By Ayomide Oriade
It is no longer news that developed countries of the world such as the U.S, U.K, Canada, China and others are lending their helping hands to Nigeria in the fight against the enemy within called Boko Haram. Yes, our girls need to be brought back and our government seems to have no idea on how to go about the rescue mission, hence the need to welcome kind gestures from all quarters.
But before we get carried away by the influx of good Samaritans and their seemingly irresistible gesture, I wish to suggest that the Nigerian government should clearly spell out the limit or extent to which this foreign intervention against Boko Haram can go.
Wikileaks two days ago released a report which traced the nurture and finance of the deadly Boko Haram sect to the American CIA. The reports provided by Wikileaks identified the US embassy in Nigeria as a forward operating base for wide and far reaching acts of subversion against Nigeria which include but not limited to eavesdropping on Nigerian government communication, financial espionage on leading Nigerians, support and funding of subversive groups and insurgents, sponsoring of divisive propaganda among the disparate groups of Nigeria and the use of visa blackmail to induce and coerce high ranking Nigerians into acting in favour of US interests.
While the veracity of the claim is not being sought by the Nigerian government and other relevant agencies, it would be illogical to discard it as a total lie given the feat of Julian Assange and what he has been able to expose in the past few years through Wikileaks.
If Nigeria cannot totally buy the claim of Wikileaks, we at least have vivid examples of the devastating effect of foreign intervention against insurgency in Pakistan, Yemen, and Afghanistan. It has not only led to the death of innocent citizens and children, but has further destabilized these countries.
While we must commend the international community for their help, we must tread the part of caution in order not to compromise our territorial integrity, authority and nationhood.
