Honouring Nigeria’s real heroes

Nigeria's security apparatus and dynamics underwent a massive change in 2009 as the nation soared to the end of the first decade of the new millennium. Nigeria suddenly found itself fighting adversaries it was not accustomed to and in locations it was not used to. The terrorist group Boko Haram was largely responsible for this dramatic change in Nigeria's security priorities.

There are many theories about how the group evolved and resolved into arguably the most formidable enemy of the Nigerian state. Many Nigerians believe it was a carefully crafted invention of Nigeria’s hidden enemies who needed an offensive against the Nigerian state for their aims from a group malleable to them. If this was the plot initially, they soon lost the plot as Boko Haram veered out of control.

The audacious attacks of the group which has been involved in some of the most atrocious assaults against the Nigerian state over the years has weakened Nigeria’s security architecture and enabled the proliferation of terrorist groups in a country where the main challengers used to be small-time criminals.

What is clear from Boko Haram’s history is that the terrorist group which balks at Western civilization amply benefitted from the many loopholes in Nigeria’s security architecture, and the weak political will that has more often than not marked government in Nigeria.

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tried to lay a glove on Nigeria’s myriad problems, security is one aspect his government has thrived in. Since his inauguration in 2023, activities have ceased in many of Nigeria’s killing fields, with the government doing a considerable lot to guarantee security for citizens. However, the war is far from over.
Terrorists attacked the Nigerian Army base in Malam-Fatori, Borno State, on Friday, January 24. Approximately 22 soldiers paid the ultimate price, despite the fact that almost 70 terrorists were eliminated. Serving in the military means repeatedly dying on the job. It is to put one’s life on the line for others and die many times over, even if it happens that breath will cease just once.

Despite the grim reality of being a soldier, especially in a full-fledged theatre of war that Nigeria is, young Nigerians brimming with promise and overflowing with potentials and patriotism continue to join the armed forces, putting themselves in the line of fire to defend Nigeria from ruthless non-state actors.

These individuals are the real heroes of Nigeria. They are the ones who consistently put everything on the line to defend Nigeria.

For many reasons, but especially to honour the sacrifices, they have made in defence of the country, Nigeria must commit more to the war against terror than it is currently doing. Most especially, it must commit to prosecute it to its logical conclusion.
Unfortunately, with years and resources invested and no end in sight, the fight against terrorism now seems to have no conclusion.

Nonetheless, the reality that no nation can advance while terrorists are always a threat serves as sufficient incentive to continue.

The sacrifices made by troops, citizens, and entire communities in the fight against terrorism must be honoured by Nigeria. A thorough defeat of the terrorists in the shortest amount of time is the highest honour.