By Kayode Emola
Last Sunday, June 5th 2022, the world witnessed yet another wanton killing. This time it was of innocent church worshippers when militia men invaded unsuspecting Owo town in Ondo State. Like so many killings previously, it is all too possible that this one will be swept under the carpet and everyone will move on until the next massacre happens elsewhere.
The question, therefore, must be: what are the security outfits up and down the country doing to protect lives and properties? What is the government – at all levels – doing to protect its citizens?
I have heard many argue that this sort of atrocity is not particular to Nigeria alone, but also occurring in America. However, that line of argument is fundamentally flawed: in America, the perpetrators are either killed on the spot or apprehended and brought to face the full force of the law. Conversely, in Nigeria, the killers cut short the lives of so many and kidnap several others, yet live freely to carry out even worse crimes another day. And many are actually endorsed by the central government, as often the reprobates perpetrating these dastardly acts are Fulani.
We must now tell ourselves the truth. We have watched these sorts of events continuing unabated throughout Nigeria. Now we must rise up and act. Since Buhari was inaugurated, there have been more than a thousand wanton killings in Nigeria, even in his own hometown, yet not a word from the president. This demonstrates the incompetence of the president and the weakness of the Nigerian political structure. The country that is supposed to be the great shining example for Africa has the weakest leading.
It is now time for every individual and community to rise up to protect themselves and their loved ones. Whilst the Owo massacre may be considered an eye-opener, many people remain oblivious to the dangers that lie ahead. I wish I could say that the Owo massacre will be the last of such devastations; however, given that the Fulani are on a mission of conquest, one has no choice but to be prepared.
If pondering how prepared one should be, what level of preparedness in case of an attack ought to be put in place, I offer this: with less than 365 days for Buhari to leave Aso Rock, my opinion is that Nigerians should be on a permanent high alert level 4, meaning attack is imminent. Buhari, knowing that his time is up, may even encourage terrorist activities, in order to ensure that elections do not take place, allowing a state of anarchy to arise.
Undeniably, taking measures to secure our lives and properties is very expensive, particularly if you’re not sure whether an attack will even happen. However, it is wiser to be prepared than to be caught unawares, therefore no reasonable sacrifice to protect lives and property should be considered a waste of time or effort.
I urge communities to set aside funds to secure 24 hours surveillance of their vicinities, as well as to conduct security drills so that people may familiarise themselves with any security protocols being introduced. Communities can set up alert systems that will notify their members and those of neighbouring communities of impending or actual danger. This will ensure that when the criminals encroach, people will be alerted, enabling a manhunt to begin immediately both in the targeted community and in neighbouring towns and villages where the perpetrators may seek to hide.
In any case, all measures implemented will be only temporary, as the security of lives and properties ultimately lies in the hands of the elected government. It is patently evident that the government of Nigeria is failing in its primary duty of protecting lives and property. Fundamentally this will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and will be sooner rather than later.
Nigeria will eventually fall and several nations will emerge to reclaim their sovereignty, with Yoruba Nation among them. This is the only hope for the indigenous people of Nigeria, the only way that effective and accountable leadership can be instituted. If each of us were to pursue this single cause, we would never again have to worry about how to protect our lives and those of our communities.
To those arguing that the president in 2023 will be a Yoruba man, I posit that even this will not make Yorubaland safer. Conversely, it will make Yorubaland even more unsafe because the atrocities that started in a small forest in Sambisa, Bornu State, have now engulfed the entire nation. One cannot hope to partially extinguish a fire, or to put it out by degrees; the only way to put out a fire is to ensure that it is extinguished completely. Nigeria’s fire is burning so high it will even consume those attempting to put it out. It is too far gone to try to change it from the inside. Therefore, the only way for Yoruba to evade this ugly trend is to establish our own independent country outside. Anything short of that will spell doom, not just for us but for our unborn children, as they will have no ancestral land to call home.
