Benue’s Incessant Killings, A Country Where Life Has No Value, By Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed

Life is dependent on how much it is valued by individuals or society. Life is only considered important and meaningful in places among people who place value on it.

The value of life should be inherent and universal, every individual’s life has inherent worth and should therefore be respected and valued regardless of any factor[s].

It is disheartening to see that despite the fact that those running the Nigerian government took an oath to protect the people, they have failed to do so because they believe the people’s lives have no value.

Law enforcement officers, on the other hand, always fail to carry out their duty of protecting lives of all citizens. On Saturday, no fewer than 24 people were gruesomely murdered by the disguised terrorists called “unknown gunmen” who invaded the Zaki Akpunna and Diom communities of Mbaterem District in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

These terrorists indiscriminately shot innocent people at close range and set their houses ablaze in a bizarre manner.

Nigeria is facing serious security challenges in terms of criminal and terrorists activities, a situation that is compounded by the obvious lack of intervention from the government and security agencies.

For decades, successive Nigerian governments have consistently proven to be unconcerned about the security of its citizens. Thousands of people were killed in cold blood yet the present government, like the one before it, is clearly unremorseful about the incessant killings in the country.

The Tinubu-led anti-people regime needs to know that every citizen’s life has inherent worth and should be respected and valued regardless of any factors. It is therefore crucial to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society where every life is valued and respected.

The horrific killings that happened in Benue and other parts of the country should be condemned by all sundry.

The violence and destruction in Benue State are deeply disturbing and go against the principles of justice, empathy, and respect for human life. Obviously, such actions cause immense pain and suffering to innocent individuals and communities.

However, since the government has woefully failed in its most important duty to protest us, it is our collective responsibility to condemn acts of violence and work towards creating a safer and just society. This involves addressing the root causes of such crimes, promoting education and awareness, and fostering a culture of empathy, understanding and respect for all citizens.

We need to act fast as concerned citizens and hold the government and security agencies accountable and demand effective measures to tackle crime in our country. This can be done through peaceful advocacy, raising awareness, and actively participating in community initiatives aimed at promoting safety and security.

The Nigerian government has failed its citizens for the umpteenth time. It is unfortunate when citizens feel let down by their own government, especially when it comes to issues of safety, security, and well-being.

People have been marginalised and neglected. Marginalisation and lack of care for certain communities are significant issues that have led to inequality and social unrest.

The Nigerian government as a matter of urgency needs to take action in bringing the perpetrators to justice and prioritise the safety and security of its citizens and hold accountable those who commit acts of violence.

President Bola Tinubu also needs to strengthen our law enforcement agencies, improve their intelligence gathering, and ensure thorough investigations into these crimes, provide support and assistance to the affected communities, including compensation, trauma counselling, healthcare, and rebuilding efforts.