Ever since a
daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was murdered in cold
blood by suspected herdsmen on the Ondo-Ore road, the Akure home of the
nonagenarian has been a Mecca of sort for genuine mourners and pretenders who
only want to get photo ops to advertise their feigned compassion.
Understandably, it is not unexpected that
lawmakers, governors and the presidency have taken turns to touch Akure soil in
order to visit the bereaved because of the political connection of
the victim – Mrs Funke Olakunrin. On July 12, 2019, Olakunrin joined the
burgeoning figure of Nigerians dispatched to early graves by the
bloodthirsty fiends on rampage across Nigeria who now seem unstoppable as
they have turned vast swathes of the Nigerian space to killing fields, leaving
citizens in perpetual fear.
Sadly, after the murder Olakunrin, an
unnecessary debate ensued about who her real killers were. But, it must be
stated that whether she was killed by Boko Haram elements, armed
robbers or Fulani herdsmen is inconsequential. What is disturbing is the fact
that another Nigerian has been consumed by the nagging security problems that
currently beset Nigeria. And, on this day, July 22,2019, she will be buried
with tears flowing like a brook from her relatives and well wishers. |
| *Funke Olakunrin |
It is bad enough that Olakunrin was cut
down by fiendish elements whose stock in trade is to unleash weeping, gnashing
of teeth and sorrow on their victims; the death of one’s child at the departure
lounge of one’s life can be depressing having lost a child earlier. This is why
politicising Olakunrin’s death by either the ruling party or the major
opposition party disrespects Olakunrin and the emotions of Pa Fasoranti.
Worthy of note is the fact that no death of a
Nigerian occasioned by the current worsening security situation has attracted tears
or sympathy from those in the power loop in recent times like Olakunrin’s.
While one means no disrespect to the deceased and her family,
ordinary Nigerians have suffered worse fate while men of power just look
away with dry eyes, or even spit on their graves by blaming them for their
death.
On the same Ondo-Ore road where Olakunrin was
shot, people have been killed and kidnapped. One can hardly recall anytime
a delegation from the National Assembly, the Presidency or governors tried to
outdo themselves in a harvest of tears and mourning. If the death of
Olakunrin provokes the same reaction from Nigerian leaders each time
every Nigerian is kidnapped or brutally killed, perhaps we will be half
way to finding peace.
The tears of sympathisers and families of
Funke Olakunrin had not dried when kidnappers abducted the 76-year-old mother
of ex-Super Eagle’s coach, Samson Siasia, only three days after Olakunrin was
murdered. And, just as the family of the septuagenarian were still trying to
come to terms with the ugly reality staring them in the face, Nigeria’s
Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, on top of the agony that has become an
unwanted companion of victims merchants of death and failure of the state,
said the security agencies had successfully tackled Nigeria’s alarming security
situation. Hear him: “All these cries of
insecurity which some groups and individuals are taking it as a political game
I think they should have a rethink because it is no longer the case. Insecurity
has been tamed right now in the northwest; and even in other areas we are doing
so well.” Really?
President Buhari boarded the same caravan a
day after when he said, “those who
politicise the isolated cases of insecurity in Nigeria are not patriotic
Nigerians”. Buhari ‘s reference to “isolated cases of insecurity” in spite
of unremitting kidnapping, banditry and killings across Nigeria is not only
worrying but raises pertinent questions.
What are those around Buhari telling him? Does
he read Nigerian newspapers? Could it be that he is fed with untrue
security reports as posited by former Director General of the
Department of State Services (DSS), Afakriya Gadzama? Was it up to three months
that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said 1071 Nigerians were
killed and 685 kidnapped in four months in crime-related incidences in
2019 alone?
With threats of reprisal attacks
flying in all directions following unceasing violence visited on Nigerians
by suspected Fulani herdsmen, nothing better signposts the grave security
situation we live with. The President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed
forces must first see the entire country as his constituency and ensure he is
truly seen to be for everybody and for nobody to ignite the fading belief in
one Nigeria.
Let’s call a spade by what it is: Nigeria is
not winning the war against insecurity. Those who swore to protect us must
address issues that threaten our unity as a country and security in the most
holistic and purposeful manner. We will lose nothing if we seek help from
advanced countries in the area of deployment of technologies to fight
insecurity. Prioritising good governance, social justice and investing heavily
in social infrastructure will also go a long way.
Beyond the condolence messages from political
actors to the family of Olakunrin as she is being buried today, the biggest
honour she can get after her demise is neither the tears to mourn her nor
the visits to Pa Fasoranti. It is to ensure that we no longer have our hearts
in our mouths when we ply major roads in Nigeria for fear of
being kidnapped or killed and ensure we have a safe country for all.
May the soul of Olakunrin find rest.
*Ladelokun wrote from Ogun State
*Ladelokun wrote from Ogun State
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