SIR: Gory scenes, teary pictures, terrifying videos; as though they were from the Rwanda Genocide or Civil War; alas, they were from St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State where agents of doom struck killing scores.
This latest and dreadful attack seems to open a new page of mass murder in the Yorubaland, especially coming just 365 days after similar incident perpetrated in Igangan of Oyo State by killer pastoralists.
In distressing times when emotions naturally becloud the senses, reality should have its way. Every tribe has bad eggs who perpetrate vile acts. Regardless of who the Owo Catholic Church mass killing are, the question remains: Would Igangan and Owo ‘mass killings’ be among the many to hit Yorubaland if swift and strict measures are not adopted?
Obviously, this dreary attack hits differently; that hues and cries have poured from all orifices of the country; but my mind keeps telling me these emotions will fade in a few days and it’ll all end up in prayers while we get back to our usual activities as though nothing had happened. Then boom, we get struck again – God forbid. Such is the vicious circle of Nigerians’ actions towards boiling issues, which has not helped our bad situations over the years.
Delving into the colossal failure of the federal government would only waste time further; we can’t wait to see this administration go already. We would only continue to plead that human feelings run through those at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs, at least. Southwest governors should respond firmly to the insecurity that’s brewing in the region. Actions, not emotions should be on top gear. The Amotekun, since its inception, has done commendably well; but more drastic actions need to be in place, lest these brewing mass killings in Yorubaland boomerang into full insecurity like the other regions. We rebuke that more bloodshed follows the Igangan and Owo’s.
The perpetrators should be apprehended by all means, regardless of the tribe or group they represent. Their payback – should be that they are treated with a taste of their bad medicine. They should be sent back to God for only He can accommodate them. We can’t afford to do that here. Nigeria is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder. Nowhere is safe. It’s all doom here!
- Hashim Yussuf Amao,
Ibadan, Oyo State.