It seems Boko Haram, the Islamic terror group, is having a field day in Nigeria with news of how it is easily capturing one town after the other recently. Granted that there are many complexities surrounding the BH saga, one cannot but still wonder whether the Nigerian military is up to the task of routing the insurgents.
Military men in Nigeria are notorious for harassing and manhandling hapless civilians with impunity. Many of them act lawlessly and disregard constituted authority with a mentality that speaks of a people who believe they are lords. In short, the fear of a military man or woman is the beginning of wisdom, whoever you are, even when you are in the right. It appears the military is fast losing that sense of awe along with whatever respect it has. It is like the military has lost its professionalism going by reports of some of their activities in the fight against terror.
It should be appreciated that being a soldier is no easy task especially in times of war. Soldiers should respect them. It is a special call for the courageous. However, I feel once someone has, of his own volition taken up the call, he is supposed to follow the terms and commitments. That is why in the Bible, Apostle Paul likened Christians to soldiers.
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2.1-4)
But what stories about the performance of Nigerian soldiers in the ongoing war against terror leaves much to be desired. One reads stories of hundreds deserting and going to neighbouring Cameroon although it seems some claim it is a tactical move. There are stories of a whole battalion being sacked by Boko Haram; soldiers throwing away their uniforms and weapons and joining civilians in fleeing approaching terrorists and soldiers sabotaging government's efforts and siding with terrorists. There are stories of alleged corruption among officers and of mutiny, indiscipline and insubordination among men of the military. All these stories may not be true but...
Can Nigerians trust their defence to such a military? There is bewilderment and a sense of helplessness in the air in both the directly affected region and other regions in the country. When the would-be defenders are jittery and fleeing, what does one expect of the people who are to be defended? Is it the government that is failing the people and failing the military or is it the military that is plain failing the people? The Nigerian military has a track record in peace keeping operations all over the world especially Africa. So what is really happening?
It appears the military is caught in a political, religious and sectarian web that is threatening to spin out of control. it appears the military is also a victim of some of the problems plaguing the larger society - lack of patriotism, indiscipline and corruption. It appears the military is compromised.
It is to be conceded that there are courageous soldiers in the military giving their best to defend the country in the face of daunting challenges imposed by a sectionally, politically and religiously fragmented and disoriented country, one that appears to have some powerful antagonists in the international circle as well. The aborted bid of the Nigerian government to obtain weapons was in the news sometime ago. Some key world leaders appear to be paying only lip service to their promise of assistance. Maybe one cannot totally lay all the blame on the fearful soldiers. Do they have superior weapons? Were they well trained? Were they mentally, psychologically and logistically prepared for this war? How are BH sympathizers among them being handled? And maybe one cannot totally lay the blame on the Government. We saw its frustration at times. Why shouldn't Nigeria be able to handle this problem alone, why must the country be sulking about lack of help? Are they not the giant of Africa?
Whatever, the military needs to get its acts together and to redeem its image. The Nigerian Government need to take a more decisive approach in dealing with the terror war. It is not something to be handle with kids gloves. The war could be won and must be won. Believers must keep on praying because that is the only formidable weapon against terror.
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