Does Nigeria Need Help To Combat Boko Haram?

Nigeria does not need help from the United Nations (UN) or African Union (AU) troops to combat the extremist militant group - Boko Haram, according to the country's national security advisor-Sambo Dasuki in an interview with BBC. He added that Nigeria along with neighbouring Chad and Cameroon, was well placed to address the threat posed by Boko Haram. Is this a message of hope or that of a dying man refusing help? If this statement is true, what then has Nigeria in particular and its neighbours been waiting for until now to combat Boko Haram? Moreover, how can we count on them to do what they have persistently failed to do?
The flagrant threat and atrocities of Boko Haram are known to all. Over the years Boko Haram has gained notoriety in man’s inhumanity to man. The militants gained worldwide notoriety after kidnapping more than 200 schoolgirls in April last year - who are yet to be rescued. Hardly does a week pass by without hearing of kidnappings or killings of innocent people often children and women by Boko Haram. Though we hear of efforts by the Nigerian government to deal with these extremists, it is quite clear that their efforts have never deterred the militants. Why do I say this? Boko Haram is becoming more daring at killing and kidnapping over the years. Sources in Nigeria including security experts have also questioned the ability and commitment of the Nigerian Government in allocating adequate resources to fight Boko Haram and protect innocent lives. This has attracted international attention with many calling on the UN, AU and other international bodies to come to the aid of Nigeria in order to fight these militants. These calls are in the right direction. Indeed international bodies and world super powers should not only be interested in their economic and parochial interests but should be more concerned with threats to human lives anywhere on the globe. The African Union and individual African countries in particular should be wary of Boko Haram and offer the needed support to curb their atrocities and possible advancement to other African countries.
It is therefore surprising that the Nigerian security advisor is telling the world they are capable of dealing with Boko Haram. If they are capable, why has it taken them so long or it is that they don’t care for the lives of the dying populace? The truth is that it is the ordinary Nigerians, not the political elite, who are suffering at the hands of these militants. If leadership in Nigeria doesn’t care for these lives, people all over the world are however concerned and want an end to this menace. The typical African attitude of talking too much and doing less has never helped. If indeed Nigeria is capable, the Nigerian Government should walk the walk by mobilizing its neighbours to deal with the issue, for talk is cheap.
Though the enormity and complexity of dealing with Boko Haram cannot be underestimated, the Nigerian government is expected to wake up and be more committed to this course. They should be realistic and humble enough to welcome help if they know they are incapable of dealing with the menace. All that we look forward to seeing is the end of brutalities whether by means of dialogue or military combat taking note of the fact that people must be spoken to in a language they understand. Long live Nigeria.

Emmanuel Kwasi Mawuena
[email protected]
Accra