When, in December 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to eradicate terrorism in six months but failed to do so throughout his tenure, nobody could do anything to him.
So, President Muhammadu Buhari has taken the same path. He gave a three-month ultimatum to the Army to eradicate the Boko Haram terrorism, knowing it is impossible, and that none of his own kith and kin would be affected. The Army is cooperating as in GEJ’s days, displaying pictures of captured Boko Haram kingpins, but releasing scanty details of loss of soldiers and civilians. That way, government and unaffected Nigerians continue life as usual, while the northeast counts its own losses.
Government is saying Boko Haram is getting defeated when still killing many Nigerians in northeast towns and villages! Does the Army not understand that those who surrender are not die-hard Boko Haramists? The die-hard ones will fight-on, even if they remain only one person. A child doesn’t know what is called war, and is asking war to come.
Was Buhari trained in guerrilla warfare/war of attrition or in conventional warfare? War can take any dimension. The Army is said to have reported that Boko Haram has started poisoning water sources: rivers, wells, ponds, etc., due to which many cattle have died; hopefully human beings will not follow suit.
If GEJ accepted dialogue in December 2011, when Boko Haram proposed it through Mama Sarah Jubril, even the bombed churches wouldn’t have been bombed in 2012. If he accepted dialogue in 2014, when Boko Haram proposed it, the Chibok girls would have returned to their families. If Buhari was not desperate about defeating Boko Haram, but seeking peace, all the bombings rocking northeast since he took over wouldn’t have happened. After bombarding Sambisa forest, he is asking for the Chibok girls!
Appease Boko Haram to avert further unforeseen measures (like poisoning water) by the group. Without peace, there can’t be progress.