By Sani Adamu Hassan
The gruesome massacre of over 25 Muslim travellers earlier Saturday around Rukuba area, in Plateau state is quiet disheartening. The victims who were returning home after attending a special Jumma’at Dhirk and prayers for peace in Nigeria held in Bauchi state met their timely death in the hands of Irigwe youth in Plateau State.
The victims came from states like Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti and other southern part of the country to attend the prayers not knowing that this was going to be the last journey in their lives.
It is worrisome and pathetic in this country the way innocent soul are being killed everyday both in the name of thnicity or religion.
Despite the fact that Nigeria’s constitution has provided the right to free movement, this right is not guaranteed because of the recent happenings, and it is very unfortunate that government cannot provide adequate security for innocent citizens traveling to other part of the country peacefully.
In few years back, such incident has happen around that area where hoodlums came out in mass with weapons and attack innocent people just because of the Ethnic difference and communal clashes. Also General Alkali was attacked and killed on his way to Bauchi on the same route, but government could not fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.
Why always Fulani or Muslim travellers, if you want to fight your enemy, you should go and confront them and fight for what you referred to as your right, but just because you are selfish, you will come and attack innocent people and you think you are above the law, ‘enough is enough.
We the Northerners are tired of this atrocities and continuous condemnation from the Federal and state governments. Whenever such things happen, the government will come out in just a mere statement, condemn the incident and symphatize with the victims without taking any action.
I am sure if government take a serious action against anyone found guilty, this will help in tackling the issue and will also help in bringing peace in the country.
At this point, government should stand-up to it’s responsibility by protecting the life and property of the citizen, also to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Let’s the government talk to them in the languaget they understand.
Government must prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors. We pray for Allah to forgive the short comings of the deceased, make them amongst the “Shuhada” , and also give their families and love once the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Comr. Sani Adamu Hassan writes from the Dept of Mass Communication, ATAPOLY Bauchi.
Adamusanihassan4@gmail.com
