From Chibok To Dapchi

In the field of magical performance known as legerdemain, the rule is that one trick should not be used too often, so that the spectators do not get wiser soon.
In the olden days, children were enthused by a song: “come and see American wonders …” But now, the abracadabra of conjurers and voodoo masters hold little value or water. Only foolish people and unsuspecting children would follow a Pied Piper into perdition,
There are Nigerians who would swear that the story of Chibok girls was a stage-managed drama. Even now, hardly can anyone say frankly what the real truth is about the matter. Rather than “bring back our girls” what we hear is that some of them are in a university, and we pray that they become professors soon.
In the hay-days of “Chibok girls”, we looked forward with enthusiasm for American wonders, with the promise of using American technology to rescue the girls from Boko Haram terrorists. Some Australian conjurers and negotiators also added their own magic in the drama, ending in a scam.
It is strange that in the Nigerian fashion, Bring-Back-Our-Girls’ drama group have not yet come on stage for the Dapchi girls. What we hear is another promise of American involvement in the rescue of Dapchi girls, similar to their great success in the Chibok operation. America must love Nigeria a great deal, especially in moments of great needs and travails. What a friend we have in America!
Activities of Boko Haram terrorists group took a most disturbing turn during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency. An agitation which rises to the form of organised terrorism must have a serious demand, backed by serious sponsorship and funding. Such serious demands in Nigeria include resource-control, restructuring of the polity, plebiscite by separatist groups etc. None of these is an agendum of the Boko Haram terrorist group. What do they want?
When a prominent Islamic religious leader once advised President Jonathan to negotiate with Boko Haram terrorist group, the objection was that they were a faceless group. At last, when the terrorists were asked to nominate a spokesperson, who did they name?
During the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo, there was mass clamour for Sharia Law, an agitation which President Obasanjo did not address with a definite answer. Anyone would ask if there is any connection between the agitation for Sharia Law and Boko Haram terrorism. Any connection?
Before the Dapchi case, we were told that Boko Haram terrorists had been defeated. Have they not tactically transformed into “armed herdsmen”?
There are lingering cases of huge sums of money spent in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. With America coming up again with promise for further support and equipment to fight terrorism which would cost more money, should such help not be better in intelligence rather than weapons?
The logic is that with American superior intelligence network, exposing the goals and sponsors of Boko Haram terrorists would be a more humane service. Let the interest of those in sympathy with Nigeria’s plight go beyond selling weapons, but focus more on exposing the causes and sources of the nation’s plight. Would exposing the goals, sponsors and shenanigans of the terrorists not be better than selling weapons to Nigeria?
Many Islamic clerics have said that Boko Haram terrorists are not Moslems, since Islam is associated with peace. An interpretation of Boko-Haram into English from Arabic translates as: “away with book-knowledge”. In other words, it means “away with western education” and culture. The alternative would be to embrace Sharia Law and Islamic culture. Those who think along this line see a connection between current Boko Haram terrorism and past clamours for introduction of Sharia Law in Nigeria.
There are two dominant religions in Nigeria, one is as good as the other. With the crises and confusions that beset the nation, a plausible conclusion is that either the religions have failed us, or, we have failed the religions. Otherwise, the tenets of Christianity and Islam should have made their Nigerian followers better people than what they are currently.
Being a country that is addicted to religion, should Nigerians not exemplify the beliefs which they profess and embrace? Chibok and Dapchi episodes say a lot of things about Nigeria than what we imagine currently. While there may be some doubts and skepticism here and there, the Chibok and Dapchi episodes represent discouragement of women education.
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt

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