Terror Attacks: Time For More Vigilance. 

With a recent definitive statement by Kremlin, Russia’s seat of power and government, that country confirmed that a bomb was actually used to bring down its charter jet over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt more than two weeks ago. The horrendous attack killed all 224 people on board. The Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, claimed responsibility for the attack within hours, although it did not provide any proof. But relying on their intelligence networks, both Britain and the United States, almost hours later, established that it was the handiwork of terrorists.
Russia’s pronouncement lays to rest speculations about the cause of the crash. Already, and in under three weeks, ISIS has claimed responsibility for three other catastrophic attacks on civilian targets outside of its normal area of operation. Along with last week’s deadly attacks in Paris and Beirut, a dangerous signal is being sent out by these terrorists as they target soft spots if only to instil fears in the society. Also, an ambulance laced with explosives was parked beside a sports stadium in Germany last week with an intent to inflict massive civilian casualties far away from the group’s perceived territorial base in Iraq and Syria.
These instances raise the stakes on the coordinated efforts and international military campaign against terrorism. Since Boko Haram has aligned itself with the global terror machine, ISIS, we are not unmindful of their copycat proclivities. It cannot be ruled out that their Nigerian counterparts may resort to these kind of underhand tactic by replicating these attacks in the country. Concerned that some of their kingpins and financiers were recently arrested at our airports, there is a need to beef up security around those facilities. The days of allowing stray animals onto our tarmacs should worry those entrusted with aviation management.
While we commend our officers and soldiers for their gallantry in the theatre of war in the North East, they should step up their games as splinter groups smoked out of their cells could stray into civilian settlements to continue their ungodly and cowardly expeditions. The grave implication of the ISIS’ savagery should be matched with ruthless action. Our intelligence community are encouraged to continue with the demystification agenda and counter-terrorism efforts. After six years of mindless killing of over 4,000 innocent civilians, the nation can ill-afford to take chances. There is no gainsaying the fact that activities of the terrorists has wreaked havoc on our collective psyche with its attendant ripple effect on national cohesion and budget.
The three-month deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari is running out and the good job must not be allowed to be rubbished by despondency or even complacency on our part. Terrorists seem to have an inkling of what happens to suspects who surrender and are being screened and de-radicalised. We advise that the challenges of these bombings require raising the ante on intelligence-gathering, inter-agency co-ordination and commitment at the battlefront as other soft targets like markets, stadia, schools, shopping malls can also be vulnerable. Eternal vigilance is of the essence, ju st as sustained offensive, pre-emptive air strikes and routes – blocking by ground troops are necessary to constrict and snuff out the Boko Haram terrorists.