Do bandits eat humans too?

We are in a time defined by tragedies upon tragedies with no sign of help in sight. The sleeping government of the day has several months to vacate office and there are no signs that the next election will usher in leaders that will bring our dear country out of  the vicious circles of violence […]

We are in a time defined by tragedies upon tragedies with no sign of help in sight. The sleeping government of the day has several months to vacate office and there are no signs that the next election will usher in leaders that will bring our dear country out of  the vicious circles of violence and grand debauchery of man by his fellow man.

 I was initially wondering if the bandits that set 42 road passengers ablaze are also cannibals that devour human corpses,   alas, they do not  eat humans and the victims were not roasted or barbecued for food but rather the highest display of man’s monstrosity and an affront on a government in slumber.

Instances of crimes and acts of terrorism of this kind are prevalent in today’s world, however, the difference lies in the responses of leaders and governments of the victims of such inhumanity.

Recently, there was a fatal shooting at Oxford High School, Michigan which claimed the lives of four students and left a teacher injured. Gretchen Whitmer the Governor of Michigan promptly visited the school to honour the deceased and subsequently ordered that flags within the state Capitol Complex and public buildings fly half-staff. This is after he expressed grief, dismay and concerns on his official Twitter handle. The president, Joe Biden, equally responded in a manner that demonstrated the value for lives of citizens by addressing Americans and sharing in their grief  in a way required of a purposeful  commander-in-chief. 

It did not  stop at condolences and expressing concerns, parents of the  offender who were allegedly  complicit in the crime were  arrested and arraigned.  

The above scenario in Michigan is better imagined as our leaders and governments at different levels in Nigeria have a confused notion of responsibility and the lives of citizens never matter. That seems to be the only explanation for the reoccurrence of deadly attacks on citizens and the indifferent attitude of leaders and the government. It is depressing that leaders that took oath to protect lives and properties watch their countrymen lose  their lives in horrific and terrifying  circumstances. I pray our next choice of leaders would not abdicate their primary roles of protecting lives and properties. 

Ahmad Deedat Zakari [email protected]