TERRORISM: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Terror is a word and situation that strikes fear into the hearts and minds of many both young and old; a word that is distant yet so close to us as individuals. Terror is from the Latin word terrere which means frighten. There is no generally accepted definition of the word terrorism but all the definitions of terrorism have certain characteristics in common in the sense that they are violent acts that aim to instill fear (terror) and are perpetrated for religious, political or ideological goals and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians) and are committed by non-governmental agencies. The act of terrorism, or offense, is currently defined as a person unlawfully and intentionally causing or threatening to cause violence by means of firearms, weapons, explosives any lethal devices or dangerous substances which results or is likely to result in death or serious bodily injury to a person, a group of persons or serious damage to property whether for public use, a State or Government facility, a public transportation system or an infrastructure. As stated earlier, there is no generally accepted definition of terrorism due to the divergent views of nations of the world. The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings 1997 has stated in some of its provisions that the use of bombs to perpetrate the acts of terrorism is illegal. The convention however clarified the terms used in the definition above. An explosive according to the convention is any weapon or device that is designed or has the capability to cause death, serious bodily injury or substantial material damage; state or government facility includes any permanent or temporary facility or conveyance that is used or occupied by representatives of a state, members of government, the legislature, or the judiciary or by officials or employees of a state or any other public authority or entity or by employees or officials of an intergovernmental organization in connection with their official duties; infrastructure facility means any publicly or privately owned facility providing or distributing public services for the benefit of the public such as water, sewage, energy, fuel or communications.

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon as this act has being experienced in several parts of the world such as the Middle East, Europe, USA and some parts of East Africa and Northern Africa
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have been hit by several attacks by a popular group called Al-Qaeda who have claimed responsibility for these attacks that have claimed thousands of lives globally. However, there were several areas of the world where this act has never being perpetuated; these virgin territories however due to its internal activities were deemed ripe for these activities to occur such as scores of internal conflicts that were religiously and ethnically motivated, unstable government and lack of concern for internal security. These virgin territories were sending the right signal to these people with radical tendencies; Nigeria is one of such. Nigeria is a heterogeneous nation with diverse ethnic groups and several religions being practised with Islam being the major religion being practised predominantly in the northern part of Nigeria which is populated mainly by the Hausa-Fulanis. Terrorism is a word that is very strange to the average Nigerian and is a word which is relative to certain parts of the world. But it is suffice to say that these recent occurrences will make the average Nigerian have a re-think about the use of this word to be of a relative nature. Terrorism now as a word and as an act is of a global nature and the disadvantage of globalization is one of the reasons for this occurrence. The various bombings and activities that have occurred across the country fits the profile of terrorist activities according to the Convention as stated above. A time line of these activities also shows the increase in the confidence of the perpetrators of this act and also the level of fear instilled in the citizenry has increased remarkably. Most of these incidents have occurred in the northern part of the country such as the October 1st (Independence Day) bomb blast in Abuja where 8 persons were killed and the New Years Eve bomb blast that occurred in Abuja heralded the various incidents that have occurred this year. The timeline of bomb blast shows that most of them have occurred in Maiduguri, Borno state and this should be a source of concern for the Federal government which is just hours away from this state.

The security agencies in Nigeria should wake up to their responsibility and make sure that issues like this are prevented. The Federal government and citizens also have a role to play in the issue of security in Nigeria. The government should not put up a facade and make the international community feel that the conventions are just signed and establish puppet commissions that dont
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perform their duties. Commissions, parastatals and ministries should have professionals in the helms of affairs; round pegs should be put in round holes and not the usual trend that has occurred for a very long time. This is a threat that cannot be ignored; the Nigerian government has to secure the future of our children and generations unborn. They need to grow up in a Nigeria that is devoid of terrorism and the leaders of this country owe them this responsibility because they grew up in a Nigeria that never experienced this kind of violence and high level of insecurity. In the words of George W. Bush former U.S president referring to terrorism If we ignore this threat, we invite certain blackmail and place millions of our citizens in grave danger. Chijioke-Keme, Kenneth kchijiokekeme@gmail.com

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