In recent times, there to be no end to the rise of militancy and fundamentalist outrages in some parts of the Nigerian society. On the one hand, we are experiencing the fallout of “die-hard” Islamic fundamentalists, who are claiming to have serious disdain for and issues against the rising influences of “western civilization”, on their moral and cultural values.
On the other hand, we are yet to hear or see an end to the raging crisis bedeviling the Niger-Delta question, whose main crux is that the commonwealth of their peoples is being exploited without due considerations to their well being and advancement.
While the agitation of the former appears spurious and unrealistic, that of the latter requires a more fundamental and practical approach in solving their problem.
Be that as it may, both crises have given birth to an alarming rate of militancy and insubordination across the country. On the 24th of July, 2009, the northern parts of Nigeria, erupted in crisis that left hundreds of dead bodies in its wake as well as the destruction of both state and private properties, running into millions or naira. The reasons behind the mayhem are as much unbelievable and unreasonable, as it was unnecessary.
The kingpins of the crisis have for some time, been clamoring for the establishment of “Sharia Laws” in all the States of Nigeria and the abolishment of “western civilization”. Most of all, they believe that western type of education have been the undoing of the nation at large and feel its impact on the country has been largely negative. At first, one would have had to dismiss their objectives and view their demands as the wishful thinking of a 14th century lunatic and unenlightened ignorant noisemakers.
But to the surprise of the whole world, these bands of militants made true their threat to disrupt our “corrupt” society of its western influences and turn it over to an Islamic model according to their own whims and caprice, however, misguided it appears. To achieve their aim, the bands of militants, armed with machetes, “petrol bombs”, locally made guns and sticks, mobilized and stormed the State capitals’ police station at Bauchi, with the aim of releasing some of the sects members who had been arrested at various times. In the process of their rampage, other accused convicts obtained their “freedom”, joined the ranks and commences to snuff out the lives of some police officers on duty and raze buildings to the ground. This indeed can best be described as the insubordination of unprecedented momentum. As expected, the “Boko Haram” crisis was to spread to some other northern states in the country.
In a swift reaction to this despicable act of lawlessness, the states’ security forces quickly mobilized to repel this act. With this reaction, several bodies of suspected militants were to be found lying dead on the streets of Bauchi and other northern towns. The use of the state’s maximum forces were to bear down on the rampaging militants, most of whom are jobless and ignorant youths, having to pay the ultimate price for their actions. While I totally disagree with the actions of the young militants, who rightly needed to be punished for their lawlessness, I totally object to the merciless reprisal tactics of the states’ security machinery in murdering so much civilians just because they allowed themselves to be carried away too far from sound reasons and moderation.
I was so shocked and speechless, when I first saw the aftermath of police reaction with gruesome pictures of dead bodies in the pages of newspapers and later on in the television screen. It was like something out of the Nigerian civil war experiences, where bodies were aimlessly stacked together in a show of shame. I thought to myself if a people so deserve such a brutal punishment for a wrong done. Truly, the militants were foolish and irresponsible, but then they were still human beings. Even hardened criminals, caught and arrested in a cross fire against constituted authorities, are given the benefit of legal representation before judgement is carried out on them if found guilty.
The leader of the Boko Haram sect, one Mohammed Yusuf, who was caught by security forces days after the crisis started was later killed or murdered in cold blood. It was clear stated that he was caught. This means that he should have been interrogated, and given a chance of fair trial in a competent court before any further action was to be carried out on him. No security operative the world over has the right to pronounce death judgement on a suspected criminal, without the consent of the courts.
And I am convinced that there was no pre-empted order of the courts that suggested that the culprits in this crime should be promptly executed on sight, without legal representation. As much as we may want to justify those actions of the police or military in this matter, as a state organ, their training entails a level of restraints in taking unilateral decision on matters of civilian conducts and excesses in the society.
Hardened criminals in the past, such as the infamous Anini, and others were symbols of terror during their life time, but when they were finally caught, they were not executed on the spot, until they were properly tried and found guilty by a competent court of law. While what has happened in this case may not be reversible, I strongly suggest that in the future, our security outfits should apply a more level headed professional approach to state issues such as being discussed. While a mob action may give rise to “jungle justices”, in criminal matters as is common in various parts of the country, we do not expect our highly trained police force to do the same, or else, what is the need for a professional police force?
But then, shouldn’t we also place some blame on the leadership in some of the northern states? If they had embarked on the proper and equal education of their peoples as approved to by the constitution of the country, there wouldn’t be this much disdain for western education in those parts of Nigeria.
While we must appreciate and respect Islamic education, as a moral standard for Muslims, a dynamic view of other scopes of knowledge would have broadened the intelligence of the sectarians who feel threatened by the spread of western education in the northern fringes of the country. No doubt, several of the dead would have turned out far better if they had been properly tutored by state controlled and regulated education What right does the governors of Bauchi or any other states in the country has in obtaining western style education, which has bettered their lives, and deny or ignore the need for same for the people of their states? We can now see what the seed of ignorance has cost our people who have lost their lives in this mayhem, and I hope such disaster would be averted in the future. Surely, western education is not really the problem of these unfortunate sects, but rather, an unconscious protest against injustices and the denial to real freedom of thoughts, opinions and conscience.
I may agree to an extent that western cultures, not education, has eroded on some of our indigenous moral values, most especially in our various cities, yet, that does not give any society or group the license to unleash terror or impose a believe on any other group by applying force. We should respect other people’s freedom of opinion, expression and belief. The constitution is very clear on this matter. Afterall, it was discovered that the hideouts of one of the leaders of the sects was furnished with western equipments such as satellite televisions, motorcycles, and commodities like can drinks, and imported food stuff.
As we mourn the dead and thank God for those who are still alive, I advice that those who had been arrested for these crimes, be given fair trials, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society. If amnesty is good for the Niger-Delta militants, then it should be good for the Boko Haram militants too.
•Femi writes from Lagos
Efemme4life@yahoo.com
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