One of President Buhari’s promises during his campaign was to restore peace and maximum security to Nigeria, something that was key in his successful election as his predecessor was unable to contain the insecurity challenges facing the nation.
However, the insecurity in the country seem to be getting worse despite FG’s technical defeat of Boko Haram.
It has gotten to the point where Northerners worry about Boko Haram while people of the South stay awake because of Fulani herdsmen, and the federal government seem rather confused. The gory images created by these Fulani herdsmen in Benue and Lagos states are still fresh in our memories, and they are not ready to stop there.
Few days ago, it was widely reported in print and electronic media that these terrorists masquerading as herdsmen settled in Ugwunesi, somewhere in Agwu local government area of Enugu state without permission from anybody, used their cattle to destroy their hosts’ source of livelihood, raped the women of the village, amongst other atrocities they committed.
This coming at the back of similar reports of barbarism perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen somewhere in Nsukka, Enugu State leaves one wondering what the security in the state is like. Where is the military that suppressed the Biafran agitations with bullets?Where is the police?
Should their impact be felt only on the road where they extort money from commercial bus drivers? Sadly, the government said nothing even as this has been going on for long. When the youths of the host community reportedly wanted to act, uniformed men swooped in, arrested and dumped 76 of them (the youths) in prison.
The state government said nothing still. The military and police reportedly denied knowing the whereabouts of the abducted youths. Is this not going to be another version of Chibok girls?
Can’t we safely say that the herdsmen are on a mission? What if they are in solidarity with their “misguided brothers” up North – Book Haram?
It is true that Nigeria has always been a sword and that Igbos are always on it’s edge. But what baffles most is that before now, the Enugu state governor who was busy following every sound of the gong that led to cultural festivals, is nowhere to be found now that his subjects are being hunted on same fields where they danced together.
Not even his voice is heard. The governor should wake up. Drive them away completely from the state if it’s the only way to stop them. The villagers cannot stop people who walk in broad daylight with arrows and bows, machetes, and most fearsomely, AK47 riffles. We can’t always be waiting for them to hit before we start thinking of how to hit back.
The best way to cure a mad dog is to get rid of it before it gets rid of you. Who says we can’t survive without their beef when pork is still a gold mine down here?
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Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija
Ewo Chidiebere, a poet and writer, has the hunger of changing the people and things around him.
