“Repression can be counterproductive” (Cronin 141). More violence leads to more violence, and we all know BH is very capable of carnage and not afraid to instill fear.
“The state’s use of overwhelming, indiscriminate, or disproportionate force has been a common answer to terrorism, frequently bringing with it enormous costs” (Cronin 115). Such as “high resource and opportunity costs” (Cronin 144).
Because of the Nigerian military’s human rights record people do not trust them, plus they lack modern equipment, training and motivation.
Statement of Lauren Ploch Blanchard Specialist in African Affairs Congressional Research Service
So far, it has looked pretty bleak. Nigerian forces are undersupplied, poorly trained (especially in guerilla tactics used by BH), and mostly unsupported by locals. Furthermore, nine Nigerian generals and a number of senior officers were under investigation (in May of 2014) for selling arms to BH. There has even been suspicions of soldiers colluding with the insurgents to coordinate attacks. Even former President Goodluck Jonathan once said Boko Haram had infiltrated his government, which explains how some secret information on military movements is allegedly leaked to the insurgents.
New military equipment for nigerians
In September 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan got approval from the Senate to secure a $1 billion external loan to procure military hardware.
Deutsche Welle (DW, Germany’s International press) correspondent Ben Shemang says Nigeria’s military now has sophisticated fighter helicopters, fighter jets and equipments for intelligence gathering and surveillance. “The army seems to have discovered new zeal, new equipment, making this a new fight.”
multi-national joint task force (MNJTF)
Neighboring support system for Nigerian forces: Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin. The downside: MNJTF soldiers will only operate between the outskirts of Niger’s Diffa border town, and the towns of Baga and Ngala in Nigeria.
In other words, the regional force’s main task will be to secure the Nigerian side of Lake Chad, which represents “only 10 to 15% of the entire area where Boko Haram operates”, according to a diplomat based in the region, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
April 22, 2015: Nigeria begins Sambisa ground offensive
This area is the last place left to re-take from BH and is possibly where the Chibok girls are being held. As Goodluck Jonathan has been criticized for not doing enough, he vows to crush the group before he turns over the reigns to Buhari in late May.
new president buhari has a fresh plan for boko haram
Unlike Goodluck Jonathan, he does not characterize BH as part of the newest target in the international war on terrorism–he does not believe it is the responsibility of foreign actors.
“…The answer to defeating Boko Haram begins and ends with Nigeria.”
Buhari welcomes military training by the United States and insists on better coordination between Chad and Niger. He intends to deploy more troops from other parts of the country “…where for too long they have been used by successive governments to quell dissent.”
Buhari understands the nature of extremism and why terrorist organizations is often seen as a better option. So far, he has mentioned the alternative he plans to offer: education.
“If you are starving and young and in search of answers as to why your life is so difficult, fundamentalism can be alluring….” Boko Haram offers “impressionable young people money and the promise of food, while the group’s mentors twist their minds with fanaticism.”
Sources:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/07/nigeria-boko-haram-2014715134917429857.html
http://www.dw.de/nigeria-turns-the-tide-against-boko-haram/a-18321501
http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2015/04/new-nigerian-president-buhari-has-new-plan-taking-boko-haram/110395/