What is a Nigerian’s Life Worth-Opinion
By Kennedy Ikantu Peretei
The Nigerian Security Report, published by Beacon Consulting a security risk and intelligence company run revealed that between January 1 and July 15, 2022, at least 7,222 persons have been killed by gunmen in various shades, whether bandits, terrorists or cultists, and 3,823 individuals kidnapped. While the cases of violent attacks on innocent citizens is a daily occurrence in Nigeria, even those who live in foreign lands have not been spared gruesome deaths, so much so that, one begins to wonder if indeed life of a Nigerian is worth anything going by recent trends.
The Guards’ Brigade, a Unit of the Nigerian Army that is responsible for protection of President Mohammad Buhari was ambushed within the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, leading to the death of eight soldiers including two officers. Shortly before then, terrorists launched coordinated attacks at presidential convoy in Dutsima, Katsina State (home state of the president) and Kuje Maximum prison, also in Abuja, freeing hundreds of inmates majority of whom are Boko Haram terrorists.
In spite of the frightening dimension assumed by the spate of attacks, officials of the Federal Government especially the security operatives and the president failed to rise to the occasion. A situation that prompted some Senators to call for the impeachment of President Buhari. However, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan quickly called for a seven week break of the legislators. There are speculations that, this move was a decoy to avoid the National Assembly from being attacked by terrorists since the entire Federal Capital Territory has been taken over by terrorists.
Whether at home or abroad, Nigerians suffer indiscriminate killing without any response from official quarters. On 27th June, 2022 an armed robbery gang was reported to have killed Michael Echeful on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa. When the Police arrived at scene of the crime, the culprits were nowhere to be found. The Nigerian Community and South African government issued statements about bringing the perpetrators to book. No such criminal has ever been apprehended in the past. It is very sad to note that, Echeful is survived by his wife and three young children.
On Saturday 23rd July, 2022, Chibueze Momah (22) and Tosin Awaroshegbe (25) were murdered in a Nite Club, ATL Lounge in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. Both were University graduates who worked as Security Guards. The young men who travelled to Canada to eke a living for themselves were murdered by gunmen whose identities are unknown. Even in countries that should have capacity through technology or their famed advancement to track such criminals failed to do so. These crimes are not followed up. Friends of the deceased had to mobilise funds to convey their remains to the families in Nigeria. How cheap can death be?
The list of Nigerians hacked to death in foreign lands is endless. George Okwudili Nkencho, 27 years old was killed by Irish Police on Wednesday, 30th December, 2020.
In August, 2021, Noel Njoku, 48 who worked at DoorDash was shot multiple times inside his vehicle while on duty in Mitchellville, Maryland, USA. He left behind his wife and three teenage children. With these series of deaths, it is apparent that, a Nigerian government that is unable to protect her citizens at home is not likely to do anything in furtherance of the interest of those who live in foreign countries. A country with Nigeria’s size and endowment in terms of human and natural resources should not suffer this kind of brutality and ignominy quietly in this manner.
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission under the leadership of Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa through interface with most Nigerian Communities in Diaspora report these cases but nothing happens thereafter. Nigerian Missions abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should not create the impression that, they are helpless in the circumstances. There is no doubt, the attitude of the Nigerian government makes the country a laughing stock in the comity of nations.
In recent times, in order to escape the harsh economic conditions in the country, many Nigerian youths emigrate to different parts of the world, especially Europe and America. Those unable to secure visas through approved channels resort to high level risk trying to pass through different transit routes like passing through Libya to Italy through the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea. While a negligible number are able to make it to Europe, majority get trapped and stranded in places like Algeria, Morocco for months or even for years. Some lose their lives in the course of these trips.
There have been reported cases of young girls lured into prostitution in some parts of Asia and Europe who on arrival are treated in the most inhuman conditions. Those behind the trade in human cargo have established cartel, sometimes with connivance with security agencies and government officials at International Airports. Some survivors of this brutality have lost their humanity and have become wreaks in the society. How cheap can a human life be?
From all indications, if present level of poverty, deprivation and youth un-employment is not urgently addressed by the Muhammad Buhari administration, it will be difficult to halt the exodus of Nigerian youths to foreign lands, not because they are sure of greener pastures but just to escape the hardship at home. At the last count more than 800 Nigerians are on death roll in various prisons in some Asian countries for drug related offences. As much as one is not making a case for criminality, if there were opportunities in Nigeria for these youths, there would not have been any compelling reason for them to travel abroad to be killed so cheaply.
