Boko Haram: Averting A Religious Crisis

As members of the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram continue to target Christians   killing scores of faithfuls in the Northern part of Nigeria, every week, the possibility of Christians remaining indifferent to the dangers they face, is becoming doubtful.

In a brazen manner, a suicide bomber, penultimate weekend, rammed into a Church in Jos, blew up the place of worship, and left in his trail scores of dead people and 52 persons severely injured. The action nearly attracted reprisal attacks from Christians, but for the intervention of security agencies. Only yesterday, a similar attack on three churches in Zaria and Kaduna left even a bigger devastation.

It has therefore become rather imperative for the Federal and State Governments, to do everything to check the excesses of the Boko Haram group before Nigeria is plunged into an avoidable religious crisis. Further delay will not do the country any good.

While we condemn the frequent attacks on Christians, we think that government may need to provide security for every Church, especially those in the Northern part of Nigeria, even as it tries to bring the Boko Haram menace to a quick end.

There is nothing as dangerous as a religious war. Needless to say that it penetrates families in view of the fact that, different parts of the country have accepted the various religions and bonded themselves in marriage.

Even worse, is the thought of destroying the unity and goodwill which the founding fathers of the country have sacrificed so much to build. Indeed, what becomes of children born to parents of  mixed marriages, should worry all well meaning Nigerians if nothing else does.

As of right, Boko Haram like any other group  is free to express its discontent with the government, but it ought to do this in a civilized manner. It should be constructive and open to dialogue and peace. But to target innocent people, on account of their own grievances, is most unacceptable.

This cowardly attacks on Christians in the North further run counter to the grain of all known order in contemporary estimation. Clearly, what the group appears to be seeking,  is blood and nothing more.

That is why the Federal Government may need to step up actions to stop them before they destroy the very things that hold this country together.

We insist that a state of emergency be declared in all the affected states where these hoodlums hold sway.

If the presidency continues to look only at the political consequences and the remote fears of  governors in the region, the entire country might pay for it in a most costly way.

Besides, the governors who are supposedly the Chief Security Officers of those states, have also failed to keep in check, the weekly bloodbath that Boko Haram has continued to unleash.

There is also urgent need for the Federal Government to Police the nation’s borders more closely. This is to rule out the speculations that foreign infiltrators are largely responsible for these mayhem.

The Tide thinks that before things get out of hand, the Federal Government should also seek the support and cooperation of neighbouring countries in the battle against terrorism in Nigeria. Already, the United States of America (USA) has pledged to assist, and we think the time to do so is now.

While, the various ethnic groups have started thinking of the most appropriate responses to the assault of Boko Haram, we think that urgent steps must be taken to turn the wave of killings in  the North.

If Boko Haram is not tamed, the evil desire of those who want to divide Nigeria, becomes realisable.

We are however proud to commend Christendom in Nigeria for their rare show of restraint in the ensuring provocative attacks.