On Monday, July 8, 2013, Nigerians received with mixed feelings the news of the ceasefire agreement between Boko Haram, a radical Islamic terrorist group, and the 25-man committee that was set up to work out modalities for Boko Haram amnesty on behalf of the Federal Government. Many people questioned the sincerity of the Boko Haram sect while others cast their doubts on the committee as to whether it was not staging a puppet show.
In an interview with Radio France Hausa Service, on Monday July 8, Imam Muhammadu Marwana, a newly acclaimed spokesman for the Abubakar Shekau-led Boko Haram sect, said the sect had signed a ceasefire agreement with the amnesty committee under the chairmanship of Alhaji Tanimu Turaki who also doubles as the Minister for Special Duties. During the interview, Marwana took advantage of the lavished impunity of the system to say the sect had forgiven the government and the Nigerian people and also sought forgiveness from Nigerians and other citizens of the world that they had killed, injured or destroyed their homes.
The way Marwana sounded over the radio was as if their offence was as mild as hitting a dog on the road by accident. I couldn't even tell what he was forgiving Nigerians for, but for the record, since its sudden explosion in 2009, Boko Haram's related attacks have left no fewer than 4,000 people dead, thousands more injured and hundreds of thousands displaced or hopeless. We have no idea how many more people are lined up on their death row or the places they have yet to attack. The ceasefire agreement made it seem like Boko Haram and the Federal Government have a mutual aggressive might. Although I am not a soldier, my understanding of a ceasefire does not include one party is being overpowered by the other. At that point, it is no longer a ceasefire, it is called an unconditional surrender. For those of us who were not born during the Nigerian Civil War, History has taught us that the Biafrans surrendered when they saw that they were being subdued. Let me quickly add that it was in spite of the fact that the Biafrans were fighting a just course. The Federal Government should be wise enough to renege that agreement because, among other things it is beyond a mere coincidence that the agreement came in almost at the eve of Ramadan. Since all members of Boko Haram are Muslims, it will only be reasonable for them to observe their obligations of the Holy Month. I remember clearly that in the Ramadan month of 2010 and 2011, Plateau State recorded her most peaceful period of the year. There is the likelihood that the ceasefire is temporary pending the duration of the Holy Month. No offence meant, but I feel this is the period in which the insurgents would be at their lowest ebb thus creating an opportunity for the soldiers to uncover them. Yes, it sounds inhuman to attack a hungry and unarmed offender but that is what they do to their innocent victims in schools, worship centres and other public places.
The agreement came exactly 82 days after the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution was inaugurated. At this point, I don't just smell a big rat, I smell an elephant. There is a looming impression that the committee members created a smokescreen to disguise the fact that they were unable to achieve much within the 90 days that they were given. This was the same committee that claimed they met with Kabiru Sokoto in prison, a claim Sokoto denied. They also pushed for the release of Boko Haram's relatives hoping it would bring them out of their hiding places but to no avail. Finally, in order to save their faces from shame, they came out with a Nollywood blockbuster: The ceasefire. If not, when has Marwana replaced Muhammed Ibu Abdulazeez, the real spokesman for the Boko Haram sect? Where is Shekau in the whole picture? I don't believe that there can be any truce between Boko Haram and the Federal Government without Shekau (alive or dead) on the negotiating table. And who else is responsible for the killing of 30 pupils in Yobe State apart from Boko Haram? Had these 25 people attained 90 days without achieving anything, or even staging a drama, the bulk of the shame would fall on the Northern political and religious leaders and the Arewa Consultative Forum. Alas, they held on to an end-of-the-hour lifeline.
Let us not also forget that a peace deal was brokered on January 28, 2013 after a marathon meeting between leaders of the group, Governor Kashim Shetima of Borno State, and some other top government officials. The peace deal barely survived a fortnight and now we are here again, should we still believe the words of Boko Haram or the government? The government on her own part has a bad reputation for not honouring her side of the bargain. The current industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities is a pointer. On the other hand, none of Boko Haram's demands is sensible.
The state of emergency declared on Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states has in no small measure weakened the might of the sect. Its training ground in Mali is currently under fire and the borders around its regions are being more secured, which leaves the members with no room but to surrender. If they insist on the ceasefire then the Federal Government should reduce them to zero.
It is quite interesting to note that the Northern youths, especially those in Borno, are living up to their responsibilities in fighting Boko Haram. They are obviously tired of concealing members of Boko Haram sect. Instead, they want to flush out the insurgents themselves. Apparently, hiding places are elusive for the Boko Haram members so they are left with the option of surrendering or die fighting. Moreover, Britian has chosen to classify Boko Haram members and sponsors as terrorists liable to face punishment; America is coming up with such similar proposal in no distant time. If we concede to this ceasefire agreement now, Boko Haram will grow again like bacteria, and if it does, I am afraid we will no longer be able to contain it.
-Yadok wrote in from Jos, Plateau State via bizuumyadok@gmail.com
