Buhari and the challenge of terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari has faced significant challenges in addressing the issue of terrorism in Nigeria, particularly from the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeastern part of the country. Here are some of the key challenges he has faced:

  1. Inadequate military response: Critics have argued that the Nigerian military has been slow to respond to Boko Haram attacks, leading to a loss of lives and property. The military has also been accused of human rights abuses, which has undermined public trust.
  2. Insufficient intelligence: The Nigerian government has been criticized for lacking effective intelligence gathering and sharing mechanisms, which has hindered its ability to anticipate and prevent terrorist attacks.
  3. Corruption: Corruption within the military and government agencies has been a significant challenge in the fight against terrorism. Bribes and embezzlement have been reported to be common practices, which has undermined the effectiveness of anti-terrorism efforts.
  4. Lack of international cooperation: Nigeria has faced challenges in securing international cooperation and support in the fight against terrorism. This has been partly due to concerns over human rights abuses and the lack of a clear strategy to address the root causes of terrorism.
  5. Insufficient resources: The Nigerian government has faced challenges in allocating sufficient resources to the fight against terrorism. This has led to a lack of equipment, training, and personnel, which has hindered the effectiveness of anti-terrorism efforts.
  6. Political instability: Political instability in Nigeria has created an environment conducive to terrorism. The country has faced challenges in addressing political and ethnic tensions, which has contributed to the spread of extremist ideologies.
  7. Lack of a comprehensive strategy: Critics have argued that the Nigerian government has lacked a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, unemployment, and political marginalization.
  8. Insufficient support for victims: The Nigerian government has faced criticism for not providing sufficient support to victims of terrorism, including those who have been displaced or injured.
  9. Challenges in addressing the root causes of terrorism: The Nigerian government has faced challenges in addressing the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, unemployment, and political marginalization. This has led to a lack of trust between the government and the people, which has hindered the effectiveness of anti-terrorism efforts.
  10. Lack of transparency and accountability: The Nigerian government has faced criticism for a lack of transparency and accountability in its handling of the fight against terrorism. This has led to a lack of trust between the government and the people, which has undermined the effectiveness of anti-terrorism efforts.

Despite these challenges, President Buhari has taken some steps to address the issue of terrorism in Nigeria, including:

  1. Establishing a new military command: In 2015, President Buhari established a new military command, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), to coordinate the fight against Boko Haram.
  2. Increasing military spending: The Nigerian government has increased military spending to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.
  3. Seeking international support: President Buhari has sought international support and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including from the United States, France, and other countries.
  4. Implementing a national counter-terrorism strategy: The Nigerian government has implemented a national counter-terrorism strategy, which aims to address the root causes of terrorism and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.
  5. Providing support to victims: The Nigerian government has provided support to victims of terrorism, including those who have been displaced or injured.

Overall, while President Buhari has faced significant challenges in addressing the issue of terrorism in Nigeria, he has taken some steps to address the problem and has made progress in the fight against Boko Haram. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of terrorism and to ensure that the Nigerian government is accountable and transparent in its handling of the crisis.