Agony. Bleak. Tears. In Ayo Fayose’s verbal rendition, Nigeria is in “severe pain”; pains that continue to wreck destruction on her. Nigeria’s neck is strained, insecurity is gruesomely kneeling on her.
Gory scenes, teary pictures, terrifying videos, as though they were from the Rwanda genocide or a war scene. Alas, they were from St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. Agents of doom struck yet again in a ‘mass killing’, this time, not in the core North nor in the South East, but in Owo – a city that literally translates as ‘honour’. Owo was dishonoured by stony-hearted criminals. The Honour of Owo was relegated; the sanctity of a worship place was baited. Eleyi tun kawa laya – this is confounding!
‘Mass murder’ has gripped many Nigerian states; but in the South West, Ondo State is just one among the few cauldrons. This latest and dreadful attack seems to open a new page of ‘mass murder’ in the Yorubaland.
Obviously, this dreary attack hits differently; that hues and cries have poured from all orifices of the country; but my mind keeps telling me these emotions will fade in a few days and it’ll all end up in prayers while we get back to our usual activities as though nothing had happened. Then BOOM, we get struck again – God forbid. Such is the vicious circle of Nigerians’ actions towards boiling issues, which has not helped our bad situations over the years.
Delving into the colossal failure of the federal government would only waste time further. We would only continue to plead that human feelings run through those at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs, at least. South West governors should hearken towards the insecurity that’s brewing in the region. ACTIONS, NOT EMOTIONS should be on top gear.
The Amotekun, since its inception, has done commendably well; but more drastic actions need to be in place. Lest these brewing mass killings in Yorubaland boomerang into full insecurity like the other regions’. We rebuke that more bloodshed follows the Igangan and Owo’s.
The perpetrators should be apprehended by all means, regardless of the tribe or group they represent. Ogulutu wọn – their payback – should be that they are treated with a taste of their bad medicine. They should be sent to God with immediate effect; for only He can accommodate them; we can’t afford to do that here. Nigeria is already sitting on a powder keg. Nowhere is safe. It’s all doom here! Oh Lord, do not forsake us, for we brought these upon ourselves.
Hashim Yussuf Amao wrote from Ibadan
