BY TONY EKE

LAST week’s bombing of Nigeria Police Headquarters, Abuja, was cataclysmic in every material classification. By the time the dust settled, at least eight ill-fated persons amongst us were sent to untimely re-union with their forefathers, while over 73 vehicles were either reduced to smithereens or irretrievably mangled. In the days that followed much of the picture captured by newspapers from the scene was grisly, portraying as it were seeming features of a country at war with itself.

Expectedly, the mode of its execution shook Nigeria to its foundation being the country’s first date with suicide bombing. Before this incident we have had series of bomb blasts mostly confined to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and parts of the North. Indeed, no Nigerian, not even a star gazer gifted at clairvoyance could have foreseen the emergence of suicide bombing barely a month after May, 29, 2011. No matter how it is perceived the citizens are frightened due to the rapidity with which manifest cases of insecurity are unfolding.

Yet it beats one’s imagination that the extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, successfully executed such a terrible crime at the doorpost of the Nigeria Police. If the sect had successfully bombed a police station in parts of Borno and Bauchi states, it would not have created the impact it did. After all, it has taken over a greater portion of those states where it operates rather unmolested by the security agencies. Thus it would probably not have received the prominence it did because no week has ever passed without one or two bomb blasts recorded in those areas.

Certainly Nigeria cannot be the same again in view of the manifold consequences this latest harmful attack will yield for our nation. It would undoubtedly erode the confidence of the citizens in the ability of the Police to provide security for them. It is likely to worsen the stereotype perception of Nigerians as potential criminals, particularly in the Euro-American axis. Besides it could dim the prospects of foreign direct investments that are badly needed to boost our economy which has been in the woods for much of Nigeria’s nationhood.

Although preliminary enquiry into the origin of the suicide bomber is relevant in security circles, it cannot vitiate the impact of the bombing. That the bomber was not a Nigerian is a red herring as far as most Nigerians are concerned. What is worrisome is the free passage that agent of mass death had when he drove straight into the Nigeria Police headquarters unhindered by the supposedly unassailable surveillance required at such a strategic facility. It was an inexcusable error of the Police whose combat readiness has always been in doubt even at the best of times. But then, the issue is self-evident: If the Police could be attacked so effortlessly what then would be the fate of ordinary Nigerians. If gold can rust what can prevent iron from excessive corrosion?

To a large extent, the graduation of Boko Haram from a mere bunch of rascals to an organised group of bombers can be blamed on the Federal Government’s lethargy, which is evident in its uninspired and indecisive approach to the crisis. It is a peculiar Nigerian sore that has become cancerous because it was left to fester for some years. The sect has enjoyed too much freedom like a registered corporate entity; as such it has been emboldened to employ the operational mode of Al- Qaeda.  But again, what would be the immediate and collateral losses if the Federal Government tackles the sect as a terrorist group?

It is quite clear that the proposal of amnesty for the sect is misplaced for three reasons. First, they cannot be likened to the Niger Delta militants whose rebellion was justified by the long neglect of the area by the Federal Government. Second, the sect is a fundamentalist Islamic group out to alter Nigeria’s secular status. That is why its quest for the implementation of Sharia judicial system in the core 12 Northern states is an affront to the Constitution.  Two, its rejection of Western education is senseless given the indispensable role of education in the development of the Nigerian society and the citizenry.

It should be pointed out that even the Al-Qaeda which may have inspired Boko Haram is not resentful of Western education other than its denunciation of ceaseless interferences of Western powers through covert ne-ocolonial engagements with Arab nations.

The earlier we understand that the activities of Boko Haram portend danger to the corporate existence of Nigeria, the better for the country. President Goodluck Jonathan must brace up to the challenges being posed to national security and act like one whose primary duty is to secure lives and property in all parts of the country. Obviously the Police are incapable of handling the situation.

Therefore, the President could consider the declaration of a state of emergency as a prelude to the deployment of soldiers to restore normalcy in the affected states. He should be well aware that history is never fair to any political leader who fails to act even when the situation is most compelling. We need peace to trudge on in our harsh clime, even though enviable development of the political economy has eluded our nation for so long a time.

Mr. Eke, a journalist, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.