Boko Haram: A Commendable Move

Not  long ago, the Senate confirmed the
appointment of the three Service
Chiefs, viz –Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Navy, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, Army and Air Marshall Sachiq Abubarkar, Air Force. Speaking at their decoration, President Muhammadu Buhari charged them to defeat Boko Haram in three months
With their confirmation and subsequent promotion to the rank of three-star  Generals, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration appears determined  to reposition the military in the onerous and highly demanding task of national security.
If anything, their new assignment, coming on the heels of the  readiness of a faction  of Boko Haram insurgents to surrender arms and embrace dialogue signposts a new approach to checking insecurity, particularly the intractable crisis which has continued to claim the lives of innocent and defenceless citizens in the North-East  of Nigeria.
Indeed, Nigerians are tired of the orgy of violence unleashed on innocent persons every now and again by the group. Indeed, the difficulty of knowing the demands of the group is another frustration especially as it is suspected to be driven by religious passion.
Against the backdrop of the unspeakable atrocities which the sect has visited  on Nigeria and Nigerians, the option of dialogue with the Federal Government being touted by the group is, undoubtably a hard sell. This is why government must not waiver in its avowed  commitment towards completely routing the terrorists and ensuring the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
Albeit, the recent statement by President Buhari on government’s readiness to negotiate with credible members of the group seems to have opened new vista of hope for dialogue. But it must be clear that only an upper hand at the battle field will give government a better bargaining power if dialogue is to be considered.
It is heart-warming that the United States has committed to assist in the fight against Boko Haram, even as neighbouring West African countries are being brought in deeper into the campaign  against Boko Haram. But nothing should be spared. Even the ordinary man should not be seen to sympathise with the terrorists even on religious ground as they kill even members of their religion.
One of the features of the new approach is the  target set for the military to prosecute the  mission by December this year. This will require a greater  synergy between the government, the military, foreign  partners and the people. It requires a superior fire-power that can overwhelm the insurgents.
The visit of the Senate President to Borno State tends to underscore the renewed  commitment of government to the fight against Boko Haram. But the issues of troops  motivation and adequate weaponry must be addressed once and for all.
As in all warfares, effort must be made to cut the supply line of Boko Haram, even its sponsors for a quick resolution of this challenge. It must not  be  forgotten that all parties in this campaign will need to re-double  their effort to ensure that the assault is quelled quickly to avoid backing from any other group of like minded men.
Finally, we think that members of the international community and civil society organisations should be cautious in their statements on the handling of the insurgency. They must not present themselves in ways that would suggest that they are on the side of the terrorists.