Insecurity: Constant vigilance

The ongoing fight against insecurity caused by the Boko Haram extremist group can be likened to a chronic disease that calls for a powerful molecule to obtain the expected results.

Incidentally, the current mobilisation both by the defence forces and the general public appears to be paying off. Yet, like any hardened condition, the response must be hard enough to meet the level of resistance.

Understandably, the dawn of every attack has been followed by an intensification of vigilance seen through a flurry of activities to minimise further damage and possibly ensure that no such destruction occurs again. Such a mobilisation has been evident with the start of the new school year as well.

Luckily, most, if not all, Cameroonians have understood and accepted the systematic security checks that are put in place to avoid infiltration of bad guys into public places that are likely targets for attacks by the suicide bombers who have so far killed and maimed several people in the Far-North Region of the country.

However, reports of transport agencies in the economic capital, Douala having returned to their usual way of operating do not reflect the general concern that people should remain vigilant about the security threats posed by the extremists. The general mobilisation witnessed during the first days of the resumption of classes this academic year must not be a measure required for a few days. It has to be permanent.

The fact that Cameroonians are witnessing such terrorist strife resulting from religious extremism for the first time can certainly explain what some see as lapses in the resolve by all the citizens and even the defence forces in tackling threats posed by the dreaded enemy. The source of their strength may be a strong mindset but those carrying out such devilish acts also need food, fuel, finances and other daily needs order to survive.

Thus, it is important that even the man on the street should feel as sufficiently committed in the fight to eradicate Boko Haram as the army if the solution must be within a short term. This means providing vital information to the right quarters for the appropriate decision to be taken. It also implies that the information provided by the public should be judiciously managed to build enough confidence in those not directly concerned by security reinforcement such that they can be more useful to the defence forces whenever need be.

In the past, some uniformed personnel took undue advantage of adverse situations to either extort money from poorly informed citizens or fail in their duties to the nation. But following the terrorist attacks in the northern parts of the country, the language of alertness and commitment has dominated the national psyche to the extent that the enemy is bound to think twice before attempting any attack.

No one can be categorical about the combat-readiness of the entire country and especially the defence forces on a permanent basis given the drawn-out nature of the conflict, but the usual watchfulness witnessed after every incident caused by the extremists could be the best way out of any surprises given that such enemies hardly go to sleep. Their modus operandi seems to be that they wait for when those directly involved stay quiet to surprisingly carry out attacks in a chosen locality and run back to hiding hoping that another occasion will present itself to attack again.

In such a situation, it becomes imperative never to relent in any effort to dissuade all attempts at the lives of peaceful citizens in the country, no matter where. The daring posture often presented by the militant group is indicative of their uncompromising determination to push ahead with their nefarious agenda.

Such an attitude can only call for greater resolve from all good-minded Cameroonians to get the country out of such a quagmire. Any lull that would give the enemy time to regroup and rebuild their strategy must be discouraged so that the process to eradicate Boko Haram should yield positive fruits within a shorter period of time.

Members of the sect have often acted as people who operate on a daily basis with the rest of the population, knowing when to cause havoc and escape on time to their hidden positions.

While the situation could also suggest that the terrorists are often well informed of the level of vigilance and when best to perpetrate attacks, it equally implies that the high awareness being created throughout the country must be maintained to ensure that the whole country can continue to live in peace and prosperity.

Religious intolerance has never been part of the collective wellbeing of the population and it is not now that so much has been envisaged across the country that such destructive forces can be allowed to settle. Schools, markets, places of worship and other public gatherings have proven to be attractive for the terrorists and calls for permanent vigilance to be ensured around such locations, perhaps throughout, even if it is difficult to say when the attacks will end.