The reality of terrorism came very close for comfort to Borno state as well as other parts of Nigeria. . A terror attack can do a lot of damage to human brain cells
The steps that can be taken given below require the least amount of expenditure and can be implemented with existing institutional structure and laws. It must be understood that Improvised Explosive Device or IED remotely detonated or with timers are the most frequent tactic of the terrorists. The armed attacks are more an exception than a rule, although a lone gunman or a small group of gunmen opening fire at a crowded place (like in the US) also remains a potent threat. By its very nature the threat of IED is confined to urban areas as the crowds that make mass casualties possible are to be found in that setting.

STEP 1

IED has three components, the timer/trigger, detonator & booster and explosive with shrapnel etc. Timer or trigger can easily be constructed with even an alarm clock and simple batteries or cell phones and is virtually impossible to control. But neither explosive material nor detonators are easily available. With tightening border control and some measures to account for dual use substances like ammonium nitrate fertilizer, this risk can be reduced.
Bomb detonators and boosters are a key component in IEDs and not easily available and fall under the Explosives Act. The three possible sources of detonators and explosives are the armed forces and ordnance factories, private factories, quarrying/mining and the road construction industry. Enough checks exist in the armed forces and government factories.
The most likely sources of detonators and boosters are the private contractors engaged in mining/construction activity. To dry up the supply of this vital component to terrorists, a law needs to be passed to give exemplary punishment to those users who let the detonators/explosives fall into wrong hands. control of detonators would go a long way in stopping IEDs.

STEP 2

All cities must establish a network of security committees and housing societies to monitor all suspicious movement in their own locality. Each city must have a dedicated police officers to for this 24×7. This measure will enhance both intelligence gathering as well as alert police to movement of terrorists. Police can circulate photographs and information of the fugitive suspects to these committees. In short a city wide concept of ‘neighbourhood watch’ needs to be implemented immediately. This will cost next to nothing.

STEP 3

In many western countries the police or intelligence agencies have launched ‘sting operations’ to lure and nab would be terrorists BEFORE they commit an act of sabotage. It is time our security establishment did the same.

STEP 4

In all terrorist incidents the police are more concerned with the Big Fish. This is a mistake. It is necessary to come down hard on the foot soldiers or persons who provide support like transport or lodging to the terrorists. These individuals must be punished quickly and made to pay a price. The idea behind this logic is to cut off the terrorists from their supporters due to fear of retribution by the state.

Like gorrillas without help similarly terrorists without local help would be like fish out of water. Infringement of laws to support acts of terror either for money or due to ideology and political motive needs to be viewed seriously by both the police (and especially) the judiciary.

STEP 5

Unitary forces, For the sake of God and country, the various agencies in field must superiority battles and act in unison. For instance the Nigerian Army has been dealing with IED’s for years and has accumulated enough experience in the field. It has bomb disposal units and equipment. why shouldnt’t the police work hand in hands with the millitary

STEP 6

There is an urgent need to create a well thought out SOP or standard operating procedure in case of a terrorist incident. Once an incident is declared as a ‘terrorist incident’ by the designated authority (could be the police commissioner in case of a city) then all resources civil, military or private must come under the pre-designated commander. All agencies must be obliged to obey his orders. It is the lack of unified command and pooling of resources to fight terrorism that gave the menance breathing space

STEP 7

The judiciary must deal with terrorism related cases quickly and punish the mass murderers. It is time that the judiciary sheds its proclivity to give the benefit of doubt to the criminals while doubting the intention of the law enforcers. If not corrected in time, we may soon come to a situation where the honest policeman will prefer not to act!

These seven steps if taken can certainly reduce the incidents of terrorist strikes but not end them. Terrorism in Nigeria is unlikely to end early since it is being given motivational ‘oxygen’ constantly by the media and the principal political parties. In order to consolidate its vote bank the ruling dispensation is constantly fanning the embers of minority grievances.
The violence caused by Boko haram in the North. The defence Committee report institutionalised the grievance mongering. This is not to dispute the fact that a section of majority in the north indeed are more backward than the national average. But linking this to discrimination is the real problem of such surveys.
Let’s ignores the findings of similar surveys in UK, Canada and the US where the Muslim immigrants fare far worse than the non Muslim ones! This is NOT a post 9/11 development but predates it..
In Nigeria, the backwardness constant stoking of the grievances in the minds of minority youth is the real motivator of terrorism.
None seems to ask as how come this situation has arisen when since independence an allegedly ‘secular’ party has been ruling the country. Neither the secularist politicians nor the secularist media seem to notice that on the issue of national grievances and terror they have to speak the language of unity, and stop politicizing the act of terror
But the situation would not have reached this point if Nigerians do not believe in concept of one church, one holy book or one prophet. Pluralism and freedom of choice is (wrongly portrayed as ‘Polytheism) is the core value of Nigeria civilization. Pluralism of worship, thought, language, dress and aesthetics has been embedded in Nigeria since independence. This is the best guarantee for the religious or ethnic majority in our geopolitical setting and not merely the constitution. It is the other way round and that means minority believe in pluralism
Terrorism due to religious and political differences will end in Nigeria once all Nigerians relate to the core values of being a human being and not animals when members of boko haram surrenders and quit living in the forest, to me as at today they are just like lion and tiger devouring our peaceful existence, when all Nigerian use their brain well and stop being anti-civilization in speech but attack with actions with civilization achieved weapon.
Micheal Adebola Adeniyi
@9jaclicktivist