“ In a general term, Northern Nigeria is at the tip of becoming ungovernable,”
―Ebuka Onyekwelu
Bandits and terrorists are enemies of the state. They plainly set out to sabotage the most sacred quintessence of the state which is the protection of lives and properties of citizens. It is undisputed, therefore, that banditry and terrorism are two twin evils that are resolute about destroying the fabrics of the modern state as well as altering the course of modern advancement, thereby bringing humanity to its knees through the use of extreme violence.
Northern Nigeria in the past few years has been experiencing the most brutal assault from armed bandits and terror groups. They deploy extreme violence in different parts of the North to have their way. In Zamfara for instance, it is free for all, where armed groups openly usurp the powers of the state. They fight over who controls natural resources and impose fines and taxes on villagers, at will.
In Katsina, the situation is not different; it is in fact so severe that a few months ago, bandits kidnapped schoolboys in Katsina while the President was visiting. Borno state is nearly overrun by Boko Haram terrorists. A few months ago, the Borno governor’s convoy was attacked more than once within a very short time and many security operatives lost their lives. Throughout the North, several thousand have been sacked from their homes and now live within the minimalist comfort if any at all, that can be afforded in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps.
Consequently, thousands of law-abiding citizens have become disempowered and rendered jobless in addition to being homeless, even as they have become dependent on handouts donated to them by government agencies, non-profit organizations, and public spirited individuals. In all of this, law-abiding citizens, many of whom are farmers and who normally go about their legitimate business, have now become a burden to not only the state but also to themselves. They are now prisoners of hope of a better day when their lives shall return to normal again.
As of now, it is hard for any day to pass by without a report of the incidence of kidnap or attack by bandits in the North. According to a report by International Crisis Group released in May 2020, over two hundred thousand people have been displaced across Northern Nigeria, particularly in the northwest geo-political zone. The casualty is also unbelievably high according to the same report, as more than eight thousand people have also died from the conflict.
Traveling on certain roads in Southern parts of Nigeria at any time of the day has become very risky
In a general term, Northern Nigeria is at the tip of becoming ungovernable. Although this is gradually being exported to different parts of Southern Nigeria, with the increasing level of attack by armed bandits suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. Traveling on certain roads in Southern parts of Nigeria at any time of the day has become very risky owing to the activities of these bandits suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. In each and every case, however, law abiding Nigerian citizens are the victims. Yet, all they have is the hope that someday, living in their homes, traveling on the roads, and going back to their farms may be safe again. The ruling class whose duty it is, to bring this hope to reality has enough armed men protecting them, this, in addition to riding on bulletproof vehicles. A luxury they all have which shields them from the reality of everyday Nigerians.
But for the bandits, the latest visit by Sheik Gumi, a popular Kaduna-based cleric, is an ominous sign that speaks of nothing new in the character of the Nigerian state, particularly as it concerns the manner it deals with the enemies of the state. The meeting between Sheik Gumi and the bandits is an attestation to the fact that the bandits are not invisible after all. But beyond that, it is an indictment on the government of Nigeria and security forces. The image of the meeting closely relates to what is obtained in Somalia, a known failed state where armed bandits freely operate, brandishing their weapons and with no atom of restriction; showing their faces as though they have established a parallel law governing their criminal activities. And so it would appear as though the bandits are living within an established legal code different from the one the rest of Nigerians are living under. Something both incredibly audacious and in fact unbelievably scandalous. Well, Nigeria eventually ceases to throw up any surprises. Even at that, howbeit that such number of heavily armed criminals can boldly assemble with their arms in clear public display and casually disperse after a session with a cleric. In a particular instance, such sight tends to resonate and subtly sends a very strong message to observers who then wonder if there is any point in being a law-abiding and responsible citizen under the fastidious circumstance where it does appear to be more honourable as a bandit than a law-abiding citizen.
The meeting with Sheik Gumi which held within the premises of a dilapidated school building is a distressing reminder that the journey is going to be a very long-distance one. More so when one considers that the school building may have been destroyed by the bandits. Northern Nigeria before its current crisis was not notable for exploits in education. Therefore, the destruction of schools in any part of the North is a major setback that can only ensure that the region remains scantly developed and its vast human resources fatally underused and very likely lost to banditry. Simply put, the attack on education in the North is an attack on the future of Northern Nigeria.
Be that as it may, the suggestion by Sheik Gumi that the bandits should be granted amnesty will likely be accepted by the government, there is little doubt to this. In fact, states like Katsina and Kaduna at varying points accepted to have reached an agreement at a price with bandits and armed groups, in exchange for the bandits to stop their violent attacks. In essence, this is something that is already being put into action by the government of Nigeria. However, no one is sure as to how it will turn out because what is happening in various parts of the North is the commercialisation of crime. Banditry has been commercialized. Armed, bandits now use their illegal arms to illegally mine resources especially in a place like Zamfara where gangs are at war over gold mining spaces. With their arms, bandits also bargain with the government, kidnap and demand ransom.
By every standpoint imaginable, these bandits are criminal elements that the government must not negotiate with except it has resigned to take the position of weakness in which instance it has accepted that it is amenable to the wishes of armed criminal gangs. The consequences of this are far-reaching and terrifying because, in the coming years, Nigeria, other things being equal, must always be ready to negotiate with armed bandits and criminals. This fact should guide the course of action the state must take. Importantly, the integrity of the state has been put to grievous impairment and ridicule; therefore the state must commit to restoring its ability to protect the lives and properties of citizens and residents. This, the state must demonstrate in the manner it deals with bandits and terrorists who are the most competent threat to the peace and safety of citizens and their properties in Northern Nigeria.
The state must not be seen to reward banditry and terrorism, while victims of banditry and terrorism are hopelessly left to wait in the IDP camps.
The state must to that extent, not be seen to reward banditry and terrorism, while law-abiding citizens and victims of banditry and terrorism are left to wait in the confines of their hope, in an IDP camp. This pattern is a recipe for wide, uncontrollable violence that will inevitably result in the total collapse of government not just in Northern Nigeria, but also in all parts of the country. As vague as they may appear, the violence that ensued during the aftermath of the Endsars campaign is but a significant demonstration of how overwhelmed the government and security agents can become in the face of widespread crisis, much less by armed gangs.
The government of Nigeria must move to salvage its sovereignty in northern parts of the country, from armed bandits and make roads safe for travelers across the country. Efforts must be made to restore the confidence of responsible citizens in the ability of the state to protect them, while criminals who break the law are punished and not embraced by the state.
♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, strategic governance exponent, is a columnist with the WAP
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