Over the years, we have heard reports about the many that are kidnapped and missing and some being lucky enough to come back to tell jaw dropping tales of their ordeals. In many cases, the choice of victim is determined by the socio-economic group they fall into. However no age group seems to be free as children and adults alike fall victim, and disappear. From cases of the kidnap of wealthy people for money which could be attributed to poverty, to the abduction and sale of young girls and women for sexual slavery to the kidnap of people for ritual purposes. Yes rituals! We call them the occult or ‘juju.’ Reports of different methods devised by kidnappers abound and are heard across Nigeria with many accounts ending negatively, save for the ones where the victim becomes a survivor.
We would have thought that in this modern era of civilization and enlightenment, such acts would be nearing extinction rather than preserving it. The universal declaration of Human Rights, which Nigeria subscribes to, holds that everyone has a right to life, to freedom and security. It also states that Nobody should be held in slavery or subjected to tortuous acts, degrading or inhumane treatment. So our government has a duty to protect every child or rather, every person from such harm. Every life is valuable and should be treated as so.
I have realised that this problem affects a small majority, but with the way the people of Nigeria are connected, it is very likely that every Nigerian has been affected in some way. I mean that Nigerians have been affected by this ordeal through their connection, with six people or less. So basically, one knows someone that knows someone, that knows someone and that person knows someone that has been affected.
I like our African tradition, and while I can't speak the languages fluently, I find our history to be interesting. In the times before the British governed Nigeria, we had the ruling of the king and the priest.
Whatever the priest proclaimed, be it festivals, marriages, war strategies and sacrifices, are done with utmost alacrity. In those times, sacrifices were made, in a number of cases, blood was shed for things that were not understood-- power, fame, peace, wealth and life. The power of the priest was great, as they consulted with many gods. They took weeks and months at a time, staying in seclusion in the forests, to connect with the powers they consult. Coming out of their seclusion with a top up of power and information, which they use to direct the people.
Today, with knowledge at our finger tips, but we refuse to make use of the resources. The Internet, although proven to be a vast sea of information, is not enough for people to search and find answers.
Researchers with PHDs are inadequate for consultation on topics, they have studied for years, so we don't have to reinvent the wheel but move forward. I understand the world is moving fast and we have to catch up. Many of our brothers and sisters have resorted to solving their problems quickly and selfishly through shedding of blood of others as sacrifice. Many, out of greed, others out of cowardice of a life lived in poverty, they take innocent people away in buses, to be sold as body parts.
Please, I beg you President Goodluck Jonathan and other highly placed government officials, please put more money in circulation, don’t let our people be tempted to continue to patronize this evil way of killing their brothers and sisters for money. Be committed and implement programmes to reduce poverty. I beg you on behalf of the Nigerian people.
I remember many years ago I received some brochures from the North Korean Ambassador during a courtesy visit. It stated a policy of late President Kim Il Sung to all children of the country, that all the children were treated as special ‘Kings and Queens of the country. They were special, not only to their parents but the whole nation. Nigerians, let us make similar attempt at doing just that. While government plays its part, let us decide to value the right to life of every person despite their circumstances. Nigerians can be known for greed or cowardice or can be known as a people who care and place value on each other
