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The Yuletide, another nomenclature for the Christmas and New Year season, is around the corner. Everyone, especially Christians all over the world look forward to it with joy every year. December 1st heralds preparations for the Yuletide. It is a season of celebration and expections. December 25th is the icing on the cake. That day, billions of Christians around the world mark the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Christian Holy Book, the Bible.Note that in some countries, Christmas is also widely celebrated as a secular family holiday.
As a season of expectations, it is within the Yuletide period that school children look forward to receiving gifts from their schools, parents, uncles, Aunts and other family members. It is also the period when deserving workers are rewarded with promotions or other incentives just as recently witnessed in the Armed Forces.
Sadly however, since 2009, Nigerians have not had a fantastic celebration of the season. The simple reason is because A man called Mallam Mohammed Yusuf gave birth to a monster named Boko Haram which has today produced many terro- offshoots such as Fulani bandits, ISWAP, Lakurawa, Ansaru, JNIM among others. Boko Haram and its affiliates and offshoots have consistently troubled the peace of Nigeria for 16 years leaving Nigerians, security forces and the government with what I will like to describe as long nights of perpetual darkness, including depriving them of crime- free, terror- free festive seasons such as Sallah and Christmas celebrations.
Nigerians are today afraid of road travels to their towns and villages to join loved ones in festive celebrations. This is at best a chaotic situation that fits the sobriquet, “things fall apart” as Professor Chinua Achebe illustrated in his iconic book, Things Fall Apart.
Indeed, things are rapidly falling apart in Nigeria security wise. Nigerians can no longer travel round their country by road without being kidnapped by heavily armed non- state actors- most of the time, Fulani bandits- and herded into dense forests and bushes like prisoners of war. Nigerians no longer sleep with their two eyes closed. No where is safe. Even Abuja, the symbol of our unity, is no longer safe. Gunmen and bandits on missions to rob and kill have infiltrated the city. As Christmas and new year approache, the question that tugs at hearts is: Will this spiraling insecurity allow for a peaceful, enjoyable festivities? And now, let me pointedly inquire from Mr President, the Commander- In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, about our fate this Yuletide. Mr President, will Nigerians celebrate this year’s Yuletide? Will insecurity allow us celebrate the 2025 Yuletide? What security measures are you putting in place to guarantee safety of lives and property of Nigerians during the Yuletide? What assurances are you giving us?
The President is ensconced in the comfort, opulence and safety of Aso Rock and may not be fully in the know of the pulse of the nation, so, through this column, I’m formally letting Mr. President know that octane insecurity has robbed Nigerians of the joy and happiness of festive seasons, they no longer look forward to such happy seasons or festivities nor are they enthusiastic about them anymore.
Attacks by terrorists have also seriously affected food production which in turn has led to scarcity and high cost of agricultural products.Farmlands have been invaded, crops destroyed and farmers kidnapped and humongous ransoms placed on their heads in exchange for freedom.
Many hitherto serene and peaceful countrysides, villages and rural and agrarian communities are now at the mercy of the marauding terrorists. Many of such villages and communities have been decimated, many of their male population killed and women turned into widows and children fatherless.
Alarmingly, the terrorists’ new and additional fancy is attacks on schools and churches. Kidnapping of children and Christian worshippers are now the order of the day for these sons of pigs. According to records,more than 300 children and staff were kidnapped by Fulani bandits from a Catholic school St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state recently.The abduction came on the heels of a similar attack and abduction at a Girls’ Secondary in Kebbi state where 24 students were taken. However, the abducted school girls were released by their abductors a few days later.
Security analysts argue that a combined figure of students abducted in the recent times has surpassed the 276 school girls abducted by Boko Haram during the infamous Chibok school mass abduction in 2014.
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In the past weeks, the terrorists have been beaming a search light on churches with ferocious attacks, killings of worshippers and kidnappings. Kwara state appears to the base of the terror group with attacks on churches as a speciality. In one of such attacks last month two worshippers and 38 others abducted were kidnapped at CAC church in Eruku, Kwara state. The abdutees have however since been released.
Meanhile, apparently to demonstrate to Nigerians and the world that he was unsettled by the Niger and Kebbi school kidnaps, President Tinubu thoughtfully postponed his foreign trips – including the G20 summit in South Africa.
But come to think of it, was there a social contract between Mr President and Nigerians? Yes. There was.The contract was sealed on February 25, 2023 when Nigerians elected him as their President. Protection of lives and property of Nigerians was one of the highpoints of the contract. And has the President kept faith? I dare say that that there is no straight forward answer to this question.I however, make bold to state that firm promises of securing Nigeria from the clutches of insecurity featured prominently in Tinubu’s campaign promises.
For the record: The constitution the President swore to defend and uphold mandated him to secure and protect every Nigerian irrespective of religion and tribe. As the Yuletide season approaches, Nigerians are curious as to whether the President will live up to that aspect of his oath of office. That explains why Nigerians are also asking him the questions I asked him at the beginning of this column.Nigerians are asking Mr President if they can go ahead to plan for their Yuletide celebration. They want to know if they will not be exposed to danger of kidnappers if they organize festive celebrations? Will they not be attacked in the market places? Will they not be attacked if they troop to religious centres?
The rising insecurity is fuelling anger as well as fear in Nigeria, with the citizens demanding stronger action to protect children and communities.
Again, the question on every lip is, Mr President, will Nigerians celebrate the Yuletide?.
Congratulations!
Security file wishes to congratulate all the officers and men of the police,Army, Airforce and Navy who were recently promoted to their new ranks. Security File expresses gratitude to God on their behalf. As we celebrate their new ranks, Security File prays they continue to contribute their quota towards securing the nation.
Congratulations!!!
