By Emeagi Emeka Williams
Re – pushing the narrative of Edo state born Sumaina Abdulrasaq and his brush with banditry in 2024, only sparks reminiscence of the orgy of insecurity in Nigeria.
The fading yet indelible sobriquet of the destruction of lives and property that shattered his once fledgling socio economic growth greatly pronounce volumes about the extent of advancement insecurity has achieved in a country where govt has only put up a feeble fight against a hydra headed enemy, perhaps due to complicity.
That gory 26th day of June, in Birnin Gwari local govt. Kaduna state, bandits struck and tore innocent citizens in shreds, leaving a once peaceful and thriving community in disarray.
In the words of Late music legend of Nigeria, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, they left tears, sorrow and blood in the aftermath of their sanguinary visit to an unprotected people.
Sumaina, like many others that included his wife, did not only get kidnapped, he lost one of his children in the 2 – day attack.
His inter state business which made him carry goods from the north to the Niger Delta and vice versa collapsed in spite of the lethal devastation he suffered.
His miraculous escape from the den of the bandits , and his fortunate move to a foreign clime remains a huge departure from misery, fear and a precarious living, as is the case of countless Nigerians , who have had to dwell in a nation blessed with abundant human and natural resources but are plagued by wanton lack due to an inexplicable dearth of governance.
As several Nigerians keep licking wounds from the bloodletting terrific bandits who are largely believed to be violent Fulani herders or terrorists, the question on the lips of Nigerians and observers alike is – how many more would have to die or flee for safety like Sumaina, before govt will contain this evil?
When would Nigeria’s leaders declare real state of emergency on insecurity, so as to meaningfully contain the beasts against the souls of Nigerians?
No doubt, people like Sumaina who escaped death by the whiskers, and had to seek refuge and life in the western world would have stayed if there was a meaningful “counter terror” response by the Nigerian security agents .
But how would they stay , when such an action amounts to signing their own death warrants?
This is especially as the emboldened rampaging killers even adorn in military and police uniforms, targeting and killing not just armless citizens, but also well armed, trained security personnel, and it just seems like the authorities are arm twisted or complicit.
A late Nigerian junta leader, Gen. Sanni Abacha once said, that if terrorism lasts beyond 3 months in a given sovereignty , the govt knows about it.
