Thread by @MohammedDarma

The present security challenges in Northern Nigeria do not exist by accident or by chance.
They are a consequence of decades of neglect and reluctance to invest in our people, especially the youth.

The opportunity to exploit ethnicity, religion and social conservatism has presented itself numerous times to the Northern political elite, and remains a major factor in maintaining the status-quo.

Those on top remain on top, and those below continue to struggle.

Why should they invest massively in education?
Why should they reform the Almajiri scholarship system?
Why should they do ANYTHING that has no bearing on the next election???

Years of ineffective and mediocre leadership has led to a population of youth that are desperate, illiterate, unskilled, angry, misguided and ready to do anything that will transform their miserable lives.

"Western education is forbidden. Take arms against the infidels and the illegitimate state."

"Kidnap them for ransom. They've never cared about us, have they?? Now they'll beg us to release them."

When you've never been of any importance to anyone, these are inspiring words

Isn't it an irony that the same people that are responsible for our security are the ones hurrying to catch the Abuja-Kaduna train??

Why??

THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT.

The same people you've ignored and allowed to rot in poverty are the ones that have taken over.
The painful thing is that they are not selective.
They also raid on villages whose worth is below the cost of their weapons.

Short-term and long-term solutions must be discussed.
Major decisions must be made by those in power.
Stakeholders must make the choices that ensure a better life for future generations.
They must look beyond the next 4 years and think of the next 40 years.

However, if they refuse to realize the gravity of the situation, then illiteracy, poverty and ultimately insecurity may be the end of us all.

May Allah protect and guide us all, ameen.