When Father John Sawicki, PhD, my former professor of political science at Duquesne University, taught me “POSC/IR 407 – Terrorism,” he said something that forever formed my understanding of terrorism: “Terrorists are not stupid people—the stupid ones are those who sacrifice their lives.”

What does that mean? Well, look at it this way: those who lead terrorist organizations have certain objectives, chiefly political, but they can’t get their way through the normal process, so they terrorize the State and its inhabitants to submission if they can (they start making demands; if you accommodate them the first time, they will make more, and their ultimate objective is to decapitate the rule of law, imposing their doctrines, Sharia or what have you, on all).

Now, most leaders of terrorist organizations seek to preserve themselves, feeding pawns (the stupid ones) to their enemies, which is why the leaders of the Taliban currently live in five-star hotels in Qatar, ensuring that if their struggles succeed, they will be there to enjoy their spoils (the stupid ones are blowing themselves up in Kabul and Kandahar).

Did you know that Osama Bin Laden was not killed in the battlefield, for he was killed in a beautiful mansion in the heart of Pakistan? Nothing in life is simple, even the concept of terrorism is complex, but I am not going to explain that to you in this brief post. The stupid terrorists are sent to die for the cause, with the hope of meeting 120 virgins in heaven, but their leaders enjoy porn on earth (when Americans raided Bin Laden’s abode, they found enough porn videos, World People).

The truth is that the State must stand firm against those who might try to destabilize it, using every tool at its discretion to the extent permitted under domestic and international laws. Every group in Nigeria has grievances (trust me), but we must not allow any group to turn our country to Mogadishu or Tripoli; in those places, they live in the “state of nature” (they have no overarching authorities).

Our present condition, however precarious, is way better than conditions in those places. We should continue to demand smart and good governance from our leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, and give no credence to those who are hell-bent on setting the nation ablaze.

No individuals/groups should be allowed to threaten our collective peace, which is currently fragile. Do not let elites use you as pawns to achieve their political objectives. Did I mention to you that domestic terrorism in most illiberal and developing countries are sponsored by aggrieved elites? You can do your research, too.

We the people must rise up against those who are attempting to divide us as a nation. God bless Nigeria! God bless you, too.

I am done pontificating.

Akintunde F. Adeyemo (JD)