Agatu massacre: Before the center falls out of place
The recent Agatu slaughter is blamed on “Fulani” herdsmen. However, the characteristic agitations and subsequent escalations of tension between them and famers mostly on account of grazing roots and farmlands appears to be missing in the puzzling scenario. Regardless of the gloomy circumstance that must have led to this carnage, the river of blood is […]
The recent Agatu slaughter is blamed on “Fulani” herdsmen. However, the characteristic agitations and subsequent escalations of tension between them and famers mostly on account of grazing roots and farmlands appears to be missing in the puzzling scenario. Regardless of the gloomy circumstance that must have led to this carnage, the river of blood is unleashed and the soil is soaked with productive, innocent lives loved and appreciated by family and community.
Now the usual “Fulani” herdsmen are being alleged for the gruesome killings. Some even posit that they are Boko Haram killer squad, but the reality however allows seamless speculations as those who witnessed the attacks believe it is completely different from the “usual Fulani” experience in the past.
The twists and turns involved in the narratives of the recent onslaught has the propensity to sway in any direction especially that which points at political motivations rather than the earlier peddled Fulani/farmers clash.
Agatu is one of the 5 LGAs in Idoma land. The local government returned bloc votes for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the concluded Senatorial rerun election. Those who witnessed the attack have alleged they saw the killers with sophisticated weapons deployed against their victims.
The question however is, how significant is the election to the state polity? Is it that significant to the extent that many lives will have to go?
The picture of troops of killers who allegedly came in through the Loko river axis of Nassarawa state on boat who allegedly killed between 200 to 300 people in Akwu village. And a more sophisticated and daring attack was unleashed on Aila and Okokolo villages. It was also alleged that ‘helicopter was supplying ammunitions’ and food items to the executioners. Sounds like a script from a movie?
An observation of the unfolding development places the attackers in different robes, under different shades. First, the speculation was on Fulani herdsmen, then the political angle. Now the question begging for answer is, are the politicians using herdsmen to fuel killings in that place or it’s just a well-crafted coincidence of a killing spree by herdsmen/terrorists?
Agitation among Idoma people of Benue state is growing steadily. Sentiments against the dastardly act continue to spread on social media platforms.
Concerned people are already organizing protests, their message is targeted at the federal government to urgently curb the onslaught. Some are already asking their community to arm themselves, to ward off future attack. The situation is tensed, the octane loaded anger deadly as a recipe for imminent and indeed needless random attack by petrified communities in the affected area is rife.
Based on the growing development, the crisis is already becoming political call. The political coloration is neither here or there. It is however instructive to intimate that it is possible some politicians are giving the incident a twist across party affiliations or some political thugs are working for their pay masters. Either way the twist goes, the motive, the sponsors of the deadly attacks is becoming confusing, yet with looming danger as the people are beginning to overcome fear, and preparing for a counter attack just at any direction that might appear remotely responsible for the senseless carnage.
The puzzle beyond the barrages of blames thrown around is who is really behind the killing spree? If the Fulani are responsible, what then is the remote reason behind their action, if the politicians are responsible, then why is Agatu, the prime target? Now the state government and the federal government must mount headhunt against those responsible for the slaughter.
It is also time to stretch out the dragnet against future occurrence.
Nigerians may recall that terrorism in the country has been hijacked by some devious politicians. They use it either to attain political power or remove their political enemies from power. Using the terror approach has served evil minded politicians a great mileage politically in recent time.
Their gullible recruits are the uneducated class of Nigerians who either serve as their thugs or who can easily be brainwashed to perpetuate the crime.
It is indeed instructive to intimate that Nigerians died in the Northeast on account of politically induced terror strikes. The collateral damage is the innocent community members. The impact of the attacks may be disastrous on the lumpen-proleteriat but interest yielding for politicians who sponsor the spate of devious attacks. Yes those physically present during the killings appears like the Fulani’s (may even be Fulani herdsmen), the problem might just be beyond what the eyes see. The distractions, the pains, the quest for vengeance is looming already.
Unofficial position of the Agatu carnage shows that 20 communities affected, 20,000 people displaced and many innocent lives lost. With analysis in this magnitude, the fear is escalating. According to the words of former American president Franklin D. Roosevelt, “the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance”.
Once again, the need to act fast is now. Government must wade into the matter to unearth those responsible for the carnage. The answer to the inquest might simply not be where they might be persuaded to look at.
Several incidences have proved armchair allegations wrong on terror attacks. The culprits may just be the “unusual suspects”. Their motive is to hold the community bound in fear. They seek to feast on a sickening cloud of fear. It might just be the most modern trend of playing politics in Nigeria. This doesn’t in anyway exonerate the Fulani herdsmen. They need to be “tamed” to prevent sporadic mob action on the innocent, hardworking herdsmen who might receive the weight of a looming backlash.
Ebije writes this piece from Abuja. He can be reached at [email protected] or @ebijeisrael