SINCE the emergence of the Boko Haram, a group of sectarian insurgents operating in parts of the north such as Borno and Bauchi States, since about two years ago, hundreds of lives have been lost and property worth millions of naira destroyed by  its sustained attacks on persons and institutions.
The geography of the unfortunate states have, therefore become complicated by the eruption of this violence and concomitant evocation of blood, tears, sorrow and gnashing of teethes. The expansive panorama of mayhem and pogrom struck at the core of ordinary humanty by this group have dwarfed any liberal tolerance of Islam.
Indeed the apocalyptic scenes in these unfortunate states beat sane imagination such that the fear of Boko Haram has now become the beginning of wisdom for the north eastern states of the country.
But the Boko Haram sect must be understood within the context of the general factors of economic underdevelopment in the north in which the marginalisation of the poor majority play a prominent role. The existence of the almajiri phenomenon arising from this marginalisation process, and worst of all the social indifference displayed by the public are clear examples of this state of attairs.
Indeed, what is surprising and even frightening is that the Boko Haram insurgents live among the local population, interact with them on daily basis, engaging in commercial activities and yet these people appear invisible to the security agencies, thereby providing the compromised ambience for their nefarious activities. Boko Haram (properly translated: western education is sinful) presents to us a case-study of religious fundamentalism in its worst form. According to media reports, its origin dates as far back as 1995, during the height of military rule in the country. It has since been operating under and, so to speak, above ground, clashing with the state and resulting in deaths and destruction of property till date. Religious fundamentalism of Boko Haram’s  hue has become the most potentially dangerous threat facing the corporate existence of the Nigerian state today. This has provided  a fertile ground for religious-sectarian uprising now spreading to other parts of the country, notably Plateau State.
The security and intelligence agencies therefore have the responsibility of protecting citizens from  further attacks by outlaw organisations such as Boko Haram.
But it is unbelievable that since the emergence of the sect,  Nigeria’s security operatives and intelligence agencies have not been able to predict any of its impending attacks and adopt proactive measures to avert them. But enough is enough! The Nigerian state in its might must rise against this security challenge being posed by Boko Haram. The security and intelligence agencies must wake up to confront this monster. No effort should be spared in dealing a mortal blow on this dastardly sect.