Several sites exist in Cambodia, where more than a million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge during its rule of the country between 1975 and 1979. They are appropriately named the Cambodian Killing Fields.
An estimated 500,000 thousand and one million Rwandans were eliminated within 100 days. This took place between 7 April and mid-July 1994. It was during a genocidal manslaughter of the Tutsi by members of the Hutu majority in government. It is also appropriately named the Rwandan Genocide.
Boko Haram and the herdsmen are resolute in making Nigeria break the inhumane records of the two countries mentioned above.
Earlier in the week, nineteen people, including two priests, were murdered in a church in Benue state. That was some four days after ten people were killed in the same Benue state. Both killings were thought to have been carried out by herdsmen.
It was also reported that in the same state, men thought to be soldiers destroyed three hundred houses and several farmlands. Many men were injured, too.
A couple of days ago, eleven people were killed when the Benue people rioted because of these and other killings. The Hausa were at the receiving end.
Life in some parts of Northern Nigeria is much worse than that described in the Hobbesian State of Nature as brutish. At least, each man waa able to defend himself to the best of his ability.
Although the military is providing some defence, it is apparent that it is not enough. In any case, the military will only go where it is directed.
While the lethal activities of Boko Haram seemed to have been considerably contained, it still makes some surprise attacks which constitute national embarrassments.
The herdsmen problem is thought to be clandestinely encouraged by Abuja. This is because, beyond the usual ‘medicine after death’ sympathies, the government is not serious about stopping the killings. This is probably because of political reasons.
In any case, Mr Buhari used to be the patron of Miyetti Allah, which is the national organization of Fulani cattle herdsmen.
Cattle rearing is a private business. Businessmen who decide to trade in cattle should, therefore, be saddled with caring for their animals.
In this modern age, herding cattle across the states or along the streets is an uncivilised act. Making cattle graze on farmlands is even worse. It is insensitive.
Yet the cows must eat, and regularly, too.
Have the government and the Miyetti Allah considered the invitation of the Kano state governor to all herdsmen to bring their cattle to the state where all provisions to take care of their animals will be made?
Whatever they decide, we’re calling on citizens to get some training in the defensive art of weaponry. They should then go and procure arms and ammunition.
After doing that, they should register their guns with the appropriate authorities. The mere possession of the means of defending themselves will certainly deter would-be killers.
Anyone who attacks them will certainly be forced into a chicken game. The chicken game may result in three ways: either the attacker or the attacked is killed, or both of them are killed.
The fourth one is that there will be no attacks!
Tan fe ku?
Who wan die?
Meanwhile, the people of Benue should be sleeping with an eye open because of reprisal attacks. The authorities should show they are not culpable by defending Benue state from gunmen.
Turning Nigeria into killing fields should be prevented!!!
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