Boko Haram is not dead

The explosion was as a result of a suicide attack believed to be orchestrated by Boko Haram and carried out by two female bombers who had been disguised as men.

In reaction to the attack, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai said that it was “not unexpected.”

“…What happened today is not unexpected because these people are struggling to survive and these are the last remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists,” Buratai said in Benin Cityduring a visit to the headquarters of the army’s 4 Brigade.

Hours later, after the casualty figure had risen to 24, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole said that Boko Haram had become like a dead snake that would still continue to “wriggle its body.”

“Yes, Boko Haram is still there, but obviously there is no doubt it no longer has that capacity to harass us,” Oshiomhole said on Thursday, March 17, while receiving Buratai at the Edo Government House.

“I think whatever they do now is like a dead snake, it might still continue to wriggle its body, but it’s dead. It is only with time that the teeth will be removed,” the governor added.

It’s amazing that government officials don’t realize how insensitive it is to speak as if the lives of the 24 people who were killed by Boko Haram in the Maiduguri blast don’t matter.

If General Buratai knew that the sect would keep carrying out bombings, why didn’t he take measures to protect the citizens? If the attack was expected, why wasn’t it stopped?

How can Oshiomhole, in good conscience, compare the deaths of 24 people to the wriggling of a dying snake?

Nevertheless, Oshiomhole and Buratai’s comments show that they are only following the steps of their leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari recently said that Boko Haram is no longer a threat to Nigeria and based his claims of technical victoryagainst the sect on the fact that the terrorists could no longer hold territory in Nigeria, a claim which has been countered by the commander of the U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), David Rodriguez.

It seems that the president and his men haven’t realized that they can only claim victory against Boko Haram when the sect can no longer kill with ease and impunity.

Yes, the Nigerian military is winning the war against terror, but there can be no boasting until citizens’ lives have been effectively secured against the sect and the terrors it unleashes.

It would do good for Buhari to remember that one of the reasons why his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan is no longer president, is because he was insensitive to the plight of Boko Haram victims.

Dear President Buhari and friends, Boko Haram is not dead, yet.