 Published
August 28th, 2011
With one side of my body leaning on the
window side of a commercial bus, my eyes scanned through as
our bus moved on a snail speed, a usual Monday morning
traffic. I could read the slogan of different states on each
car moving on the other lane that of Borno state’s acronym
quickly caught my attention; “Borno, the Home of Peace”. Off
course, with the recent happenings in the state, it sounded
so ironical, if not crazy. As if to buttress this irony, the
voice of Ayo Olowole of Hot 98.3 Fm echoed through my ear
piece as he tabled the topic of Boko Haram and Borno state
on the People’s Assembly-a platform where people air their
objective view towards the growth of our young democracy. My
ears were intent to hear if any peaceful news could come out
of the state, but instead he read out the many bombings and
killings that have taken place in that state in recent
times; 6th of June, a bomb explosion in St. Patrick’s church
Dadal, killing scores including children and women. 26th
June, the state witnessed the launching of several
unprecedented multiple bomb explosions in Maiduguri, killing
26 and injured 30. 27th June, another explosion claimed 25
lives and dozens were wounded. The Boko Haram sect and
residents of Maiduguri have equally got a generous dose of
the JTF fire power. Saturday July 19, took the life of Adamu
Abdullahi, an employee of the university of Maiduguri staff
secondary school. July 10th, an improvised explosive device
killed 2 soldiers and injured several others in kareli, jere
local government area and when the soldiers retaliated and
descended on the community that same night. It was alleged
that scores of youths were shot and killed. On 12th July,
more than three bombs exploded in different locations in the
state killing scores of people. And on the 16th July, the
state experienced another bombing in bulumkutu Maiduguri.
There was another on the 19th of July aimed at JTF patrol
van at about 7:40pm.
The attack left 3 JTF men seriously
wounded. Maiduguri banks have not been spared as several
attacks have been carried out in FBN, bank PHB and Unity
banks, carted away millions of naira and killed some
customers and staff in the process….. It was even so
terrifying to my ears as my heart giggled in an undulating
manner, if he had continued maybe the person sitting close
to me would have heard the sound of my heartbeat. How I wish
my co-passengers knew the picture of the drama playing
inside of me. Hmmm…this home is in no small measure in
pieces! The piece was felt here in Abuja on the 16th of
June, 2011 at the police headquarters killing two and
destroyed 73 cars by the bombs detonated by the suicide
bomber, it happened to be the day I passed out from NYSC. A
thick cloud of panic was cast over kubwa NYSC camp as the
news quickly spread round the camp; some weak ones abandoned
their discharge certificate as they perceived that the crowd
of Ajuwires and their visitors might be a perfect target.
All those that planned their party in town quickly resorted
to staying back in the camp or somewhere in kubwa. But it
all ended there at the force police headquarters. What a bad
day for the NPF Chief!
Back to the home of peace, where are their chiefs? The
elders of the land? Their government? In Igbo land where I
come from, our people used to say that “an elder cannot be
at home and the rope will strangle the goat in the pen –
Never!” At least they should have been somewhere with a
solution before the Big father (FG) comes in. why wouldn’t
this issue of National Security matter to us than some
issues that have heated up the polity lately. Is it that we
don’t value life? But some will ask, what is this killings
and bombing all about? Is still not clear to most Nigerians,
even to the writer. The Niger-Delta’s had a clear and
understanding agitation. What is your agitation boko haram?
If it is good governance as claimed, why haven’t every
Nigerian joined because we all yearn for the same thing.
Whatever it is, I believe there’s no reason enough to
justify this bombing and killings. If there’s any sense in
your cause, then unmask yourselves and be bold to meet the
appropriate authority. We all know that dialogue is the only
key to meaningful co-existence. So why not give it a try
instead of progressing in error.
My worry is, if they should succeed in bombing and wiping
out the entire Borno state, which state will be next?
Secondly, how and where do they acquire all this bombs? What
is the source of financing? Do they have sponsors? Where is
their base? Can’t they be apprehended? Instead all I hear is
that they are recruiting, on the internet I heard. Gosh!
What a waste of manpower. Don’t think the recruitment
wouldn’t be patronized, the country’s situation even makes
it more encouraging, and at least the unemployed is left
with an option. How pathetic! Is this how we intend to
promote our image? Is this how we can get there by 2020?
There’s no better time to match “Enough is enough” with more
serious actions if not now. If the energy exerted on this
single tenure can be shifted to solving this National
crisis, better it will be for all of us. I really don’t want
to see the slogan on Borno state as irony again, that home
must have peace. They wouldn’t consider another home;
Anambra, which is “the home for all” even though we can
accommodate them, it is not a better solace.
Okafor Chidi is an Abuja based applicant and can be reached
through this e-mail; tenderpatok@yahoo.com |
