Rot Of Corruption: How Government's Complicity Fuels Terrorism In Nigeria

 Nigeria, a country endowed with a cornucopia of in-ground mineral resources and human capital, is grappling with a raging fire of terrorism and insecurity. The government's ineptitude and complicity in this crisis have reached alarming proportions, fueling the very evil it claims to be fighting. Corruption, the gangrenous cancer that eats away the fabrics of the Nigerian society, has become the oxygen that sustains terrorism. 

The symbiotic relationship between corruption and terrorism is evident in Nigeria. Terrorist groups like Boko Haram and others thrive on the corruption and mismanagement that pervade the system. They exploit the poverty, inequality, and marginalization that result from the looting of public funds and the embezzlement of resources meant for development. In return, corrupt government officials and greedy politicians, particularly Northern Nigerian politicians, use their influences to protect and enable these corrupt groups, creating a vicious cycle of violence and corruption.

The Nigerian government's handling of security and counter-terrorism efforts leaves much to be desired; and it is a case study in incompetence. Whooping billions of dollars have been allocated to the Nigerian Defence Ministry to combat terrorism; but the results so far are dismal. The military, which is supposed to be the bulwark against terrorism, is plagued with corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of resources. The procurement of substandard military equipment and the embezzlement of funds meant for counter-terrorism operations are a stark reminder of the rot in the system.

The complicity of government officials in terrorism is a well-known secret in Nigeria. From the sale of arms, ammunition, and ordnances to terrorists, to the release of captured terrorists, the evidence of government involvement in terrorism is overwhelmingly clear and irrefutable. The case of Samu'ila Sani Seriada, a former government official who was arrested for  allegedly financing Boko Haram, is a rare example of a high-ranking official being held accountable for complicity in terrorism. However, such instances are few and far between, and the general perception is that the government is more interested in protecting its own agent than tackling terrorism. How did the Nigerian government treat this case? We practise selective and kangaroo judiciary in Nigeria! The consequences of this corruption and complicity are devastating. Thousands of lives have been lost, and millions more have been displaced, especially in the regions of Plateau and Benue States of Nigeria. As if that is not disheartening enough, the economy is in shambles, and Nigeria does not command respect any longer among the comity of nations. The humanitarian crisis is spiraling out of control, with millions of Nigerians facing food insecurity, poverty and privations, rising adults' and children's mortality rates, morbidity, social immobility, and epidemics. Today, cost of food is exponentially high because farmers are not going to farms like in the dim time past. Now, while farmers are working in their farms, they are afraid of either being shot or kidnapped, and big ransoms demanded for their release. In 2024, I met a medical doctor in a restaurant in Minna, Niger State. He narrated a pathetic story of his life to me. He said that he was shot in his ankle and kidnapped by bandits in Minna city. Then, he was taken to the bandits' hideout. The jihadist devils demanded for a huge ransom from his family. His family was unable to pay the ransom for close to two years. During this period, his wound was not treated for once. His ankle was decaying and smelling. His daily meal was one plate of white rice without meat and stew. He found himself in the middle of hell without committing any offence against anyone. His robust physique was reduced to the size of an agama lizard. The bandits refused to release him till the ransom was paid to them. This is level of harrowing experiences that Nigerians are subjected to by the devils deployed jointly by government and Northern Nigerian politicians. Northern Leaders have gotten several billions of dollars from successive administrations in the name of ransoms for abducted persons' release by terrorists. They run with the hares and hunt with the hounds. Governments collaborate with useless jihadist-oriented politicians to fund terrorism in Nigeria. When their victims are kidnapped, these same uncircumcised politicians go to the Presidency to demand for ransoms, citing that lives of abducted citizens are hanging in the balance. When they take the ransoms, they share prorata amongst themselves. Is that how it obtains in other countries of the world? Don't you see that Nigeria is a complete scam? Why can't the Nigerian Army crush terrorists? It is because both Nigerian Army and terrorists belong to the Nigerian government and Northern Nigerian politicians. Both governments and Northern Nigerian politicians rely on terrorism to make fortunes from the governments all these years. That is why they don't want international community to take part in the eradication of terrorism in Nigeria. They said that it is an infringement on Nigeria's sovereignty. Let me ask you, which sovereignty are you referring to? The North uses Nigeria as an ATM card to cash out large. Isn't it? The Nigerian government's resources belong to the North right from 1960. Anything that tends to change it or displace them from milking us dry is kicked against by them. Let it be known to any reader of this post that Nigeria is not a sovereign State. The Northern Elders use the brainwashed governments to loot the national coffers year-in and year-out. That is why they support terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, burning of Churches, displacement of rural dwellers, and other litany of atrocious activities. Nigeria cannot surely become a virile country when all these armed robbers in the State Houses and their goons are on rampage. 

The international community has not been spared the impact of Nigeria's corruption and terrorism. The global security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups cannot be gainsaid, and it is a direct corollary of the Nigerian government's failure and ineptitude to address the root causes of terrorism. Let me quickly tell you that poverty is not one of the root causes of terrorism! It can't be at all. The international community should recognize the fact that its own security is tied to Nigeria's ability to tackle corruption and terrorism head-on. The solution to this crisis lies in a fundamental overhauling of the entire system. The government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to tackling corruption and terrorism. This requires the establishment of an independent and unbiased anti-corruption agency, the prosecution of corrupt government officials, and the strengthening of institutions. The international community shall also play its part by providing technical assistance, intelligence support, and pressure on the Nigerian government to take concrete actions against corruption and terrorism.

In conclusion, the rot of corruption that pervades Nigerian government and society is obviously fueling terrorism and insecurity. The government's complicity, ineptitude, and hypocrisy in this crisis represent a betrayal of trust reposed in the government. The responsibility of protecting lives and properties is numero uno for every sovereign State. Nigeria should not be an exception! From the foregoing, therefore, it is high time that the government took the bull by the horn to tackle corruption and terrorism in Nigeria. Enough of the rhetorics, propaganda, and excuses by the Nigerian government.

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