Nigeria woke up on Monday April 14, 2014 to the shuddering news of a bomb blast at a bus park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja. According to Police reports, at least 71 people are dead and over 124 wounded from the explosion that rocked the densely populated park. Blood curdling images of scattered limbs and blood splattered all over, streamed in from the scene of the attack leaving the entire Nation in shock. Soon after, Nigeria, was trending once again on social media for the wrong reasons as the populace vented their anger at the loss of lives and the worsening security situation in the Country.
One certain fact from all the tragic events of the past months; the senseless murders in the North-East, the slaughter of innocent secondary school students in Yobe State and the regular clashes between villages and Fulani herdsmen, is that the nation is under attack. The regularity of the strikes and the single minded mission to inflict maximum damage is aimed at striking fear in the heart of the Nation. The fragile stability of the Nation is daily buffeted by bad news of wanton killings and destruction of lives and properties.
It was however a welcome sight to see the quick reaction of our Emergency Agencies to save and evacuate those that survived. It was even more reassuring to see Nigerians trooping in their numbers to donate blood to save the Nyanya blast victims.
As the Nation mourns the dead and commiserates with the families of the deceased, the critical question that lingers is, “who really is the enemy?” Could it be the President or the ruling party? Could it be the security apparatus, who have been so ridiculed and accused of incompetence? Could it be the opposition, in a bid to make the Country ungovernable?
Far from it. The enemy we face is much bigger. It is the ideology being drilled into the teeming mass of susceptible and frustrated youth who wander about in the Country, with no hope. While we are busy fighting each other for pecuniary and political gains, the menace has its roots deeply entrenched and has burgeoned into a monster. Little wonder, suicidal acts have become common place, in a Country where such was previously inconceivable.
Our consciousness is daily assaulted by images akin to a Country at war. Realistically, we are indeed at war with the ideology of terror. Every Nigerian must then rise up and be conscripted to counter this menace with a patriotic fervour. It is imperative that we band together, forgetting religious, political and ethnic affiliations, with one mission; to defend Nigeria’s unity and uphold her honour and glory.
While our intelligence services should be properly equipped and the Nation’s security apparatus trained to proactively counter this danger within, we must unite together in this fight. It behoves on every citizen and resident to realise that we are under threat and raise our levels of security awareness.
We must rediscover the fading vestiges of our Nationhood and fan afresh the embers of patriotism. When this becomes a priority, then can we hope to combat the monster that have crept in, unnoticed, in our midst. All hands must be on the deck as we valiantly rise to this call to duty. For therein is our victory over the rampaging machinery of terror that have besieged our dear Nation.
A Nation under attack does not sleep.
You practically put my thoughts on paper. At times I wonder what more the president can do, its obvious that they are close to home, even he may not be able to defend himself. Each day the number of souls buying into this ideology keeps increasing, and corpses keep piling, but this must mean if one can be taught to die for an evil cause, one can also be taught to fight for good, justice, peace and fairness, even if it means dying for it. Ahhhh the Awolowos, the Gowons have all come and gone, indeed the labour of our leaders past shall never be in vain, let’s rise up now, we the youth to defend and uphold our honour. Let’s say no to violence, let’s say enough is enough and most of all Let this charity begin at home. RIP to the dead.
Thanks dear. We must stand as one to resist those whose plan is to bring fear to the populace.
No matter the situation in this nation we can only but say, it’s well. May the soul of the departed rest in peace and grace for the wounded in the hospital.
God will surely rise on behalf of this nation and put to shame the devices of the enemy, whoever they are, grant divine help to our security agencies as we continue to travail. Whatever a man sows, he shall reap.
Amen. Thanks Chy. God Bless Nigeria.
My dear brother inlaw, am yet to come to terms with human nature because on daily basis I keep wondering why an individual can just wake up in the morning with an intent to kill innocent people on the street. If I may ask, how does killing helpless and defenceless people, solve the problem if any that the perpetrators are fighting? I weep for the country because some people play politics with everything. How can any right thinking being just wake up to the tragedy and trivialize this incident by saying that it is an indictment on the present administration, instead of profering solutions to the problem and these are people who are trying to restle the reigns of power from the present administration. My brother I have the feeling that you can combine your job and writing. Keep up the good job and remain blessed.
Thanks Chuka. The security of this Nation is our collective responsibility. It is exciting to see that a security awareness campaign have started in the wake if the attacks.
Fear/terror is a terrible thing to live with and that is exactly what these goons seek to drive into the hearts of the people. It is therefore the responsibility of the good people of this great Nation to counter their strategy. Our own propaganda should be that of faith, of hope and of love. The time for finger pointing is over we all have a role to play, we can win this fight in the place of prayer. My prayer for my country is summarized in the 2nd verse of our National Anthem. God bless Nigeria.
Thanks Ronnie. In the place of prayer, we can change hopeless situations.
Ok Let us pray…
My Broda! God helping us as always….We also need to be more security conscious! May the good Lord continue to guide and protect us all… Amen!
As rightly put by the writer, A Nation under attack does not sleep.
Also, A Nation under attack does not go to dance at political rally a day after her citizens were maimed. one thing is certain, our government can not protect us; we must protect ourself, family and one another. We must stand together in this trying times and overcome this terror and their sponsors.
Wonderful article …. In my opinion we are paying a price for the consequences of glorifying corruption .
Hmmmm…….in all these, this prayer comes to mind; may God give us leaders for our good and not for our destruction. Amen!
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should publish more
on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t speak about such topics.
To the next! Many thanks!!