In a well-coordinated terror attacks at eight different locations in Paris, including a restaurant, a stadium and a concert hall, no fewer than 130 people were killed penultimate Saturday with about 352 others injured – many of them critically. The attacks have been dubbed France’s deadliest since the Second World War and the worst witnessed in Europe since the 2004 Madrid railway bombings. The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the atrocities, which the French president, François Hollande, denounced as an “act of war” that must be countered “mercilessly”.

While we commiserate with the government and people of France, the tragedy also serves as a reminder of the kind of problem we are dealing with in Nigeria regarding Boko Haram, now officially recognised as the deadliest terror group in the world. It is even more ominous that the madness has spread to the Malian capital of Bamako where 170 guests of different nationalities were last Friday held hostage for hours at The Radisson Blu HOTEL with about 21 persons feared dead and several others wounded.

Therefore, what is required of the Nigerian authorities is eternal vigilance - which includes robust intelligence gathering, the clear understanding of the nature of the security challenge being confronted and the realisation that even with the best military might in the world, this kind of terrorism cannot be easily defeated. And as we move towards the festive season, there is need for the security agencies to pay greater attention to HOTELS, theatres, airports, motor parks and places of worship.

What has become very clear is that the world is dealing with a well-funded, global network, a hydra-headed monster in which the moment you cut off one branch, another quickly sprouts. When ‘Jihadi John’ was reportedly killed in a drone strike, many hailed it as a major breakthrough. Yet hours later, ISIS attacked France and issued an audacious statement saying that it was “to teach France, and all nations following its path, that they will remain at the top of Islamic State’s list of targets, and that the smell of death won’t leave their noses as long as they partake in their crusader campaign.” The latest attacks are an affirmation of that threat.

Clearly, ISIS and affiliates like - See more at: http://www.mcebisco.com/2015/11/how-paris-terror-attacks-and-aftermath_22.html#sthash.W8sYcrhm.dpuf

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