Paradox Of Moral Failure: Knowing Right, But Doing Wrong

 The paradox of moral failure is a phenomenal situation where individuals or institutions knowingly or deliberately choose to do wrong despite being aware of what is right. This paradox is particularly relevant in understanding why governments, including Nigeria's, often fail to act against powerful individuals (political gladiators), who support or sponsor terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry, despite knowing the harm it causes.

In Nigeria, the Government is aware of politicians and top military brass personnel who clandestinely sponsor and support terrorism; yet, it has been unable to confront or take decisive actions against them. Government's inaction is not due to lack of knowledge or resources. Rather, it is an intricate web of factors that prioritize political expediency, self-interest acquisition, and power dynamics, over moral principles and greater good. 

To me as an individual, one explanation for this paradox is the concept of moral hypocrisy and lack of feelings for others, where individuals on institutions justify or rationalize their inactions by downplaying, neglecting, and shying away from the severity of the situation or shifting the blame to others. This crop of individuals can do wrong things randomly but always wish to be exonerated from blames or indictments. They are likened to animals' intestines which can never be dented with blood. In Nigeria, politicians, specifically President Muhammadu Buhari, inaugurated terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry in April 2014, to serve as a weapon against President Goodluck Jonathan's regime. Other politicians engage in sponsoring banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency with the aim of acquiring ransoms or monetary aggrandizements from Governments for the release of hostages. They are powerful and they wield intimidating influence and power on national political landscapes, making it very difficult for the Government to take actions against them. They are the kingmakers of the nation. They are the untouchables. They are the iron-cladded hegemons of power who decide who lives or dies. This creates a culture of impunity, where those in power feel that they are above the laws of the land. For example, the ascending waves of terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry have risen exponentially in Nigeria, with disastrous implications for national security and social mobility. 

Yet, the Government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not care a hoot to confront these selfish political heavyweights behind terrorism in Nigeria. The successive Nigerian Governments know all the funders and mentors of terrorism: their first, second, and third names. The Government knows their houses, offices, and families as well. In the Presidency, Legislature, and Judiciary, the insurgency bankrollers sit face-to-face with the President and other top Government functionaries day by day. They all frantically discuss the affairs of the nation together as if they love the nation and her citizens with unflinching commitment. Yet, President Tinubu does not do anything big or small against them. He pampers them. He cuddles them. Tinubu does not want to offend them by exposing their nefarious activities against mankind. His impression is that since they helped him to become the president of Nigeria, he should respect and permit their actions in return. Tinubu believes that life is quid pro quo! What you give is what you get. The North crowned him the King of Nigeria, so he has to permit and watch them do whatever they want to do no matter how gruesome the crimes may be. He does not want the North to open his own can of worms lest the world sees it. Tinubu refuses raising an eyebrow when citizens are killed and burnt with fire. There is hardly a day that passes without arbitrary killings and abductions here and there. Some of these fatalities are not documented. The attacks soared to an all time high after Trump had indicated his willingness to embark on military actions against terrorism in Nigeria if Tinubu's regime fails to do it. Tinubu's Government adopts the attitude of looking the other way while citizens are dying daily and are displaced from their native lands to wander about in rags like orphans in their own country.  

Nigerians are weeping, crying, and pointing accusing fingers to some persons allegedly regarded as funders and mentors of terrorism in the country. These voracious vultures fall into the category of monarchs, politicians, and religious clerics. They masterminded all the atrocious activities in Nigeria for the past 20 years, resulting in the deaths of over 800, 000 people (men, women, and children), kidnapping and retaining thousands of young girls in the pristine forests of the North for regular forced sexual pleasures, displacement of over 2 million rural dwellers, and the burning of hundreds of Churches in the North etc. The number one funder and promoter of terrorism in Nigeria is allegedly the Sultan of Sokoto (Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III). This highly respected monarch and helmsman of the Sokoto Caliphate has always given false and misleading claims about Fulani herdsmen and their involvement in banditry in Nigeria. He is habitual to vehemently advising Government to go into dialogue or negotiation with the bandits instead of condemning them to death as criminals, which really they are. His seemingly unflinching principle of protectionism for Fulani jihadists under the cloak of herdsmen informed his warped and myopic assessment and understanding of Nigeria's insecurity and economic morass. The monarch, who also is the Grand Patron of Miyetti Allah Herdsmen Association has repeatedly attempted to exonerate all Nigerian Fulanis from terrorist activities in Nigeria. His claim is that it is the Fulani herdsmen from Libya, Senegal, Chad, Mali, Sudan, and Niger Republic that normally cross the porous borders to wreak havocs on Nigeria. But, the monarch lied!

It was this same Miyetti Allah Herdsmen Association, founded in 1979, in Kaduna,   that late President Muhammadu Buhari used to invite 6, 000 Fulani herdsmen in April, 2014, from Libya, Senegal, Chad, Sudan, Mali, and Niger Republic. They were trained by the then Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, to frustrate President Jonathan's regime through intensive kidnappings and killings of innocent Nigerian citizens. According to infallible report, majority of the leading bandit commanders are all Nigerian Fulanis. They are all living with us and known by many people in the North. They are as follows:

1. Buharin Dagi

2. Halilu Sububu

3. Dogo Gide

4. Bello Turgi 

5. Ada Aleru

6. Isyaku Baderi

7. Nasanda

8. Dankarami

The above names are the most dangerous Fulani bandit commanders in Nigeria, presently.  Their families, relatives, and friends, are known to people too. The rural communities know their parents, houses, and villages. They also know their cattle grazing routes. The Sultan of Sokoto lied when he said that all Fulani bandits came from outside Nigeria. According to reports, all Fulani bandits arrested spoke Nigeria Fulani accent fluently (Zamfara accent Fulfilde, Kebbi accent Fulfilde, Katsina accent Fulfilde, and Kaduna accent Fulfilde), and not Senegalese Pular, not Guinean Fulfilde, and not Malian Fulfilde etc. Banditry in Nigeria is not caused by poverty. Rather, it is a culture of armed criminality. 

History has shown that:

1. Buharin Daji was the foremost person late Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, deployed for banditry movements in 2014 against President Goodluck Jonathan. 

2. Dogo Gide inherited banditry as a family tradition.

3. Halilu Sububu's father was a notorious armed robber, and his son took after him. Roguery, banditry, rape, and violence run in their blood!

4. Bello Turgi openly calls banditry "our profession." 

The second topmost terrorist funder and mentor is Sheiks Ahmad Gumi. He has undoubtedly been involved in several controversies, particularly his negotiations with bandits and terrorists in Nigeria. He always defends and justifies all terrorism and banditry actions and insists on negotiations with criminals. Some of his notable actions include:

• Negotiating with bandits:

Gumi has held talks with various bandit groups, including those responsible for killings and kidnappings, arguing that "they are listening and reasonable human beings which should be engaged in dialogue rather than military actions." This dialogue means Government should pay huge ransoms running into millions of dollars to them for the release of kidnapped victims.

• Visiting bandit groups:

Gumi is habitual to visiting bandit camps in Zamfara and Kaduna States, urging Government to grant amnesty to these banditry groups.

• Advocating for dialogue:

Gumi has consistently advocated for dialogue with bandits, arguing that "many of them are victims of neglect rather than hardened criminals."

 Gumi has contributed immensely to the killing of Christians and burning of Churches. He has sabotaged, legitimized, and undermined national security for many years. Many Nigerians, over the years, have called for Gumi's prosecution. All the Arab Peninsula countries know Gumi as a notorious perpetrator and mentor of heinous crimes. For example, he was deported from Saudi Arabia when he went to perform the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The Saudi Arabia Authority deported him back to Nigeria, with Saudi Arabia Authorities citing his views at global politics as the reason for his exclusion. He had arrived at Medina with a valid passport but was denied entry upon arrival. This was not the only time that Gumi faced challenges with Saudi Arabia Authorities. Over a decade ago, specifically in 2011, the Zamfara State-born jihadist and killer of Christians was detained in Saudi Arabia for alleged connections with Farouk Abdulmutallab, known also as the "Underwear Bomber." It will amount to futility to fight against terrorism in Nigeria without first dealing with its root, which is Gumi. 

The third highest terrorism funder and mentor is Nasri El-Rufai. He was firmly behind late President Muhammadu Buhari who founded and established banditry in April, in 2024. He was the second person who addressed the 6, 000 herdsmen drawn from six countries to fight against President Goodluck Jonathan's regime. He knew every everything about the kidnapped Chibok Girls and other atrocious activities against Nigeria by bandits. 

One notable factor contributing to moral failure is the influence of personal interests and biases. Politicians and government officials may have personal connections or interests with those involved in terrorism, making it challenging for them to take impartial stand and actions. Additionally, the desire to maintain power and influence can lead governments to prioritize short-term gains over long-term consequences, allowing terrorism to persist. Furthermore, the paradox of moral failure can be perpetuated by social and cultural factors. In some cases, communities may be coerced or incentivized into supporting terrorist groups, creating a culture of fear and silence. This can make it difficult for governments to gather intelligence and take proactive actions against terrorists and their sponsors.

The consequences of moral failure are innumerable and severe. In Nigeria, terrorism has paved way for devastating humanitarian crises, displacements, and economic losses. The government's inability to act against politicians who sopnsor terrorism undermines trust in institutions and perpetuates a vicious cycle of violence. To summarily dismantle this cycle, Nigerian Government must address the underlying factors contributing to the moral failure. This includes strengthening institutions, promoting accountability, and addressing the teething problem of State-scale corruption. The Government must also prioritize the greater good over personal interests and take decisive actions against those who support and sponsor terrorism, regardless of their position, influence, tribe, or religion. Ultimately, overcoming the paradox of moral failure requires a collective efforts from governments, civil societies, and communities. By acknowledging the complexities of moral decision-making and addressing systemic and cultural factors that contribute to wrong-doings, Nigeria can work assiduously towards a more just and secure future. During a recent Senate's plenary session in Nigeria, three senators respectively stood on the floor of the House and said that all of them know most funders of terrorism in Nigeria. Now, the salient question is, who will bell the cat? President Tinubu also knows all the funders and sponsors of terrorism and Christian genocide in Nigeria. But, he won't do anything against them because he still needs their help in the 2027 presidential election. Not only that, if he challenges them, they will open Tinubu's can of worms for the world to behold. That is the greatest reason that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, displacements, and burning of Churches persist till today! Nigeria will not successfully fight against terrorism when a Northerner is a Defence Minister. Let President Tinubu appoint a Defence Minister from the South for the mitigation of terrorism in Nigeria. Northern Defence Ministers will most likely divulge tactical and strategic information to the terrorists before the Nigerian Army gets there. 

In conclusion, the paradox of moral failure is an intricate phenomenon that aptly explains why governments, including Nigeria's, often fail to act against powerful individuals who support or sponsor terrorism. By understanding the factors that contribute to this paradox, Nigeria can take bold steps to addressing its moral failure and work towards eradicating terrorism in all its facets and forms. 

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