By Godwin Onuh Odeh PhD President Donald Trump's warning to Nigeria that if the mindless killing of 'Christians' co...
By Godwin Onuh Odeh PhD
President Donald Trump's warning to Nigeria that if the mindless killing of 'Christians' continues, they have no option but to step in and kill those terrorists responsible for countless deaths in Nigeria, has mounted tension on the nation presidency, as well as tense debate and commentaries. While some welcome it as a good development, given that Nigeria has battled with the crisis in the north east for over a decade without any significant success, others express contrary views, pitching their argument on resource control or resource hunting narrative, and that what the US is interested in is Nigerian resources such as oil and gold in Zamfara, and other resources in the north east and Lake Chad region. The rumor that the US might probably establish its base in Port Harcourt and not in Sambisa, seek to justify this position. However, one should take into consideration that the US Frigate berths only in ocean (huge water bodies).The position therefore, tend to becloud the US genuine intention. Related to this is the argument on Nigeria-China and Russia robust relations, which is perceived to have annoyed or provoked the United States into military action in Nigeria to upset that robust relations between the trio on the ground of or by a way of expressing diplomatic jealousy. Even at that, does it deny the unprecedented insecurity and wanton deaths across religious board in Nigeria? Certainly no. If Nigeria have good diplomatic deal with China and Russia and it can't fight internal insecurity by itself, let the duo of China and Russia help.All we want is peace and security and nothing more.
In addition to varying views is the position that attempts to criticize the United States' move by comparing it with Russia-Ukraine examples and the illegality of one independent nation invading another independent state.The Russia-Ukraine experiment is fundamentally flawed and shall be revealed in this piece. The US planned military attack on terrorists and warning has to be pitched on patriotic premises rather than imperial ambition ground that is visible in Russia- Ukraine narrative. It is along these lines of arguments this piece sets out to contribute its quota.
Incontrovertibly, over a decade, both Muslims and Christians have lost countless souls to Boko Haram terrorists, but especially Christians, probably because it is Islamic sect and as the name suggests (Boko Haram - means Western Education is sin or evil). Thus, in its ruthless activities it appears anything Western, whether humans, faith, physical, or even spiritual, are objects of target and destruction. The consequent eruption of banditry added another woe to the nation's security condition. In an attempt to mitigate the crisis, the military and other security outfits seem incapable. The Nigerian Army and the military, which is internationally respected, appears very weak in the fight against insurgents.
The overt weakness of the military and lack of political will on the side of the presidency and other political leaders have made several accusations to have been leveled against it, including the police and the DSS, that insecurity is a big or full-time business in Nigeria. Ordinary Nigerian citizens, irrespective of creed and faith (Christian, Muslims, Traditional religionists, and even those without aligning to another religion), are tired of the nation's security trauma. Parents have lost children, and children have lost parents and properties. The farmers and herdsmen crisis, leading to repeated killing of several innocent souls in the north central and the Benue valley, is brewing. These appear not to be indigenous Fulani men known for their peaceful relations with others.
The actual number of lives lost to insecurity in Nigeria since 2009 can't be established; it is simply alarming and scary. It is in this state of security affairs that the United States expresses concern to step in and deal with those criminal elements responsible for the mindless killing of 'Christians' and other citizens.
In the Ukraine experience, Russia's aim is never to quell a particular internal crisis of insecurity leading to loss of life that is of international concern, but the narrative is built on Ukraine's robust relationships with NATO. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is basically imperial in nature, aimed at dominating the latter. But that of US Planned Intervention is more of military aid and assistance, with a clearly defined mission. It is not to fight or topple Nigerian democratic regime or to kill innocent citizens but terrorists. Or is fighting terrorists fighting Nigeria and Nigerians? There should be no fear except we ourselves are in one way or the other benefiting from the business of insecurity. Of course, US military is known for precision unlike our own with a chequered history of missing targets.The idea is like, "We can't sit down and watch what is happening in Nigeria; we have to rise up and support." On the other hand, that of Russia was borne out of ego and activism to dominate and annex Ukraine's territory. The geographical contiguity of Russia and Ukraine, and the distant history of ethnic and geographical configuration of the famous but obsolete Soviet Union, buttresses this.
It is the submission of this treatise that several Nigerians (over 70 percent) welcome US move because they are tired of the insecurity, which appears like a business venture in the country. The United States of America should be thanked, in the first place, for their concern, before anything else or objection from the Federal Government quarters. It is fake and amount to pseudo-nationalism and patriotism to claim that all is well with Nigeria in the context of security, just to stop US military support to crush the criminal elements and terrorists that have kept citizens and even the military and other security agencies sleepless for over a decade.
We should shun politics and religious sentiment. The alleged recent threat by terrorist group to bomb Nigeria's National Assembly is a shame of monumental and International dimension. Like the then famous sign post on Akwanga Road in Nasarawa State Nigeria with the writing "many have gone" in the name of road accident. Indeed many have gone in the name of insecurity since 2009. More shouldn't go again in the name of insecurity. It is enough! In short, if you can't do it sincerely, why not allow others help you? By all standard Donald Trump's warning has already made a huge impact in just less than 48 hours. The Nigerian military is on it toes and the Presidency have no option that to wake up and face its responsibility as seen in the Statement by Mr. Ahmed Bola Tinubu expressing interest to cooperate and work with Trump to ensuring peace and security in Nigeria. We are proud of a listening President like Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long live the United States of America( USA)!!
Dr. Godwin Onuh Odeh, Department of History and International Studies, Sokoto State University Sokoto Nigeria.
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