A
REVIEW OF THE BOOK
THE
TRAUMA OF NIGERI’A TERROR ORDEALS: Trends, Effects and Panacea
Written
by: Ashara Dennis Uche
At
the Public Presentation on Saturday 17th August, 2013
Venue:
Main Auditorium, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Maitama,
Abuja.
By
Dr.
Martins Uchenna Nwankwo, M.HSN, M, IERDC
A great writer, S.T. Colerridge said this of book
reviewers:
“Reviewers are usually
people who would have been poets, historians, biographers etc, if they could;
they have tried their talents at one or the other, and have failed, they
therefore turn critics”. Similarly, another writer, Brenda Behan said that
reviewers (critics)…”are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it’s done,
they’ve seen it done every day, but they are unable to do it themselves”.
The author’s choice of
title is quite understandable considering the state of the nation in the area
of security. No doubt this was informed by the high level of insecurity, treat
to lives and properties as well as the territorial integrity of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria as orchestrated by pockets of terrorist activities under
the aegis of Niger Delta militancy, Bakassi Boys, Boko Haram sect etc.
Worth commendable is his
choice of words and language style as he employed a simple language which is understandable
by both semi-literate and literate persons. The author used chapter one to
trace the historical evolution of terrorism as well as incidents of terrorism
in the world. He further narrowed it down to Africa where he detailed several
cases of terrorism; according to him,
“in the modern world… during the ugly era of colonial invasions, most
territories were eroded by terrorist tendencies of the so-called invader or
colonialists; the invasion and declaration of war on Ethiopia could suffice as
an example” (p.3). mention was made of Heads of State turned terrorists-from
Hitler’s Germany to Musolini’s Italy, Stalin’s Soviet Union to apartheid South
Africa etc.
Great was the author’s
enumerative approach to incidents of terrorism in the world and Nigeria in
particular with reference to the dreaded Boko haram sect which he termed “domestic
terrorism”. The position of various scholars elaborately examined by the author
who himself concluded that irrespective of peoples’ notion on terrorism,
:violence on defenseless civilians and property is against the tenets of
humanity, humanitarian and human rights law, thus illegal” This subjection of
mass populations of non-combatants or civilians (and civilian and non-civilian
property) is not only senseless, but outrageously subversive (p.8).
The notion that poverty
breeds terrorism received critical examination with the position that “poverty
is not predictor of participation in political violence or support for
terrorism” (p14). He further examined other factors viewed as nexus of
terrorism viz religious and individual extremism. His explanation of terrorist strategies
is an indication of thoroughness. Further, the author observed that there exist
individual, group as well as state-sponsored terrorists. Terrorists’ targets
and reasons (justifiably by the terrorists and unjustifiably by the victims)
were elaborately discoursed.
In chapter two, of this
book, the author here narrowed it down to the Nigerian experience where he viewed
terrorism as the greatest among the many challenges facing the country. He observed
that terrorism has caused Nigeria and Nigerians greater hardship than all other
issues put together. However, the author averred that the seeds of terrorism
were sown by “…long years of leadership failure culminated in the present
predicament of the country; a leadership characterized by ethnic sentiments, nepotism,
marginalization, economic, social and political oppression and suppression;
favoritism, and above all, endemic
corruption which has subjected the masses to undeserved poverty and impoverishment-this
is the situation which gave room for violent protests against these injustices”
(p.25).
He examined the various
groups in Nigeria-disbanded and existing ones viz the Niger Delta militancy,
which emerged from the South-South region of the country; issues that resulted in their agitation and violent
activities were elaborately reviewed. The same approach was employed in
discussing the Boko haram insurgency in the Northern part of the country, its
origin, mode of operation and effects on the development of Nigeria.
Chapter three looked into
the “Effects of Terrorism in Nigeria’. The author notes that while posing an
obvious challenge to the security and technological growth of this nation, terrorism
has severely dealt with the nation politically by creating tension in the nation, altering and
destabilizing government policies. He observed that the amalgamation of various
entities amounted to artificial configuration. His classification of the
various effects of terrorism on Nigeria into political, psychological, economic
as well as effects on vulnerable population is more revealing. Insights into
these effects show that terrorism has dealt more blows to Nigeria’s reputation
in the comity of nations than even corruption; this is because you can trade
with a corrupt state but not with a terrorist state unless you are a terrorist.
In chapter four, the author tried to outline ways to
address the menace o f terrorism in the bud. He pointed out that the best way
to fight the scourge of terrorism’ is to address its roots. He carefully elaborated
what he considered the root of terrorism, highlighting how they aid terrorism
and its impact on the nation. According to him, the root causes of terrorism
that must be addressed include: bad governance, youth unemployment, involvement
of youths in the political decision making, addressing the Almajiri phenomenon
in the Northern part of the country and generally improving the standard of
living in the country.
He further observed that
amnesty antidote will not be effective unless the government provides sincere
measures to sustain the peace provided by amnesty. These measures were
generously discussed in the work. Also, the hindrance to the use of dialogue as
a means to eradicate terrorism was discussed. The author however, notes that in
order to effectively utilize the corrective measure of terrorism, collective
role, tolerance and proactive measures must be put in place in order to
forestall terrorism before it begins.
This book is a must read
for every lover of security and those who desire an end to terrorism as the
author tried in explaining in details factors that resulted to the spread of
terror and its ugly effects on the country.
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