Punch Newspapers Sections Published 30 April 2021 “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State. I am confirming that they have hosted their flags here, if care is not taken even Abuja is not safe; we have been saying this for long. All our efforts have been in vain” Abu-Bakr Sanni Bello, Governor of Niger State, The PUNCH, Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Judging from the opening quote in which the Governor of Niger State, Abu-Bakr Sanni Bello, raised the public alert that the dreaded Boko Haram has occupied several communities in the state, it is barely possible for anyone to play the ostrich anymore. For those who may not know, Niger State is contiguous to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, a mere two hours’ drive away. One does not have to be an expert in military strategy to grasp the ominous implication of this recent triumph of the sect and its positioning right beside the nation’s heartbeat. This perhaps explains the raw upbeat mood of the National Assembly when it met on Wednesday with Senator Opeyemi Bamidele exclaiming that, “I do not believe that the nation’s President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is aware of what is going on.”