Policy Briefs
Selonnes Policy Tidbits | Kankara Kidnapping marks Three Strikes
In conflict situations, strike modalities are marked by a pertinent cliché: first strike as happenstance, second strike coincidence and the third strike is enemy action. Boko Haram having claimed to be responsible for the 11 December 2020 kidnapping of 333 schoolboys in Kankara, Katsina, marks a third strike. There were 276 Chibok Girls, 110 Dapchi Girls and now it’s 300 Kankara Boys. What’s next.
This present strike at the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, when he is vacationing there, is clearly impetuous and a slap in the face of Nigerian Military and security agencies. It is clearly evident that FGN’s method of dealing with Boko Haram has failed. It’s time, perhaps, for the declaration of a full state of war and throwing all military resources and assets at fighting this spiraling insurgency. Evidently, there has been no lessons learned in securing boarding schools and protecting vulnerable and remote communities. The present situation calls for total recalibration and overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture. More importantly, Nigeria’s leadership must overcome the trational emotionalisms that continue to hamper its efficacious response to rising insecurity.
