When one of the key commanders of the Eastern Security Network – Ikonso was killed I was surprised at the ease of his killing. I remembered the difficulty the Nigerian Army had in knowing the whereabouts of Boko Haram leaders and how it took the intervention of another terrorist organization to kill Abubakar Shekau after many false attempts and claims. So, it was a surprise to me when I read about the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu. Again, I was perplexed by the ease of his capture just as I was by the killing of his commander. Buhari’s supporters would give the Nigerian intelligence agency kudos for this feat but fail to see the parallel. The parallel is that the full intelligence resource of the nation is brought to bear when certain individuals from a certain region and certain religion are the ones involved. This phenomenon can be better appreciated when you think of the operations of Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, Bandits, and Shiekh Gumi.

When the news recently emerged that Gumi was invited by the DSS for questioning, some of us said this was long overdue. But we were surprised when Gumi calmly told all that, all his moves with bandits are with the full knowledge and collaboration with the Nigerian government and intelligence agencies. You will also recall that the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El Rufai paid terrorists some time ago who perpetrated great evil against Christian communities in Kaduna state. After the grazing ban in the South-West of Nigeria, we saw how the Nigerian Army became bodyguards to Fulani herdsmen in the South-West. This phenomenon did not start today. Across Nigeria, whenever a crime is committed by Fulanis protection from the Federal government is swiftly made available often by the Nigerian Army. Unfortunately, whenever a crime is committed by other groups persecution is carried out swiftly and with all the resources of the Federal government as we can see with Nnamdi Kanu.

Any criminal regardless of ethnicity deserves the full might of the nation. The kid gloving of criminal elements is partly responsible for the total breakdown of law and order in Nigeria. As much as the discrimination of Igbos in the Buhari administration and the age-long marginalization must be addressed, we must also truthfully come to terms with the criminality in IPOB’s approach to secession and self-determination. If you are not troubled by IPOB’s attacks on those who do not support or follow their agenda or order that ranges from sit-at-home orders to the destruction of the properties of those they perceive as traitors, then you will one day see IPOB emerge as an uncontrollable monster led by an individual who has shown unmistakable dictatorial tendencies. This might not be the right time to talk this way because we must all ensure that Nnamdi Kanu gets a fair hearing in court in the coming days. Not because he is a saint or true freedom fighter, but because as crude as he has been, his actions have given momentum to the call for restructuring or the need for Nigeria to cease to exist like Korea ceased to exist years ago if we cannot work as a united people where equity, peace and prosperity reigns.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com