Enugu massacre and JNI’s denials

More condemnations from well-meaning Nigerians have continued to trail the barbaric act of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen virtually in all parts of the country.

The gory details of attacks unleashed by the Fulani herdsmen according to one commentator is one too many. Come to think of it, what happened in Enugu of late shows that some part of the country still habour a genocidal motive many years after genocidal civil war and should not be politicized as seen in some quarters. The fact remains that lives were lost which is very condemnable. No matter what propaganda some powerful interest groups want to play, justice must not only be done but seen to have been done.

An organisation led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, recently described as “absurd” and “unfortunate” the widespread insinuation that Fulani herdsmen are responsible for the attacks on villagers in Benue, Enugu, Nasarawa and other parts of the country.   The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), a coalition of several Islamic groups in Nigeria, stated this recently.

The statement by the Sultan group which alleged that it was a fight between warring factions in Enugu State is totally unacceptable and taken with a pinch of salt. It is only meant to divert attention from the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Any right thinking fellow who condones such should be treated with odium.

Carrying of sophisticated weapons in whatever guise without authorisation from the appropriate quarters is invitation to anarchy. Only security operatives are entitled to carry arms. What happened in Enugu as it has been decried by the Presidency, members of the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly, including some religious leaders who have called for the prosecution of the perpetrators must be not be treated with levity or politicised but we must ensure that the perpetrators are dealt with.

Justice should not be thrown to the wind to allow them go scot-free or to allow the evil doers go unpunished.  Shedding of human blood in the country seems to be a way of life due to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities. The blood of the slain is always crying for justice and the God of Justice surely recompenses.

It is time well-meaning Nigerians know that evil that affects one affects all. If the Fulani herdsmen Enugu massacre is not punished, it puts the life of every Nigeria in danger.