A story broke last week that you would think would be everywhere, topic of discussion on both traditional and new media. But not a murmur, nor a whisper. In fact, mum was the word in many quarters.

What was the story? The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an international and independent, not-for-profit think-tank, released what it calls Global Terrorism Index 2022. And it had this to say about Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA):

“There was a ten per cent improvement in terrorism deaths in SSA. The improvement can be attributed to the successful counter insurgency operations targeting Boko Haram where deaths caused by the group declined by 72 per cent between 2020 and 2021, from 629 deaths to 178 deaths. Nigeria recorded the second biggest reduction in deaths. This is more than the overall decrease in terrorism deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. Attacks by the group also significantly decreased, halving from the prior year to 64 attacks.”

The truth is that a single wanton death is one too many anywhere. But when in a country that had suffered thousands of deaths yearly since Boko Haram emerged in 2009, killings now reduced by 72 per cent, it is a very significant development. It is something that should hug the headlines, dominate the talk shows, go viral on social media, and be of interest to social commentators. But not a murmur, nor a whisper, as I said earlier. As if in a conspiracy of silence, nobody talked about the report. The media didn’t report it, and those that did, superciliously tucked it away in a place where you would need to put on the torchlight before you would see it.

Now, just imagine that the same report had indicated that there was a spike in Boko Haram killings in Nigeria, with the carnage exceeding that of the previous year by 100 per cent. All hell would have broken loose. It would be lead headline in most publications. Some television stations would scroll the story in their news bar round the clock, for many days. It would be the topic of discussion on morning and evening discussion programs. We would be almost deafened by the cacophony. So-called security experts and social activists would be invited, and they would be pontificating all day.

Why do we as a people show more interest in negative, rather than positive news? Bandits killed scores of vigilantes in Kebbi this week, and the news was everywhere. But last week, security agencies had neutralized minimum of 200 bandits in Niger State, and it was nothing to play up. It did not resonate in the media, traditional or new. Not a murmur, nor a whisper. Strange. Very strange.

President Muhammadu Buhari came our way in 2015, promising to secure the country, revive the economy, and fight corruption. Rather than encourage him, what some people had been engaged in is sticking a pin into the soft underbelly of the various wars. No plaudits. No bravo. No encouragement. He didn’t do this, he didn’t do that, is all they are interested in. The economy recorded 3.4% growth last year, the best since 2014, no murmur, no whisper. The anti-corruption war has seen convictions in thousands between 2015 and now, yet, what interests some people is how the war is allegedly selective, even without a scintilla of evidence. And when there are strides in the battle against insecurity, their narrative remains the same. Oh, life is nasty, brutish and short here.

Yes, we still have severe security challenges. But are we where we used to be? Don’t we see a fulfillment of promises by President Buhari that he would ensure that the vermin of insecurity is extirpated in the country? The pessimists have not changed their tongues, nor their minds, despite the positive strides being attained. The report by IEP says Nigeria recorded the lowest number of killings last year, since 2011. No murmur, no whisper.

We should rather applaud the President, and our security agencies for the yeoman’s job they are doing. May God bless Baba Buhari. And our troops. Our policemen. National Security and Civil Defence Corps. Everyone that fights evil, so that the citizens can live in peace. May God bless them.

When you exhibit loud silence about positive developments in your country, and scream blue murder when there are reversals, you are a hypocrite, a hater of your country, and a hater of all that is good. Sad, dolorous, mournful.

Despite the security challenges we still have, the truth is that we are not where we used to be. Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor said it just last week. True. And we will get to where we want to be. The job will get done. And we will join Mungo Park to enthuse, when he ‘discovered’ the River Niger:

“I saw with infinite pleasure the great object of my mission-the long sought for majestic Niger, glittering to the morning sun.”

Nigeria has sought peace for long, from insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and all sorts of criminality. We will see the peace, glittering to the morning sun.

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha...
This adesina guy deserves to be hunted.
He spoke a very legit but truthful lie.

This man should just STFU

Nigeria is getting worse off in all ramifications on a daily basis and this one is here talking nonsense. The raise of ritual killings since Buhari came onboard is a direct impact of bad government policies.

buhari lied to get into govt, adesina lies to keep the govt running, what a story!

Femi...... just be honest to yourself.
Will you like your generation be as Nigeria is under Buhari government??

Just be honest in answering this question.

[s]

MyVILLAGEpeople:
This man should just STFU

Nigeria is getting worse off in all ramifications on a daily basis and this one is here talking nonsense. The raise of ritual killings since Buhari came onboard is a direct impact of bad government policies.

[/s]

Always pained when progress of recorded.

Don't blame PMB for your own of societal mores that has produced lazy murderous crooks who believe killing people will grant them wealth. At some point we have to ask when did having responsible parents and citizens become important?

I'm not sure this Femi is planning to come back home after his 8 shameful years of serving Buhari.

Is this Femi mad ni? Abi his whole generation wants to be unfortunate ni? Aiye bobo yi o ma ni daa ke. E no go better for his generations yet unborn

vedaxcool:
[s][/s]

Always pained when progress of recorded.

Don't blame PMB for your own of societal mores that has produced lazy murderous crooks who believe killing people will grant them wealth. At some point we have to ask when did having responsible parents and citizens become important?

Should we then blame you Buhari PRO

Oga Femi. We dey filling station dey queue for petrol to power our gen since power fell to 1000KW. We nor get light to watch news.

Even River Niger no see light to glitter as Kainji Dam no gree give light. Mungo Park talk him own for him time

How fuel dey for ya side there?

Mmsm

K

Can this man shut up

If you SUSPECT YOUR HUSBAND OR WIFE , GF OR BF of cheating , Whatsapp, Facebook, IG, calls recording , all that happens on the phone check my signature on how to catch them using technology .... in minutes

vedaxcool:
[s][/s]

Always pained when progress of recorded.

Don't blame PMB for your own of societal mores that has produced lazy murderous crooks who believe killing people will grant them wealth. At some point we have to ask when did having responsible parents and citizens become important?

You Aphonja Muslims are pathetic.

afonja come and carry your son o

We have lost count of the bloodshed that goes on daily basis, it would do you best to close your halitosis mouth full of bullshit.

Ok

According to this man, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, as many that choose to complain about this government as a lifestyle.

I'm not sure this Femi is planning to come back home after his 8 shameful years of serving Buhari.

Is this Femi mad ni? Abi his whole generation wants to be unfortunate ni? Aiye bobo yi o ma ni daa ke. E no go better for his generations yet unborn

Femi is right. There have been gains in the war against Boko haram.

However, he is wrong to attribute those gains to his principal.

The truth is that these gains have suspiciously coincided with the death of Shekau in infighting.

the credit therefore goes to iswap.

Femi is even more wrong when he expects gratitude from Nigerias for the improved security in the country. Security has clearly not improved accross the board.

In Nigeria today, mere kilometers from the Capital, you dare not travel down the Abuja - Kaduna highway for fear of bandits. In next-door Niger state, there are incessant bandit attacks.

In the west, an unprecedented spate of ritual killing.

In the east, carnage.

So what does the government seek praise for?

We have lost count of the bloodshed that goes on daily basis

vedaxcool:
[s][/s]

Always pained when progress of recorded.

Don't blame PMB for your own of societal mores that has produced lazy murderous crooks who believe killing people will grant them wealth. At some point we have to ask when did having responsible parents and citizens become important?

What is the progress recorded? Pls share.

What was promised and what has been delivered?

This is true because this useless govt now lebels the killers as herdsmen.
And has refused to see these herdsmen as terrorists.

This Ọmọ àálè játijàti always licking the butt of his pay master even if it means switching off his brain

Bb