Callousness of regionalising a national tragedy

may be politicised has been more than realised by the way in which the Christian Association of Nigeria seized what in truth is a national tragedy, mourned across the country – indeed the world – on the ground that many of the kidnap victims are of Christian faith. By this singular act of appropriation, CAN […]

may be politicised has been more than realised by the way in which the Christian Association of Nigeria seized what in truth is a national tragedy, mourned across the country – indeed the world – on the ground that many of the kidnap victims are of Christian faith. By this singular act of appropriation, CAN has sought to shut out other Nigerians genuinely outraged and saddened by the horrendous act.
In releasing the list of student victims of the Chibok abduction, CAN alleged that the incident was premeditated and particularly targeted at Christians who are the majority inhabitants of Chibok. Times without number, CAN has sought to divide attitudes towards the Boko Haram insurgency by claiming that it is plot against Christians. The pronouncements of the group, and its frequent attacks on churches notwithstanding, it is a fact that the brunt of Boko Haram attacks have been borne by Muslims in the affected areas. This fact does not derogate from the suffering of Christian victims but should make the conspiracy theory that much less attractive to those with open minds. The group did not discriminate between adherents of the various religions in earlier attacks on the College of Agriculture, Mamudo, Yobe State and the FGC Bunu- Yadi, also in Yobe state. There is also the observation of less visceral persons that publicity for individual kidnap victims risks stigmatising them for life.
The news of another Boko Haram raid on the town of Gamboru in Borno State has just hit the country; more than 250 people are reportedly killed in that mayhem. Now Gamboru is a predominantly Muslim community, so the majority of the victims will necessarily be Muslims. Should that fact be a source of relief to non-Muslims? Not at all obviously, except for those who measure suffering by the religious affiliation of the victims and seek parity therein.
Then there is the demand that the kidnap victims be paid compensation and awarded university scholarship abroad. It is a strange demand because no such case has been made for victims of previous Boko Haram atrocities to be compensated by government.
CAN’s hyperactivity, in the stance taken by its affiliate the NOCSEF on the Chibok school girls kidnap, is mere grandstanding, unhelpful to the cause, a break from the united front the unfortunate event has engendered among all Nigerians irrespective of faith.

Mohammed Tukur Usman, Kaduna<[email protected]>;