Nigeria: Too much blood in the land

To deeply religious and spiritual persons, the sight of blood signposts bad omen. To others, the sight of blood conjures instant fear. It is a sight the lilly livered avoid at all cost.

Blood indeed has religious and spiritual significance. In the Christian Holy book, the Bible, Hosea chapter 6:8 says: “Gilead is a city of them that works iniquity, and is polluted with blood”.

When the first human blood dropped on the ground,  it sent a signal to heaven and made God Almighty to instantly respond to the message through the blood. The scenario Iam painting is anchored on the Bible’s account of spilling Abel’s blood  by Cain, his brother. Abel’s killing by Cain can  be likened to the blood of millions of innocent Nigerians who have been killed in the last 17 years by heartless terrorists- Boko Haram, Armed Fulani bandits, herdsmen, Lakurawa, Ansaru-etc. The cry of the blood of these Nigerians, like the blood of Abel in the Bible, will surely  reached the ears of God and He will unleash His vengeance on the killers.

How do we explain the recent killing in Kwara State where 160 innocent Nigerians were gruesomely massacred leaving  gory scenes and devastated communities.? This unfortunate incident happened on the 3rd of February, 2026 in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state. Some of victims were bound and executed, others burnt alive while pregnant women had their bellies sliced open. The horrendous attack is one of the deadliest terror attacks Nigeria has witnessed in the recent past.

Even former governor of the state and ex President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki  was in tears as he described it as a “national disaster”.

Bloodletting across the country seems unending.Nigerians now see it as part of their daily experience. And no state or region is exempted. Virtually all parts of Nigeria have gory tale of one form of killing or another to tell.

For example, last month in Plateau State, suspected Fulani herdsmen killed a pastor, his daughter and her husband, leaving the couple’s 3-month-old baby with a machete wound. The Christian family was ambushed as they traveled on the Jos-Barkin Ladi highway to a village in Barkin Ladi local government area on January 16. The tragedy was made known in a press statement by the Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).

Annoyingly, in the face of the bloodletting, federal and state governments appear helpless, they appear to have resigned to fate; contended only with the ritual of press statements- “vows” and “condemnations”. Hardly are Nigerians told about the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of the killings. What Nigerians are often told is that the perpetrators are now repentant terrorists or bandits.

In other climes, words are matched with actions when disasters occur. For instance, during his presidency, President Joe Biden cut short his official visit abroad and paid a surprise visit on a Sunday to the site of a mass shooting in Robb elementary school in Uvalde Texas.

Shedding innocent blood means a lot in the spiritual realm, so the same importance or urgency should be invoked when innocent blood of Nigerians is shed. Such incidence should attract the attention of our spiritual and political leaders. If the blood of a man (Cain), as narrated in the Bible,  could halt activities in heaven and attract the attention of God the creator, one therefore expects that each time blood is shed in any part of the country, every activities- business, politics, commerce -there  should be halted in respect and mourning.

It is scandalous that almost 200 innocent Nigerians were murdered in cold blood and the country carried on as if nothing has happened. No lowering of our national flag, no observance one minute silence in memory of the victims.

Government should consider lowering of the Nigerian flag and observance of a minute silence to remember victims of terror attacks a national policy. If victims are security personnels, the trumpet should be sounded thereby attracting every personnel’s attention. Security agencies constitutionally mandated to protect citizens should always be proactive and nip terrorists’ evil plans in the bud. And whenever the terrorists succeed in their terror campaign, the security forces should immediately move into action to remedy the situation and secure vengeance as God wants.

Until we begin to attach great importance to the life of citizens we might not progress as a country. Medically, science has not been able to manufacture human blood and that is why donors are highly respected and are issued certificates. The lives of citizens should therefore be protected at all times.

Even as I write this column, news broke that 20 innocent people were genocidally massacred in Bande, kwande local government of Benue State by Boko haram terrorists.I refuse to believe that the government has no capability to bring to an end these killings which have dainted Nigeria’s image for over 17 years now. Nigerians are appreciative people and will definitely commend the government when their leaders progressively bring to an end what is making them to shed tears.

Today, many families in Nigeria are in tears whenever they remember the blood of their loved ones that were shed by terrorists and bandits.Our prayer is that President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders as well as well as our security chiefs fashion permanent security measures to stop further sheding of  blood of innocent Nigerians.

Security tips

1. Everything in life must come with moderation

2. Avoid night trips. They could be dangerous

3. Avoid any group behaviour that could lead you into trouble. Screen your friends and those you move with.

4. Expose any criminal intent or act so that you don’t become an accomplice or charged with accessory after the fact.

5. Don’t be a party to any offence. Facilitating, propelling, encouraging any commissioning of offence makes you liable under the law.

•By DCP Muyiwa

Congratulations!

Security File  congratulates one of its avid readers,  Lt- Gen Azubike Ihiejirika (Rtd),  former Chief of Army Staff, on his 70th birthday. We wish you more restful years, General!