Mayhem in Nigeria... By Masood

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia

One wonders what sort of satanic forces have gripped Nigeria in the last few years; there is no end to the widespread bloodshed despite government efforts to contain it. Last week Boko Haram, a terrorist organisation on the lines of the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, attacked a teaching college in northeast Nigeria, went on a killing spree, burned down the college library before proceeding to a village near the Cameroon border and killing 130 people, all unarmed civilians.

But this last Monday's blast is a fearful reminder for everyone — terrorists are no more confined to the remote northeast; they are moving towards major urban towns and centres. More than 70 people were killed in the bomb blast at a crowded bus terminal on the outskirts of the Capital, Abuja. This year alone more than 1,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in terrorist attacks. 

We regrettably watch Nigeria being pushed towards the chaos Pakistan has been witnessing for more than a decade — sectarian and religious hatred and intolerance, violation of women's and children's rights, kidnappings and killings of polio health workers; the list goes on.

We hope that we in Pakistan may be able to help Nigeria to come out of this crisis but we ourselves have surrendered by entering into peace talks with the Taliban on their terms. 

If Nigeria is going to make the same mistake, it should remember these terrorist organisations that thrive on religious ideologies cannot be talked into compromise and peace. They want complete territorial control. Is Nigeria ready for that?