My heart goes to the families of Sergeant A. M. Linus and his military wife, killed and beheaded by shooters in Imo State. News had it that the couple were murdered on their way to complete the traditional rites of their matrimony. Be it civilian or military; nobody deserves to end that way.
Let me once again use this medium to salute the gallantry of our military and the security apparatuses for their sacrifices towards keeping Nigeria safe. Unfortunately, these military men and women being killed were not part of those that sold the souls of this nation to the devil for selfish reasons.
Be that as it may, I believe we still have so much to do in uniting our highly divided country. In the pursuit of peace, I have always said the use of kinetic power alone by the Government cannot resolve the issues at the base of our division. The use of the military without mediatory pursuit would only succeed in driving people underground, and when they resurrect like a virus, they become more purulent, deadlier, and dastardly.
Therefore, while Government is using its Federal might in the air and on the land, it should please not forget that mediation is perhaps the best process, which could guarantee an engagement process that might lead to the permanent cessation of hostilities across the country.
I also use this medium to appeal to all gun-carrying groups in the nation to disarm and give peace a chance.
Those sponsoring gun battles across the nation should please stop using the youths as cannon fodders. Unfortunately, the children of these sponsors of terror are not on the frontlines. These moneybags cannot sit in the comfort of their cozy rooms and cars and, by proxy, be killing our youths who die in droves daily from the spreading unending violence in the nation.
There is nowhere in the world that violence, killings, and murdering of innocent citizens have brought enduring peace to the people. One may win a war using guns, but the more minor battles that cumulatively make up the bigger war are won on the negotiation table. Without peace, there could be no development. Without development, the masses will continue to be poorer and die of hunger.
We all have huge roles to play to restore sanity to our socio-political spaces. The unknown gunmen are known to their parents, uncles, aunties, brothers, sisters, nieces, spouses, friends, landlords, and they live in communities. Whichever group one belongs, one can play a role in asking them to disarm and engage in negotiation.
The candlelight for the restoration of peace in our country is slowly dimming. We must act fast to prevent what we may all live to regret.
Grace and peace!!!
