I didn't want to say anything about this @HQNigerianArmy v @zakzakysupport thing because the opinions I expressed in 2015 on the matter have not changed. The army was wrong then, the army is wrong now, period.
I still think that it's just a matter of time before sections of the IMN become radicalised, and the only thing that will prevent that is if @MBuhari loses the next elections.
Having said that, what worries me, is seeing people my age and younger, supporting the army's use of lethal force against stone throwing Shi'ites.
Like so many things, it actually harks back to our history, where we are coming from, and it tells us that the road is long.
Like so many things, it actually harks back to our history, where we are coming from, and it tells us that the road is long.
We have been so brutalised as a people that we are now so in love with our oppressors, and can't think of any other way to live. More on that later...
On May 22, 2013, a British soldier, Lee Rigby was killed by two British boys of Nigerian ancestry, outside his barracks in London.
It is important to note that neither Mike Adebolajo or Mike Adebowale were shot to death by any soldier. Heck, they were not even attacked.
It is important to note that neither Mike Adebolajo or Mike Adebowale were shot to death by any soldier. Heck, they were not even attacked.
Rather, they were arrested by the police, and charged to court.
Note that British military authorities asked soldiers to stop wearing uniforms in public, pending the outcome of the investigation whether both men acted alone.
Does that mean that the British Army is weak?
Note that British military authorities asked soldiers to stop wearing uniforms in public, pending the outcome of the investigation whether both men acted alone.
Does that mean that the British Army is weak?
This sheds a light on the traditions of the British Army - one of respect for the British people, as opposed to the traditions of the Nigerian Army, which in reality was a colonial occupation force, and simply changed masters at "independence" in 1960.
Tales of our occupying force being ordered to turn its guns on the very people it is meant to defend their territory from external aggression are many.
Let's start with the Tiv Riots, the Ugep killings, Maitatsine, Odi, even pre-insurgency Boko Haram.
I have left out many...
Let's start with the Tiv Riots, the Ugep killings, Maitatsine, Odi, even pre-insurgency Boko Haram.
I have left out many...
If there is one lesson that should be painfully obvious following this list, it is that these strong arm tactics are only temporary reprieves.
All of these I have mentioned are, till this day, not under firm control of the Nigerian state, despite the oppressive tactics used.
All of these I have mentioned are, till this day, not under firm control of the Nigerian state, despite the oppressive tactics used.
What makes anyone thing that the IMN will be different?
I'm not even going to dwell on the fact that the Army's own rules of engagement are clear on the use of proportionate force, and that engaging with lethal force should be used as a last resort.
I'm not even going to dwell on the fact that the Army's own rules of engagement are clear on the use of proportionate force, and that engaging with lethal force should be used as a last resort.
I'm not going to dwell on the fact that as per the Armed Forces Act, the soldier who shot that Shi'ite is guilty of murder, and liable to court-martial.
I'll just dwell on the realisation that thinking through a solution to a problem is hard work.
We prefer brute force.
I'll just dwell on the realisation that thinking through a solution to a problem is hard work.
We prefer brute force.
