The Free Nigeria Movement, a pro-democracy organization, has called the deaths in Benue State a national disgrace.
It claimed that the government had failed to fulfill its fundamental duty to ensure the safety and well-being of its people. It bemoaned the seeming insensitivity of Nigerians to the killings and attributed their occurrence to the growing complacency toward confronting fraud and crime.
Dr. Moses Paul, the group’s convener, addressed reporters after today’s strategy meeting. Dr. Paul had previously called for a national day of mourning in memory of the deaths at a press conference in Abuja.
He stated, “What is occurring in Benue is disgraceful.” Sadly, it seems that Nigerians are accustomed to atrocities because of the icy silence.
“Why is there no national outcry?” Even the media has since moved on from the story, the same way they have abandoned Borno, returning only when there are “new” deaths to report the numbers.
But these murders take place every day. Ladies, men, kids, and property are all destroyed, yet there is peace in the nation? They are real people with names, social connections, hopes, and dreams. How could we simply ignore the deaths and let them go on unchecked as if Benue were Nigeria’s slaughterhouse?
Nigerians, according to him, “have lost the ability to demand accountability, a key attribute of democracy,” as a result of politicians weakening our will.
Ogidi urged Nigerians to recommit to the principles of harmony, advancement, unity, and religion that served as the nation’s shield of national cohesion.
“There is no better time to think Nigerian than now.” We must begin to look beyond religion and tribe. What is happening in Benue should affect someone in Enugu like it would affect someone in Sokoto, the Rivers, Abuja, or the Delta. There should be no lines in how we respond to evil. The killings in Benue are evil and must be equally condemned by all Nigerians.”
Ogidi further attributed the lack of response to the deaths in Benue to the culture of indifference among Nigerians.
“I think it’s an emerging behavioral attribute of Nigerians amassed through long years of inept discordant leadership. Somehow, Nigerians have gotten used to not feeling it anymore. Like we have been tortured and traumatized for decades, and our bodies have grown weak to feelings. It’s a huge human tragedy that is playing out here.”
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Jairus Awo
Jairus Awo is a Nigeiran Muiltimedia public interest journalist. He believes in the power of the media as a catalyst to development and societal growth. You can tip him an idea on
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Fri Apr 14 , 2023
A Facebook user, Faith Ote Uchara, who identified herself as an #IgedeFemalewriter, said via a Facebook post that the Igede Community has been without..
Jairus Awo
April 14, 2023
