A renowned security expert, Dr Bawa Abdullahi Wase, has faulted some reports credited to the United States security agencies that there is similarity between Al-Qaida, Somalia’s Al-Shabaab and Nigeria’s Boko Haram sect, which has been bombing several northen parts of the country.
The security expert further argued that explosives traced to attacks allegedly carried out by the Boko Haram sect were mainly improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In a special interview with BBC Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna, Dr Wase tried to differentiate the groups based of their weapon use.
“Boko Haram is using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and that is what all the findings reveal, though we are awaiting that of the UN bombings. Even on the guns being used, they mostly kill policemen and collect their AK 47.
“This is what we know; and if the Americans think they have any other intelligence, let them prove it and partner with Nigerian agencies so that we can overcome this security challenge.”
While explaining other threats to national security, the expert added: “The minister in charge of youth recently said that there are over 68 million educated youths who are unemployed. If you critically look at this, it is also a security threat because if you have able bodied and educated youths who are not working, it is a security threat.
“Secondly, the Fire Service, for instance, is not effective. When you alert them, they will say they have no operational vehicles or there is no water?”
He expressed concern at the worsening security situation in the country and said that only responsible national leadership in the country could address the problem.
“Every year, we witness the huge amounts being pumped into the security sector, and there is nothing to show for it except that security chiefs are growing big pot bellies,” he noted.