Mayhem…Nigeria

Death toll arising from what looks like some kind of fanatical spree has risen to about 120, with 356 injuries recorded yesterday in Bauchi, Nigeria. At a time when some serious minds are busy fashioning out a way to outlive the present day reality of economic bailout, climate change and other environmental issues; some hooligans in northern part Nigeria choose to destroy God’s creation.

According to the Police spokes person – Mohammed Barau, the armed gang men represent a group called Boko Haram. This Islamic group, we learn that they're all out to impose Islamic law - sharia on all Nigerians.

Reports have it that, this very group represents the Taliban in Afghanistan, and that they went on an arms raid at a local police station in Bauchi. Following a tip up, the police was able to intercept members of the Islamic sect; but in the shootout that ensues, two uniform men were among the 156 killed. Over 350 were seriously injured. However, one may hiss a sigh of relief following the curfew imposed by the government and the relative calm being witnessed at the moment.

It may be recalled that, early in the year, the US embassy raised an alarm over a possible terrorists’ attacks in Nigeria, even though that didn’t occur, the slight religious crises which we’ve witnessed since the year, and its evident links to terrorists should have sent some powerful warning signal to the authorities concern. But you can trust our leaders who have been deeply engross oil politics, frivolity and 2011 re-election strategy, even if the people they hope to governed are all dead.

In truth Nigerian leaders need to be called to order. More so, the threats of imposition of sharia – Islamic law, has risen to level where human rights questions needs to be asked and the appropriate answer provided. A similar case of harassment, victimization as well as mutilation of innocent Nigerians was reported in Kano, by non-indigenous people. It was actually the spokesman, of Igbo Community resident in Kano that was appealing to his state governor (Theodore Orji of Abia State of Nigeria) to intervene in the matter. This ugly incident was condemned and concerned to be true by Honorable Faruk A. Aliyu, who described it as barbaric and criminal act of human rights violation in the name of Islamic law.

The same violence that crept into the city of Bauchi like harmless spring water has spread to neighboring states – Borno and Yobe, Monday, July 27 2009. Before you know it, the silent one going on in Kano State will escalate to an unbearable genocide.

We understand that,the revolt against the police is all in a bid to secure weapon from the force’s armory, so as to be able to engender or propagate their fight against Western education, which according to them is anti-Islam. The question is who can be holier than God? I think we have Western and Islamic scholars who are vast in all the laws and religion. So now is the time for these set of people to voice out, call those who share in their faith to an enlightened order.

However one fact remains unchanged in the face of all the skirmishes that many innocent souls have fallen victim to. There’s no doubts many people are less concerned because it doesn’t happen within your domain and so it can never be their headache. But if we true fear and respect God, and we’ve true respect and love for human life; then we must all rise up to the challenge of doing our individual beats of ensuring those who live by violence or take delight in propagating evil are either call to order taught a lesson for life.