Shekau ‘not in sound mind’ to negotiate

A clinical psychologist at the Centre for Psychological Medicine, Synapse Services, Abuja, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, believes that leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, is “not in a sound frame of mind” to negotiate with the government for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

According to Jinadu, Shekau — from a psychological perspective — is not normal.

“He exhibits symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). People with this disorder see themselves as God, and they have low emotional threshold. They can abuse, or even kill anyone without feeling remorse as long as they think that what they are doing is right,” Jinadu said of the terrorist.

“Again, people with this disorder are charismatic, which explains Shekau’s ability to recruit members through brainwashing. Shekau’s case is simply the case of someone with a narcissistic personality disorder tormenting other people. It is important to note that his own disorder is in the extreme.”

Describing the possible motivation for Shekau’s behaviour in the prism of psychology, the psychologist explained that pride and glory are variables in NPD; and based on those, Shekau could be fighting for nothing but his own assumed glory, which makes negotiation with him difficult.

Jinadu further explained that negotiating with the terrorist group for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls could be an option, but he doubts if Boko Haram would accept the terms, considering that the group is fighting for the vain glory of its leader.

He cited the indiscriminate killings by Boko Haram as examples to show that the group is plainly about the execution of a sick mind, and not an ideology or religion.

The idea that Shekau suffers from an extreme personality problem was corroborated by Mrs Maureen Osuji, another clinical psychologist.

“Shekau’s problem could be that he had a poor upbringing, which coalesced in deviant, anti-social behaviour,” Osuji said.

“But that does not entirely explain his actions, His behaviour could be caused by a combination of various defects.”

Shekau and his Boko Haram have been in the international spotlight since April, following the abduction of more than 200 female pupils of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State.

On Thursday at an event to commemorate the nation’s Democracy Day celebrations, Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna — speaking for the presidency — announced an amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.

But the following day, gunmen believed to be members of the group attacked a travelling delegation of three emirs in Borno State, killing the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idriss Timta, while Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu Askirama, and Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza escaped unhurt.