President Muhammadu Buhari has held uncountable number of security meetings with the highest security apparatchik; yet, kidnappers and killers have continued unhindered in their evil campaign. No day ever passes without news of people being abducted, raped or killed, even after hefty ransom had been paid and collected in some cases. The Federal Government appears overwhelmed and only offers same castrated consolation each time such an incident, particularly of a known figure is reported. “We are on top of the situation” has been the usual refrain. With the unbridled massacres of innocent Nigerians on nation’s highways by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, many Nigerians today seem to have lost faith and confidence in government. Although Nigeria is not in a defined war situation, the setting appears war-like. People are wantonly murdered in broad day light. The escalation of insecurity appears to have justified the condemnation that trailed the recent extension of the terms of the Service Chiefs by the President. Many Nigerians had wondered why Abuja would reward failure. They also wondered why President Buhari would go against the popular maxim that reward for good job is more work; why rewarding mediocrity then? If it were in some countries, those who have failed the people, by allowing bandits make a mince meat of people’s lives on a daily basis, should have been fired since. Nigeria’s situation defies every logic.
Last week, news broke that Jeremiah Omolewa, a pastor with Winners’ chapel, Kaduna, was kidnapped alongside his wife and son.
Story had it that after service last Sunday; he had left for an event in Abuja with his wife and son. On their way back, uniformed men stopped them along Abuja/Kaduna Expressway. It was said that he had stopped, thinking they were security personnel as they wore military uniform.
He became curious as they were being ordered into the bush, and he reportedly questioned why they were being taking into the bush. His question riled the kidnappers, who allegedly shot him twice, and then used their knife and butchered his chest in the presence of his wife and son!
The wife and son were being marched into the bush by the hoodlums.
Along the line, the son escaped, but the mother was still in their custody. The young man said that, at the time he escaped, the mother was lying unconscious in the bush as she was hit by a bullet.
Same last week, Eze Chikamnayo, a former commissioner for information, escaped death by a whisker in Enugu when his vehicle was riddled with bullets. According to him, the incident happened before the University Teaching Hospital (UNTH) after Awgu junction.
“Suddenly, this hooded person jumped out of the bush in front of me and started shooting at my car. Before I could make anything out of it another three appeared a bit in front and bullets started flying everywhere. I have been hearing about Fulani herdsmen but what I saw yesterday is better imagined than experienced.
“About one kilometer from there, just before UNTH and NNPC Mega Station was a military checkpoint. I heaved a sigh of relief and slowed down. I told the Army guy what was going on just behind their post. He casually told me that they were aware. That the driver in front of me just told them. I asked him why he was still standing there without making any move to save the vehicles behind, and he just looked at me blankly and waved me on.
“It was then it dawned on me what happened. There were over 20 bullet holes in my front fender. Most of these bullets hit directly at my radiator and other things in front of the engine. The tyres which they were after didn’t get a scratch. There were also two bullet holes on the passenger side of the car, and few others around the booth. Let God be praised!” he said.
