The recent terror attack in Benue State that resulted to an estimated loss of hundreds of lives and millions worth of properties has been utterly condemned by Chief Wise Ibe, Eze Okonko.
While speaking as a guest in a town hall meeting organized by a group of concerned Nigerians in Vienna, Austria, Eze Okonko reiterated the irreparable harm these continuous attacks and killings by terrorists masquerading as herders are causing every community they invade in Nigeria.
In his words, “People have been brutally killed, those alive traumatized, properties destroyed, fear and tension created by these arsonists and murderous herders. The situation has never been so bad like this”.
It is very unfortunate that Nigeria is not at war with any country, but she has more IDP camps than Ukraine. The saddest thing about it all is that the situation degenerates from bad to worse every day. Reacting, Eze Okonko said Nigeria could not continue in this path and “it is high time the wanton killings and destruction of properties stopped”. While he commiserated with families and friends who lost loved ones, he called on all Nigerians of good will to forget their differences and be united in action, and on the government to act decisively. He queried the nationality of the herders we are seeing today, lamented and warned Nigerians.
“How long shall we continue to live in this state of devastation and denial that this group of herders are terrorists? The herders Nigerians knew before were friendly and only used sticks. But these bloodsucking demons now masquerading as herders even use explosives, and no one is exempted from their bullets, arrows and machetes.
“When are we going to forget our ethnic backgrounds, religious differences and political affiliation and call evil by its name evil? In this Armaggedon, these groups – whether Boko haram, herders turned terrorists or bandits – whatever name one decides to call them they mean business of grabbing our lands and no one is save in this battle. We cannot continue to be on the defensive otherwise Nigeria is doomed.
“They have shattered families, gruesomely murdered innocent people in their sleeping homes, and they are aggressively positioning themselves in our forests and bushes. People can no longer go to their farms. Benue people are crying, Ogun State is not different, and the same thing in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Ebonyi, Abia and Kogi States etc. The last massacre and mass burial was in Plateau State, today it is in Benue State, who knows where it will be the next time? Who knows who will be the victim? Enough is enough.
“They successfully carry out their destructions and killings, sometimes even unchallenged in some places for hours. Are they more equipped and professional than the Nigerian military and air force? The primary duty of every government is the protection of lives. Are we protected enough?
“Is the intelligence-gathering of these herders superior to that of the Nigerian militaries? It is time for Nigerian forces to show their expertise and display their strength. We cannot afford to relax anymore. My sincere condolences to all the affected families, and may God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and the dead eternal rest,” Eze Okonko, Chief Wise Ibe said.
Because these murderous groups of herders move with sticks in the daytime controlling their cows, they appear harmless in the eyes of the public, but they are very dangerous. Between sunrise and sunset they spy our environment as herders, meanwhile their weapons are hidden somewhere. When they consider the environment save to vomit their venom, they strike as kidnappers and organ harvesters. In the dark they are rapists, terrorists and arsonists. Whether they are from Niger Republic or Equatorial Guinea etc. it does not make any difference for their mission is the same, to kill, intimidate, chase us away, grab our lands and take control of our ancestral homes.
If Nigerian people do not hearken to the advise of Chief Wise Ibe and act decisively now the Benue slaughter and Plateau State massacre would be child’s play, and Afonga and the Fulani conquest story of Ilorin will be the history of every part of Nigeria. Time will tell.
Eze Okonko, Chief Wise Ibe is a community leader in Austria.
Photo: Eze Okonko, Chief Wise Ibe
Uzoma Ahamefule, a concerned patriotic citizen and a refined African traditionalist, writes from Vienna, Austria.
uzomaah@yahoo.com
