Unending war against terrorism

The brutish murder of seven abducted Setraco workers by the Jama’atu Ansarul Musilimina Fi Biladis Sudanhas further shown that security agencies should go the extra-mile to contain the growing threat which the relatively new sect constitutes. JAMBS, an offshoot of the Boko Haram sect, had abducted the workers at their camp in Jama’are, in Bauchi State on February 18, 2013 and threatened to kill them if France did not stop its military operation against Islamic rebels in Mali.

Those kidnapped were an Italian, a Briton, a Phillipino, a Greek and three Lebanese.

JAMBS said it took them hostages because of “transgression and atrocities” against Islam in Afghanistan, Mali and other locations.

The group had also carried out daring attacks against soldiers that were on their way to Mali. Two soldiers died after a convoy in which they and 188 Mali-bound colleagues were ambushed in Okene, Kogi State on January 19, 2013.

A British construction worker and his Italian colleague were also murdered by the terrorists after being taken hostage in May, 2012. Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara, who were working for an Italian construction firm, were killed as Nigerian and British security operatives attempted to rescue them.

Though security agencies have been working assiduously to end terrorism and criminality in the country, they will however need to do more in the areas of intelligence-gathering and forging robust collaboration with their counterparts in other countries. The government should also not hesitate to seek assistance from countries like Algeria, Israel, United States and others that have experiences to share on counter-terrorism.

Government officials and security operatives who erroneously believed that JAMBS may fizzle out with time, can now see that the nation cannot afford such wishful thinking. Rooting out terrorism takes hard intelligence, inter-agency collaboration, proper funding, and support from the citizens.

Like President Goodluck Jonathan said in Maiduguri, Borno State, two days ago, everyone must “take up arms” against terror elements in the society by doing everything necessary to expose them.

Beyond the military operations against terror suspects, there is a need to empower citizens to discourage the youths from offering their services to the devil for hire.

No doubt, the action of the Islamic group calls for concerns by government and citizens. It is a drawback to the development efforts of the government.TK's Blog | Free Forex Signals | Infotech Arena Tech News |