Nigeria Security Concerns Deepens Amidst International Violence Against Christians Claims

The abduction and killing of Brigadier General Uba in Borno State and the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls and their principal from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, convincingly endorse claims by the Western media that Nigeria is a major hub for genocide against Christians. But beyond the alleged genocide lies a critical point of discourse – what agenda is being propagated by the perpetrators? Whether or not they are being backed by some political actors remains unconfirmed.

In the late hours of Tuesday, 18 November, gunmen attacked the CAC, Anyuku community of Ekiti Local Government in Kwara State, opened fire, and abducted an unspecified number of worshippers. Three people were allegedly killed in the attack, and those kidnapped were dragged into nearby bushes. A local vigilante reportedly sustained a gunshot injury. This robbery illuminates the failed security apparatus of the community and also highlights the neglect from the government.

In a bid to address the community’s concerns about the US Senate’s involvement in Nigeria, the government was swift and affirmative, issuing a statement. Special advisers and spokespersons to the President made appearances in both local and international news outlets to dismiss the assertion. Yet, the central issue of topmost priority, unfortunately, is the lack of safety for Nigerians.

For years, Northern Nigeria has been bedevilled by the activities of bandits, mostly believed to be aliens who come into the country via its porous and neglected borders. With neglect of security, Nigeria stands a chance of being relegated to international standards, and the aftermath veers toward a discombobulated national risk system, with systemic failures in the media, political institutions, and security, calling for scrutiny of operations and delivery.

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For instance, the kidnapping and assassination of a military general in northeastern Nigeria proves the failure in intelligence and security communications. The attack on an army convoy, undisputed, demonstrates that citizens do not feel safe anymore, regardless of promises from the government. The Armed Forces are ill-armed but are expected to confront terrorists who are overly sophisticated with both technology and arms. Officers are less compensated for putting their lives on the line for citizens. Amid the army, discrimination dictates who will be promoted and who will be posted to the front lines. The American Government’s ideal response to the US Senator (Ted Cruz) should have been a convincing, implementable reform of deliberate security measures that would debunk the allegations, not some vague promises of scholarship, hipness, and communication skills by public relations officials. Security as a national concern overshadows who is being killed. This whole déjà vu of victims is a mere distraction from the heart of the matter – Nigerians are endangered, and the government doesn’t guarantee the safety of lives and property.

Over the years, we’ve seen religious insensitivities and extremist beliefs that have cost thousands of lives and displaced citizens. Attacks have been launched at churches, markets, mosques, and even schools, and students have had to partake in this share of sheer penury. Deviance from religion as a means to an end only births rigid nihilism, one that could even be a more dangerous threat to peace. Faith, peace, and belief seem to misalign in a globally religious landscape.

From the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 to the Dapchi kidnap in Yobe State and now the Kebbi schoolgirls, young citizens seem to be the recurring targets and potential recruits in these terrorism and banditry groups. The government’s responses, sadly, to these insurgents paint a portrait of a feeble, docile political system driven more by the government’s affluence than by protecting its citizens’ lives.

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Joshua Chuwang

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