From Boko Haram to herdsmen

Nigeria navigates from one problem to the other. It has been problems and problems everywhere. There is tension and high level of insecurity in the country. Nigerians are precariously sitting on a keg of gun powder which stands the risk of exploding at anytime if precautionary measures are not taken. Problems are chasing Nigerians from every side; hunger, joblessness, kidnapping, educational decadence, ritualism, high level of corruption (which President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to fight to infinity) and a host of others too numerous to mention.

We do not specifically bother much about the incessant attacks of Boko Haram anymore, even though they still exist and unleash mayhem on their victims. In most cases, we pretend not to worry over their nefarious activities.

After all, do we have a choice other than to keep mute? We have been told to “say something if we see something”. In another development, when we say something if we actually see something, they count it as “hate speech”. What a paradox?  What a country we are? What a race? Nigeria we hail thee. What has been the positive outcome of all that have been said on the radio and television? Do we have commensurate reactions to many things that have been written in the newspapers and magazines? Nothing and absolutely nothing positive has resulted in all that have been mentioned in the various social media.

In retrospect, efforts have been made over the years to stop the activities of Boko Haram without considerable success. Many of our gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police as well as some other security agents have met their waterloo when engaging the notorious Boko Haram in gun battles. Are we saying that our gallant force men are not gallant enough to suppress the gorilla fighters or our men are ill-equipped? Whatever may be the case, the combined force comprises of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the special policemen should be loaded with sophisticated ammunition in order to achieve a formidable goal. We have heard on different occasions that the Boko Haram group has been degraded. Meanwhile, let us keep this issue at abeyance.

My greatest worry about Nigeria today is the issue of ubiquitous Fulani cattle herdsmen. They are virtually in every nooks and crannies of the federation: in the north, the South, the East and the West. You will find them in all the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, killing and maiming fellow Nigerians with reckless abandon. The recent massive killings in Benue state allegedly orchestrated by the herdsmen speak volumes and still very fresh in the mind of many people. We have also heard of killings masterminded by the herdsmen at various parts of the Eastern Nigeria.

Fellow Nigerians, let us see this piece as a clarion call to all stakeholders to pursue peace with their suggestions that might bring lasting solution to the problems of insecurity in the country. Men and women at the top political echelon of this country should tread with caution and jettison every spirit of nepotism and tribalism when tackling the issue of herdsmen. In spite of the tensed situation in our present day Nigeria, let everyone continue to uphold the faithfulness, loyalty and honesty to the leadership of our great country. Nigeria shall turn around for the better.

Daniel E. Ejodamen

Lagos

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