My understanding of the sect gang: Boko-Haram
My colleague was quick to correct me that Boko-Haram is an Islamic sect and not a gang that loathes western education. Well I personally thought these groups of people were not really what they claim to be, and this is confirmed by Islamic intellectuals’ comments on the actions so far claimed by the gang.
Boko Haram, which means ‘western education is sin’ in a local dialect, launched a short-lived uprising in parts of the north in 2OO9 in a failed attempt to establish an Islamic state but is now back from an emergence late last year to an issue of international recognition just a few days ago.
3 of their major operations excluding assassinations of government officials and their relatives will include:
• Jailbreak – 173 members of the extremist group were held among 765 other inmates at the Bauchi prison which was broken into. Almost all 173 were freed and gave the prison hardly any reason to exist. (September 2010) more
• Bombing Police HQ – Nigeria record in her history, the first suicide bombing. I was actually presenting at a town hall meeting on New Tools New Governance at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, when this happened. Eye Witness accounts states that the car bomb was driven into the building after the Inspector General Police got into the compound. (June 2011) more
• Bombing the UN House – Perhaps the biggest achievement by the gang. Another suicide-car-bomber (of the around 100 enlisted) brought the nation to her knees after driving into 2 gates and then the reception of the UN building. Perhaps taking the issue from national to international magnitude as it attracted comments from Obama, David Cameron, and Ban ki Moon. (August 2011) more
Enough of the history; what lies ahead in the future? The gang have professed that this is only a start and mean business. Another level of extreme was shown when the gang even killed a Muslim cleric who embraced nonviolence and spoke against the sectarian violence.
Having tried to understand “Boko-Haram” with a non-bias mind, it seem it contradicts her major believes or doctrines. The use of bombs, internet, new media, and other products from the west is a big foul if it were a game. Ramadan Kareem – a time of peace and soberness as it’s intended to teach ‘patience’, ‘spirituality’, ‘humility’ and ‘submissiveness’ to God; but yet it looks a reverse.
Endangering lives and destruction of property of the people including fellow Muslims is not logical; going the extent of recruiting suicide bombers (including youths having their national service) and orchestrating the death of many including foreigners working for the betterment of ‘your’ people. #NoFurtherComment
Well, it is quite sad that this new national virus cannot be contained and attempts made have only increase the notorious nature of the sect gang, and now calls have been made for the resignation of the president, as he looks really confused. Who can blame him? He came into power to solve issues such as bad roads, electricity and unemployment; only to find terrorism on the top of the list.
What next? It is quite difficult suggesting some solutions as we as a country may not be up to par to dealing with terrorism at the same level as the West, but since the UN is now involved, perhaps some contribution from experienced nations to curb out this to-become thorn in our democracy.
Education is key in the long run as a large number of kingpins in the sect gang are illiterates who follow the book (Quaran) literarily and wage war on all opposing or not-supporting entities. Perhaps in the long run, we’d have a generation with good grasp of religion as part of our identity and culture and not an excuse of blow up ourselves as well as other people.
By Nubi Kayode
