We are witnessing another drama in Nigeria, I call it drama because it is going out of proportion and no longer interesting or frightening but it is rather laughable more laughable coming at the same time when abduction took centre stage at the meeting of 19 northern state governors in Kaduna.

What is happening today can only happen in Nigeria but certainly not in a SANER climes.

I wonder how the countries of the world will be looking at us and what they will be saying about us.

The abduction of over 300 students in Zamfara state and killing of others in some parts of the state and the entire north west coming barely ten days after similar incident happened in Niger state, calls for action and not condemnation.

But wait and see the response of our leaders, they will only condemn and at best pay huge sums to the “bandits.” Ordinary Nigerians have no option but to accept this anomaly as a way of life because the situation is helpless and hopeless one.

The federal government over the years has deliberately refused to criminalize bandits and call them terrorists and deal with them as such, rather they are being rewarded, dignified, glorified and polished as victims of circumstances.

That is why some people said, it is better to be a bandit in Nigeria than a peaceful protester or a patriot, oh Nigeria where art thou going?

I am an incurable optimist that Nigeria will one day get better but in a situation where the country is being mortgaged, in a situation where terrorism is being industrialised, in a situation where those who are supposed to take action are not only admiring banditry but honouring it is frightening and despairing.

The situation we have found ourselves in quickly reminds me of the Biblical verse, ” to your tents oh Israel.” Meaning, every one to himself and for himself, a condition of absolute hopelessness because nobody is safe and everyone is vulnerable.

This is the the best time of booming business for Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, his co travellers and the bandits whom he said they are not criminals but victims of circumstances. He has already started making his usual comments about the where about of the 300 “abducted” school girls and nobody to question him about his connection with school children have suddenly become ATM machines for some selected and preferred few.

If it were one Emmanuel or Benjamin that is having direct link with the purported bandits, he would have been arrested and prosecuted long before now, the case of Dr. Obadiah Mailafia readily comes to mind who was almost crucified for saying it as it is.

What a country? Bereft of leaders.

While everyone is a potential victim of kidnapping, I am pleading with members of the national assembly to find out from the executive arm whether there is still a country.

Amb. John Pofi, JP
National Coordinator, Prayer Force Network.

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JANGEBE ABDUCTION; NIGERIA HAS INDUSTRIALISED TERRORISM – AMB. JOHN POFI