In a nation besieged by terror, the concept of “repentant terrorists” reintegrating into the military is nothing short of a deadly farce. It is a brazen hubris that not only perpetuates the war against terror but dangerously escalates it. By training and absorbing those who once wreaked havoc, the government unwittingly—or perhaps deliberately—equips these criminals with advanced knowledge and military-grade weaponry, only for them to slip back into the wild, now better trained and more deadly than ever before.
The cycle repeats itself endlessly: terrorists claim repentance, they are absorbed into the system, they disappear, and soon enough, reports of attacks emerge with chilling familiarity. It begs the question: Do terrorists ever truly repent?
This troubling pattern points to a deeply rooted internal sabotage mechanism within the country’s security architecture. It’s no secret that the war on terror has morphed into a booming business, benefiting those in government and within our security agencies. The lives of innocent citizens have been reduced to mere collateral in the pursuit of profit and power. What should be a fight to protect the nation has instead become a sustained enterprise for those who stand to gain from our suffering.
The bitter truth is this: we live in a country where deceit, denial, delusion, and debauchery are the pillars upon which governance and security rest. There is a glaring disconnect between the people and those sworn to protect them. In their world, our lives—our fears, our cries—hold no value. Nigeria is crying out for help. We are in a state of emergency, but it seems those in charge prefer to fuel the flames rather than extinguish them.
This nation is in desperate need of reform and accountability. Our government, alongside its security agencies, must recognize the catastrophic consequences of their actions. Until then, the people remain on the receiving end of a dangerous game that leaves us crying out, “Mayday! Mayday!!”
I am CHUKWUDUMEBI.
— Prof. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener, COUNTRYFIRST Movement
