Life is invaluable. There is no amount that will adequately compensate for a life lost. You hear these expressions every time, but in this country, we have had too many experiences, too many incidents of horrendous killings now to believe the life of a Nigerian is still worth a dime.
The atrocious killing episodes recur with a precision that is making someone like me feel it’s either the perpetrators are enjoying some top-level covering or merely taking advantage of negligent security.
Whatever the case, I think it’s our collective humanity that is debased whenever we watch video and see pictures of heaps of corpses of our fellow country folks and children viciously hacked to death as I again saw in pictures of victims of the latest Southern Kaduna killings now trending on social media. Oh, those gory pictures! Even the cattle must not be made to go through such agonizing death.
As usual the finger is pointed at murderous Fulani herdsmen. And the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association said the latest was reprisal attack by alien herdsmen avenging the killing of their kinsmen in the violence, which erupted in the area after the 2011 presidential election. Even if the cattle business is an international trade without boundaries, must aliens breeze into our shores to kill fellow citizens even after the Kaduna State Government was said to have compensated those herdsmen affected by the 2011 crisis.
That Miyetti Allah statement about the attackers being aliens instantly took my mind to the UFO. Yes, the aliens in flying saucers. I just imagine if any will get caught. And how many of those caught in the past have been made to face the wrath of the law? If they are, how much of awareness has the government created, at least to stop the perception that the killings are religious and ethnically motivated?
There have been claims and counter claims about the casualties. Whether 800 people or only one was killed, there is no justification for anyone to take the life of another for whatever reason and to say that some foreigners came in and successfully revenged some 2011 killings should worry all of us.
And for me the most worrisome is the official reactions when these senseless killings recur.
After days of embarrassing silence, which is almost like a tradition now, the Presidency announced that a squadron of mobile policemen would be stationed in Southern Kaduna. Two battalions of the Army would also be set up in the area.
Senate President Bukola Saraki also promised the Senate would investigate the latest killings when the lawmakers return from vacation. This is what you get every time. A rash of official reactions that would yield nothing for the dead and little promise for the living.
The question to ask is what has happened since the murderous herdsmen gangs attacked Southern Kaduna communities in November last year?
When the herdsmen attacked Agatu, Benue State and several other farming communities across four geo-political zones in April last year, the Presidency had issued a statement, saying ending the herdsmen carnage had become a top priority.
“Ending the recent upsurge of attacks on communities by herdsmen reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons is now a priority on the Buhari administration’s agenda for enhanced national security and the Armed Forces and Police have clear instructions to take all necessary action to stop the carnage,” the Presidency had stated.
Now, the security agencies have just been given fresh clear instructions. Need I add that after Boko Haram insurgents, murderous herdsmen take the unenviable second position as killers of Nigerian citizens across the country in the recent past.
Fingers have been pointed at them for being the masterminds of kidnapping and robberies on highways in different parts of the country. Why are the herdsmen still on the rampage? And how long will the killings and maiming of innocent Nigerians continue? It’s up to the government and security agencies to stop these senseless killings at least to show that we live still in a human society and our lives worthy.
Re: 2017: Time to re-examine commitments to citizens
Happy New Year! You made my day all through 2016.Today, you spoke the minds of hapless Nigerians politicians have reduced to slaves in their own land. As one old man put it, “na anti-corruption we go chop? Can’t you see the hole on my neck due to hunger, no pension, no gratuity, yet politicians rub it in, cruising around in ‘tear-rubber’ cars, with rotund cheeks?” We have ourselves to blame. It’s left for those who survive in 2019, if they can. –Tony Enyinta, Isuikwuato.
Well let Nigerians believe that this year will be better one for all to enjoy. l want Nigerians to pray for this government so that they will succeed in taking us out of recession, because if Nigeria is good today, everybody will benefit. Our men of God should prophesy something good for Nigeria. We don’t want negative prophecies. The NASS should fasttrack the budget so that the president will sign it into law for early implementation to end recession in 2017. Agriculture should be priority of the three tiers of government to end food insecurity. My editor, happy New Year, sir.
–Gordon Chika Nnorom.
You continue to remain the voice for the voiceless in this geographical space called Nigeria. You spoke the minds of underprivileged to the power that be this week. Kudos, and happy and prosperous 2017, sir
–Tuoyo Tai.
Abdulfatah, let me first wish you, your family and those dear to your heart a Happy New Year and great achievements in 2017. Your analysis of Buhari, APC’s administration is, in absolute terms, fair and indisputable. But if one places the rights against the wrongs, that government, in performance term, is a disaster to this country thus far. Let us take government’s human right abuses first. On what premise was Shi’iite leader’s incarceration and killing of their members, laid other than the claim of “blocking” military entourage during a procession, as touted by the military men involved. Has Shi’ite been declared internationally as terrorist group to subject its members to inhuman treatments? What does one make of a leader who abuses human rights with levity? I am not a Moslem, like Shi’ite members are, but one wonders why a fellow Moslem in government would subject members of another sect to such inhuman treatment? Only God knows who serves Him and His verdict is final on judgement day.
Another area of inhuman treatment is government’s defence of Fulani herdsmen, wreaking deaths around the country, by stating that they are foreign Fulani herdsmen. Does that give a pass mark to the security arrangement of such a government? Imagine how long Nnamdi Kanu has been deprived of his right to freedom in spite of courts’ decisions in his favour, which are disregarded to date by government with relish! And on economy, go around and hear people talk about what they are going through. You would be shocked to know what people feel about the current administration. Curses all over! Thank God, you offered advice on each of the problems highlighted in your piece. My prayer is that President Buhari would give his measure on Boko Haram to other areas of governance, while his term lasts. May God save Nigeria, Amen. –Lai Ashadele.
My prof, sir Happy New Year. Time to re-examine commitments to citizens. Yes, you may hail the government for suspending the terrorists. Of course, they should because they created. It is my belief that Boko Haram was made for political purpose. So, no big deal there. What do you want to hear from the President that you have not heard since two years now.
We are only waiting for 2019, but better be Jonathan than Jammeh then, as they have no focus. –L O Ihedinihu.