Terrorism may not always involve arson and bombing to destroy lives and property, but includes the use of physical violence and callousness to make demands, and taking the law into one’s hands in doing so. Such demands may not always be for political purposes, but also include illegal and unreasonable personal impositions on unsuspecting persons by instilling fears on them. Obviously, this is a common trademark of bandits and gangsterists, whereby victims of such trauma are left to count their losses and injuries after being ravaged.
Those who have a keen capacity to observe events taking place around them in urban towns would not fail to notice the other face of terrorism on daily basis. The irony is that some of the perpetrators of these acts of brigandage are members of various law enforcement agencies, some of who operate brazenly and shamelessly. Someone in police uniform fell down as he pursued a hawker and, because people around laughed, he transferred his aggression and humiliation on those that he could intimidate. Laughter can be indictable!
Specifically, “fake revenue collectors” who claim to work for Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (OBALGA) present a pathetic case study of criminality under purported official cover. There is hardly any resident in Port Harcourt who would not have had an encounter with the menace of Area Boys of OBALGA. Whether as a motorist or in the process of putting up a building, the menace of Area Boys constitutes a face of terrorism.
Perhaps, the sad experiences of some of these groups of gangsters account for the reduction of the frequencies and intensity of acts of brigandage of various “fake agents”. Perhaps the worst victims of the second phase of terrorism are house wives who own foodstuff stores, petty traders, business operators and commercial motorists. Surely, there must be some legitimate levies and taxes necessary to be paid by small-scale business operators. But once these payments have been made and receipt of such payments are available, then any intruding or fake revenue collector should not molest anyone doing a legitimate business.
The pathetic state of the nation’s economy should not be an excuse for petty criminals and mischief makers to molest and frustrate people trying to eke out a living by honest means. Neither should the urge to engage in aggressive revenue drive cause any local government area to resort to double taxation or introduce some ridiculous levies. Must there be a “displaying” or “hanging” permit before a store owner puts out his wares to the public? Almost on daily basis such extraneous local taxes and levies are being introduced by fake revenue collectors. They also issue fake receipts.
One of the results of the constant harassment of foodstuff vendors by various intruders is the rising cost of food. Such intruders range from herdsmen and their cattle on farmlands, check-point agents and revenue agents, to special task force members, all of who make demands on food producers and traders. Hazards on the roads are enough to discourage those who buy and sell foodstuff.
A unique but sad aspect of poverty-induced acts of terrorism is the state of uncertainty and anxiety which prevails everywhere, such that mutual trust is under threat. It is difficult to tell when someone is dealing with genuine state officials, as different from fake ones and criminal groups. Even when dealing with agents wearing official uniforms, one cannot rule out the fact that smart operators fake identity cards as well as the uniforms they wear. There are fraudsters and terrorists who put army or police uniforms and operate with maximum swagger, and also get away with their acts of criminality.
Cases that had been reported officially to various appropriate quarters had rarely been treated with satisfaction and seriousness. Does it make sense to advise complainants to “apprehend the hoodlums and bring them here” or, “take the battle to their camp and hiding place!” Neither would response and rescue come several hours after a phone call to law enforcement units by a victim of terrorist attack! Is it easy to deal with drug addicts and gangsterists who are operating under the influence of diabolical forces? Many hoodlums have lost their humanity, may be arising from frustration and joblessness.
Even with genuine law enforcement agents, the brazenness and audacity as they demand for settlement from petty defaulters, is quite shocking. Is it lawful to follow law-breakers to the nearest Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) to withdraw money to settle law-enforcement agents? Reprehensible as this practice is, long-suffering Nigerians bear this malfeasance daily. But who cares?
Unexemplary leadership surely accounts for much of the increasing acts of lawlessness in Nigeria. One 79 –year old senior citizen who was a victim of gross maltreatment by “area-boys” and who identified himself as a retired Army Major, once said: “Baboons overrun the town when monkeys scramble for banana”. To his assailants he said: “If I place a curse on you, you’ll end in a dusty manner”. To those who witnessed what happened and showed sympathy towards him, he said: “When truth becomes trash to a presidency, then there is a cause for alarm”.
There is no doubt that Nigerian youths are becoming increasingly violent, callous and unruly, of which the growth of goatee-beards is a symbolic testimony. Ask any young man why he grows beards and one reason would likely be: “so that people would fear and not underrate me …” Everything is done to appear terrifying, including “gra-gra” lifestyle. To be polite and gentle is to sell oneself cheap, but it would pay to walk like a macho man, with swagger to add. New breed of Nigerians must be tough!
So, the new face of terrorism demonstrates a changing phase of the Nigerian environment and lifestyle. It comes as a response to threats which demand aggressiveness to be able to survive. It is a part of human defence mechanism, which demands taking the fight to the camp of the aggressor, rather than wait to be attacked first. Thanks to the Acting Inspector-General of Police for clarifying the new creed.

Dr Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.