THE KILLINGS IN BENUE, PLATEAU, TARABA: THE FULFILLMENT OF OJUKWU’S PROPHECY

BY: CHINONSO JOHN ELUMEZIE

During the 1967 – 70 genocide against the Igbos, Ojukwu told Gowon, “As you Fulanis and Britain are killing my people unprovoked, you will be alive to witness your people die like dogs UNPROVOKED, UK will fail. Someone greater than me will liberate BIAFRA, I Promise you”.  The recent unprovoked killings in Benue, Taraba, southern Kaduna and Plateau are nothing but a fulfillment of that prophecy.

Gowon used the people of Middle Belt who are predominantly Christians to fight the Biafrans who are also Christians during the war.  They were mandated by Gowon to exterminate the Biafrans from the face of the earth.  Soldiers like David Mark, Theophilus Danjuma were used in executing the pogrom against the Igbos.  Today, Gowon and all of them are currently hiding in Abuja.  None can visit their homes for fear of safety.  Gowon is praying for death to come, but death said NO, that he must be alive to reap what he sowed.  If care is not taken, his corpse might be buried in Abuja cemetery when he dies for fear of safety.  Theophilus Danjuma who led the military onslaught that killed Aguiyi Ironsi cannot visit his home in Taraba today for fear of safety.  Only, recently at a function he advocated for citizens to take up arms in self-defence.

According to him, the recent spate of killings in Benue, Plateau, and other parts of Nigeria had once again validated his concerns. “The warning I gave some years ago is still as valid today as it was then. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves. “We cannot continue to sit and watch while bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs massacre our people unchecked. “It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country.” My strong message to Gowon and Danjuma is that it is too late to cry.  The blood of the innocent Biafrans they killed will hunt them to their graves.  The blood of children starved to death will hunt them even in after life. There is no hiding place for the wicked.

The irony of the whole situation is that poor farmers are being killed and wiped out from the homelands while the likes of Gowon are hibernating in Abuja. It is rather unfortunate that the presence of military airbases in Makurdi and Jos cannot deter these monsters. It is also worrisome that rather than confronting the Fulani monsters in these states, the Nigerian military is busy killing unarmed youths in Biafra land all in the name of fighting terrorism.  While innocent souls are killed in Igbo land on daily basis by the Nigerian security forces, the real terrorists are allowed to continue their acts of killings unchecked.

  Recently, Buhari hurriedly relocated to Kaduna from Daura, because of the fear of being killed or captured alive by the marauding bandits in Katsina State and other neighbouring states.

The Benue people are being killed like dogs and slaughtered like fowls on daily basis.  Innocent souls are being buried in mass graves while the Fulani installed leaderships in these states watch helplessly and hopelessly.

  Governors of Benue and Plateau States need the support of Tinubu to achieve their second term projects to continue their ineffective and imbecilic style of governance.

Conclusion:

The solution to all these crises lies in citizens taking up arms to defend themselves and also deciding their fate whether they are to remain in the artificial territory called Nigeria.  The people of Middle Belt can join the Biafrans in the liberation struggle as it has become obvious that the government of Nigeria cannot protect them. Only a strong and united Biafran Republic can prevent the people of Middle Belt from being wiped out from the face of this planet.  The time to act is now as tomorrow might be too late

* Chinonso John Elumezie is an activist and a freedom fighter