OUR security agencies are becoming an embarrassment. President Goodluck Jonathan compounds the situation by excusing the lapses. According to him, the bombs that have been going off in Nigeria were the country’s portion of the rise in global terrorism.

We also hope Nigerians will benefit from increasing global focus on good governance, development, and justice since we are part of the world. The President is well aware of these expectations which some can use to explain the bomb blasts that have become regular, at least there is one blast in a part of the country weekly.

Boko Haram is clear in its demands. It wants an Islamic state, Islamic law and forbids association with western education. When governments mention discussing with the sect,  they sound as if  they are unaware of the sect’s stand on fundamental issues that are also constitutional.

Threats of annihilating the sect have not worked. Its members appear incensed that governments could muster the courage to threaten it. Boko Haram is its own law, it wants to be in Nigeria on its own terms.

What would governments be negotiating with such a group?  Would it be the terms of the group operating in Nigeria or of Boko Haram relating to governments  and Nigerians?

There is an inclination to compare Boko Haram – its opposition to government – to the activities of the militant groups that held government to ransom in the Niger Delta. Government engaged the groups in various military actions while doing peace deals with those who were willing to opt out of criminality. The military actions continue and intensify as situations dictate.

Boko Haram operates from a podium of righteousness, not just a just cause. Its religious inclinations indicate that the spirits behind its destructive methods of enforcing its views are not ones that material rewards would appease.

The police threatened that the days of Boko Haram were at their end. The sect issued a hand-written statement that it would strike again. It did days after, blowing apart the parking lot of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters. From its bases in Bauchi and Maiduguri where it has been wrecking havoc for years, Boko Haram hit target in Abuja.

Choice of the police headquarters was deliberate. Its vulnerability is still a shock to Nigerians who thought the police could at least protect its headquarters.

It is not enough to tell Nigerians not to panic. We have really gone beyond that stage. We expect to see the impact of government’s efforts to tackle Boko Haram decisively. It is therefore disheartening when President Jonathan situates Boko Haram in the context of global security challenges.

Our case is different. Others are making efforts to tackle the challenges. We seem to have given up on stopping the bombs. Nigerians thought the excuses had been exhausted and that governments had got the security agencies working on freeing the country from the clutches of terrorists, who strike whenever they want.

Governments should be calling the shots. It is not for Boko Haram to give conditions to stop its wanton destruction of lives and property. The earlier governments make that decision, the quicker Boko Haram would know crime, the type it promotes, attracts a high penalty.