Jonas Odocha
Human sanity and sincerity of purpose must be predicated on actions and reactions to events and circumstances. It is therefore noteworthy that laughter and tears, sadness and joy, silence and voice, all act as safety valves of human sanity. In safety management therefore, it is admonished to speak up when one encounters unsafe acts or unsafe conditions to prevent harm or injury. In the same manner, as security ensures elimination of risks to loss of life and physical assets, conventional wisdom dictates that voice must accompany threats to life and property.
In Nigeria today insecurity has assumed unprecedented dimensions that we must not play the ostrich but speak up to tackle the root causes, since you cannot conquer what you fail to or cannot confront. Sincerity is the watchword. Today the Southeast region of Nigeria, particularly Imo State, is in the news with regard to insecurity. The decade-long Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, the banditry and kidnapping associated with illegal gold mining in the Northwest and the heinous crimes of Fulani herdsmen in the North-central and areas of the South; all these have suddenly taken a convenient back seat. But the news on Channels TV 8pm and 10pm broadcast, Tuesday June 15, 2021; depicting a large number of northern youths, apprehended in Benue State, headed to Imo State, aware of the nebulous situation there, must call for serious interrogation by the Imo State government, the Federal government and the Security agencies.
How were these youths organized and by whom, for this clandestine journey to “security-troubled” Imo State? Who provided them with all the motorcycles, as they claim to wish to begin “Okada business” in the State? Who are stationed there to receive them, and where is the rendezvous, since this wouldn’t have been a “blind date.” It is germane that the Governor of Imo State should assure the people that he has their security concerns as top priority in the face of current happenings in the state.
It is indeed mind-boggling that when States are grappling with the menace of herdsmen invasion of farmlands and the attendant atrocities, that this type of northern youth invasion can be contemplated. But one must not fail to read the body language and utterances of the government at the centre. The Southern governors’ rejection of archaic open grazing for cattle ranching was mischievously regarded as rejecting spare parts trade in the north. The veiled target audience is of course well known. Again their reference to constitutional freedom of movement and the usage of age-old grazing routes must come to all as ingrained mindset on this vexatious invasion of farmlands and territories. He who wears the shoe knows best where it pinches.
SILENCE CAN NO LONGER BE GOLDEN!!!
