The Mafa Killings

The recent killing of worshippers in Mafa village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe state, may not just be an attack on innocent people but an indication that the insurgency in the North east has become dangerously daring.

More than 50 terrorists on motorcycles rode into the community and began firing before setting buildings ablaze. The attack, which occurred during Magrib prayer, and which claimed the lives of not less than 122 persons, is one too many and calls for urgent action from the Nigerian government.

It is disheartening to note that the insurgency has been on for 15 years now, and innocent lives have been lost to the dastardly activities of these terrorists. The government’s response to the insurgency has not been effective enough to bring the situation under control. This seeming levity on the part of the authorities may be emboldening the terrorists to carry out more daring attacks.

The Mafa attack is alarming because it was carried out during a religious gathering. The terrorists attacked the worshippers with guns and machetes, leaving many dead and injured. The attack has left the entire community in mourning, and the psychological trauma will linger for a long time.

The senselessness of this violence is staggering. This particular attack, like others before, must not continue to be seen as an act of aggression but a deliberate attempt to instill fear in the minds of the people and disrupt the peaceful lives they were used to. It is important to observe that every life lost in these attacks diminishes the humanity in all of us as it represents a grave injustice and a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist groups.

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As a newspaper, we strongly condemn this barbaric act in the harshest terms possible. The government must take every possible measure to eradicate this menace. The continued existence and activities of these terrorist groups challenge the very essence of the nation’s security and sovereignty. The government must deploy all necessary resources and strategies to confront and dismantle these groups.

It is unacceptable that innocent people are being killed daily, and the government seems helpless in stopping the attacks. The authorities must equip and train the security forces to tackle the insurgency head-on. It is also essential to provide the necessary resources to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.

There is also a challenge that must be overcome—the mindset of the security agencies. They are beginning to see the war on terror as business, a money-making industry. The longer it lasts, the better. Besides, the recruitment process of the security agencies is not as strict as it used to be, with criminal elements infiltrating the forces and becoming allies of the terrorists they are recruited to fight and subdue.

In the meantime, we urge the government to address the root causes of the insurgency. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education are some of the factors that have contributed to the insurgency. The government must create jobs, provide quality education, and improve the living conditions of the people in North east and elsewhere in the country.

The federal government should also work closely with Nigeria’s neighbours, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, to address the issue of cross-border terrorism. The porous borders have made it easy for the terrorists to move freely, and this has made it difficult for the security forces to tackle the insurgency effectively.

It is time for the government to act decisively and provide the security forces with the necessary resources to tackle the insurgency head-on just as we recommend that the forces check who becomes one of them.

The notion that any terrorist organisation, regardless of its strength or resources, could overpower the state is unacceptable. The Nigerian government possesses the capabilities and resolve needed to counter these threats effectively. The repeated instances of such attacks reveal a critical need for a more robust and coordinated response.

We call upon the authorities to intensify their effort in addressing any weaknesses in the security apparatus, and working closely with international partners to cut off the resources and support that sustain these groups. Additionally, there must be a concerted effort to support the victims’ families and communities affected by these attacks, providing them with the necessary aid and comfort during these trying times.

We insist that the cycle of violence and terror must be broken. Nigerian people deserve to live in peace and security, free from the threat of extremism and violence. It is time for decisive action to end these mindless killings and restore stability and hope to affected communities. The government is responsible for and capable of protecting its citizens and ensuring that justice prevails. It must not renege on this obligation.