Yet again today, our ears have been rudely informed of the death of at least 20 Bassa Kwomu’s brutally killed with several houses burnt owing to communal clashes between the Igburra’s and the Bassa Kwomu’s tribes in Bassa Local Government.
The abysmal failure of the APC led State Government in Kogi State to stem this ugly tide especially in the protection of lives and properties which is its primary responsibility and objective as a government is highly regrettable.
It is indeed a surprise and off course instructive to note, that a government that prides and parades itself to have performed optimally well in the areas of security in the state cannot resolve a simple communal clash between two tribes that have ravaged the entire local government of Bassa, since the past two years, with several lives and properties lost with the recent, of 20 persons brutally killed.
This ugly tide may continue as far the Chief Security Officer of the State is absent and missing in action from the state for days, weeks and months adjudicating his responsibilities to a special bred of thugs known as “Sole Administrators” a position alien to democracy and “rules” from the luxury and comfort of his bed in the Nation’s Capital Abuja.
Well, just a tip of advise to a perhaps nonchalant government; that communal clashes from experience cannot be solved by the deployment of security personnel’s alone, although it may calm trouble situations but for a while. It’s solution, is in appealing to the conscience of those directly involved through several peaceful means and direct engagements.
While I urge all involved in this over bearing communal clashes to please sheathe their swords and embrace peace, I would like to emphasis that the development we all seek in Bassa Local Government can only be archived in an atmosphere of peace.
The beauty of Bassa Local Government is in its multi cultural, religious and ethnic diversity.
Violence and killings would only bring destruction but Peace fosters development. Let us strive for development rather than destruction so our children would have a place they can call “home.”
– Sani Idakwo Philips.
