Nigerian Army and Terrorists' Deaths: 30 killed again but where is the Peace?

Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces is a crucial one especially in the war against the notorious and inhuman terrorists in the nomenclature of Boko Haram. After the state of emergency was declared, many logical Nigerians expected the army to perform reasonably well and within months the armed forces did not disappoint Nigerians. The armed forces were able to drastically reduce the acts and activities of the dreaded sect.

This became a real plus to the Nigerian Armed Forces coupled with the high level of professionalism in which the war was conducted though skeptics rained lots of issues based on human rights violations. However, the armed forces deserve their praises. What is now worrisome is the daily records of killings and deaths revealed by the army. The army which took over from the Joint Task Force is always quick to state it has killed numbers of Boko Haram members almost on a day to day basis.

This is really disturbing considering the kind of cloudy operation that occurred in Apo in Abuja in which some people believed and suspected to be Boko Haram members were killed amid doubt among the citizens. Despite these numerous records of deaths, Boko Haram continues to carry out its heinous acts. Though, it is understandable that a guerrilla warfare like that of the Boko Haram war is not an easy one but then, the army should be able to start thinking of better ways at arresting the situation as written in this article long ago.

The Nigerian Army reportedly killed more than 30 suspected terrorists during raids on Boko Haram camps and hideouts in Borno state. The military said the clampdown was aimed at frustrating planned attacks on Bama town by the members of the sect. According to press statement, they were killed in both air and ground attacks.

During the attack, five Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft guns conveying terrorists and one 18-seaters bus conveying the terrorists stores were destroyed. In a related development, troops of 7 Division pursued and engaged Boko Haram terrorists who fled Damboa town following encounter with security forces, resulting in the killing of 30 of the terrorists.

Army Public Relations Officer of 7 Division, Captain Aliyu Ibrahim Danja informed the public that the division was currently conducting aggressive operations on terrorists' locations along the Maiduguri-Damaturu road. The highway is a bedrock of terror activities. He said: "This is in order to ensure safety of citizens not only within towns and villages but also those plying roads within the division's area of responsibility."

Announcing deaths everyday, even if it is to dampen the psychology of members of the sect, will be doing more harm than good. The army risks estranging itself from the people who should naturally be their confidants. To win this war perfectly, high level of intelligence is needed. The hearts of the people are needed. With numerous deaths being announced daily, the army will look more like killing agents than soldiers fighting its own citizens.

This is not an external war, the people can never be comfortable hearing of deaths everyday especially when the sect continues to appear indirectly defiantly strong. Recently, students were butchered in Yobe despite the state of emergency. All these successful invasions of Boko Haram risk casting a serious shadow on the triumphant records of the army. The army needs to begin the process of winning the hearts of the people for a long term victory not rushing to announce deaths which could get the people scared as the soldiers' activities cannot be verified factually.