Read on Twitter
We are witnessing mass arrests of young people for alleged looting but no politician has been arrested for misappropriation.
If we are not careful, this is how young people become desensitized. The same situation that changed Boko Haram from local thugs into global terrorists.
If we are not careful, this is how young people become desensitized. The same situation that changed Boko Haram from local thugs into global terrorists.
Some of you may not remember, but Boko Haram was not always a terrorist group.
Between 2003 (when it was founded) and 2007, it was a local religious sect that politicians in Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Kano often used as political thugs.
It was in 2009 that it became a crisis
Between 2003 (when it was founded) and 2007, it was a local religious sect that politicians in Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Kano often used as political thugs.
It was in 2009 that it became a crisis
The terrorism in the north-east started as an internal security issue, then escalated into terrorism, and then further escalated into a ten-year armed conflict with serious political, economic and social consequences.
All of these unfolded under our eyes, starting 11 June 2009.
All of these unfolded under our eyes, starting 11 June 2009.
On 11 June 2009, there was a clash between some of followers of the then Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, and a joint police/military unit in Maiduguri. In the clash, 17 of Yusuf's followers were injured. Yusuf then vowed to take revenge against the police.
From 26 to 30 July 2009, members of Boko Haram carried out attacks on police and govt targets in Borno, Bauchi, Yobe and Kano states and the police retaliated in a series of clashes.
Up to 800 people died, including security personnel, members of Boko Haram, and bystanders.
Up to 800 people died, including security personnel, members of Boko Haram, and bystanders.
On 30 July, the police arrested Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri and he was filmed and interviewed while in their custody.
However, within hours of his arrest the police announced that Yusuf had been killed while attempting to escape. Yet, he was handcuffed at the time of his death.
However, within hours of his arrest the police announced that Yusuf had been killed while attempting to escape. Yet, he was handcuffed at the time of his death.
On 13 August 2009, the AGF confirmed that Yusuf had been killed in police custody, and promised that “as soon as the investigative process is completed, those found wanting will be sanctioned accordingly”.
In 2011, 5 officers where charged but a court dismissed the case in 2015.
In 2011, 5 officers where charged but a court dismissed the case in 2015.
Meanwhile, in May 2010, Borno state proscribed Boko Haram as an illegal sect. So, Yusuf’s former followers regrouped under one Abu Shekau, a former deputy to Yusuf.
From 2010 to 2012, the new group started assassinating police and govt officials, clerics, and journalists.
From 2010 to 2012, the new group started assassinating police and govt officials, clerics, and journalists.
The rest, as they say, is history. What started as a minor clash in 2009 escalated and kept escalating until millions of Nigerians paid the price for it. We have all been affected.
Because our govt responds to lawlessness with its own lawlessness, never justice and due process.
Because our govt responds to lawlessness with its own lawlessness, never justice and due process.
