Certain developments in the country show that official terrorists don’t have a monopoly on terrorism. Evidently, the power of terrorism can encourage power terrorism. People in power can do things that make them no better than terrorists.
It is unclear to what extent the extension of the anti-terror war was due to fraud-related factors. The multi-billion arms scam in the news is not exactly a revelation although it may have revelatory qualities. It was an open secret in the Goodluck Jonathan presidential era that people in power ironically fuelled the Boko Haram insurgency by fraudulent acts. The anti-terror war became a pro-terror effort because of the weakening of state-capacity by government officials expected to win the war.
When politically powerful people help to create an enabling environment for terrorists, it is the ultimate tribute to terrorism. It is tragic that the role of former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki in the unfolding picture of official corruption in the country’s terror fight under Jonathan cannot be described as a war-winning effort. Dasuki was a counterproductive terror fighter whose failure has been compounded by his linkage with fraud-related factors that made nonsense of the anti-terror campaign.
With Dasuki’s December 1 arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) and his grilling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the stage is set for unmasking political actors who aided terrorism by terror-friendly acts of corruption. A report quoted an EFFC source: “Our investigators have isolated these areas of probe: Were the funds budgeted for? If not, what informed extra-budgetary expenses? How much was actually voted for arms procurement? How were the funds sourced? Who or which agency awarded all the contracts? Who were the contractors? Was there any evidence of delivery of equipment?”
Terrorism benefited from the corruption of the anti-terror war. Corruption benefited too. Diversion of funds for fighting terror meant a prolongation of the battle and a perpetuation of fund diversion.
At the opening of the Council’s second General Assembly in Kaduna on November 23, the Sultan said: “When we go into closed session, we will discuss that thorny issue of displaced persons, mostly in the Northeast. It is a very sad situation; people are suffering. Billions and billions of naira have been collected or put aside for their welfare, but what we hear every day and what we see on the pages of newspapers is very bad. It is important that this money be disbursed immediately via the governors.”
Sultan Abubakar continued: “The billions of naira collected must be utilised now because, when somebody dies, he does not need anything again except prayers. So, since they are still alive, let’s feel for the IDPs; they are our brothers and sisters. We must feel for them; we cannot live a luxury life when our brothers and sisters are suffering. We do not sleep very well when we see things like that.”
He should be commended not only for speaking truth to power, but also for demonstrating that traditional rulers can play a constructive role in a democratic context. In conclusion, the Sultan said: “So, please, we want the governors to take the issue more seriously; take it up with Mr. President and ensure the release of the funds because I was part of the team when this money was collected for the IDPs during the last government. They should find out where that money is and disburse it immediately.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, the traditional rulers jointly highlighted Sultan Abubakar’s concern: “In view of the hardships being faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East with about two million of them in Maiduguri alone, the Assembly calls on the Federal Government to disburse the Billions of Naira raised in support of IDPs and other victims of insurgency to bring succour to them with a view to resettling them back to their homes.”
To put it as mildly as possible, it is scandalous that this is happening concerning people who are not only displaced, but also distressed, particularly considering that they may be described as innocent victims.
It is noteworthy that recent statistics by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) put the IDP population in the country’s Northeast at 2.2 million. According to UNHCR’s Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angele Dikongue-Atangana, who gave the figures at its yearly stakeholders’ briefing in Abuja on November 19, “the number is increasing specifically because regaining control of the territory by the military opened further access for the humanitarian officials so they can count many more IDPs, be they old IDPs or very recent ones.” To a large extent, the IDPs in question are products of acts of terrorism by the Islamist guerilla force Boko Haram, which has tormented the country since 2009.
It is terroristic that these victims of terrorism are being denied the benefits of funds gathered for the purpose of humanitarian support. Those responsible for this situation are no better than those who enriched their private pockets with public funds for fighting terror. Corrupt conduct that tended to prolong terrorism and probable corrupt conduct that has prolonged terrorism-driven pains are discernible minuses. From the look of things, looking for an answer to the question of the IDPs’ rehabilitation fund may necessitate a probe.
Terrorism has exposed power terrorists. If Jonathan had achieved his reelection ambition, it would have given corrupt people in power more time to make more money from the anti-terrorism war. Also, it would have inspired more fundraising events to make more money for exploiters from the plight of displaced persons.
It would require suspension of disbelief to believe these narratives of terrorism in the corridor of power. Believe it or not, terrorism pays terrifically.
NATION
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