The Cause of Boko Haram

The general consensus is that insecurity – terrorism, Kidnapping, armed robbery – is caused by poverty. Every Nigerian agrees with this, except the President, as seen in his interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour. This has made the opposition, and surprisingly, many elite Northerners, to say he’s not in touch with the realities on ground.

How can a President, with multitude of advisors who do, not know the cause of insecurity? I believe he knows, and even knows more. He knows poverty is the cause of the numerous insecurity challenges slowing Nigeria’s development. More than you do, he also knows it goes beyond being smeared in poverty.

Let us say poverty brings about insecurity. What then causes poverty? From all indication, in Nigeria, corruption causes poverty. Refusing to be distracted, I believe the president is in touch with the troubles facing Nigeria. Does he have the answer, that I don't know. Instead, it is the Northern leaders who have chosen to trample the very people they should be ruling.

Every month, the 19 Northern States get federal allocation, but yet the region is described as the most backwards and underdeveloped in Nigeria. What has been happening to the billions of naira given to them? A few elites have been stealing the money and letting the people wallow in poverty. Tired of being poor, the people are now taking to terrorism. Now who is the cause of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria?