By Taofiq Azeez
Two years ago, I observed that Anarchy was looming and that it was going to take an embarrassingly tragic dimensions.
I refused to accept that I was proved right by the#endsars protest because it was so easily explainable as hunger-assisted-covid19- lockdown-fuelled crises.
The separatist agitation and the popular support that accompanied it across three geo-political zones in the country jiggled a reconsideration in me though I joined many Nigerians to live in denial.
Now comes the new boldness of all forms of banditry infilterating the nerves of the nation. This brings the truth to the alter for a wedlock with the facts. Whether we call them terrorists or separatists; militants or cultists; Yahoo boys (and girls) or 419ers; killer herdsmen or Boko Haram, bandits are bandits and the fundamental string that ties them to an umbilical cord is violence.
Bandits of all shades have pervaded the Nigerian street, roads, rails, forests and now homes. As if to prove the points to Government, they attacked military institutions, the railways and the supposed “Ivory Towers.”
This week’s war-like, robbery and kidnapping (also known as banditry) at the staff quarters of the University of Abuja is a confirmation of the much denied security alerts that the nation’s capital is under siege as it is surrounded by bandits.
I’m not pained because of the trauma the families of my colleagues are currently going through, I’m pained that we are going to react the same way we have always reacted and get the same result that has always strengthened, empowered and, therefore, emboldened the criminals amongst us. I’m sad that bandits invaded a university on the airport road and opposite a formidable military formation in the nation’s capital. They operated for hours unhindered and only for the security agents to come in much later to harass the innocent residents.
I’m sad that a cleric advocates for the bandits and insists on amnesty for them. I’m sad that some traditional rulers and bishops called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. But I’m devastated that the President hardly mentions bandits by their names and never refers to them as major perpetrators of insecurity. These are indicators of anarchy from the three branches of the tree of Leadership. The traditional, religious and political leadership of the country now seem to have and own their own special bandits that are untouchable. This is anarchy from the top.
Anarchy is here finally.
Anarchy is not just the banditry across the nation. Anarchy is the traditional, spiritual and political supports that account for the impunity with which Bandits operate across the nation.
Anarchy is when Government ignores the repugnant and pungent separatist agitation and violence that goes with it leading to heightened insecurity across the nation and goes ahead to prosecute an election in Anambra as if the lives of our people depend on it.
Anarchy is when
Nigerians are groaning under the heavy burden of irresponsible governance and the politicians are preparing for 2023 election.
Anarchy is when those who have been helpful in getting us to this tragic state still want to go back to continue the tyranny.
Anarchy is the tyranny which makes Government know everything about us while we know nothing about Government.
Anarchy is here.
Way out is a Government of National Unity that will deregulate Democracy to give Nigerians a Government elected by the religious and traditional rulers without requiring a dime from our tax.
If and when they become bandits, Nigerians will know which God to involve in our affairs.
