Spread the love
The greatest crime on earth is the crime against humanity. It posits an indelible emotional devastations to it’s victim even as the perpetrator does so deliberately.
Barely two months on, that kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello officially declared the state’s readiness to comply with the proposed cattle colony in Nigeria.The state is already enmeshed in uncertainties. Bloodbath trails daily as group of terrorists suspected to be herdsmen turn communities and villages into an epicentre of carnage.
Apparently, while the people of Bassa were trying to recover from the herdsmen attacks, Ogane-Enugwu and Abejukolo, both in Dekina and Omala Local government areas respectively, witness a bloodletting attacks. With Casualties recorded of no fewer than 32 persons dead and several others sustaining high degree of injuries.
Nearly 72 hours later, Ajichekpa, Agbenema, Iyade and Opada villages, all in the same Omala Local government areas encountered another bloodied attacks by the herdsmen. The renewed attacks left no fewer than 10 persons, including a traditional ruler and his wife dead.
The once most peaceful city in Nigeria, is now a war zone as Fulani terrorist percieved it as a formidable territory where they can extend their career. Historically, there is a long standing bond between Fulanis and the indigenous people of Kogi state particularly the Igalas. The two ethnic groups have cohabited since the creation of the state in 1991. As a matter of fact, Fulanis attend community functions such as, marriage, coronation as well as burial ceremony uninvited. More so, the Fulanis bring to the community, cow food (NUNU) in exchange for farm produce like yam, corn and cassava flour. As a result, local disputes were easily settled as farmers go to them (cow owners) to claim compensation in the event of crops destruction. Therefore, rare are instance of killings between Fulanis and the Kogites until of late.
In these regard, it is very imperative to ask; who are behind the incessant killings in Igala land?; Fulanis or separate terrorists?
The answer is simple. Governor Yahaya Bello’s sudden licence to Fulani herdsmen and subsequently, the allocation of 15,000 hectares of land within the state for cattle breeding, brought upon the land, a separate terrorists’ who disguised as Fulani herdsmen to unleach mayhem on the people.
It is also frankly to say that, the sudden invasion of separate terrorists in Igala land clears the paths for CONSPIRACY.
Even the deaf, dumb and the blind is aware of the irrational harvoc terrorists under the disguise of Fulani herdsmen had brought upon the country. In fact, according to the global Terrorism Index (GTI), fulani herders attacks is tagged, the fourth most deadly terror group in the world after Boko Haram, ISIS and Al-shabaab. Thus, it’s expected of Mr Bello, been the chief custodian of the state to have taken into cognisance, the security implications of accepting cattle colony in the state.
But reverse however became the case as the Buhari’s die-hard loyalist (Bello) chose the game of politics over the lives of the citizens. He (GYB) quickly ran to the president as usual to pledge loyalty, amidst controversies and rejections from different quarters in the state.
I cannot claim to know more of Yahaya Bello. But his emergence as the governor of Kogi state actually added a verse in Nigeria’s history of governance since 1999. Being the youngest Nigerian to be appointed governor of a state. I can confidently attest however, base on facts, that his emergence as the governor is simply a ‘promotion above competence.’
Needless to say he assumed office on a platter of gold, or this is the first time a governor will emerge from the minority tribes. But series of maladministration, myopic economic/political strategies in his government has evinced the people to a vicious circle of poverty, hunger, chaos, fear and uncertainty. Perpetrated by non payment of salaries to civil servant, insecurity, unequipped hospitals and epileptic Education. As a matter of fact, no civil servant in Kogi state has received 100% salary since the conclusion of the verification exercise, even as institutions are expecting January salary in match. No tangible infrastructure, yet the clueless governor is bent on scrapping the state assets.
As the people of Dekina and Omala counts their losses on daily basis amidst heavy security present, it is noteworthy to say that IGALAS being the majority had been accommodative enough to have considered the minorities in the number one seat in the state. Unlike the Tivs and Idomas of Benue counterpart. Hence, they do not deserve the ongoing mayhem.
With the end-not-in-sight yet massacre in the land, coupled with our inability to rise in defense. We hope that our land is not taken away from us. The people are devastated emotionally as they cannot reconcile the fact that their father, brother, uncle, children, wife, husband and loved ones are been maimed even before their very eyes.
For the pains, torture, hunger and poverty lingering – LET US HAIL GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO. But may the souls of the departed heroes continue to rest in peace.
– John Paul
07064258752 ; p_john97@yahoo.com
Spread the love
