Just when we began to think that the Terrorists are losing ground, they strike again with impunity. Within a space of 12 hours, two major terrorist attacks happened in Nigeria and the Security Agencies are still dumbfounded not knowing what hit them.
In that of Kuje Correctional Facility, which happened on Tuesday night, scores of gunmen suspected to be Terrorists bombed the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre Abuja, gunned their way through, and set many vehicles ablaze. They released over 300 Criminals and about 64 hardened Terrorists and 15 Deadly Boko Haram Commanders who have participated in different attacks across the country including the Abuja–Kaduna Train attack where 8 people were reportedly killed and 68 kidnapped and still held hostage. This is a Prison Facility being guarded by dozens of Soldiers, DSS Operatives, The Police, The NSCDC, and The Prison Wardens.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State of West Africa Province has claimed responsibility for the attack. It was also confirmed by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar that an NSCDC Officer, Insp. IIIyasu Abraham,3 Terrorists, and 4 Inmates died in the incident.
The Kuje attack came barely a few hours after a convoy of cars carrying the Advance Team of Security Guards, Protocol, and Media Officers ahead of the President’s trip to Daura his hometown for Sallah came under attack. The question now is: If these Daredevil Terrorists can now face the President, Commander in Chief of The Armed Forces Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, who else is safe? It is so pathetic that Nigeria is still wallowing in the septic tank of insecurity at a time when other nations are making technological and economic advancements. It is no longer about local Fulani Herdsmen or Boko Haram Insurgents.
An International Terrorists Organization is gradually taking over the land and everybody including the Security Agencies are all standing at akimbo. It is rather unfortunate that the porous Security situation in Nigeria has made it possible for a group of International Death Merchants to invade the Nigerian space and continue to unleash mayhem, pains, and agony on innocent and law-abiding citizens. As per the Kuje attack, a man like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi a well-known Terrorist Negotiator should be invited by the Security Agencies for questioning, as he appears to know much about the activities of the Terrorists, and their locations, and modus operandi.
According to his Media Aide, Tukur Manu, the Sheikh shared Intelligence Information with the Authorities, but they failed to act. According to him, the Kuje Correctional Centre attack was executed by the same Ansaru Group that attacked the Abuja— Kaduna bound Train.
Manu revealed that the terror group requested the release of 51 of its members, adding that he could scale it down to 10 and communicate the same to the relevant Authorities. He pointed out that there was an unnecessary delay from the Authorities which gave the terrorists the chance to successfully carry out the attack. So the Nigerian Security System has degenerated into a situation where they have to sit at a round table to discuss and negotiate with criminal elements.? How are the mighty fallen? While the Nation is still lamenting the invasion of the Kuje Correctional Centre, a Security Expert, and retired Military Officer, Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu has revealed that it is very easy for an intruder to breach the Security at the Correctional Centre in Abuja. According to him, his findings showed a poor Security architecture of the Facility.
In the midst of all this catastrophe, what we can perceive from our dear President would be likened to the case of a Nero fiddling while Rome burns. Though the President showed up at the scene of the incident and ask a few germane questions, the incident did not stop him from getting out of the country to Darkar, Senegal, for an International Engagement. Should the President have traveled out under this precarious situation when his country and even his convoy are under siege?
The truth is that the war against terrorism in Nigeria is far from over. If anything, the war is gathering momentum. Now that 64 hardened Terrorists who have participated in different attacks have been freed by their colleagues 15 Deadly Boko Haram Insurgents and over 300 criminal elements let loose on the society, Nigerians better brace up for the looming Terrorists War. Very soon, the Falcons will no longer hear the Falconer, and Things Will Fall Apart because the Center will no longer hold and mere anarchy will be loosed upon the world. We pray it doesn’t come to that.
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