Terrorism is a worldwide phenomenon that has thrived for years in various countries across the globe. Military warfare is not the only way out, other means should be exploited.

The Boko Haram issue must be addressed through means other than military warfare. No one is born a terrorist, they are rather radicalized by impious elements. Those carrying out terrorist attacks are also humans with blood flowing in their veins. They didn’t become this heartless overnight. A lot has to be done to remove this radical attitude from them.

Effective alternatives to tackling the Boko Haram menace includes amnesty, dialogue, education, elucidation of the right doctrines, addressing the root cause amongst others

For amnesty, posters and bills on amnesty should be posted around, it should be on the news, tabloids and social media that amnesty has been granted. Amnesty ended the Niger delta violence, it can also end boko haram insurgency.

Dialogue should be an open option, any possibility of dialogue should be exploited.
Elucidation of the right doctrines is also essential in making radicalized boko haram members to believe the right doctrines. Those carrying out terrorist attacks are being radicalised to believe false doctrines,
posters and bills that can 'unradicalise' these ones should be placed in public places and areas susceptible to bomb blasts and other forms of violence.
Those on suicide missions/engaging in violent acts seeing these might have a change of mind and abort their suicidal mission/violent acts.

Furthermore, education is one sure key that can end violence/terrorism at all levels. Military warfare alone is insufficient. People who have formal education will not be easily radicalised by Boko Haram. Education is highly important. Also parents especially those in the North East should enlighten their wards about terrorism per adventure they are involved unfortunately, they will be wise enough to do the right thing.

Another way of tackling the Boko Haram menace is addressing the root cause. Military warfare alone will not end Boko Haram, we must address the root cause and not kill the victims of radicalisation who are our fellow citizens, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters How many years of military warfare has gone by, 6 years? What has been the results? The initial leader of Boko Haram was Mohammed Yusuf.
Some certain questions concerning this initial leader need to be asked, questions like why was he summarily executed, why was he not given a fare trial at a law court after he was captured, is he not a citizen? Why was he fundamental human rights ‘deleted’, who were those that kept quiet when he was killed? Why didn’t the President react? Or even apologise to Boko Haram, imagine someone unlawfully killing Che Guevara and expecting his militia and Fidel Castro to keep quiet. Impossible! They will lead another revolution, not a just one, but a reactionary revolution based on hate, revenge, anger, pain, sadness of heart, remembering the death of their commander. That’s the path Boko Haram is towing. Why is Abubakar Shekau not carrying out suicide bombings? Why are people volunteering to die, ask yourself, do they hate their life? In the words of Simeon O. Adebisi “Boko Haram and its members had a covenant of leadership and followership loyalty, they are spiritually spelled, bonded and sealed in oath and it’s a two edged covenant”
Boko Haram need to be apologised to, considering the unlawful summary execution of their leader.

Enough of the killings, our soldiers have children and family, they must not be orphans. Those being killed on the side of Boko Haram are also our fellow citizens who would have contributed one way or the other to the development of our beloved country. Other avenues must be considered as a matter of necessity in dealing with the Boko Haram issue. A lot of lives has been lost, we cannot continue loosing lives, other pathways to solving this scourge must be considered.

Aquila Eruemolor Okonta is a polemicist and socio-political commentator
@aquila_okonta

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