The recent kidnap, release, and press release of the Methodist Prelate of Nigeria is a wake-up call for Nigerians who are still lukewarm about what is happening in Nigeria. I don’t believe there is any Nigerian within or outside Nigeria, who has not suffered directly or indirectly from the insecurity in Nigeria. But before we talk about this seemingly provocative topic, let me acknowledge the reasons why you might have chosen not to even think deeply about the Fulani Herdsmen phenomenon. One of the major reasons for your avoidance can be traced to the times we live in. We are in a time where you can easily be called racists if you say anything critical about Blacks regardless of its truthfulness. In this same era, you can suffer untold sanctions if you are seen as homophobic. The highly organized and funded LBGTQ+ community can come against you with weapons that even Putin will be impressed with. Talking about Islam in many parts of the world is equivalent to blasphemy and a death sentence. So, I somewhat understand if you have chosen to be an introvert in a time where introversion on burning issues should be a sin.

It took the Nigerian media years to add Fulani to herdsmen because of the consequences they perceived would greet them if they tell the truth. Many celebrated Nigerian journalists are afraid to write anything that mentions Fulani negatively because of the same perceived retributions. News organizations across Nigeria have even left the task of writing about Fulanis to columnists who are not members of staff. When the likes of Nnamdi Kanu and Femi Fani-Kayode in the past mentioned and wrote about the activities of Fulanis, their writeups and statements were dismissed as rants from discredited charlatans. So, when the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Kanu-Uche narrated his experience in the den of those who kidnapped him, the doubts of the remaining doubting Thomases evaporated. The head of the Methodist Church in Nigeria had among other claims, asserted that soldiers, who were stationed at Lokpa Junction along Umuneochi and Isikwuato Local Government Councils of Abia State were indifferent to the kidnap incident. If the members of the church had not contributed N100 million for payment of the ransom demanded by the kidnappers, the Prelate would have been added to the list of Priests who have died in captivity.

The Prelate identified the kidnappers as Fulani herdsmen. He had also claimed that the kidnappers were going behind soldiers at the checkpoint, who were also of Fulani extraction without any action from the soldiers. These revelations are not revelations. The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, who now lives in Ilado Village in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, also gave similar narratives when he was kidnapped in September 2015. I guess you are wondering how we got to this place when the Commander-In-Chief is a retired general and the most powerful monarch in northern Nigeria is also a retired Army general. We got here because of the fear and compromise of our leaders with the connivance of all of us who have refused to say or do anything to protect ourselves, our family, and our community. The likes of Tinubu, Ngige, and Amaechi are ready to sell their birthright for a bowl of pottage that was prepared by resources from their hometown. For Fulanis like the two grand patrons of Miyetti Allah, the monsters they and their backers have helped to create will destroy some of what the monster was created to steal, kill, and destroy, but will turn back and destroy all the caliphate has achieved for centuries. Fulani leaders and followers still have the last opportunity to start righting the wrongs before, during, and after the 2023 elections. I hope they use it.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – Towncryyers