.ile t.at of =environmental securit,> .as often served more to confuse t.an to clarif, b, encouraging a searc. for adversaries. $heoretical %iscourse In t.e words of +lo<ieuwa !2 12#) one of t.e outcomes of t.e securit, c.allenge imposed b, t.e 5o-o 6aram insurrection on Nigerian societ, .as been t.e emergent preponderance of t.eories t.at attempt to e9plain t.e motive of t.e Islamic group. 3nli-e t.e Niger Delta militanc, w.ic. preceded it)
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and w.ic. predicated its desire for a separate state from Nigeria on decades of conspiratorial neglect b, t.e Nigerian state and multinational oil prospecting companies in t.e Niger Delta region) 5o-o 6aram .as refrained from articulating and formall, presenting its grievances) apart from its declared desire for t.e strict interpretation of Islamic 1aw in Nigeria. :.e confusion also grows out of t.e c.anging d,namics in t.e operations of t.e sect. Gor instance) its terror campaign) w.ic. initiall, targeted securit, formations and personnel) .as e9panded to include civilians and non-government targets) and t.e Nigerian public generall,. :.e t.eories are divided into two broad spectrums. &ne views t.e problem essentiall, as internal. :.e ot.er blames e9ternal forces. :.e former loo-s at socio-economic factors) as well as deep-seated political) religious differences in t.e Nigerian societ,. It also includes vengeance over t.e deat. of t.e sect8s leader) 3sta< Fu.ammed Hussuf. :.e e9ternal forces argument .as two plan-sC one c.aracteri<es t.e problem as part of global Islamic /i.ad and focuses on t.e sect8s lin-s wit. international terror groups suc. as al Iaeda or its affiliates as al S.abaab or t.e al Iaeda in t.e Islamic Fag.reb) !+IIF#; t.e ot.er views it as conspiratorial J a grand strateg, to ac.ieve t.e predicted disintegration of Nigeria b, 2 1%. 7it.in t.e conspiratorial t.esis is t.e sub-t.eme t.at Nigeria is being targeted b, envious and troubled neig.bours. :.is aspect also lin-s it to t.e now Aunemplo,ed8 war-.ardened returnees from t.e 1ib,an crisis and t.e assorted arms streaming out from t.at tumult. 6ow relevant t.ese t.eories are in e9plaining t.e National Securit, c.allenges in Nigeria is t.e Euestion to w.ic. t.is section of t.e paper addresses. &ne dares as- if Nigeria is simpl, convulsing from .er man, internal contradictions t.at successive leaders.ip .as been unable to resolve) or are e9ternal forces actuall, at wor- to undermine NigeriaK 7.ile eac. of t.e competing perspectives indeed ma, offer some valid ballpar- figure of t.e real cause!s# of Nigeria8s securit, c.allenge) t.e multiplicit, .as tended to frustrate a clear understanding of t.e dilemma and enunciation of appropriate response to it; leading to t.e adoption of t.e conspirac, t.eor, as t.e t.eoretical frame of t.is paper !+lo<ieuwa) 2 12#. :.is multiplicit, of t.eories brings in t.e relational t.eor, w.ic. according to +lo<ieuwa) attempts to provide e9planation for violent conflicts between groups b, e9ploring sociological) political) economic) religious and .istorical relations.ips between suc. groups .ence t.e belief t.at cultural and value differences as well as group interests all influence relations.ips between individuals and groups in different wa,s. :.us) a number of conflicts grow out of a past .istor, of conflict between groups t.at .as led to t.e development of negative stereot,pes) racial intolerance and discrimination) !Galeti) 2 DC%(-%%#. :.ere is also t.e socio-economic perspective of t.e 5o-o 6aram c.allenge in Nigeria) w.ic. see-s to de-emp.asi<e t.e interpretation of t.e 5o-o 6aram p.enomenon as being a particularl, Fuslim or nort.ern crisis !Lu-a.) 2 12#) .ence blames social conditions; as t.e violence is anc.ored on t.e .uman needs t.eor, of social conflicts w.ose central t.esis is t.at all .umans .ave basic needs w.ic. t.e, see- to fulfill and failure caused b, ot.er individuals or groups to meet t.ese needs could lead to conflict !Mosati et al) cited in +lo<ieuwa 2 12#. :.ere is also t.e "olitical-Geud point of view w.ic. maintained t.at t.e cru9 of t.e problem is t.e over-politici<ation of social life .ence we are into9icated wit. politics; as t.e premium on political power is so .ig. t.at we are prone to ta-e t.e most e9treme measures to win and to maintain political power. +gain) t.e Islamic :.eocratic State :.eor, suffices as t.e 5o-o 6aram sect .as .ardl, mas-ed its intention to bring down t.e Nigerian government) t.e Lufur s,stem) and ultimatel, Islami<e Nigeria !+lo<ieuwa 2 12# .ence 1engmang8s !2 11# documentation of t.e allegation t.at some segments of t.e nort.ern Fuslim population ma, be un.app, wit. t.e compromise of state-level s.ari8a coe9isting side b, side wit. a secular federal s,stem. 6ence) alt.oug. t.is segment ma, arguabl, be small) =t.e, are increasingl, becoming radicali<ed and more willing to periodicall, e9press t.emselves t.roug. violence. 6e attributes resentment to t.e s.ari8a coe9istence wit. secular federal s,stem to t.e view b, man, nort.erners t.at western education is incapable of stimulating meaningful development and prosperit, in t.e region) and so s.ares t.e fallac, of western education being incompatible wit. Islam; all stemming from conspirac,. 5ut according to +lo<ieuwa !2 12#) attempting an e9planation of t.e 5o-o 6aram catastrop.e wit. t.e conspirac, t.eories can be mar-ed into two broad categoriesC one focusing on mac.inations of internal actors) t.e ot.er on e9ternal actors. Internal actors ma, include t.e disgruntled nort.ern power elite w.o) .aving lost power) are bent on bringing down Nigeria under a sout.ern leaders.ip) as well as t.e Jonat.an administration itself) w.ic. ma, be sponsoring t.e crisis in order to rall, sout.ern support be.ind .is administration) and t.ere is also t.e perception t.at 5o-o 6aram ma, be a secret societ,
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controlled b, some Ainvisible8 .ands t.at see- to destro, t.e nort. a.ead of 2 1% so as to forestall or wea-en its bid for t.e presidenc, at t.at time !+dibe) 2 12C%$#. E9ternal actors) on t.e ot.er .and) ma, include powerful western states li-e t.e 3nited States) or neig.bouring +frican states envious of Nigeria8s progress and stabilit,. 6e e9plained furt.er t.at for t.e first .,pot.esis regarding internal actors) our position is t.at its merit probabl, lies in t.e profound feeling of marginali<ation emanating from t.e nort.-east) eit.er in terms of perceived denial of socio-economic infrastructure and@or t.e Lanuri sense of marginali<ation from central power. :.e second .,pot.esis also contends t.at part of t.e support mobili<ation strateg, was to portra, Islam in bad lig.t b, .itting ?.ristian targets. :.is .,pot.esis per.aps draws from instances w.ere attempts or actual attac-s on Sout.ern and ?.ristian targets bot. in t.e nort. and sout.) w.ic. were blamed on 5o-o 6aram) but were traced to ?.ristian sout.erners !5lueprint) :uesda, Januar, *1) 2 12#. Similarl,) in November 2 11) t.e State Securit, Services !SSS# also paraded a s,ndicate t.at circulated terror messages) w.ic. prompted some foreign diplomatic missions to issue warnings t.at emptied +bu/a8s .ig.-brow .otels. :.e group was comprised of sout.ern ?.ristians and Non Fuslims nort.erners. Grom a nort.ern perspective) t.ese cases =suggest t.at 5o-o 6aram is now t.e new weapon used b, various interest groups to cause violence) mislead and confuse Nigerians in order to ac.ieve t.eir selfis. agenda> !ibid#. It is difficult to compre.end .ow ?.ristians w.o continue to fall victims of attac-s on t.eir places of wors.ip and Sout.erners w.o are being as-ed to flee some part of t.e countr, from w.ere most .ave spent t.e greater parts of t.eir lives and built multi-million naira businesses) and w.o .ave as-ed Jonat.an to Euit if .e cannot lead !1eaders.ip online) Fa, 1) 21 2# will rall, be.ind a government w.ic. .as proved incapable of protecting t.em. 6e added t.at alt.oug. t.e 3nited States continues to den, predicting Nigeria8s disintegration b, 2 1% J pointing out t.at a private agenc,) not t.e 3S government carried out t.e surve, upon w.ic. t.e report is predicated J t.ose w.o emp.asi<e t.is aspect of t.e e9ternal conspirac, t.eor, point to a 2 $ war game conducted b, t.e 3S arm, w.ic. was designed to test its response abilit, to probable state failure in Nigeria in relation to 3S energ, needs. :.e oil-ric. Fiddle East .as .istoricall, been unstable) and resurgent Islam .as compounded t.e problem. Nigeria8s far nort. is contiguous to t.e troubled Sa.el and Fag.reb regions) w.ic. also are contiguous to t.e some Fiddle East states in t.e grip of Islamism. :.e 3S interest in Nigeria8s oil does not predispose it to be comfortable wit. suc. pro9imit, to t.is potentiall, Islamist enclave. +t a one-da, s,mposium on Ainternational conspirac,C towards Nigeria8s disintegration in Laduna) t.e +ssociation of Fuslim 5rot.er.ood of Nigeria !+F5&N# noted t.at t.ere were reasons to believe t.at t.e peace and securit, of Nigeria were being t.reatened b, t.e western world powers for t.eir economic gains; t.at t.e western world t.reatens t.e peace of t.e countr, in order to protect t.eir economic interest in Nigeria8s oil region> !Dail, :rust) Gebruar, *) 2 12#. In t.e opinion of one member of Nigeria8s National Intelligence +genc, !NI+#) t.e 3S mig.t be aiming to severe t.e oil-ric. Niger Delta or t.e sout. from t.e far nort. in order to insulate t.e former from t.e emerging Islamist activism in t.e nort. wit. t.e ultimate goal of securing t.e vital oil resources in t.e sout.. It would be preposterous to assume) .owever) t.at t.e 3S militar, could guarantee +merica8s energ, interest in Nigeria wit.in t.e conte9t of a failed Nigeria 5al-ani<ed into several fiefdoms. 6e admonis.ed t.at sentiments suc. as t.ese .ave led to reservations over state efforts to collaborate wit. foreign powers to combat t.e 5o-o 6aram and as suc. s.ould be watc.ed. 6ence according to t.e Nigeria8s former minister of petroleum) "rofessor :am David 7est) =7.en t.e, come ostensibl, for securit,) t.e, .ave t.eir own agenda to penetrate our s,stem and sub/ugate t.e sovereignt, of t.e countr,; not onl, t.at) t.e, become a powerful force wit.in t.e countr, to dictate t.e political direction> !:.e Nation) online) Januar, 24) 2 12#. + member of Nigeria8s securit, forces) 3c.e Nwogu) s.ares t.is concern. 7it.out naming an, countr, in particular) s.e notes t.at =b, t.e time t.ese people come in t.e name of .elping us fig.t 5o-o 6aram) t.e, would .ave understudied t.eir modus operandi and would t.emselves start bombing us w.ile we assume it is still 5o-o 6aram>. +s a pattern in 5o-o 6aram8s insurgenc, targeting et.nic and religious fault-lines J appears designed to enact t.e 2 2% scenario described above. 6undreds of deat.s of members of t.e Igbo et.nic nationalit, in t.e terror attac-s in t.e nort.) for instance) .ave precipitated a Areturn .ome8 b, t.e easterners and a warning t.at no et.nic group in Nigeria .as monopol, of violence. +mid escalating violence) Igbo leaders .ave warned t.at t.e violence inflicted on t.eir people residing in t.e nort. appro9imate t.e seEuence of events t.at culminated in t.e traged, of t.e Nigeria civil war !"unc.) online) Januar, 24) 2 12#. &n t.e one .and) t.ere is a perspective t.at lin-s t.e attac-s on t.e Igbos to t.e group8s overw.elming electoral support for Jonat.an in 2 11) w.ic. amounted to over 4$N of t.e
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votes cast in t.e eastern region !Dail, Sun) online) Gebruar, D) 2 12#. &n t.e ot.er .and) leaders of Jonat.an8s I/aw et.nic nationalit, also warn against =subterranean moves to destro, t.e fabric of unit, of t.is countr, at a time t.e leaders.ip of t.e countr, is entrusted to our son and t.at no et.nic nationalit, is a sole repositor, of violence> !:ribune) online) Januar, 1 ) 2 12#. Grom t.e Nort.) t.e +rewa Hout. Development Goundation) spo-e about =recent remar-s b, Sout.-East !Igbo# and Sout.-Sout. !I/aw# leaders> and warned t.at s.ould t.e tendencies continue) =7e would be left wit. no option t.an to tell ot.er regions t.at feel li-e disintegrating) t.at t.e Nort. welcomes it too> !5lueprint) online) Januar, *1) 2 12#. &n t.e ot.er plane) alt.oug. t.e Nigerian Fuslim leaders.ip maintains t.at Islam and ?.ristianit, are not at war in Nigeria) !:ribune) online) December 2$) 2 12#) t.e ?.ristian leaders.ip urges ad.erents to defend t.emselves against attac-s !ibid# w.ile a leading "entecostal cleric) 5is.op David &,edepo claimed t.at 2od .as anointed .im =to lead a revolution against t.e /i.adists and t.at if t.e c.urc. s.ould arise) Nigeria will no more be a nation)O !:ribune) Januar, 2*) 2 12#. Summativel,) .e averred t.at allegations of conspirac, b, envious neig.bours to undermine Nigeria remain .ig.l, speculative) especiall, w.en considered in lig.t of t.e militar, cooperation between Nigeria and its neig.bouring countries in t.e war against transnational terrorism) and t.eir common interest in regional stabilit, !+lo<ieuwa) 2 12#. 'ethodology :.is paper on 5o-o 6aram as a t.reat on National Securit, c.allenges is an e9 post facto researc. depending on t.e data readil, documented overtime. :.e stud, area of course is t.e entire Nigeria as a countr, .ence t.e activities of 5o-o 6aram and its concomitant ma,.em .as cross countr, effects. :.is is because eac. bomb detonated on t.e Nigerian soil .as tremendous effect on t.e countr,. It could be in terms of .er econom, as foreign investors .ave fled t.e countr, in t.eir scores. &n t.e ot.er .and) lives of Nigerian .ave been lost in t.e process as some writers .ave refused to sa, t.e estimated figure but t.ere are reasons to believe t.at about % ) Nigerians .as lost t.eir lives in t.e 5o-o 6aram saga .ence about 1% ?orps members .ave also lost t.eir lives. + single life lost in t.is countr, is a colossal lost of .ope and pride of t.e nation as .uman life is sacred. "roperties wort. billions .ave been lost in inferno as a result of t.is saga. Fan, families .ave lost t.eir .omes and businesses. Some .ave even lost t.eir marriages in t.e process. +ll t.ese losses are national loss) and t.erefore serve as a t.reat to t.e furt.erance of t.e course of t.e Nigerian state. :.e target audience is t.e entire Nigerians w.o b, c.ance can get access to t.is paper; including t.e students w.o are t.e future leaders of t.is countr,. :.e current leaders are not left out of t.e target as t.e, need to loo- at t.e recommendation t.at t.is paper outlines. &ur polic, ma-ers are mostl, targeted as it is t.eir primar, responsibilit, to ma-e laws and ensure its implementation. :.e vulnerable masses are also target so t.at t.e, will ta-e solace in t.e fact t.at people are noticing t.e malevolence meted out to t.em and t.at records are -ept of t.e wic-edness t.at bedeviled t.em. :.erefore) t.is paper emplo,s t.e secondar, source of data as its met.od of data gat.ering and also uses t.e content approac. to effect t.e anal,sis of t.e data generated via ot.er people8s documentations on t.e effects of 5o-o 6aram sect on t.e securit, of t.e Nation as opinions abound on t.e activities of 5o-o 6aram. &.

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$he Boko Haram and national security threats in Nigeria

5o-o 6aram8s origin seems to lies in a group of radical Islamist ,out.s w.o wors.ipped at t.e +l.a/i Fu.ammadu Ndimi FosEue in Faiduguri a decade ago .ence in 2 2) an offs.oot of t.is ,out. group !not ,et -nown as 5o-o 6aram# declared t.e cit, and t.e Islamic establis.ment to be intolerabl, corrupt and irredeemable. :.u t.e group declared t.at it was embar-ing on hijra !a wit.drawal along t.e lines of t.e "rop.et Fu.ammad8s wit.drawal from Fecca to Fedina#. It moved from Faiduguri to a village called Lanama) Hobe state) near t.e border wit. Niger) to set up a separatist communit, run on .ard-line Islamic principles. Its leader) Fo.ammed +li) espoused antistate ideolog, and called on ot.er Fuslims to /oin t.e group and return to a life under =true> Islamic law) wit. t.e aim of ma-ing a more perfect societ, awa, from t.e corrupt establis.ment. :.e above assertion cannot be said to be correct as t.ere are conflict in t.e literature as to t.e actual date of origin and formation as well as t.e leaders.ip of t.e 5o-o 6aram sect .ence +lo<ieuwa !2 12# documented t.at t.e confusion not onl, reflects in t.e narratives about t.e e9act date) and w.o t.e actual founder was) but also as to t.e true source of t.ese e9positions. Gor instance) +dibe !2 12#) .as observed t.at w.ile t.e popular belief is t.at it was founded around 2 1 or 2 2) Fadi-e) traced t.e
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date to as far bac- as 144%) and argues t.at) one 1awan +buba-ar) w.o later left for furt.er studies at t.e 3niversit, of Fedina) Saudi +rabia) actuall, founded t.e 5o-o 6aram sect. 3nder +buba-ar) t.e sect was -nown as Sa.aba) !Fadi-e 2 11 cited in +dibe) 2 12C % #. Elsew.ere) t.ese e9positions are credited to S.e.u Sani) a civil rig.t activist in nort.ern Nigeria) w.o .elped bro-er t.e first peace deal wit. t.e sect w.ic. failed !5usinessda,) online) Gebruar, 1) 2 12#. 7.ile 3<odi-e and Faiangwa on t.e ot.er .and ac-nowledge t.e 1awan +buba-ar angle) t.e, attribute t.eir source to 3/a. et al. in 3<odi-e and Faiangwa) 2 12C 1 #. :.e, also ac-nowledge 2usau8s !2 4# version w.ic. traced t.e origin to an evangelical group formed b, Fuslim students at t.e 3niversit, of Faiduguri) 5orno state) w.o reportedl, felt dissatisfied wit. 7estern education !3<odi-e and Faiangwa) 2 12C 1 #. 6e furt.ered t.at Fu.ammed Husuf to w.om t.e formation is now generall, ascribed to) according to t.e competing narratives onl, assumed leaders.ip after +buba-ar8s departure and =indoctrinated t.e sect wit. .is own teac.ings) w.ic. .e claimed were based on purit,> !+dibe) 2 12C % #. Hussuf8s notion of =purit,> and teac.ings were inspired b, t.e wor-s of Ibn :a,mi,,a) a fourteent. centur, legal sc.olar w.o preac.ed Islamic fundamentalism and is considered a Oma/or t.eoristO for radical groups in t.e Fiddle East !Jo.nson) 2 11#) after w.om Hussuf named .is mosEue in Faiduguri !:.e Nation) Fa, 2*) 2 12#. 5ut /ust as t.e sect itself ma, be less concerned about w.om to credit for its formation t.an waging its war against t.e Nigerian state) t.e state too ma, be less concerned wit. t.e origin t.an it is wit. t.e t.reat t.at t.e group now poses to national societ,. :.e obscurit, surrounding its true origin per.aps informs w., initiall,) t.e sect =.ad no specific name as its members attracted several descriptions w.ere t.e, operated based on t.e perception of t.e local population> !&-ere-e) 2 12C (% #. Suc. names include :aliban and t.e Hussufi,,a.. :.e sect soon became formall, identified as +.ulsunna wal8/ama8a. 6i/ra J A?ongregation of Gollowers of t.e "rop.et Involved in t.e ?all to Islam and Meligious Struggle.8 :.e name 5o-o 6aram) to w.ic. it is now commonl, referred to) derives from t.e sect8s anti-7estern posturing) literaril, meaning A7estern education@civili<ation is sin.8 Narrativel,) .e documented t.at in t.e earl, stages) t.e 5o-o 6aram sect was widel, -nown to .ave mobili<ed its members.ip from women and c.ildren) sc.ool drop-outs and unemplo,ed universit, and pol,tec.nic graduates) most of w.o tore up t.eir certificates; student members wit.drew from sc.ool. &-ere-e posits t.at =t.ese recruits were indoctrinated b, Hussuf to believe t.at t.eir state of .opelessness was caused b, government w.ic. imposed 7estern education on t.em and failed to manage t.e resources of t.e countr, to t.eir benefits>. +lt.oug. from t.e outset) t.e sect8s mission was to impose t.e S.ari8a on Nigeria) t.e leaders.ip went about its preac.ing peacefull,) but not wit.out attracting attention among ot.er Islamic preac.ers w.o saw t.e preac.ing and interpretation of t.e Iuran as a recipe for violence and an affront to constituted aut.orit,. +lt.oug. incidents of violence .ave earlier been recorded against t.e sect) !3<odi-e and Faiangwa) 2 12C 1 2#) serious concerns over its violent tendencies grew onl, after t.e open confrontation between t.e sect and t.e government in Jul, 2 4 following t.e deat. of Hussuf w.ile in police custod,) as well as .is fat.er in-law and sect financier) 3sta< 5u/i Goi) and t.e incarceration of members b, state aut.orities. +lt.oug. Hussuf allegedl, drew inspiration from radical Islamist) Ibn :a,mi,,a) .e reportedl, resisted some of followers relentless advocate t.at =an Islamic state was reali<able t.roug. preac.ing and mobili<ation of t.e people to re/ect secularism) b, wa, of ta-ing up arms and fig.ting to conEuer t.e unbelievers>; =Hussuf was said to be against an, form of violence) sa,ing it was against t.e teac.ing of Islam> !Suleiman cited in 3<odi-e and Faiangwa) 2 12C 1 1#. It is) t.erefore) ,et uncertain w.et.er t.e sect8s current level of radicali<ation is a function of t.e deat.s of its initial leaders.ip and subseEuent clampdown b, t.e State or t.e accession to its leaders.ip of t.e taciturn ps,c.opat.) +buba-ar S.e-ua) a Lanuri native) w.o once boasted OI en/o, -illing an,one t.at 2od commands me to -ill J t.e wa, I en/o, -illing c.ic-ens and rams)O !55?) online) June 22) 2 12#. +long wit. two ot.er top leaders.ip) +buba-ar +dam Lambar and L.alid al-5arnawi) S.e-au in June 2 12 recentl, made t.e 3nited States8 list of international terrorists !+lo<ieuwa) 2 12# .ence t.e use of let.al weapons suc. as e9plosives and guns as well as mac.etes and dagger for t.e purpose of meting our ma,.em to t.e Nigerian state w.ic. .as affected .er econom, adversel, considering t.e .ig. rate of loss of lives and properties. In terms of its modus operandi) observers said t.at t.e group constructed a =state wit.in a state)> wit. a cabinet) its own religious police) and a large farm) and attracted more and more people under its roof b, offering welfare .andouts) food) and s.elter. Fan, of t.e people t.e group attracted were refugees from t.e wars over t.e border in ?.ad and /obless Nigerian ,out.s. :.e source of t.e group8s mone, at t.is stage of its e9istence is not clear. Fembers of t.e 5orno religious establis.ment sa, t.at Husuf received funds from Salafist contacts in Saudi +rabia following two .a// trips t.at Husuf made during t.is time. +not.er possible source of funding during t.is period was donations from wealt.,
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nort.ern Nigerians. In 2 D) a wealt., nort.ern businessman was arrested b, t.e State Securit, Services after a group of c.ildren alleged t.at t.e, .ad been sent b, t.e group to an al-Iaeda training camp in Fauritania. :.e businessman sa,s .is donations to t.e group were an innocent attempt to contribute zakat) an obligation of wealt., Fuslims to give c.aritabl,. Strategicall,) until t.e June 1D) 2 11) bombing of t.e Nigeria "olice 6eadEuarters in +bu/a) t.e sect .ad restricted its terror campaign mostl, to t.e Nort. East part of Nigeria. Memar-abl,) t.e attacon t.e "olice 6eadEuarters came barel, after t.e t.en Inspector-2eneral of "olice) I2") 6afi< Mingim returned from a dut, tour of Faiduguri w.ere t.e sect .ad /ust carried out some terror campaign and stated .e would soon smo-e t.em out. :.e sect followed up t.at attac- wit. t.e bombing on +ugust 2D of t.e 3nited Nations 6ouse) also in +bu/a) a place S.e-au described as a =forum of all t.e global evil)> !:.isda,) September 14) 2 11#. Since t.en) 5o-o 6aram .as eit.er claimed responsibilit, for or .as been credited wit. most terror activities in t.e nort.ern part of t.e countr,. Its operations .ave also grown in scale and sop.istication !+lo<ieuwa) 2 12#. ?onseEuentl,) t.e group .ad gained press attention in Nigeria) and interest from t.e 3.S. Embass,) because of t.e catc., name locals .ad given itC t.e Nigerian :aliban. 6ence t.e gossip t.at t.e few survivors of t.e =Nigerian :aliban> .ad returned to Faiduguri) w.ere t.e, settled bac- wit. ot.ers from t.e ,out. group t.at .ad originated at t.e Ndimi mosEue. &n ?.ristmas Eve 2 1 as man, as .alf a do<en bombs were detonated near c.urc.es and a mar-et in two districts of Jos) "lateau state) -illing scores of people. +t t.e time it was not assumed to be a 5o-o 6aram attac-; it was t.oug.t to be a nast, twist to t.e long-standing et.no-political conflict t.ere. :.en) on New Hear8s Eve 2 1 a bomb was detonated in a popular open-air fis. restaurant and mar-et inside t.e grounds of t.e Fogadis.u barrac-s) /ust outside +bu/a) -illing ten people. 7.ile it sits ver, close to a militar, barrac-s) t.e mar-et is freEuented mostl, b, civilians and was loosel, protected. Initiall, it was not certain t.at eit.er bombing .ad been carried out b, 5o-o 6aram. :.ere .ad been a bombing t.ree mont.s before at a ceremon, in +bu/a mar-ing t.e fiftiet. anniversar, of t.e countr,8s independence for w.ic. 5o-o 6aram was not implicated and a leader of t.e Niger Delta militant organi<ation t.e Fovement for t.e emancipation of t.e Niger Delta PFENDQ in custod, in Sout. +frica) faces c.arges of planning t.at attac- !&nwudiwe and 5erwind-Dart) 2 1 #. 5ut in earl, 2 11 an G5I investigation concluded t.at t.e Fogadis.u barrac-s bomb was constructed using t.e same tec.niEues as devices in Jos) and suspicion fell on 5o-o 6aram. :.ese attac-s s.owed t.e group was prepared to stri-e vulnerable spots and cause civilian casualties. It launc.ed its bombing campaign in t.e alread, tense cit, of Jos) and it s.owed t.e aut.orities it was able to reac. t.em in +bu/a. During t.e first few mont.s of 2 11) t.e group8s targets for assassination operations in Faiduguri widened be,ond t.e original focus of police and ot.er aut.orities. In Gebruar, 2 11) for e9ample) a p.armacist in FaiduguriRnot believed to .ave .ad an, previous connection to t.e group8s treatment b, t.e policeRwas murdered in a robber, and neig.bours attributed it to 5o-o 6aram as cas. and a large amount of medical supplies were ta-en from .is s.op. +bu Du/ana) a senior member of t.e group .ad stated t.at an,one w.om t.e group declared an =enem,> would be -illed. :.e group began to rob ban-s) cas.-in-transit convo,s) and successful businesses) not onl, in Faiduguri but also in 5auc.i) w.ere t.e group remains strong. :.e group claims it is permitted to do t.is b, t.e Iuran) as t.e mone, it ta-es is considered to be t.e =spoils of war.> + source w.o .as followed t.e group closel, states t.at t.e group is t.oug.t to .ave made appro9imatel, % million naira !about S* million) or T2 million# from suc. robberies) but suc. claims are unverifiable !wal-er) 2 12#. In June 2 11 5o-o 6aram bombed t.e national police .eadEuarters in +bu/a. + car laden wit. e9plosives drove into t.e compound of 1ouis Edet 6ouse) a bloc- of offices previousl, t.oug.t secure in +bu/a8s government <one) b, following a convo, of senior officers t.roug. t.e gates. It is believed t.at t.e driver aimed to put t.e car near t.e entrance stairwa, as t.e senior officers entered) but .e was directed around t.e bac- of t.e building b, guards) w.ere t.e bomb detonated in t.e car par-. +t t.e time it was Euestioned w.et.er t.e bombing was meant to be a suicide attac-) because it was possible t.at t.e bomber .ad been dela,ed in +bu/a traffic) but in +ugust 2 11 remaining doubts were removed w.en a man drove a car into t.e 3N compound in +bu/a and detonated a massive bomb) -illing twent,-t.ree people and wounding scores !5e-oe) 2 11#. :.e attac- launc.ed 5o-o 6aram onto world news and establis.ed it as a militant group wit. t.e tec.nical and doctrinal capacit, to produce suicide bombs. :.e organi<ation released a mart,rdom video made b, t.e driver of t.e car. Securit, intelligence anal,sts at Stratfor sa, building successful suicide weapons) li-e t.e ones used at t.e 3nited Nations and police .eadEuarters is ver, difficult. :o perform two successful detonations is good
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evidence t.at t.ere is a foreign .and involved in training 5o-o 6aram. :.e t,pes of e9plosives t.e group use are common in mining and construction) t.e Meuters .ave noted) and t.ere are plent, of sources of suc. e9plosives in nort.ern Nigeria toda,. :.e wa, t.e group contacted t.e outside world also c.anged about t.is time. + /ournalist in Nigeria sa,s t.e group tig.tened its telep.one discipline) collecting t.e numbers of /ournalists it wanted to contact) rat.er t.an .aving /ournalists call contacts t.e, .ad made in t.e organi<ation. + 5o-o 6aram spo-esman wit. t.e nom de guerre of =+bu IaEa> began contacting /ournalists to claim attac-s. :.e government later claimed t.at it .ad captured .im) but 5o-o 6aram sa,s t.at anot.er member .ad been captured and t.at IaEa is still active. :.e purported leader of t.e group) +buba-ar S.e-au) Husuf8s former rig.t-.and man) also began to post videos to Hou:ube at t.is time. Since +ugust 2 11 t.ere .ave been almost wee-l, attac-s b, militants planting bombs in public or in c.urc.es in Nigeria8s nort.east. :.e group .as also broadened its targets) awa, from direct revenge attac-s on t.e state to include ot.er representations of aut.orit,. :.is e9pansion includes setting fire to sc.ools and attac-ing newspaper offices. In Farc. 2 12) some twelve public sc.ools in Faiduguri were burned down during t.e nig.t) wit. as man, as 1 ) pupils forced out of education. :.ree alleged members of 5o-o 6aram were -illed w.ile tr,ing to set lig.t to a sc.ool. :.e group .as told /ournalists t.at t.ese attac-s are in retaliation for t.e arrests of a number of Islamic teac.ers from traditional =:sanga,a> Iuranic sc.ools in Faiduguri. In t.e :sanga,a s,stem of sc.ools) clerics teac. c.ildren to memori<e t.e Iuran. :.ese sc.ools) some wit. onl, a few c.ildren) some ver, large) operate not onl, in Nigeria but also across t.e w.ole of t.e Sa.el. :.e c.ildren) -nown as +lma/iris) come to t.e cit, from t.e countr,side. Fan, beg during t.e da, and give t.eir mone, to t.e teac.er) or mallam) w.o runs t.e sc.ool. :.e group also sa,s t.at it is attac-ing t.e government sc.ool s,stem in retaliation for t.e government8s attac- on t.e :sanga,a s,stem as a w.ole !7al-er) 2 12#. :.ere .as also been an increase in reports of people being be.eaded in public b, 5o-o 6aram. It is believed t.at t.ese mig.t be internal purges of moderate members) or members in t.e group w.o .ave been arrested and can t.erefore no longer be trusted. 5ig attac-s .ave included bombings on ?.ristmas Da, 2 11) w.en bombs were detonated in t.ree states) Niger) "lateau) and Hobe) -illing fort,-five people. In Januar, 2 12 t.ree groups of gunmen and suicide bombers coordinated attac-s on t.ree government buildings in LanoRt.e police .eadEuarters) t.e office of t.e immigration service) and t.e State Securit, Service. Fore t.an two .undred people were -illed. :.e group .as also continued its involvement in t.e long-standing conflict between indigenous groups and 6ausa@Gulani =settlers> in "lateau state. Fost of t.e violence in t.e area .as not .ad a connection to 5o-o 6aram) but in Gebruar, 2 12 a suicide car bomb was detonated at a Jos c.urc.. Da,s later) in Farc.) anot.er suicide bomb was detonated outside St. Ginbar8s c.urc. in Ma,field) Jos) near t.e government .ouse. Nineteen people .ave been -illed so far in retaliator, tit-for-tat attac-s immediatel, following t.ose bombings. Fore recentl,) t.ere .ave been deadl, bomb and gun attac-s on t.e offices of This Day newspaper in +bu/a and Laduna) t.e ?at.olic c.apel in 5a,ero 3niversit, Lano) and a cattle mar-et in Hobe. Do<ens were -illed in eac. attac-. $he Cause and *ro+lems o! Boko Haram in Nigeria &ne problem is t.at securit, e9pertise is limited in a countr, w.ere t.is level of terrorism is a relativel, new p.enomenon. +nd training as well as resources for building t.at t,pe of intelligence gat.ering capabilit, is lac-ing. +not.er problem was .ig.lig.ted b, Jonat.an in a Januar, 4 address w.ere .e noted t.at part of t.e difficult, in defeating 5o-o 6aram is t.at t.e group .as infiltrated bot. t.e government and t.e militar,. +not.er problem ma, be corruption as close to 4% percent of t.e populace believe t.at t.e government is corrupt) according to a 2allup surve, released in Januar,) 2 1 . :.e 3.S.-Nigeria 5i-National ?ommission) a wor-ing group focused on strengt.ening Nigeria8s securit,) met at t.e end of Januar, to discuss strateg,. :.e 3nited States .as also pledged support in locating members of 5o-o 6aram. :.e TELL maga<ine visited a number of barrac-s across t.e countr, to gauge t.e temper of t.e militar, against t.e tense situation in t.e countr,. It discovered t.at t.e solders t.emselves appear to be worried about t.e insecurit, and political situation in t.e countr,. Gour categories of views were discernible. :.e lower ran-s are reall, un.app, wit. t.e securit, situation in t.e countr,. :.e, e9plained t.at t.e, are t.e ones getting -illed in t.e campaign of 5o-o 6aram. :.e, alleged t.at t.ere is no motivation for t.e ris-s t.e, ta-e ever, da, against 5o-o 6aram. :.e, claimed t.at eac. soldier on
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2( .ours special dut, against t.e sect gets paid N% a da, as allowance) ma-ing a total of N*)% wee-l, and paid at t.e end of ever, wee-. Gor N*)% a wee- t.e, want us to die for Nigeria !+gbo and Suleiman)212C%2#. +s t.e securit, situations worsen) militar, aut.orities are un.app, t.at no fewer t.an ** out of *D states of t.e federation .ave men of t.e Nigerian arm, complementing t.e police to protect t.e citi<ens. Fu.ammad +buba-ar) a Fa/or 2eneral and 2eneral &fficer ?ommanding t.e Second Fec.ani<ed Division) Ibadan spea-ing in &sogbo at t.e launc. of a new securit, outfit for &sun State recentl,) lamented t.e precarious securit, situation across t.e countr, involving -idnapping) terrorism) oil bun-ering) ritual -illings and ot.er criminal activities) w.ic. .e said made it impossible for t.e arm, to sta, in t.e barrac-s. 6e said t.at) t.e tas- of securit, is t.e primar, responsibilit, of t.e police but we cannot continue to pretend t.at we are safe and we cannot continue li-e t.is .ence securit, .as become worrisome in t.e entire nation. +ccording to a cross section of t.e lower ran-s interviewed b, TELL) w.o lamented t.eir emotions w.ic. could be summari<ed as disillusionment wit. democrac,. :.e, regretted t.at after voting massivel, for Jonat.an .e .as not displa,ed enoug. leaders.ip in t.e management of national securit,. :.e, also feel t.at t.e upgrade of t.e militar, .ardware for an anti-terrorism campaign envisaged b, t.e over N424 billion budgetar, allocations to securit, is too slow in coming and t.e, are dail, e9posed to danger. 5ut a securit, source said some of t.e militar, .ardware cannot be pic-ed up from t.e s.elf) and t.erefore .ave to be ordered for) w.ic. ta-es time !+gbo and Suleiman)212C%2#. :.e middle level officers on t.e ot.er .and) believe t.at t.e, are better off under a democrac,. Some e9plained t.at t.e era w.en a cliEue determined t.e career progression of an officer is gone. Gor t.e top level officers) t.e, said t.e, are satisfied wit. democrac, but complained of certain indecisiveness on t.e part of t.e "resident. In t.e event t.at t.e anger becomes apparent in t.e barrac-s are t.e politicians not giving soldiers an e9cuse to upstage democrac,K :.at will be far fetc.ed) as some militar, officers insist t.at t.e countr, is now too complicated for a coup to succeed. Not onl, t.at) some Statemen are said to be ma-ing efforts to ensure t.at matters do not degenerate to t.at level) so t.at t.e countr, would not become a laug.ing stoc- in t.e international communit,. 5ola Loleos.o) a brigadier general and director) +rm, "ublic Melations) told TELL maga<ine t.at t.e arm, is being transformed positivel, under democrac, and are .app, to be subordinated under t.e civilian aut.orit,. 6e also confirmed t.e claim of t.e lower ran-s t.at t.e, are paid N% a da, as allowance. 6owever) .e e9plained t.at it is /ust poc-et mone, and an addition to t.eir salaries. :.e force also appears too complicated for a forceful ta-eover of government. Despite t.e securit, c.allenges) t.ere appears no persuasive and legitimate reason for an,bod, to contemplate a militar, ta-eover) w.ic. appears to be w.at 5o-o 6aram wants to precipitate. 6e also pointed unemplo,ment) religious intolerance) et.nic rivalr, as well as agitations for resource control as some of t.e monsters breeding .atred and conflict in t.e countr,. Studies .ave s.own t.at factors responsible for violent conflicts in Nigeria include povert,) unemplo,ment) religious intolerance) et.nic rivalr,) growing acculturation) resource control agitations and ignorance. =Fost critical of t.ese factors .owever is ignorance) w.ic. leads to suspicion and mistrust)> !&diadi) 2 12C %2# :.ere is also t.e economic consideration. :.e Nigeria Delta insists it owns t.e oil t.at funds t.e national budget. +nd Do-ubo .as warned t.ere will be no oil to e9port if an,t.ing .appens to Jonat.an. :.e e9-militants .ad demonstrated enoug. capacit, to cripple Nigeria8s oil production w.en t.e, reduced crude oil production from 2.( million barrels dail,) mb@d at about 7 ) mb@d. :.at realit, forced t.e federal government to resort to t.e +mnest, "rogramme. :oda,) oil production is over 2.Dmb@d !+gbo and Suleiman) 212C%%#. &basan/o) w.o was represented b, t.e National Secretar, of t.e "eoples Democratic "art, !"D"#) "rince &lagunso,e &,inlola) stressed t.at t.e onl, viable wa, out of t.e ugl, situation is dialogue and enlig.tenment programmes for ,out.s) communit, leaders) village .eads) religious leaders) local government c.airmen) traditional rulers as well as politicians. 6e added t.at erosion of cultural values due to increasing acculturation and negative e9ternal influences .ave also contributed largel, to t.e spate of violent crimes and insecurit, in t.e countr,. +not.er critical factor wort., of mention is t.e brea-down of cultural values. 3nfortunatel,) evasion of t.ese values due to increasing acculturation and negative e9ternal influences) .ave also contributed largel, to t.e spate of violent crises and general insecurit, we .ave toda, !5inni,at 2 12C%#. Declaring t.e conference open) "resident 2oodluc- Jonat.an) w.o was represented b, t.e Special +dviser to t.e "resident on Special Duties) Sara. "ene) said traditional institutions and local
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government councils as agents of grass root mobilisation s.ould view t.e present securit, problem as a wa-e-up call to t.eir statutor, responsibilit,. 6e) t.erefore) c.arged t.em to rise to t.eir role as t.e c.ief securit, officers of t.eir areas of /urisdiction. In .is welcome address) t.e E9ecutive Secretar,) National Institute of ?ultural &rientation) Dr. 5arcla,s +,a-oroma) blamed t.e current socio-political and economic woes e9perienced in t.e countr, on cultural disorientation. 6e saidC In place of t.e c.eris.ed cultural values of fair-pla,) -indness) patriotism and communal living) our citi<ens .ave imbibed negative practices of dis.onest,) stealing) disrespect) -illings and ot.er related crimes) w.ic. were alien to our culture !-a/o) 2 12C %# ?an t.e federal government restore securit,K 7.at is responsible for all t.e sporadic bombingsK 7., .as Jos remained a troubled spotK :.ese are pu<<les t.at seem to .ave no answers. :.ere is also t.e international communit, to consider. :.e global tide is against militar, governments. In +frica Nigeria .as been at t.e .ead of resisting militar, ta-eover of civilian governments across t.e continent in 2uinea 5issau) ?ape 'erde) Niger) Ivor, ?oast) ?ongo and ot.er turbulent +frican countries. Nigeria .ad led +frican 3nion resistance of forceful c.ange of government. In 7est +frica Nigeria .as stabili<ed Economic ?ommunit, of 7est +frican States; E?&7+S) as a democrac, compliant suc. region. Nigeria .as demonstrated sufficient leaders.ip in +frica regarding t.e advanceman of democrac, and an, militar, coup will be an aberration. ?onseEuentl,) an, militar, incursion into governance in Nigeria will be .ig.l, resisted b, international sta-e.olders. 5esides) an, forceful c.ange .as t.e dangerous potential of wor-ing towards t.e prop.ec, of a possible brea- up of Nigeria b, 2 1%. -ecommended Solutions :.e unEuenc.able aggression against ?.ristian fait.ful is unacceptable in a multi-et.nic nation li-e Nigeria. :.e continuing attac-s on ?.ristians b, t.is sect portend great danger to t.e corporate e9istence of Nigeria and ma, plunge t.e nation into sectarian strife if not Euic-l, c.ec-ed. we t.erefore recommend a viable reorientation on t.e side of t.e Fuslim e9tremists w.o .ave sei<ed to see ?.ristians as fellow countr,men .ence t.ese attac-s .ave tended towards a situation w.ere tolerance) assimilation and respect for fellow countr,men irrespective of religious affiliation and regional inclinations .ave been lost. :.erefore a total reorientation on value for life and unit, even in diversit, is strongl, recommended. :.at "resident !2oodluc- Jonat.an# s.ould rise to t.is securit, c.allenges b, matc.ing words wit. action) .ence it is not enoug. to) after eac. dastardl, attac-) assure Nigerians t.at t.e government and t.e securit, agents are on top of t.e situation. In fact) t.e government .as failed in its primar, function of assuring t.e securit, of lives and propert, of citi<ens in man, parts of Nort.ern Nigeria. :.erefore a proactive and pragmatic approac. to Euelling t.is menace is recommended. No doubt) t.e impoveris.ment of t.e Nort. is traceable to t.e long .istor, of insecurit, in t.e region. :.is .as escalated under Jonat.an8s "residenc,. :.e insecurit, .as led to mass e9odus of investors from t.e Nort. on one .and and t.e e9odus of foreign investors from Nigeria on t.e ot.er. :.e Nort.ern elites s.ould also bro-er peace in t.e region as it is believed t.at t.e, are lovers of peace and tranEuilit, w.ic. t.e menace of 5o-o 6aram t.reatens; as it is onl, in peace t.at t.e region will witness development of all sorts. Mefusal to do t.at) t.e president) .aven identified some of t.e institutions of government w.ic. t.e sect .as allegedl, infiltrated) s.ould swing into action and fis. out t.ose involved and prosecute t.em. 6e s.ould also get at t.e root of t.e sponsors.ip of t.e rebellious group since t.e government8s partial state of emergenc, in some states in t.e nort. .as failed to curtail violence in t.ose areas) as it will not be out of place to invo-e full state of emergenc, in some troubled states in t.e Nort. as a wa, of deterring furt.er insurgence of insecurit, in t.e land. Since t.e menace .as subsided) t.is is t.e rig.t time for t.e Nigerian government to establis. special force t.at counters t.e terrorism of 5o-o 6aram caliber as well as open a viable c.annel for information s.aring between t.e government agencies and t.e individuals or private securit, outfits because securit, is ever, bod,8s responsibilit,. 1et t.e government and all t.e securit, agencies do all t.at is necessar, to stop t.e continuing bloodletting in Nort.ern Nigeria. Conclusion 5o-o 6aram is an Islamic sect t.at believes politics in nort.ern Nigeria .as been .i/ac-ed b, a group of corrupt and false Fuslims; and also t.at westerni<ation .as bread corruption in t.e Nigerian polit, and t.erefore wants to wage war against westerni<ation of all sorts in t.e countr, b, creating a
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t.eocratic state ruled b, S.ari8a law. Mesultantl,) since +ugust 2 11 5o-o 6aram .as planted bombs almost wee-l, in public places and c.urc.es in NigeriaUs nort.east. 1ater on) t.e group broadened its targets to include setting sc.ools on fire .ence in Farc. 2 12) some twelve public sc.ools in Faiduguri were bla<ed down) and as man, as 1 ) pupils were forced out of sc.ool. Gollowing t.e failed rescue of .ostages ?.ris FcFanus and Granco 1amolinara in nort.western state of So-oto in Farc. 2 12) "resident 2oodluc- Jonat.an pla,ed up t.e connections between t.e group and international terrorism to t.e galler, as western plot to divide Nigeria b, 2 1%. 6owever) lin-s between 5o-o 6aram and t.e -idnappers are Euestionable; besides) despite its successful attac- on t.e 3N compound in +bu/a in +ugust 2 11) it cannot be said t.at 5o-o 6aram is bent on attac-ing 7estern interests since t.ere .ave been no furt.er attac-s on international interests since t.at time. :actics emplo,ed b, government securit, agencies against 5o-o 6aram .ave been consistentl, brutal and counterproductive. Grom t.e attac-s so far) t.e group will continue to attac- softer targets in t.e nort.east rat.er t.an international targets inside or outside Nigeria) w.ic. would furt.er t.reaten t.e countr,Us unit,. -/0/-/NC/S +-e) ?. !14$(# ="arameters of Nigeria8s Defense "olic,> in F.'ogt and S.?. 3-pabi) National Interest, National Security and Defense Policy, FinnaC :radoc. +lo<ieuwa) S.6.& !2 12# ?ontending :.eories on Nigeria8s Securit, ?.allenge in t.e Era of 5o-o 6aram Insurgenc,. :.e "eace and ?onflict Meview. 'olume 7) Issue 1 - ISSNC 1D%4-*44%. .ttpC@@www.review.upeace.org@inde9.cfmKopcionV We/emplarV2(WentradaV12$ +l-Fas.at) +.F. !14$%# National Security in the Third World. 5oulder; ?oloradoC 7estview "ress. 5e-oe) D. !2 11#) Nigeria s !"## Elections$ %est &un, 'ut (ost )iolent b, !"eace 5rief) +ugust 2 11# 7as.ingtonC 3N& "ublication 5rait.wait.e) :. !14$$# =Goundations and D,namics of National Securit,>) Nigerian *ournal of International +ffairs ,-ol,#! No . //#"01#!0 5u<an) 5. !14$*# Peo/le, States and 2ear, 5rig.tonC 7.eat S.eef. 5u<an) 5. 7aever) &. and 7ilde) J. !144$# SecurityC + 2rame3ork for +nalysis) 5oulderC 1,nne Mienner. ?are,) M. !2 #) =:.e ?ontemporar, Nature of Securit,>) in :evor ?. Salom !ed# Issues in International &elation,, 1ondon and New Hor-C Mout ledge. ?ronin) +. L !2 1 # When Should We Talk to Terrorists4 !Special Meport) Fa, 2 1 # !2 11# 7as.ingtonC 3N& "ublication Dudouet) ' !2 1 # (ediating Peace 3ith Proscri'ed +rmed 5rou/s b, !Special Meport) June 2 1 # 7as.ingtonC 3N& "ublication D,-e) '.'. !14DD# Security and So-ereignty in International Politics. New Hor-C +ppleton-?entur,-?rofts. Eme) &. I. !2 (# =Insecurit, Iuestion in NigeriaC + :.ematic E9position)> The +cademy) 'ol. () No. () !Jul,# pp. $-4. Greedman) 1 !144$# =International Securit,C ?.anging :argets; 2oreign Policy) 11 C($-D*. Greedman) 1 !2 (# =The 6once/t of Security>) in Far, 6aw-swort. and Faurice Logan !Eds# Enc,clopedia of 2overnment and "olitics. 'ol.2 2nd edition. 1ondonC Moutledge. Foula,e) B !2 D#. Democratic 5o-ernance of Security in (ali7 + sustaina'le De-elo/ment 6hallenges) +bu/aC Griedic. Ebert stiffing. Nnoli)&. !2 D# National Security in +frica$ + &adical Ne3 Pers/ecti-e. EnuguC "+?ME". Nwe-e) 2.+. !14$%#) +frican Security in the Nuclear +ge; EnuguC Gourt. Dimension "ub. Nwe-e) 2.+. !14$$# =Some ?ritical Memar-s on t.e National Securit, Iuestion>) Nigerian *ournal of International +ffairs. 'ol. 12. pp. 1-7. Iuinne,) N and ?o,ne) 6. + !eds# !2 11# Talking to 5rou/s That 8se Terror Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press. Sc.wart<) S. !2 1 #) Is Nigeria a 9ot'ed of Islamic E:tremism4 b, !"eace 5rief) Fa, 2 1 #) 7as.ingtonC 3N& "ublication 3nited Nations Securit, ?ouncil !2 2# 2inal &e/orts of E:/erts on the Illegal E:/loitation of National &esources and ;ther 2orms of Wealth of D& 6ongo, 3nited States of +merica !14D7# Pu'lic Pa/ers of the PresidentsC 1,ndon 5. Jo.nson J 14DD 'ol. III. 7as.ingtonC 3S+ 2overnment "rinting &ffice. 7al-er) +. !2 12#) What is %oko 9aram4, 7as.ingtonC 3N& "ublication
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7olfers) +. !14D2# =National Security as an +m'iguous Sym'ol> in +norld 7olfers Discord and 6olla'oration) 5altimoreC Jo.n 6op-ins 3ni. "ress. Babadi) S.I. !2 %#. 8nderstanding Security and security sector Dynamics 5altimoreC Jo.n 6op-ins 3niversit, "ress. Bartman) 7 and Gaure ) 2. &. !eds#) !2 11#) Engaging E:tremist 5altimoreC Jo.n 6op-ins 3ni. "ress.

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