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SINCE the advent of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria in 2009, the violent sect has been a thorn in the flesh of the government and security agencies. In the beginning, terrorism as exemplified by Boko Haram, was new to the country. Because of this, the security agencies were at a loss as to how to manage a very difficult situation. The situation was made worse because Boko Haram had sympathisers within the security forces, who aided and abetted its operations. The moles made it possible for the violent sect to successfully unleash series of unwarranted violence in the Northern part of the country. Even the Southern part was not immune to the fear of Boko Haram as rumours of an impending attack in some commercial cities in the south were rife. The fear of Nigerians is justified following the death of innocent people as a result of bombings done by Boko Haram members in public places like  church, army and police establishments.

As the nefarious activities of the sect heightened, the federal government slumbered and staggered and finally mustered the courage to declare a state of emergency in parts of the country most affected by the insurgency. As Nigeria suffered, the international community just paid lip service to assisting the country to combat the scourge of Boko Haram. Prior to the state of emergency, security situation in the country was even advanced as part of the reason President Barack Obama of United States bypassed Nigeria during his second tour of Africa countries this year. At a point in time, it appeared that Nigeria was fighting Boko Haram all alone.

But in recent weeks, there have been strong voices raised against Boko Haram by the international community. Led by the US, the world seems to have woken up to the fact that Nigeria cannot fight terrorism in its territory all alone. Why is this sudden awakening after four years of the insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and property worth billions of Naira? Is this strong condemnation of Boko Haram and pledges of support for the country by Western countries just another rethoric?  With the recent interest the international community has shown in terrorism in Nigeria, is it possible to think that the days of Boko Haram in the country are numbered? The answer to these pertinent questions is contained in our cover story for this entitled: Terrorism: Global Forces Against Boko Haram. It was anchored by Olu Ojewale, our general editor. Enjoy it.

Maureen Chigbo
Editor

Email: mechigbo@realnewsmagazine.net  |  mechigbo@yahoo.com

— Oct. 14, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT