Help! We Can’t Breathe In Southern Kaduna

Growing up in Nigeria in the late 1990s and early 2000s was quite interesting. I cherished the peace in the land and often bragged about it. It was not common to hear about violence in Nigeria. More so, it was a myth to hear about suicide bombings in the country.

Regrettably, the peaceful and calm nature of the North has been disturbed by the activities of Islamic sect, Boko haram. Southern Kaduna is the recent target of violence in the North.

From the North, Violence became a National Issue

Umar Farouk Abdulmuttallab got international attention in December 25, 2009 when he attempted to bomb a United States bound plane. It was a rude shock to the nation that a Nigerian would want to take his life.

More so, get others killed in the process, in the name of religion. Since then, suicide bombing gained prominence in the North, especially in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa States.

Boko haram’s kidnapping of over 200 school girls in Chibok community, Borno State in April, 2014 became a topic for international discourse. Consequently, the Islamic terrorist group has committed many more dastardly acts.

Government Intervene, Soldiers Go Down

The previous administration led by former president Goodluck Jonathan helped to combat the sect. With soldiers constantly deployed to the North, sanity restored to an extent.

Nevertheless, the group became more equipped and took their attacks from the church and markets to mosques. Uncontrollable, they became. The present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has also continued in the fight against the bandits.

In spite of the government’s efforts, more challenges became their portion. This was due to the activities of SOME Fulani herdsmen who seemed violent as they grazed from one community to another.

The banditry attacks moved from the North to other states in the nation. Several soldiers have lost their lives in the terrorist attacks so far.

Southern Kaduna is burning

Kaduna State has been in the news over the years for religious intolerance and banditry attacks. It is believed that the major victims of these attacks are the Christians-dominant Southern Kaduna. The killings in that region are becoming unbearable. It is disheartening to say the least.

Daily, the people mourn, either from previous attacks that leave many dead and wounded, or from current attacks. Last Sunday, Southern Kaduna was hit again. So sad!

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The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai, has stated that people should not give the attacks in the state any ethnic or religious tag. In addition, he said criminals are carrying out the attacks. However, the people should not resort to self help. This was because, it may heighten the attack in the communities. He further assured that security operatives have been deployed to the affected communities.

We Can’t Breathe in Southern Kaduna

Nigerian musician, Joel Amadi is one of the many persons affected by the killings in the region. One of the attacks took his father’s life and another family member. We cannot keep quiet and watch our fellow citizens get slaughtered on the slab of political, religious, or selfish reasons.

The United States police murdered a black man, George Floyd, a couple of months ago. He was heard saying, “I can’t breathe,” as one of the policemen rested his knee on his neck. The reason has gathered a lot of international interest. However, the fact remains that George Floyd could not breathe under the condition the policeman placed him. Citizens of the 50 states in the country came out in mass to protest his death.

In the same vein, every Nigerian must lend his or her voice to the plight of others. We must speak up for those who cannot “breathe” properly. Furthermore, we should not allow violence get to our door step before we speak up.

We must rise against the incessant killings in the country. The people of Southern Kaduna cannot “breathe” well. They cannot move about their lawful activities, without fear. The people deserve better however the reason for the killings. As law abiding citizens in this nation, it is all we ask for now.

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