In Nigeria of today, tragedy, violence and deaths have become almost a daily occurrence. It has reached a point that people no longer care about the rate and number of deaths. Many may choose to shut out the news about insecurity in order to safeguard their sanity.
The emergence of social media and the instant documentation of these crimes do not make it easy for many people who are unable to absorb such constant social and mental shock.
Human life is becoming meaningless. The people’s safety is squarely in their hands. There is no hope for government’s protection of life and property. It is now a time for one to look over one’s shoulders in fear of being a victim of the unknown gunmen, bandits, herdsmen, arsonists and other criminals that are not operating under any group identifier. Self-defence has become attractive as weapons are in the hands of many people and as such lead to more insecurity.
Just last weekend, in the church, at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, another tragedy that took the lives of many congregants took place. Amidst the wailing and sadness it brought upon the community, state, Catholic faithful and the country, a plethora of condolence messages dominated the media. There were many condemnations of the violence, there were many prayers for the repose of the death and many condolences. Yet, in this election season, some politicians used the opportunity to score a point. The chief among the messages was an assurance that those behind the dastardly act will be brought to book.
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“I mourn the victims of the heinous killing of worshippers yesterday at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, Owo Kingdom, in Ondo State…, we will ensure that these evil perpetrators are found and brought to Justice.” President Buhari said in a statement.
The assurance of the victims getting justice often assuages the pain and soothes the victims but the issue is that a lot of times, there are no books that these criminals are brought to.
While the citizens wait for the criminals to be brought to book, another incident will occur and there goes the continued assurance of bringing the criminals to book. This has become a merry-go-round.
Many criminals have evaded the book and I dare ask; where is the book?
For the past seven years, if we have to limit our attention to the Buhari administration, many people keep wondering where these criminals have been kept. Have they been arrested or have there been no arrests made? Violence and deaths have taken a toll on the people who not only worry about food security but have kept one eye open in their sleep.
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The commentary after each major tragedy has become more cosmetic than real. It seems to serve as a political tool where people now monitor which leader commented and what the leader said. These leaders release these messages of assurance where there is nothing on line to be done to tackle the insecurity head-on to avoid a repeat. Yet, another incident will occur.
The ‘bring them to book’ has become more trivialised than a concrete assurance from the government who pass down the can and head off to the other business of the day.
If these criminals are seriously brought to book, there will be little to low crimes and insecurity will be reduced to a greater rate. When there is no justice, crime thrives and as such, people will continue to live in fear.
The government should be serious to get justice for the victims of these various crimes that take place across Nigeria, if they are truly serious in fighting crimes.