Thecontest, rather the battle is getting fiercest by the second. Its savagery, brutishness can never be in contention. No iota of doubt. It’s glaring and given.

Both are unruly, heedless and perverse. The politicians are adamant, stiff-necked. Their counterparts, the terrorists, are emboldened. The politicians’ unwise stubbornness gives them that uncanny audacity.

Unknown to the duo. The two are a blended special species. They are cruel and crude. And they are in the same boat. Their ways of doing business are repulsive, wild and weird. They stick together on their despicable goal. Their target remains the same dreaded 2027.

We’re the pitiable grasses. The willing chessboard. And ever-present victims and prey. We’re made to feel the pinches of their cruelty. We suffer. The excruciating pains are all over us.

And they care less. Not even a hoot. Whether we exist or are extinct. None gives them sleepless nights. Or nightmares. It rather brightens them. It’s the impetus they need to surge on.

They have a meeting point. It’s also the melting point. Both take their battles to us. The terrorists choose our thick forests to do their booming, lucrative business. And they have the firm grip on our expansive rural areas.

Occasionally, when duty demands. They stray into urban areas. And this is becoming more constant and pronounced. They will come, kill, steal, rape, maim and destroy. And ferry their human loots back to their bushes and forests.

Practically at all times. They are unchallenged before, during and after operations. And these span hours of brutality, bloodbath and callousness. We can’t sight our security operatives near the scene of incident. Not even remotely. Their radar won’t pick that. Always offline.

Now. A pertinent flashback into our world of horrible history. It will give us a perfect understanding of our leaders’ heinous mindsets. They are all after power. Grab, steal, snatch, seize it. The choice is theirs. Just ensure you run with it with the speed of light.

Many deadly opportunities carelessly sauntered into his space in 2014. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu turned them around. He made the best use of them all. That year was critical and defining for him. And his freshly assembled All Progressives Alliance (APC).

On January 29, 2014, that Nyanya, Abuja bombing happened to us. We were caught pants down. Unawares, unprepared. At the crucial time of the build-up to the 2015 elections. When late former President Muhammadu Buhari was being deodorised. And forced down our cracked throats.

On that day, Tinubu made two posts on his officialABAT X page. At exactly 9.41 am. He drew the then President Goodluck Jonathan out. And took him to the cleaners: “The slaughtering of Christian worshippers is strongly condemnable. It calls to question the competence of Jonathan to protect Nigerians.”

He fired another hot, deadly salvo at 9.44 am. Still at Jonathan: “I have no fear either for my political future or present. My greatest fear is for Nigeria and Nigerians. Nigeria is in the wrong hands.”

He sounded politically emotional: “My heart bleeds for our people and the country over the deaths in Nyanya. A government unable to protect its citizens deserves to be queried.” So, he wrote on his page on April 4, 2014. He was never done. Not the Tinubu we all know inside-out.

Ten days after, he came on board again. Restlessness is his element: “This morning’s bomb blast in Yanyan, Abuja and the mindless deaths is dastardly. It is an indictment of the Jonathan government.

“Too many lives are being wasted, too much blood being shed, too many limbs severed yet this government carries on with its cavalier attitude.”

Tinubu wasn’t giving up. He continued the onslaught unrestrained, undeterred: “On matters of security, the buck stops at the President’s table. Like in other countries, Jonathan is the Chief Security Officer. Stop the Boko Haram.”

His verdict on Jonathan was deafening: “The festering Boko Haram attacks on the North East and massacre of innocent citizens is concrete proof that Nigeria has no government.”

Tinubu was right, then. And, specifically now! You can’t fault him. In just the first three weeks of June 2025. Under his watchful watch. At least, 200 lives were wasted by terrorists and their cousins, bandits and kidnappers.

The conditions and terms he forcefully postulated in 2014. Twenty-two years ago, stoutly apply today. Nothing missing, nothing broken. Yet, his regime carries on as if something differently happens.

Now to the present. Our plight is at its messiest level. Hopelessness has set in full blast. We are experiencing it first-hand. “No go come.” These beasts of no gender are deeply rooted in our forests. Pray we are not overwhelmed too soonest.

The Ogbomoso killing, Oyo State, is the rave of the moment. It was a black Friday morning, May 15, 2026. Yawota and Ahoro Esinele communities, Oriire Local Government, fell to the terrorists.

It was fairly early raid of Community Grammar School, Esiele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota and L.A Primary School, Esiele. Time was exactly 9:30 am.

And they ferried their looted students and teachers deep into the forest. The Old Oyo National Park, Oke-Ogun, is their base. And the ultimate destination. Kilometres far away from Oriire LG scene of incident. There, they call the shots.

All through their hazard voyage. They were not molested. No resistance of any substance from any known quarters. They came, they saw and they conquered. They made away with their haulage of human cargo. What a smooth operation. Wrapped in seamless exercise!

Safe from the prying eyes. The terrorists moved to the second stage fast. They didn’t waste time. They responded swiftly to the rescue attempts. The Sun indicated Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that much:

“Some members of the joint security operation involved in rescue efforts were wounded after suspected terrorists detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted around the Old Oyo National Park, where the victims were reportedly being held.”

Not only that. Makinde was directly quoted: “What we know right now is that seven teachers in all were abducted. And, unfortunately, we got a video this morning that one of the teachers, I understand the Maths teacher, was killed by the terrorists this morning.”

The governor made a startling revelation. It must not be skipped carelessly. Or grossed over. The Sun reported again: “Six suspects were arrested over alleged involvement in logistics and information sharing for the terrorists, while three other persons of interest were being interrogated by security agencies.”

Makinde came in again: “Some of them are believed to be informants or people handling logistics for the terrorists.” That area needs to be seriously worked on. And meticulously scrutinised.

Some throw-ups were pushed out of the Oriire killings. These evil Fulani jihadists are becoming increasingly bolder and brutal. They no longer perform their atrocities under any guise whatsoever. They cherish making a public show of it. That’s why they slaughtered Michael Oyedokun, the abducted Mathematics teacher, the murderous way they did. 

Not under cover anymore. And nothing hidden again. They come raiding faceless. Right in the day. They too need some rest. The reason they come to “work” as early as 9:30 am. To rest later in the night. They have changed the narrative. They do business in the open glare.

Message: They need the cover of darkness no more. But the light of the day; under the sun. We should let that sink. And sit well in our senses.

Suffice to say that all these are bad signs. It signals that the terrorists are kilometres ahead of the war. And we’re losing ground in quick succession. It ought not to be so. In war, you run to the bushes, forests when towns and cities are attacked.

That was aptly demonstrated during the 30-month Nigerian Civil War. Now. Our forests have been taken over. The terrorists have invested in them massively. They are expanding their frontiers to towns and cities.

Don’t be surprised. The volume of trade could be heavier in the forests. Than in the urban areas. Who knows? The naira in circulation may be higher in the forests than in our towns and cities. That’s the level we operate now. Huge pity!

We insist. The military should carry this war to the terrorists in their forest hideouts. You have all the resources and intelligence.

The security team that confronted the Ogbomoso killers deserve commendation. They struck back almost immediately. They did not wait for the beasts to make demands or name their price.

They did well and should not relent. They should not be allowed to kill another abductee.

May the good Lord heal the wounded, preserve the lives of the remaining captives. And console the families of the slain.

The Oriire killing is a mere drop in our wide ocean. Many others go unreported. The odd, sordid audacity of our rulers knows no bounds. Their grit is awkward and ruthless. They are devilish, heartless and diabolical. No better words to coin their strange effrontery and rudeness.

They are not bothered whatever happens to us. So far 2027 happens to them. They still carry on their shenanigans dubbed party primaries. No party is exempted. They face the 2027 project. As if the election is sole solution to our predicaments.

We are internally convinced. This is far and above one-party state. It’s more advanced than that. And it is novel. Very rare to come by. Extremely expensive. It’s the emerging vogue. Election 2027? Strictly one-straight horse race is it!

It is a done deal already. We can smell it even from afar. The stinking odour is oozing out profusely. It’s ugly, hideous and foul is offending our senses. No meaningful election is envisaged. Affirmation is it!

That’s what lies in wait for us in 2027. Don’t say you didn’t hear. You are before warned. Gird your loins accordingly. You will say we said it.

Some lesser minds among them even believe the absurd. That terrorism and its terror will fade away naturally. In fact, they’re sure. It will come to a sudden close. Just two weeks after the elections.

They claim President Tinubu has the magic wand to make that happen. They play him up as a tin-god. We should allow terrorism to fester. Its Waterloo is imminent. So, they claim.

Terrorists and politicians are contesting for our limited space. Each one of them is ferocious. They are horrible and horrid about it. It is their lifetime ambition or nothing. This can only happen in an insane clime like ours.   

Big wonder. If our rulers still have blood flowing in their veins. Imagine! A state as terrorist-infested as Katsina. Where terrorists are in firm control of 24 LGs out of the 34 LGs. Terrorism is the policy in over 60 per cent of the whole state. And they are still counting. Then a governor of that same Katsina State seeks a second term. To do what? We ponder aloud!

They want us to ignore the stark realities starring us in the face. They say we must stop singing the “old” singsong of insecurity. And sing a “new song” of perfect security. 

It amazes and amuses. The manner their forever hailers push out such abominable narratives. Theirs is evil propaganda. Unknowingly de-marketing their common principal. That we should encourage, support these rulers of ours. At all cost.

They detest us complaining. That we shouldn’t have done that. But only support them in whatever they choose to do. Even if it’s nauseating and obnoxious. We should just elect to ignore the dire consequences of their actions and inactions. Very awkward thought process.

You don’t merit our support. You don’t worth it. Work the work given to you if you can. Or take a walk. Walk out of our lives fast. And forever.

Don’t choke us. Allow us to breathe our breath.

Practical approach to curb insecurity

By Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi

“Iwill share an experience with you when I was Director (Department of State Security, DSS) in Bauchi State. Most of you will remember in Azare. A group of terrorists the Boko Haram had invaded Azare. They were shooting in an attempt to kidnap, the community chased them. They killed some members of the community.

“But the community members killed all of them. The last gal, Khalid, climbed unto a tree and was found. The community stood they were resilient. And they killed Khalid. Since that day, there has not been one terrorist attack in Azare.

“As a matter of fact, the former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, said and I quote: ‘If we want to stop or curb this terrorism, we should emulate the Azare example.’

“Tafawa Balewa, also happens to be a local government in Bauchi State that was always in flames. And the people of Bogoro Local Government and some parts of Tafawa Balewa where the Salawa are, rose up on one occasion.

“They knew their terrain better. They climbed unto trees and mountains when the invaders came. They did not only repel them they seized their weapons. Since then, you can attest to it that you hardly heard about Tafawa Balewa again.

“What I am trying to say, the practical approach to mobilise people, is that you have to get everyone involved. You do not expect the Nigerian Army, police, DSS to protect every Nigerian, every community. It is not possible. It’s not going to work.

“How can you create first line of defence? The security agencies are to deal with the bigger ones; the organised ones. But it is impossible for us to deploy to every community in the country.

“We all belong to one community or the other. What we have to start experimenting is how we can make the community to prepare first, the first line of defence wall.

“General (Garba Ayodeji) Wahab (rtd), said it clearly. For me there are three take-aways from his lecture. I am not surprised about his dexterity.

“He asked us a question, what is our own culture? Our culture is communal. We do things together, festival together, ceremonies together. So, why can’t we fight some miscreants, charlatans among us together?

“The community should say you cannot come here. This is what Tafawa Balewa has done. If you go to that community to attack them, you will be sorry for yourself.

“And this is the way we have to do. We have to allow some level of armament for the communities. They can serve as first line of defence.

“Second take-away is old society approach. It is not the first time we are hearing it. But what I am saying, the way to do it. When we leave here, those of us who have some influence, the elites in the society, discuss with your communities. Come to us. Get some form of approval like guidance.

“And this is my intervention. That security starts from you. There’s nothing that is new. There will always be security problems. As long as human beings exist, there will be security problem.

“The issue is the response. We have to take that mentality away. Who apart from a tree, knows that they want to come and cut him and remains standing? Only a tree.

“We have to get communities rise and defend themselves first. A time to start it is now. I come from a village in Ijebuland, Ogun State. And I talk to my people. I know the level of armament they are entitled to.

“I know how they organise themselves in quarters. We have four quarters. I am using my expertise to guide them. You cannot wait for the military to everything.”

•Ajayi is Director General, DSS. Extracts from a video clip.