When Fear Becomes a Way of Life

 

It is a deeply disheartening experience when students in schools begin to live under the constant fear that they could become targets of violent criminals who parade themselves as bandits. Education is supposed to offer hope, security, and opportunity, yet many young people now attend school with anxiety hanging over their heads.

What is even more troubling is the growing boldness of these criminal groups. It is no longer enough that they abduct innocent citizens; they now display their victims on camera, issue outrageous demands, and attempt to dictate terms to society. Demands for enormous ransom payments, the release of imprisoned gang leaders, the provision of arms and vehicles, and even calls for the enforcement of religious laws reveal a level of audacity that should alarm every responsible citizen.

If any community desires particular social or religious arrangements, there are constitutional and democratic channels through which such aspirations can be pursued. No armed group hiding in forests has the moral or legal authority to impose its will on millions of people through violence and intimidation.

The situation becomes even more painful when innocent women, children, teachers, and the elderly become victims of unspeakable abuse. Such acts are crimes against humanity and stand condemned by every moral, religious, and cultural tradition worthy of respect.

This menace must not be treated as the burden of government alone. Religious leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and citizens across ethnic and regional divides must speak with one voice against these atrocities. Silence, indifference, or selective outrage only emboldens the perpetrators.

Would the core northerners be ok if a particular ethnicity from southern Nigeria terrorize virtually every other ethnicity of the country? With the courage to cross to their land and commit atrocities? Will the Muslims be pleased and accept that a group of criminals making other religious chants while commiting these crimes are not indeed carrying out a religious cleansing? Now every Muslim is burdened to always explain, do you all think we can continue like this till when? 

Almost all indigenes of various states have either been in clash, or are still in clash with your group and you think it is normal? Will it be ok, when people decide to go into the Ruga in the bush and clinically retaliate like these monsters do to people in their communities?

The path forward requires stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering, community cooperation, swift justice for offenders, and sustained investment in education and economic opportunities. Nigerians of every faith and ethnicity must reject violence unequivocally and defend the dignity of human life.

A nation cannot prosper when fear becomes a way of life. The time for collective action is now.

®Ahmed Salim Jn ✍️ 

#Uloko