Popular political analyst and critic, Ayo Oyeniyi has warned that bandits must not be allowed to replicate the Taliban modus operandi in Nigeria.
The Taliban is a Deobandi Islamic movement and military organisation in Afghanistan that has terrorised the country for years. On Sunday, the Taliban militants conquered Afghanistan capital almost 2 decades after they were driven from Kabul by US troops. Subsequently the country has been renamed to the “Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan“.
Oyeniyi in one of his serial posts on Facebook recalled that Talibanism almost occurred in Nigeria in 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan when insurgents took over important towns in Borno State.
He wrote: “Boko Haram almost took over Borno State in 2014, they took over important towns like Baga, Bama, Monguno, Gwosa, Mubi. They were always at the gate of Unimaid. They renamed important towns. Talibanism almost occurred, but Jonathan woke up and pushed them back and election was possible in Borno in March 2015. Currently, if the momentum is sustained, we will soon defeat BH/ISWAP.”
Furthering in his warning, Mr Ayo noted that the bandits operating in the Northwestern Nigeria share almost the same mode of operations.
He explained that while the Taliban depends on drugs and opium poppy seed drugs to finance their insurgent operations in Afghanistan, banditry, in Nigeria thrives on illegal mining of gold and serial abductions for ransom.
He, however, urged the government to intensify its military efforts in wiping out terrorism from Nigeria before things get out of control.
“Look, we must not allow the bandits to learn from the Talibans. Talibans and the NW bandits mode of operations are similar. While Talibans depend on drugs, opium poppy seed drugs, terrorism to arm themselves, bandits depend on illegal mining of gold, mass kidnappings for ransom, to arm themselves. Did they not shoot down our fighter jets??? Take the war to them now to take them out.”
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