Prof Sen: "How did Maitatsine end and Boko Haram cannot end?" -

Director-General, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Yima Sen says Boko Haram’s continued existence 11 years down the line smacks of a conspiracy.

Sen was part of the think-tank in the President Shehu Shagari administration when the Maitatsine Uprisings hit in Kano in December 1980.

At least 5,000 persons died in the uprisings which were eventually quelled by the Army.

The social scientist said that like the Maitatsine Uprisings which shook Northern Nigeria in the 80s but was eventually quelled, Boko Haram should not be a problem.

He noted that the fact that Boko Haram lasted this long despite the Nigerian Army’s efforts suggested there was a conspiracy behind it.

Sen spoke to Sunday Sun while speaking on insecurity in the country.

“This issue of insecurity, let’s look at the first major threat of insurgency during the Maitatsine crisis under President Shehu Shagari.

“Maitatsine operated in the Kano area, but do you hear about Maitatsine again today?

“So, how did Maitatsine end and Boko Haram cannot end? Is somebody investing in Boko Haram? Is there a vested interest in Boko Haram?

“Are you saying that the Nigerian Army, which has been excellent from the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone wars etc, cannot quash an insurgency?

“Even me as an academic can tell you what the problem is from when it started.

“For us in the social sciences, we deal with causality, we deal with cause to effect, so if you are able to track cause to effect, then you can also proffer solution.

“So, it’s a scientific method of identifying the problem, tracking it, and finding a solution to them. Are you telling me that in Nigeria, we do not have the capacity to do that?”