We kill militants but in vain

As Nigerian military forces routed elements of the Boko Haram terrorist group, which had held the northeastern part of the country hostage for about seven years killing close to 30,000 people of all ages, religions and tribes, a variety of similar insurgent and violent groups has emerged over the past couple of months.

We have the murderous Fulani herdsmen who at the last count would have snuffed life out of over 3,000 Nigerians from several parts of country without as much as one arrest effected.

 In addition to killings, they have been accused of kidnappings as well raping women and girl-children.  There is a perplexing audacity to the murderous activities of these herdsmen who take over rundown communities in what looks like an expansionist mission.

While agitators in the oil producing Niger Delta of the country cannot be readily accused of large scale assassination, kidnapping and sexual molestation like the herdsmen, they have dragged that part of the country into unimaginable tension and insecurity.

In addition to that, the incessant assaults of groups like the Niger Delta Avengers on national oil and gas installations have brought more strain on the country’s already dire economic situation, even as they have worsened power supply.

Although there have been reports of a rapprochement between government and the militants, there is yet no concrete deal that that would hopefully lead to the cessation of hostilities. That is worrisome as reports filter in that government may be considering military action on this front.

Such a military action had however been carried out against militants who had terrorised coastal communities in Ogun State and Lagos States over the past couple of weeks. Reports early in the week indicated that no fewer than 100 suspected militants were killed in a  three-day aerial bombardment  initiated by the military to flush out  pipeline vandals and militants operating at Ishawo, in Ikorodu, and Igando areas of Lagos State, and Arepo, Wawa, Elepete, and Ibafo areas of Ogun State.

Aside from relentless vandalism and sabotage of oil installations, these militants are believed to perpetrate crimes including murder, kidnappings, rape, armed robbery and intimidation of residents in a wide range of areas within Lagos and Ogun states. The activities of these folks have turned many Nigerians into refugees in their own country such that the decision by government to flush them out of their hideouts would appear the most appropriate response in the circumstance.

But the questions to ask are whether military action solves the problem perpetually and how many such internal deployments our military forces can accomplish at any particular time especially as pockets of violence erupt from various parts of Nigeria serially.