As Terrorists Gradually Take Over Nigeria…

 By Adekunle Adekoya

What initially began as isolated incidents after the death of Mohammed Yusuf, the late founder of Boko Haram after his death in July 2009 later balooned into full-scale insurgency with which we have struggled to no end for 16 years. Then, the insurgents were trying to establish control over ungoverned spaces in parts of Borno State far from the capital. Later, they grew bolder, started levying taxes on residents, and within a short time, established control.

They became so entrenched that countries of the Lake Chad area had to form a joint security outfit to respond to them. And so we had the Multi-National Joint task Force, the MNJTF, comprising soldiers and other security operatives from Nigeria, Chad and Niger Republic. But they were not deterred. Having secured the backing of international terror organisations like Al-Qaeda, ISWAP and others, terrorists have sustained their onslaught on Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty through repeated attacks on many towns and villages, in Borno and Adamawa.

Mr. President, The Security Challenge Is Hitting Harder!

 By Emeka Alex Duru

It was quite depressing listening to a member of the House of Representatives from Zamfara State, Aminu Jaji recount the worsening security situation in his constituency. Jaji painted a harrowing picture of attacks, mass kidnappings, and general lawlessness that have left his constituents devastated and displaced.

Over 200 of such attacks have taken place in communities across Kaura Namoda Local Government Area alone, including Dayo, Banga, Gabaki, Korea, and Madura, according to the lawmaker. In one instance, 60 people were abducted in Banga. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 30 million naira. Out of those abducted, 10 were killed, and the fate of the remaining 50 hangs in the balance, he said. The chilling aspect of his narration was one in which a pregnant woman gave birth in captivity and her newborn twins thrown to dogs by a bandit leader. He also gave instance of a boy with epilepsy who was executed for falling in the presence of a bandit. This is bestiality at its worst.

As Nigerians Grapple With Escalating Poverty

 By Adeze Ojukwu  

The excruciating pain and penury arising from soaring food and fuel prices have left many Nigerians seething with anger and rage. 

Since independence, the country has had a history of bad governance, characterized by graft, tribalism and unrest, due to political, cultural and religious vulnerabilities. But never in its chequered history has the society been embroiled in such massive levels of imbroglio, which peaked during the eight-year devastating hegemony of the immediate past administration.