The Fall Of Gwoza

The declaration of Gwoza as an Islamic Republic or a caliphate by the Boko Haram sect is yet another evidence that the insurgents, rather than being on the run as claimed by the military authorities, are gaining firm control of some parts of Nigeria.

Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s ruthless leader, in a video released on Sunday to the French news agency, AFP, boasted that Gwoza had fallen to his control, and the territory is now an independent state under the control of a caliph where strict Islamic laws are now enforced.

The government dismissed the audacious declaration as meaningless but recent happenings in Gwoza suggest that  the sect has the upper hand in the area. Before the declaration,  Boko Haram overran Gwoza last week, carting away about 200 AK-47 rifles and purportedly taking some policemen hostage at the police academy where they had gathered for training.

As at now, the security agencies have been driven out of Gwoza by the sect and have even hoisted their black flag in a show of force according to reports. The fall of Gwoza is a national tragedy and another evidence that Nigeria may be in great danger of losing some of its territories to the Islamist fundamentalists. Only days ago, some soldiers were reported to have staged a mutiny to demand better weapons to match those used by Boko Haram.

The take over of Gwoza by the insurgents underscores the fact that Nigeria’s territorial integrity is being seriously eroded and unless the military throws everything into the fight against Boko Haram, the nation is doomed.

We are aware of the sacrfices the military is making since 2009 when the insurgents began their offensive. But the military has to flush out the terrorists from Nigeria’s territory, whatever it takes to do so, before it is too late.

President Goodluck Jonathan must shake off every form of distraction, including calls by sycophants that he should begin campaign for next year’s presidential election.

He must focus on pulling Nigeria back from the brink of collapse and the grip of Boko Haram by ensuring that the military is properly funded and equipped to fight and defeat the evil called Boko Haram. We believe that if the Nigerian military could do it in Liberia, Sierra Leone and in other peace keeping operations, it could also stamp out Boko Haram before they take over the entire Northern region.