It was a case of tears, sorrows and blood for the nation as the news filtered in that Christian community members at the Bayero University, Kano became casualty of the attacks by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect. What should have ordinarily been a bright day turned black Sunday as invaders laid siege to worshippers, killing and maiming them. Media reports have it that while the mass was ongoing, the attackers allegedly carried guns and other dangerous weapons and shot sporadically, despite appeals by the victims that they should be spared. The attacks took place at the Indoor Sports Hall, where Catholic faithful in the university were observing their Sunday mass, and an open air theatre, where Protestants were worshipping. At the end, over 20 innocent people were reportedly killed, which comprise students and distinguished academics while a few, including a 71-year-old Professor Emmanuel Olofin of the institution's Geography Department, were lucky, to have survived the satanic carnage. It is worrying that in the last couple of months, series of attacks had occurred in various parts of the country, resulting in loss of lives and property.Still on Sunday, Reverend Albert Naga of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, LCC, Simari and three church leaders were reportedly shot dead as they were leaving the church after communion service, in Maiduguri. Unidentified gunmen, using explosives and assorted guns and ammunition also invaded the Potiskum Cattle Market, Potiskum, Yobe State, killing about 10 persons, while a suicide bomber attacked the convoy of the Taraba State Police Commissioner, Mr Mamman Sule, who was on his way to the office. In March, the nation was again thrown into deep mourning when members of Boko Haram sect unleashed terror by bombing St. Finbarr 's Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.This time round, the suicide bombers attacked the church while mass was being celebrated, killing an eight-year-old boy and 10 others, while four persons were reportedly killed in reappraisal attacks in various parts of the Jos metropolis. The attackers were said to have tried to force their way through the church gate but was blocked, making the driver to ram the car into a fence before the bomb exploded. On February 26, worshippers of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) Headquarters, where top public officials usually attend, including the incumbent state Governor, Jonah Jang and former governors Solomon Lar and Joshua Dariye, were victims of terror attacks. Last Christmas Day, series of bomb attacks rocked two churches in Madalla, Niger State and Jos, leading to more than 40 deaths and many injured as another three separate attacks also took place in Yobe State, which left four other people dead. In July, last year, the All Christian Fellowship Church, Suleja, was bombed while in March, the same COCIN was bombed. It was the same sad story when another bomb was reportedly found near the Mountain of Fire and Miracle (MFM) church in the city of Jos, as members of the Special Task Force (STF) detected a bag, carried by a suspected bomber, riding on a motorcycle, when he allegedly threw it on the ground. A worrying dimension was introduced into the whole saga as Boko Haram claimed responsibility for attacking the Fourth Estate of the Realm by bombing the offices of the Sun, ThisDay and the Moment, leaving more than 10 persons. The onslaught on BUK is doleful in a number of ways. First, it happened in the least expected constituency, which is a university. All over the world, universities are meant to be citadels of learning, free from distractions and encumbrances that may impede its primary roles in the society. Therefore, that singular episode is a serious blow to the cherished traditions and dignity of the ivory tower. Secondly, it has shown the serious security lapses prevalent in our country. Universities are supposed to be well protected, taking into consideration, the enormous human and material resources invested there at any given time. It has lent credence to the total collapse in the value system in the sense that the academic culture is design to be insulated from the extraneous underpinnings that could cripple the convivial and conservatism, embodying what a university stands for. Already, the implication will take its toll on members of the university who will now live in perpetual trepidation. Attendance at lectures and other activities will be herculean leading, to tension, suspicion and weariness. It is sad that the nation, on a daily basis is mired in increasing tales of armed robberies, kidnappings and monumental corruption and bombings.Unfortunately, our government appears to be helpless at finding solutions to these problems. The level of insecurity in the land is so alarming that no one knows what could happen at any time! The growing insecurity and instability in the land has spurred many Nigerians to call for the convocation of a national confab, to allow the various segments of the nation to discuss nagging issues that border on its corporate existence. It is widely believed that such conference will help aggrieved parties sheathe their battler of acrimony and settle their misgivings, once and for all. More efforts should be made to apprehend those found sponsoring and backing terrorism. Government should muster the courage and be decisive. The deployment of the carrot-and-stick slant where necessary, is scientific. It may not be far from the truth to submit that the orgies of the nation's violence had reared its ugly head, causing a complexity of social, political, economic and religious differences among ethnic nationalities. Government should, as a matter of urgency, convey a meeting of the National Council of State, to thoroughly discuss the prevailing chancy and dire security situation in the country, and put an end to the lawlessness pervading the country. To begin with, the Police and other security agencies should be well funded and equipped to curtail the growing insecurity in the land. It should be realised that no consequential development can be achieved as long as lip service is paid to the safety of life and property as is presently obtainable.Kupoluyi wrote in from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Click here to read full news..
