If it happens, the consequences will be too great to contemplate. Not only would it be too disastrous, but shall alter severely the equation of the ongoing war against terror and cast serious aspersion, innuendos and slur on the capability and capacity of the Nigerian military to win the insurgency war that has entered its eleventh year. If this tragedy is allowed to manifest, general loss of confidence in the central authority will be one of the resultant effects and this would call to question the legitimacy of government that fails to protect its citizens. Should this disaster sail through, then the Boko Haram sect would beat its chest and drums while the Federal Government and military may discover themselves in a situation or circumstance they might not adequately comprehend to provoke immediate response due to complexity of the unfolding drama.
Yet the danger looms, but those to avert the disaster are either in silence or have adopted a “siddon look” disposition. Is this conspiracy of silence, culture of silence or none of these? Whichever it is, the clock is ticking, and the danger looms and let it be noted: “To be forewarned, is to be forearmed.”
You are welcome to Northeast and in particular the University of Maiduguri (Unimaid), the Centre of Excellence, which for some years now has been engrossed in series of baptism of fire from the Boko Haram sect. It is the ceaseless attacks on the institution by the insurgents which is becoming a norm and non-decisive response from the Federal Government, the owner of the institution that informed this article, though similar ones have been written, drawing the attention of the inherent and attendant consequences on the nation of any successful attack or occupation of the institution by the insurgents.
Short of occupation of the citadel by the terrorists or insurgents, attacks on the institution have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of structures, including a mosque. Among those killed by the culprits in the process were a university professor, some worshipers in the University Mosque and security personnel. Students and staff have also been injured.
The frequency of bomb blasts by the suicide bombers around Maiduguri and in particular UNIMAID, the latest being that of September 2019, is causing serious concern and raising eyebrows. This is more so when the so much talked about N2.6 billion perimeter fence to safeguard the security of the students and staff remains a mirage. The silence of the authorities in this regard continue to prick, prod and provoke questions: Who wants the University closed? Why have the authorities, especially the Federal Government, remained silent or non-committal in this dispensation? For some years now, UNIMAID has been subjected to tutelage of fear and intimidation, no thanks to the Boko Haram sect. Do we have to wait until the worst happened, leaving the helpless members of the university community running helter skelter, or still continue in the blame game? Who is working directly or indirectly to make parents of the students that might be victims of attack shed tears, if calamity is allowed to strike? Who are the sponsors of this heinous crime against this institution? These and other question are agitating presently any sane mind.
It would be recalled that the visit of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was accompanied by some members of the Nigerian Universities Commission to UNIMAID in 2017, following an earlier one by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education to assess the security situation, gave hope that all would be well soon. The assurance became re-assured by the Minister’s committal statement to the management of the University that the security of the institution was priority of the Federal Ministry, in particular. Since then, nothing concrete has happened.
Not pleased with the security challenges that beset UNIMAID, the National Assembly, in 2017, passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to immediately address the problem.
Thereafter, Senator Baba Kaka Garbai of the eighth Senate, representing Borno Central, where the university is located, announced in Maiduguri while addressing the press that the N2.6 billion proposed amount for UNIMAID perimeter fence had been approved by the Federal Government. Yet, ever since, nothing has happened.
For now, the institution’s management is handling the situation with some interim measures, but the capacity to bring the situation to safe level is not there. This is because the institution lacks the financial muscle. For example, the university needs N2.6 billion to build the perimeter fence covering 25 kilometers, to make institution safe.
Notwithstanding this UNIMAID’s predicament, the Borno State Government, since the tenure of Governor Kashim Shettima, continued to ameliorate the situation through material and financial assistance to the institution. For example, during the administration of Governor Kashim, the sum of N50 million was given to the institution to assist in the digging of trenches and building some critical walls at the borders of the University in addition to the state government rebuilding the university mosque destroyed by the insurgents. Besides, on coming to power and following the attack on the institution in September, 2019, Kashim’s successor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, was not only on ground on the night of the attack on the ivory tower, but responded in like manner as his predecessor through addressing the immediate needs of the institution, security wise. Following the latest attack on the institution last month, the military has increased its presence on the campus.
Before now and since the insurgency began, UNIMAID was regarded as one of the three zones in the state capital free from possible Boko Haram attacks; the other two being the Government House and the Army barracks. On most occasions, when Maiduguri was brutally attacked by the insurgents, UNIMAID was at peace.
Similarly, at the peak of insurgency, some educational institutions in the Northeast were attacked and many students were killed, but UNIMAID was untouched. For example, on July 6, 2013, 24 pupils, a teacher and an Islamic preacher were killed, when gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members, attacked Government Secondary School, Mamudo, Yobe State. Also, on October 1, 2013, Boko Haram militants murdered about 50 students of Yobe College of Agriculture, Gujiba, Yobe State, when they invaded the students’ hostel at night. On February 25, 2014, Boko Haram members attacked Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, killing 29 students and injuring several others. On April 15, 2014, Boko Haram members kidnapped more than 200 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
Official records showed that over 1,500 schools were destroyed by the sect in the North-East, including 524 in Borno State. Though these were atrocities meted out by the insurgents to other educational institutions as stated earlier, there was peace at UNIMAID until the insurgents started unleashing terror on the institution in recent times. The question that continues to rattle many is why the sudden U-turn by the sect now barring its fangs and claws on UNIMAID, which had been on holiday as a result of the onslaught or harassment by the terrorists for years, even after its power had been destroyed?
Individuals and security experts have advanced different views on the sudden turn of events. While some individuals alleged political motives for the present predicament of the university community, others accused politicians, especially from Borno, as the masterminds.
It would be recalled that in two separate statements, the military had accused some politicians from the North-East, Borno in particular, of frustrating the efforts of the military to end the insurgency for selfish motives. On the other hand, there is the allegation that some individuals within the military are not disposed to ending the insurgency for selfish ends.
According to some security experts, the sudden attacks on the UNIMAID should not surprise anyone as the insurgents would always cash in on any opportunity to hit their targets. The porous nature of the campus coupled with its massive unprotected land could be an invitation to the insurgents.
Others are of the view that the strategic position of the institution could not be ignored by the terrorists always looking for a loophole to strike for impact and attention.
Besides, some security analysts pointed out that since the Sambisa Forest was becoming uncomfortable for the insurgents, they must look elsewhere for relevance and possible impact. The withdrawal or reduction of troops from some parts of Borno, including Maiduguri, on the grounds that the insurgency had gone down is equally attributed to the current predicament of the university.
Without fear of contradiction, one can say that if UNIMAID is in trouble security wise as currently observed, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, is in trouble and this will have negative multiplier effects on the Federal Government as well the military.
No one will contest the fact that the Boko Haram fighting power has been downgraded, at least of late. However, before the shout of Jack Robinson, the recent sudden emergence of the fighting spirit of the insurgents is not only frightening, but puzzling. The sleepless nights and nightmare of the citizens, which for some time now, were becoming a thing of the past, are gradually coming back, no thanks to the insurgents on the prowl again.
The insecurity in the UNIMAID without immediate and decisive counter measures, especially from the military and Federal Government, does not augur well for people’s confidence building in governance. Must the UNIMAID be overrun by the insurgents with the incalculable destruction of lives and property before the late alarm would be sounded? It was the slipshod manner the erstwhile administration led by President Goodluck Jonathan handled the matter that brought us to this seemingly unending insurgency we are paying dearly for today. We cannot and must not go back to Egypt.
UNIMAID established in 1975, is the premier tertiary institution in the Northeast zone. It is located in Jere Local Government Council of the state and has borders with Mafa and konduga Local Government Council, all in Borno. It is situated along Maiduguri Konduga, Bama Road, leading to the main entrance of Sambisa Forest at Kawuri village, where the insurgent had their sanctuary for almost seven years.
Let’s spare or save the students, their parents, guardians in particular and Borno in general, the agony of continued despair, fear, hopelessness, intimidation and all that keep the mind and soul in perpetual state of uncertainty. It’s time for the concerned authorities, especially the Federal Government, to honour their words by fulfilling their promise. Let’s rescue UNIMAID, one of the nation’s oldest tertiary institutions.
Let there be the perimeter fence for the peace of all. The question is when this will be? According to the spokesman of the University, Malam Mohammed Ameen, the much-talked about perimeter fence would soon manifest. For now fingers are crossed in anticipation.
Victor Izekor is a journalist and public analyst and writes from Maiduguri at victorizekor@gmail.com
