More people in the northeast region of Nigeria are buying into the amnesty-for-Boko-Haram argument out of desperation, even though the terrorist group has murdered thousands over time and destroyed, plundered, and brought the region’s economy to a grind.
Interactions with a number of people in Borno and Yobe States revealed that though the people have suffered immeasurable losses, quite a number of them would rather see the terrorist group granted amnesty. There is little hope that the military and government’s repeated promises of victory over the sect would yield results any time soon.
“As a leader of the farmers, and the way I see them suffering now, I will support anything which will take them back to their farms. Whatever the cost, even if it is amnesty, let the farmers go back to their farms. This is my wish, sincerely,” Abdulkadir Jidda, chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Borno State chapter, told BDSUNDAY.
“People are increasingly suffering from hunger, and you will see people farming all over the country but no food here because we can’t afford to buy it,” he said.
“If the government can ask them in whatever way possible to cajole them to release some girls, then I believe the same government through the same method they are using for release of the girls can also talk to them so that the whole insurgency should just stop,” Gambo said.
The plight of people in the region apart from being sad, is also ironic, as they appear to have been so mentally defeated to the extent they would even consider supporting pardon for their oppressors.
The carnage by Boko Haram may also not be completely brought to a halt unless some fundamental economic issues are addressed.
“Poverty, drying of the Lake Chad, high illiteracy rate in the northeast zone, all contributed to what we are having today. You know we have the least educational institutions, highest maternal and child mortality, the least number of industries, processing plants, roads, and very important; we also have the least number of healthcare facilities,” Gambo said, advising some Nigerian state governors on agriculture.
Even in management of relief items at present, it appears the pangs of hunger could drive more people into crime, and the luring arms of Boko Haram. Unless the government decides to combat abuse, diversion, and corruption in the administration of relief items.
“The Federal Government sends foodstuff and so many things which don’t reach the farmers, but nobody cares. So you see a farmer going round, begging for food. Even from the NGOs, they may not get anything in as much as three months; and they don’t know whom to complain to. They have lost their source of livelihood, and very few people care about that, which is very dangerous,” Jidda, the Borno AFAN chairman, explained.
“They are very vulnerable, and the youths among them can be used for anything. If you see your father dying of hunger, whatever thing comes your way, you (may) just grab it, and maybe it is how the insurgency is getting more recruits. That is my own perspective, and I hope something fast can be done to stop it. Whatever cost (has to be paid) is not too much; at whatever cost, let them stop it,” he said.
